I’m nursing a glass of wine, thoroughly sated, and the alcohol gives me a little bit of liquid courage to askthe question that’s been nagging at me since I first met him. “So, when you say snake shifter – do you actually turn into a snake?”
Magnus’ pupils change to slits, and he licks his lips.
My attention locks onto his tongue.
Right – a forked tongue. I almost forgot about that.
“Why don’t you come back to my room, and I can show you exactly what I can change?” Magnus answers suggestively.
I cough before answering, “No thanks, I’m good here.”
His answer brings up a biology fact I really wish I could forget.
Snakes have two penises.
Yup. I did not need to learn that in the tenth grade.
Magnus winks before adding, “Of course, my darling enigma, you must be exhausted after your adventures today.”
Rosie shakes her head, smiling, before standing. “I’ll show you the way back, Vivian.”
I stand, maybe a little too quickly, before turning back to Magnus, who is still seated, nursing his own wine glass.
“Goodnight,” I say, not meeting his eyes.
“I apologize if I made you uncomfortable, Vivian. It was not my intent,” Magnus notes, pausing my escape. “I do find you very alluring. Your taste is not an easy one to forget. But I am honorable. I would not touch you unless you wanted me to.”
My chest loosens, and I realize I was holding my breath. “Thank you. I, uhm, I’ve…”
“You don’t owe me an explanation, darling. Goodnight, little enigma,” Magnus says.
I turn, and Rosie leads me down the hallway.
“I hope that wasn’t too unsettling. Snake shifters are very forward with their affection,” she notes, pausing at the base of a staircase, “but Magnus is harmless, I promise.”
Again, I know she is telling the truth, and I relax. Now that I know Magnus isn’t a threat, I can deal with the flirting. Conner gave me all the practice I needed.
I smile back at her. “Thank you for checking. I’m okay, really.”
“I’m so happy to hear that. Do you know how to get to your room from here? These stairs go directly to the third floor, and your door is the third one. Otherwise, I’m happy to walk you up.”
“Yeah, I can make it. I appreciate your help today,” I add.
“Of course! Like I said, I think we have a lot in common, and I really hope we can become good friends,” Rosie adds, looking hopeful.
“I’d like that.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! Well, I’m going to go because I know I tend to go on and on, and you look exhausted. Goodnight, Vivian!” Rosie says before twirling in the air to head down another hallway.
As I make my way up the stairs, my brain is once again without distractions. The dark thoughts are quick to creep in, each feeling like a stab to my gut.
I don’t deserve Rosie’s friendship. Neither Rosie nor Magnus has lied to me, but could I really blame them if they did? After all, I’m a liar and a murderer.
Reaching my door, I pause. Instead of going straight to my room, I eye the second door, directly in front of mine. It would probably be a good idea to know if someone is sleeping across from me. Though I assume I’m in the castle’s guest wing. That sounds like a castle-type thing to have.
Still, I’d rather be sure.
Testing the knob, I’m relieved to find it isn’t locked. It opens easily, and I’m struck by the familiar scent of woodsmoke.
