Page 87 of When Ashes Fall

“There’s no one else in this kingdom except for us, the four shifters, and you.”

I wished I’d kept pretending to listen instead of asking. “You’re right, I should have realized Atlas was a sprite.”

Zephyr hmphed loudly but resumed fly pacing.

“What did Atlas say to you?” I asked.

When Gizzi groaned in my head, I realized it was a question that might have been better kept to myself.

“He said I don’t know what to do with an asshole,” Zephyr said.

I had no idea what to make of that declaration. “What?”

“He said⁠—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I heard that part.” I waved my hand to ward off a further tirade. “What did he mean you don’t know what to do with an asshole? Does he expect you to fight them or… or…?” I had no idea what else could be there.

Gizzi groaned again as Zephyr’s jaw nearly unhinged. “I should hope not! That wouldn’t be enjoyable at all.”

“Huh?” I asked.

“Nobody wants their asshole punched, Briar.”

Now I was really confused, but Zephyr stopped flying as his expression became pensive. He planted one hand on his hip and tipped his head to the side. “Or maybe Atlas does. Maybe that’s why he said I didn’t know what I was doing with his asshole.”

“Wait… what?” My brain spun as I tried to keep up with this preposterous conversation. “Oh,” I said when reality dawned.

“Welcome to my hell,” Gizzi said.

Red crept up my cheeks as I focused on stirring. I honestly had no idea what to say to Zephyr after that announcement.

“Well, anyway, I’ll find out if that’s what he wants.” Zephyr resumed flying. “But I still can’t believe he had the nerve to say that to me.” He rested his hand over his heart. “Me. I have centuries of experience and have never received a complaint from either a male or a female. Centuries!”

“Ahh, okay.”

“I told him that too.”

“Well, good for you. What did he say to that?”

“Why are you engaging in this?” Gizzi grumbled.

“Because he’s clearly upset, and he’s a friend.”

“Friends shouldn’t learn about other friends’ assholes… or anyone’s asshole for that matter.”

I suppressed a smile. While I agreed with Gizzi, Zephyr was eager to have someone listen to his tale.

“He told me that none of… can you imagine this… that none… of… them knew what they were doing either. Or… and I cannot believe he said this… or they just didn’t tell me because they were afraid of hurting my feelings,” Zephyr fumed.

I had no idea how to salvage his pride and calm him down. “I can’t imagine that’s true,” I assured him.

“Of course it’s not true!” Zephyr blurted. “Hundreds of years of experience, Briar! Hundreds! He’s not even fifty yet!”

“Maybe it would be better if you stayed away from Atlas,” I suggested.

“Hell no! I’m determined to make him eat his words… and maybe my asshole while he’s at it.”

My jaw dropped as I blinked at him. “Uh-huh.”