Page 50 of The Rusalka and Mr. Right

“Good. But... If I pay, can I get you some long black gloves and one of those silky, shiny-looking black satin bra sets?” He rubs his hands. “I have a fantasy I want to live out.”

He doesn’t know it, but thanks to him, I’m living mine. “Mm. Tell me more while I get my swimsuit.”

Chapter Fourteen

There’s some big wedding this weekend. Half the town is there, and businesses are closed. Marina is invited.I’minvited—as her plus one.

Going to a wedding with a girl is a big thing. It’s like... permanent. I like permanent—when it’s with Marina, but the speed of our relationship still leaves me shaking my head sometimes.

“When are we having our special little promise ceremony? I thought we h-ha- have mercy, sweet baby Jesus, girl!” I finish buttoning my good white shirt and have to fight the urge to rip it right back off.

“I couldn’t wear white,” Marina says as she emerges from the bedroom in a sparkling deep cerulean dress that glimmers. Her hair shines. Her teeth glitter like diamonds. I have to blink a few times to make sure it’s not a mirage.

Then the mirage strolls into my arms and kisses me, a long, swirling tongue stroking around mine and making me wish we had time for her to wrap that magical mouth around my cock, too.

I check my face in the bathroom mirror. No lipstick. Actually— Marina barely takes up any space in my apartment. She has a toothbrush and a hairbrush in the bathroom. That’s it.

“Wait, you don’t wear lipstick, do you?”

“Nope.”

“Your lips are normally that perfect shade?” I run my thumb over her bottom lip. Her smile widens, and I see it— I seethe fangs for the first time ever. My stomach tightens at the adrenaline rush.

What the heck is... happening?

“You don’t need some pads or tampons in here?” I back up and gesture to the bathroom cabinet.

Marina puts a seashell-shaped clip in her hair as she stands beside me in front of the sink. “No. I don’t have the same reproductive capabilities. No monthly cycles.”

My head is spinning—just a little.

Like, It’s not that I didn’t believe Marina, I just— Okay, I didn’t believe Marina. Like, not entirely.

“What’s wrong?” Marina turns to face me, lips pouting in concern.

Her pupils.

Fuck, there are little flames in the center of her eyes!

“I... your teeth. Eyes.”

Marina blinks, startled. “You can see the differences now?”

I blink, too, but I’m trying to clear my vision. It’s clearing, all right, but the freaky stuff isn’t disappearing. “I think so.”

“Oh, then darling... Wait until you go to this wedding.”

THE GROOM IS GREEN. The best man is green.

The pastor is some normal pudgy, middle-aged dude.

This place is full of freaks, and I’m trying to figure out if I’m being punked or if I need to have myself committed to the psych ward.

Marina and I watch this pretty blonde human-looking lady get married to her big Scottish Orc. She’s dabbing her eyes and cheering as the radiant bride and beaming groom march down at the end of the ceremony, and I’m nearly catatonic.

One of the guests has wings.

Wings.

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