Sven pinched the bridge of his nose. “No, I don’t care about you trying to curse her. I mean, I’m not happy about it, but I’m glad it didn’t take, even if I found the dryer burping out lint today. Did you know it did that?”
“I did. I don’t know why it’s doing that, but you do know Mercedes admits she’s not the best witch.”
“Yes. You’ve told me that, and maybe she has too. I can’t remember.” Sven sighed again. “Anyways, I’m talking about you asking her out on a date, not curses and burping dryers. Though that might be a problem later on.”
“Well, we were supposed to have a date a couple months ago.”
Sven rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well she wasn’t our housekeeper back then. This isn’t that crazy revenge date thing again, is it?”
Magnus snorted. “No. It’s a legit date. I…I like her.”
Sven’s red eyes widened. “You like her?”
Magnus pressed his lips together in annoyance. “Yes.”
It was more than like. He was pretty sure he loved her, even when he’d thought she was Yrsa’s reincarnation. He definitely wanted her, and if he had blood, he’d be burning for her.
“I’m glad you like her, but what if things don’t work out? We’ll be out a housekeeper.”
“What if thingsdowork out?” Magnus countered. It was hard to think about the future, because he’d never allowed himself that before. Somehow, this was different. The moment they kissed, something had changed inside him.
Now, all he could see was a future between them because he didn’t want anyone else. That kiss had been so right and he didn’t believe that things would end.
Sven’s pained expression eased. “If it does work out, I guess your curse would be broken and I would be happy for you.”
The idea of the curse breaking, the idea that one of them might be free from immortality, was always in the back of their heads. They were twins, they’d been together since day one. The concept of one of them being released and eventually passing on was a bitter pill to swallow, but they’d talked about it many times in the centuries they’d been together.
About a hundred years ago, back in the twenties, they’d had to open that discussion when Sven fell in love with that human woman. But then she disappeared, and he was left nursing a broken heart.
When Sven said he would be happy for him, Magnus could hear the sadness and longing in his brother’s voice. It’s why they’d bought this old funeral home; it had beenherhome. Back then, he’d found it ironic, the daughter of the funeral director being in love with a ghoul who haunted the graveyards at night. But Sven was always the more romantic, poetic, yet levelheaded soul.
Whereas Magnus was a bit of a bull in a china shop.
Then they’d found out her father was also a bootlegger. Lots of shady deals happened here over the years. Including her mysterious disappearance.
“I promise you, I won’t ruin this,” Magnus stated. “I crushed on her hard before I saw her face.”
“Yes, and I remember that being a disaster.” Sven crossed his arms. “Have you thought this through?”
“Spending time with her, I know she’s not Yrsa. Not at all, and nothing like her pureblood-obsessed family. Would she really work for ghouls if she were like some of the residents of Tallowfield?”
Sven’s red eyes narrowed. “No, I suppose you’re right.”
Magnus grinned. “Well, that’s a first.”
“Admitting you’re right?” Sven smirked. “It does happen from time to time.”
Magnus grunted and rolled his eyes. “Do I have your blessing or are you still angry at me?”
Sven slouched against the front desk. “It’s fine. Just…don’t hurt her. Even though there’ve been a few messes, she’s great and I don’t want to lose our housekeeper when we’re about to open.”
“I swear. I’ll behave.” Magnus made a cross where his heart would be, if he still had a beating one. “She’s coming over here for dinner tomorrow night. I’m going to cook for her.”
“You are a fantastic cook, but why not take her to Ming’s Garden or The Lucky Goat?”
“They’re great, but I want to cook for her, and since you’ll be out tomorrow, I figured why not try out some new menu items and christen our dining room?”
Sven rolled his eyes, but was smiling. “Fine. It makes sense.”
