Page 264 of Mayhem and Minnie

“Marriage. I had my debut a few hundred years ago, and that was to introduce me into society and for me to meet eligible males. Since I didn’t receive an offer at that event, I was forced to attend a few others until my parents agreed on a match,” she explains. “But other than that, I never went to any fun parties, let alone a festival.”

The urge to be snarky about her first engagement is overwhelming. But I hold my tongue. I’m finally in her good graces. I don’t want to mess this up, no matter how I’d like nothing more than to ask what those parties included. How much did that first fiancé of her see or touch? Did she dance with him? Talk to him? Flirt with him? Laugh with him? All of the above?

It doesn’t matter that it was an arranged marriage. All those things should never have happened. They’re reserved exclusively for me.

I grumble something under my breath and pinch my leg.

Don’t screw this up, Marlowe…

“Oh, really?” I force myself to say. “Then what did you usually do for fun over there?”

“Fun?” She frowns. “Not much. I worked under my brother, and we killed demons. I suppose that was fun.”

I stare at her. Then shake my head and smile.

Of course I’d get the only girl in the entire universe whose idea of fun is to slay demons.

Not that I mind it.

Seeing her in action was on a whole other level.

She could slay me all day long if she wanted and I’d merely thank her. Especially if she does it in that sexy ice costume of hers. I’ll even forgive the cold.

“Why don’t we check out the festival then? I’ve never been to one either.”

She turns to me, her face lit up with excitement.

“Can we?”

“Why not?” I shrug. “We can park around the corner and go.”

“Oh, yes, Marlowe. Please,” she says as she clasps her hands together. “I’m so excited.”

I smile at her. How could I ever say no to her?

We slowly get out of the traffic and I pull up on an adjacent street where, to my luck, a car is just leaving the parking lot.

I take off my seat belt, but Minnie suddenly stops me.

“Wait. I want to change my clothes.” She pauses as she scans me. I’m wearing a rather comfortable fleece shirt and pants combo. Not something very fashionable. “You should, too.”

“All right,” I say.

We get in the back of the van and Minnie quickly takes off her shirt and leggings and dumps them on the bed. I, of course, grab them and fold them nicely to the side.

She remains in her bra and panties, and I do my best not to stare too much, otherwise I’ll get overly excited.

“What about this?” she asks as she pulls a black dress from her bag. It’s a bit wrinkly, but I note it’s not too short, so no one would be able to ogle her legs—that’s only for me to do.

“That’s perfect,” I tell her as I put on a pair of dark jeans and a white button-down shirt.

And since we’re going out in public, she dons her black lace veil to cover her face.

Once we’re both ready, we get out of the van and head toward the source of the noise.

The music is blaring loudly in the air, together with excited screams from the crowd.

As we get there, it’s pretty clear this is some sort of masquerade party. Everyone is wearing costumes, some more outrageous than others. Like that Snow White and the seven dwarves surrounding her.

---