Shady

Ky nodded. Not Septimus or Michael, though. The two everyone actually wanted gone. “And sp— each of you may choose when you want to pass on? There’s… nothing that… speeds… ...

“Not at all.” Ky smiled and shook her head. “I’m sure it’s been done before.”

Ky furrowed her brow but followed. How dare he of all people criticize her father? But she also had no intention of spilling any tea for this bastard. “How many ...

“Are they a meal or a desert?” She clarified.

“…they’re both good men,” Ky said after a moment. This was a delicate place; talking to the abuser of the men who meant a lot to her. Not knowing if ...

“Good?” She shifted her weight away. Her ability to irritate people transcended life and death these days. “…how do you mean?”

“Oh, I—“ she blinked and shook her head, then realized that she was taking this too seriously and forced a smile instead. “… that would be nice.”

“I see…” She didn’t.

“Well…” they walked out of the stairwell and back into the hall on the third floor. “I’ll certainly keep this recommendation in mind if I ever make it to the ...

“ How ?” She subconsciously glanced around again and sidled a step closer to him without realizing she was doing so. Some good it would do her. This man didn’t ...

Ky laughed lightly. “Long investment.”

“I won’t.” She nodded, glancing around despite herself. “But… does he know about me , like you did? Because this…” She glanced around again. “Isn’t going to go well… if ...

“Makes sense.” Ky nodded. “I think that’s common a lot of places. At least in smaller villages.”

“Okay.” She blushed a little. Apparently the whole line of Ash men were skilled at cutting her down. “I… I don’t understand how this works very well, sorry.”

“Family business, maybe?” Ky mused.