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in the end. Immortality was at risk.”
    “So, you’re immortal?” I asked, trying to connect all the dots.
    Axel shook his head like he forgot I was here, listening to his heritage.
    “No. We live longer than mortals, but eventually die.”
    I felt Axel’s eyes travel along the side of my cheek down to my shoulders.
    “So how long is longer?” I asked to divert his scrutinizing gaze.
    “Most die fighting in this never-ending war, but the oldest lived to be in their four hundreds.”
    “Well, that’s a long, boring life, not to mention all the wrinkles.” I crinkled my nose thinking about how I would look at age four hundred.
    His shoulders shook uncontrollably as he laughed with his mouth wide open. “You’re seriously worried about wrinkles? You’re such a girl.”
    “Well, I really don’t think I can live with my wrinkly self for over three hundred years.” Now Axel was laughing so loud, I felt stupid. “What?”
    “You’re ridiculously cute. How did you ever survive?”
    I scowled at him.
    “Okay. Okay,” he said, raising his hands in defeat. “So it’s like this. Mortals start to wrinkle at about age fifty?”
    “Give or take a couple of years.”
    He nodded. “Dracians start to see wrinkles around two hundred-ish.” He paused. He shrugged his shoulders. “Give or take a few decades.”
    Oh. Duh! Stupid math.
    But I wasn’t ready to admit he was right. Might as well stay mad at him and math, and I’ll add the person that invented math, for good measure. Axel crouched in front of me, trying to get me to look at him.
    “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. Forgive me?”
    I looked away from him, acting like a five-year-old that didn’t get her way.
    “What can I do to make it up? Come on, Ren, don’t be like that.” He teased, offering his hand.
    I raised my eyebrows.
    “I thought a change in scenery would be nice,” he explained, wiggling his fingers.
    “Fine.” I got up and walked in front of him, trying to hide my mischievous smile.
    “Ren, wait.” He caught up to me and grabbed my hand, causing electricity to surge up my arm, jumpstarting the erratic beating of my heart. “Ren.”
    “What?” I intended to snap at him, but it came out as a longing whisper.
    “You’re going the wrong way.” He grinned like a fool.
    Shit .
    Warmth built up in my cheeks. Axel leaned in closer to the curve of my neck, his breath tickling my skin. I fought hard not to let my eyes roll back in pure bliss.
    “Pink is a great color on you.” The smile in his words tugged at my heart.
    Now I was sure I turned bloody-red-tomato. He laughed as he let go of my hand and turned around to walk the other way.
    “Come on. You’ll like this.” He sounded excited.
    I followed in step with him.
    “So, if you’re done interrupting me, I want to finish my story before I show you some cool tricks.”
    “Oh, can you sit, stay, jump, shake hands, and roll over too?” I asked sarcastically, my shoulders bunched up closer to my ears.
    “That and more, Amor Aeternus ,” he teased.
    Just keep digging that hole, Ren, deeper and deeper and deeper.
    He ran his hand through his hair nervously. Excitement replaced all my other emotions.
    “Since Synik passed away, Telalians have been on the rise. In the beginning, families sacrificed their male children for the cause as soon as they turned thirteen, which was the coming-of-age back then. Without Synik, the magical protection he gave his loyal subjects weakened. Many died. Many families wept at their losses. We never knew if Synik’s bloodline survived. It was rumored with his death that his family was sought out and killed. So, one of his loyal followers stepped up to lead his army. He knew the cost of such action, but he knew the price would be higher if he didn’t. The new king of the Dracians was powerful. He had the strength to do what was necessary and never once backed down from his role. He died at the age of one hundred sixty-eight, battling Telal.