Forged Destiny [Book 4: Ch. 17]

Blake's face lit up instantly and this time I'd already tensed my ribs for the fist that buried in them, not that it did much good given the level disparity. It was a gentle blow, but a gentle blow from Blake was like a clothesline from Ruby. I'd known it would be coming, of course, but teasing her seemed an easy way to get rid of her sorrow. It replaced it with embarrassed indignation, but she was cute when she was flustered. I couldn't help but grin at her.

"You must be a glutton for punishment," she grumbled. "I'm beginning to see the similarities between you and your mother. The both of you are insistent."

"Is it so strange we'd be alike?" I coughed.

—Forged Destiny [Book 4: Ch. 17]