Noah leaned his head back against the velvet cushion, arms crossed as he watched Juniper through narrowed eyes.
She was back to smiling at him again, dreamy and smug like she knew a secret he didn't.
He frowned slightly. "Why do you like me, anyway?"
Juniper blinked at the sudden question. Then she tilted her head with a thoughtful hum. "You want the honest answer?"
"That'd be nice."
She grinned. "Gladiators."
He stared. "What?"
"I love gladiators," she said, eyes gleaming with excitement. "The blood, the sweat, the roar of the crowd. I want to be one when I grow up."
"You're already grown."
"Then now," she said simply. "I want to be a gladiator now."
He blinked again, clearly trying to process the statement. "Aren't you a noble?"
"Exactly. That's what makes it so exciting." She kicked her legs a little like a child with a secret. "My parents hate the idea. They want me to be a healer or an enchanter. Something delicate." She scoffed. "Boring."
