Page 18 of Married to the All Hallows' Eve Alien

“I’m dismayed that I still have an accent and poor word choice. I’ve dedicated myself to learning English fluently.” This is no lie. I’ve worked hard at learning it so I don’t have to rely on my translator, which can miss cultural nuances.

“Don’t get me wrong, your hard work has paid off. I said, ‘slight accent,’” she tells me with a hint of a smile. “What other things have you worked hard at?”

I’m not sure how to answer this. I decide not to lie. “Swordplay.”

“Excuse me,” she says, stops walking, and looks at me with bewilderment. “Swords? Are you in a medieval dungeon club or something? Don’t tell me a man like yourself is into Dungeons and Dragons.”

I don’t know what she means by ‘dungeon club’ or ‘dungeons and dragons.’ There’s a dungeon in the Imperial Palace, but I’ve never seen it, nor would I want to. I decide to ignore those parts of her question. “My best friend Ash and I spar a lot for practice,” I have to stop there. I can’t tell her how many duels I’ve been involved in, not because I’m immoral but because other men want to test themselves against someone as strong and fast as I am. “What are you good at?”

“I love teaching children. I don’t know if I’m good at it, but I try to be. I love seeing their little faces light up when they learn something new.”

I want to tell her she’s an honorable woman, but I don’t know the correct translation in English. I only know from Caroline that the direct translation is not it. Instead, I say, “That’s a good quality to have as a teacher. Your students must learn a lot from you.”

A blush rushes her cheeks, and it’s alluring.

“I also like traveling, although I’ve not been to many places,” she says, changing the subject.

“Where’s the last place you traveled to?”

“A mediation center in California where I had to be completely quiet for a week.” Then she adds as if she’s trying to explain it away. “I had some things to get over in my personal life.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Did it help? Being quiet?”

“No. I like to talk. I realized I need to talk about my problems, not to be silent and let them drive me crazy.”

“It’s a gift. I wish I talked more.”

“You’re talking now.”

“We’re alone, and you’re beautiful. It puts me at ease.”

“I can’t decide if that sounds lovely or a little bit frightening?”

“Ivy, at any point, I could have taken advantage of you, but I haven’t, and I won’t. I think my actions tonight have more than proved my honor.”

She doesn’t answer me but seems content as she drops the subject as we continue to walk. When we come to another busy corner, she stops under the bright yellow streetlight and holds her right hand for me to shake. “I’m going to leave you here, Sem Svensson. Thank you for everything you’ve done tonight and for walking me this far.”

“Wait.” I get out my phone. I quickly delete everything but make sure it’s working and then hand it to her.

“No, it’s too much. I can’t take your phone.”

“I’ve erased all of my personal information. I won’t track it on my word. I don’t even think that’s possible without being signed in. Please take it and throw it away if you want to be sure, but please don’t walk home without it.”

I put my phone into Ivy’s outstretched hand. Both of my hands encompassing her small one. I look into her green eyes and want to kiss her. I stare at her lips, and the world around us has stopped. It’s quiet, and it’s only us. I lean down, but then Ivy reluctantly takes my phone and takes a step backward. I release her hands but keep looking into her eyes. I want her to recognize me as her true other half. Remember who I am.

She’s looked away now, breaking our moment.

“If you decide you might want to get to know me, I’d very much like to get to know you. You can contact me on that number. I’ll cancel the contract on that phone and have a new one with the same number by tomorrow morning.” Her face is unreadable to me. I don’t know if she thinks I’m dangerous, but there’s nothing I can do about that now. I want to tell her to walk in the goddesses’ light, but instead, I say, “Please be safe and goodnight.”

“Thank you,” she says, taking my phone in one hand and her keys in another. I’ve seen human women do this a lot.

I want to watch her walk out of my sight, but I also don’t want her to think I’m stalking her, so I only watch a little bit, and when I feel she’s going to turn around and check to make sure I’m not following her, I turn and walk in the other direction.

She’s my other half. The goddesses planned for me to save her tonight and to punish a man who hurt her. Now the question is: Has she been so hurt by another that she’s unable to consider any man, even me?

Ten

Ivy

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