Chapter 66

"Ouch, that stings," Kaelen chuckled, though he made a show of clutching his chest in mock pain. "You wound me, Vespera. And here I thought saving your life would earn me at least a little gratitude."

"What, so now you're keeping score?" she shot back, arching an eyebrow. The sheer audacity almost made her laugh despite her irritation.

"Would it work if I did?" he asked, his tone shifting to somet