Chapter 22 Thea

                                    

                                          

We were back in the car and on our way to Virgina, where we would stop at a hotel for the night. We only had about five more hours to go, but I was sure I would throw myself out the window before then. I had never endured such an awkwardly silent car ride in my life, and I knew it was probably all my fault. After a while, Xaiver cleared his throat, 
"How about a game?" He suggested and I turned towards him, cocking an eyebrow. 
"A game?" 
"Yeah, you know, a fun activity?" He mocked me and I rolled my eyes. 
"Yes, I know what a game is." I mumbled. 
"Just checking." He shrugged. 
"What sort of game?" I asked hesitantly, not sure that I really wanted to know. 
"Twenty questions." He declared.
"Twenty...." I started, but Xaiver interrupted me, 
"Twenty questions, yes. Haven't you played before?" He asked, glancing at me quickly before returning his gaze to the road. 
We were on a major, four lane highway speeding along with the rest of the traffic. It was past midday now, on a Tuesday, so the highway was congested and, according to all the red lines on the GPS, it was only going to get worse. I sighed, 
"No, I haven't heard of it." I confessed.
"Well, it's rather self explanatory. We each ask the other person twenty questions, taking turns. We have to answer honestly." He explained. 
"What if I don't want to answer a question?" I asked and he shot me a cocky crooked grin, 
"Not an option. You have to answer. Those are the rules." He said, 
"Oh? And who will officiate these rules?" I huffed in annoyance. 
"Me, of course." 
"But, between the two of us, I'm the only one certified to make decisions on behalf of the royal family." I smirked at him with my chin pointed proudly in the air. 
His arrogance disappeared for a fraction of a second before his stupid grin returned.
"True. But, here, in this car, I'm the expert on the game and, therefore, the authority." He pretended to fix his imaginary tie with a snobby expression. I stifled a laugh, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. 
"Fine, whatever. You start." I grumbled, crossing my arms in defeat. Xaiver laughed out loud at his victory.
"I'll start with an easy one, then. What's your favorite book?" He asked and I glanced over at him again. 
"There's not much time for reading." I said and Xaiver frowned.
"That's not an answer." He said and I grumbled at him under my breath. 
"Fine, I have read a few. I suppose I rather liked The Three Musketeers." I replied. Xaiver looked at me with a strange expression.
"The Three Musketeers?" He asked with a chuckle. 
"Yes, what's wrong with that?" I snapped defensively and he quickly shook his head.
"Nothing, my dear." He said, "It's your turn to ask a question." I leaned back in my seat and thought for a moment before asking, 
"Okay. What do you like to do besides running a pack and tormenting innocent Archers?" I sneered. Xaiver laughed at me again, unfazed by my jab. 
"Well, there's the obvious. I like to train and let Cain out for a run. Besides that, I like poetry." His answer surprised me.