By the time Marisol parted ways with Sophia, it was well into the evening. Although she itched to go find Lily and share everything that had happened while seeking her input, Marisol headed for the hidden castle instead.
She walked into the hidden castle with a pep in her step, her mind still buzzing from her conversation with Sophia. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she almost missed the sight of Cedric pacing back and forth in the dimly lit hallway, the man halting his pacing as he caught sight of her.
He turned to regard her with a scowl etched deeply into his features. “Where have you been?” he demanded.
Marisol’s smile only grew as she watched Cedric try and fail to contain his agitation. She knew staying silent would only work to annoy him further, but at the same time, she had to admit there was something so thrilling about riling him up. “I’ve been out,” she finally replied, her tone casual, “Out and about, trying to keep up my end of the bargain.”
Cedric’s jaw clenched visibly, his frustration evident in the tight set of his shoulders. “And you couldn’t be bothered to inform me?”
Marisol shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes dancing with mischief. “I didn’t realize I needed your permission to do that.” She heard Cedric suck in a sharp breath, his eyes shut in an effort to rein in his temper.
“You know damn well that’s not what I meant,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Marisol’s smile only widened at his reaction. She hadn’t expected it to be so amusing to push his buttons. Taking a step closer with a teasing glint in her eyes, she muttered, “Well, maybe next time you should try being more specific.”