Page 26 of Maid for Her Snow Beast

“It's not good enough.”

“You're alive, and you're at peace. At least, until you found all this out. Is that not good?”

She smiles. “I suppose it is. Just a while ago, I was telling myself how this is all a dream come true and I never want it to end.”

It doesn’t have to. Soon, I’ll push for my claim. But not now.

"Come. I know what will make you feel better."

I lead her to the library and show her a new screen I installed. It hangs above the fireplace, perfectly aligned with the larger sofa seat facing it. When not in use, it reverts back into a digital work of art.

“Oh my, that’s huge!”

I show her the controller for the display, and all the options she has for shows. I preloaded it with a variety of mystery shows from crime thrillers to comedies.

She chooses one about a mystery writer who solves crimes better than her police detective peers.

With a healthy dose of refreshments, Val is back to her usual self. I urge her to start on her show, claiming to make more tea.

While I snip leaves to create a calming tea for Val, I text Vane his name.

Everett Young.

I finish out the tea trolley, upon which the house delivered a platter laden with a variety of treats. I wasn’t exaggerating to Val when I told her the house would punish me if she leaves me.

My notification buzzes, and I check my messages.

Copy that

Vane will track him down. For now, my concern is solely for Val.

Chapter Twelve

GOOD MORNING

Valiana

I wake up on the most comfortable bed ever. It’s layered with piles of those shearling blankets with fluffy white fur. And then the bed starts moving.

Technically, more like breathing as it rises and falls beneath me.

What the hell? What kind of bed is this?

Beneath my ear, the deep bass of a slow and steady heartbeat drums beneath me.

Oh. My. God. Kill me now. I'm snuggling on top of him.

Torben.

My mind races trying to figure out how we got here. The last thing I remember doing was watching murder mysteries while eating a trolley full of snacks. He also made me some tea to help calm me.

That must have been what took me out. The tea, on top of a perfectly cozy evening.

I must have needed to sleep if I passed out this well.

I try to unwrap myself from his hold and find his grip is like steel. I look up to see he's wide awake.

Wide. Awake.

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