Cassian's smile deepened by the slightest degree. "And yet," he said softly, "you are still here and want to keep my lips for yourself. How selfish of you!"
If not for her curse on the line, she would have smashed that document on his face and left already. "Yes," she said with unabashed confidence.
Cassian's brow lifted.
"Yes," she repeated, this time more firmly. "I am selfish! Because I like you! I want to keep your lips for myself! ... It strokes your pride, doesn't it?"
Cixi couldn't come to a conclusion on who to curse at that moment. Her fate, perhaps, or the grim reaper who shared her name. She couldn't believe she was cursed simply because of a name.... It was her fate! It was the fault of the gods, the heavens, and the underworld for allowing it to happen.
The faint, dangerous smile lingered at the corner of his mouth, though he said nothing.
