Something Immortal

12: Inadequacy is Evergreen Part Three

"Well?"

Kali was waiting patiently for his answer, but Som couldn't seem to get his act together. He had to calm himself down, knowing that this would be one hell of an awkward exchange.

"Of course, I know him! He's a Druid."

"You can still be strangers even if you came from the same kind."

"We're not strangers."

"Then, is he your friend?"

"Not exactly. He was older than me. He was like...a brother to me," Som started making up a story that was actually true since he was the "reader." This scene wasn't supposed to be acted this way. It was supposed to be dramatic, more like two best friends conversing about the past and the people involved in their past. But the aura was just so different now.

This time, Kali's head turned to gaze at him. Although Som was already so tall, this man seemed bigger and more muscular. In his eyes, Som felt so small.

"How did he die?"

Wait, he didn't say that. "What?"

As if Kali read through him and answered, "You said—was."

"Oh, well...he got sick."

Kali arched his brow, "A Druid can get sick?"

"Yes." It was so sudden, and his pulse started racing so fast that he was almost hyperventilating. What is this? He wondered if Kali was using some kind of spell against him. "I...I better go."

"Stay."

"What?"

"Stay with me. I want to hear more."

Som's forehead creased, "Why?"

Kali shrugged his shoulders. "Why not?"

"Your Imperial Highness, nothing is interesting about me," Som said with his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Cut that crap," he uttered coldly. "Stop calling me that way. I know you don't respect me. You're probably cursing me behind my back."

What an astute observation. Som would like to argue that he doesn't curse. Well, he doesn't curse that much. "Then, should I call you dickhead?" Som uttered this without thinking. Perhaps he was feeling courageous tonight and wanted to gouge someone's anger.

But upon hearing that, Kali just narrowed his gaze and stepped closer until he invaded Som's personal space. But Som refused to be threatened or to even look helpless, facing him with his head held up high.

"I don't know what that means, but that sounds mean."

"It is. It means asshole in slang."

"Brave."

Kali spoke so close to him that he could smell his perfume. It must be the lighting in the place or the overall ambiance, but Som was getting lightheaded. Was that perfume? Som thought and wondered, how come this person smells so good?

Still, he stood on his ground, "What? Are you going to have me arrested now? Your Imperial Highness, the jackass?"

"Wow. Say that again."

"Bastard."

"Got anything else?"

"Jerk! Sucker! Corn nuts."

"Corn nuts? What the hell is that?"

"Uhm, I don't know. I just heard it from someone," that part was true. He has no frigging idea what that one meant and just wanted to say it because he was getting angry with this person and himself, and he wanted to get away from this situation fast.