"Don't," Vael said flatly.
Vessara looked at Vael. He had been in the middle of raising his spoon to his mouth, and he froze at the question. His eyes darted to his sister with barely concealed irritation.
"Don't what?" Mia asked, all innocence. "I'm just curious. This guy right here—" she pointed at Vael with her spoon. "—is a tough nut to crack. I want to know how you managed to survive him this long."
Vael sighed, a sound of long-suffering patience. "I'm sitting right here."
"Exactly." Mia grinned. "You're living proof of my point."
Vessara felt a smile tugging at her lips. "It wasn't that bad."
Mia's eyes went wide. She exchanged a shocked glance with Susan, who was trying to hide her own amusement behind her glass of water. "Are you serious? I need the tea. Please." She leaned forward, her elbows on the table. "You can't just say it wasn't that bad and leave it there. That's like saying a storm was just a little breezy. I need details."
