Naomi froze, immediately regretting her words the moment they left her lips. Why had she said that? She hadn't meant to voice her thoughts, but the curiosity slipped out before she could stop herself. The things Zylan did weren't normal, not by any measure she could imagine. She couldn't picture any human, not even someone completely reckless, being at ease with his behavior. Why was she even considering that? Then again, she wasn't exactly "normal" herself, was she? She knew that far too well.
She felt Zylan's steady gaze settle on her, a silent anchor that rooted her in place. His lips curled into a slow, deliberate smile, one that sent a flicker of unease through her. "Convince me, then," he said, his tone carrying a faint edge of challenge.
Naomi shifted her gaze, feeling a rush of uncertainty color her cheeks. "Don't mind my words," she murmured, trying to dismiss the weight of what she had let slip. She felt foolish, exposed.
