Chương 44: Chapter 44

“No, but you think it’s for a hurt done tome,” Blaze said, and Arik’s lips twitched. “What?” Blaze asked.

“Nothing. It’s just that I’ve never heard you speak with an accent, before.”

“I can stop. I learned to stop a long time ago.”

“No, I like it, though it makes you sound…”

“Older?” Blaze asked, amused.

“Sadder.”

“That, too.” Blaze sipped his drink. “I’ll tell you what happened, and then we’ll see.”

“See what?”

Blaze shrugged. “What happens next. What you believe.”

“If you tell me, I’ll believe it. You wouldn’t lie to me.”

“Only once. I’ve lied to you only once.”

Arik’s lips parted, pressed, and he licked them. “I’m listening?”

“Okay. Well.” Blaze got up, fetched the bottle, and poured himself another. “Once upon a time…” He paused for Arik’s soft chuckle. “There was a boy with auburn hair and fair skin born into a Roma clan who believed such things were the markers of great power. They called me Steaor Bobot, which means ‘star’ or ‘flame’ or…”