Blushing, I look down at his bare chest, desperate to think about anything other than our awkward frotting in the dark. His tattoos draw me in again. Wanting to steer the talk back to normal, I ask, "So, if they’re not tattoos, then what are they?"
Snow chuckles again, still gently touching my back.
"They showed up when I hit puberty. And as they grew, so did my abilities…"
I stay quiet for a moment, just staring at him.
"When I came to your room the first night… I saw the light shining through your skin. That’s your real form, isn’t it? A being of light?"
Snow lets out a sound that’s part thoughtful, part hesitant, and part amused.
"You could put it like that… to simplify it."
We both slowly sit up, and then Snow helps me stand. Hand in hand, we walk slowly toward the shore.
"I really want to show you my real form too… I’ll do it one day, Snow. Okay?" I whisper.
He nods. "I’ll be waiting."
???
The next day we set our date for one o’clock in the afternoon, since it’s the easiest time to see all the fish around the tunnel in the oceanarium. I feel nervous, because here comes the first real date of my life.
I spend a long time deciding what to wear. In the end, I let my hair down, brushing it so it falls in soft waves to my hips. Its caramel-fudge shade complements my light, slightly rosy skin. My lips are naturally pink, so I only add a touch of gloss. Mybrows and lashes are brown, and I brush on a little dark-brown mascara to bring them out.
For clothes, I choose a purple, flowery shirt with a collar, hoping it hides the scars on my neck. On my legs I put on a pair of super-tight jeans Lake picked up for me during our trip to the store. They really were a good choice; the clingy fabric exposes the shape of my ass perfectly.
Then I slip into purple sneakers. A light spray of violet cologne finishes it off. I haven’t shaved, but it’s not a problem; a lot of omegas barely grow any hair, and sometimes it doesn’t even show up until later in life, maybe above thirty.
Once I’m ready, I head downstairs. Lake is curled up on the couch in Aiden’s lap, kissing him with all the passion in the world. The moment he notices me, he springs up with a wide smile.
"I’m so glad you two are going out! I know Snow likes to stay home, but it can get a bit claustrophobic after some time, right?"
I blush and say nothing. I don’t feel like talking about our date; people tend to make too big a deal out of it, especially family.
"The jeans look good…" Lake murmurs in a conspiratorial tone, but I kinda ignore it.
A few minutes later Snow appears, dressed sharper than I expected. He’s in a black suit with a dark-purple shirt, sleek and elegant, but different too; he looks more serious, more mature. His hair is pulled back perfectly, not a single strand escaping.
The moment I see him, I head his way, not wanting to give Lake the chance to toss out any more enthusiastic comments. I slip onto the porch and down the steps quickly, like I’m escaping a fire, and Snow has no choice but to follow.
In silence we make our way to the garage, where he brings out his Jaguar. He opens the door for me, and I slide inside.
For a while we drive without talking, just exchanging glances. There’s a small smile at the corner of his lips each time I catch his eye.
"You know," he says finally, "I’ve never been on a date either."
I nearly open my mouth in surprise. I have to ask, even if it costs me a stab of pain, "What about before this… twelve-year-long relationship?"
Snow gives me a look.
"Like you, I didn’t attend school, I was homeschooled, just constantly composing and playing my instruments. I had some… let’s say, a crush at the time, but it didn’t turn into what you would call ‘dating’. When I was nineteen, I decided to start giving private music lessons, tutoring kids. Theo was the parent of one of my students. So. No dating for me."
Silence falls.
So that’s the name: Theo, the guy Snow was tied to for years.
"How did it all start?" I choke out.
