Danger beneath the Dust    

Santi wiped her eyes, still chuckling. "Okay, okay. A chicken Gorm. That's something I didn't expect today. Thanks, Rain. I needed that."

Rain gave a mock bow. "Glad to be of service. Just doing my part to keep us all from turning into Gorm's next meal — or chicken feed."

Santi's smile brightened, her face softening in a way that made Rain's heart skip a beat. Before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "You should smile more often. It suits you . . . I mean, you're already beautiful before, but—" Realizing what he'd said, Rain fumbled for words, his face heating up. "Not that you're not beautiful when you're not smiling . . . I just—uh, what am I even saying?"

A blush crept onto Santi's cheeks, making her dark skin glow with a warm, rosy hue that only made her look even more stunning.

Golly, who had been quietly observing the exchange, smirked and shook his head. "Smooth, lad. Real smooth."