---
Azhara peeked at her from behind a scorched rock. "At least she's not thinking of that thing. I can't let that happen before he does it with me."
Akayoroi blinked. "...Wait. That's a thing?"
"Forget I spoke," Azhara said, facepalming.
The last frogkin scrabbling like a drunk across shattered ground. "I-I CAN'T BREATHE. MY BALLS JUST CURLED INSIDE MY STOMACH!"
Azhara's mouth went dry. "Okay. That's… new."
Kai glanced at her briefly.
Her knees buckled.
She quickly sat on a rock and fanned herself with a leaf. "I need to confess… I just had a moment. A very strong, inappropriate moment."
"Focus," Kai growled, voice now deeper, layered like ten voices in harmony.
"I am focused," she whispered. "on every part of your body."
Akayoroi stepped forward. Her eyes glowed. Every inch of her chitin trembled, not in fear but in something else.
"Kai…" she murmured. "I think fate sent you here to take my revenge."
