Omigosh, Astrid! Clare cheered, You did so well!

  Astrid was back in the snake-worm moat, preening quietly. Chunky was curled around her neck like a fleshy, carnivorous scarf.

  [It was acceptable.] Kepler admitted, voice smug with pride in their young water giant.

  [What?] Astrid huffed, [I was amazing! And,] she click-giggled, [Did you hear his face?]

  Chunky gave a watery gurgle in praise.

  [Right?] She really could be just as smug as Kepler, sometimes, [I’m the absolute best!]

  Mr. Wriggles and Snappy, growing bored of her bragging, lunged from the depths to wrestle her and Chunky. Astrid beamed, going down in a wreath of blood-colored monsters. She emerged a few moments later, victorious.

  [And I even gained a level!] Astrid crowed.

  Wow! Clare cheered again, That’s grea--

  Wait, Astrid hadn’t seemed to be leveling. No consuming intimacy, no overwhelming warmth of power—

  Astrid tilted her head, surprised at the sudden pause.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Ah, yes. Clare fumbled.

  [It is great.] Kepler finished for her. [Very well done.]

  Privately, he turned to Clare. [Your leveling is different, Clare. Your soul doesn’t match this body.]

  Oh… Clare kept her, well, what emotion was she feeling, anyways? Either way, she kept it from Astrid. This had definitely been a win for their adorable monster-baby.

  Luckily, Astrid was too stunned at Kepler praising her to notice Clare’s discomfort.

  [Well…] If she had been human, she would have been blushing. As it was, her hair pulled in to cover her face shyly. [I already knew it was great. That I’m great.]

  [Yes, yes, you’re very smart.] Kepler responded, [Now shut up.]

  Astrid huffed happily, [You’re the meanest ever. I’m gonna go hunt Duchess.]

  The said faerie overheard them, narrowing her eyes.

  [Take Puck with you.] Kepler told her.

  Puck, who had just respawned, glimmered to Astrid’s side. [Yeah, yeah.] She replied, as the two trouble makers started their prowl.

  [That should keep the two of them from preening too much.] Kepler said to Clare, [If there’s anything Duchess is good at, it’s putting people in their place.]

  Clare chuckled. You really are mean.

  [I detest a lack of humility.]

  Clare bit down on her imaginary lip, trying to stifle the laughter quivering in her aura.

  Kepler gave her a suspicious stare. He’d been playing with his eye-colors lately, and they were currently light violet.

  [What?]

  Ahahhaha!

  [Clare, I don’t get it. What’s so funny?]

  She succumbed fully to her laughter, causing their servants to glance up curiously. Even Chubbles, who had been regaling his fellow slimes with the tale of his adventure, paused.

  [Clare…]

  Kepler pouted, so she just hugged him, giggling helplessly at his lack of self-awareness.