Page 33 of Entranced By the Basilisks

“Are you sure I’m the one you’re trying to impress?”

My smile is slow. Mrs. Rivera is a sharp one.

“You’re not the only one, but I pay my respects where they are due,” I say with a nod, starting to form the meat on skewers to be fried. “And then maybe you’ll share what your daughter enjoys in life so I might make her stay with me easier… if she decides to do so.”

Mrs. Rivera doesn’t comment on that, but I sense Emilia’s resistance to the idea fraying. That’s what dinner is supposed to help with. I want Emilia to get to know me enough that her accepting my invitation won’t be so nerve racking.

Mrs. Rivera places her hand on the large wooden mortar and pestle on the counter. The instrument could undoubtedly act as a weapon, but there isn’t violence in her eyes but rather a soul-deep seriousness.

“If you break her heart, you’ll regret it,” she says.

I give that comment the respect it deserves because it doesn’t matter how old I am, how dangerous my gaze or my venom can be, I know that Mrs. Rivera will make good on that promise.

“I can’t control if Emilia gets emotionally hurt in all of this.” I start to gesture with a skewer of meat but think better of it. “There are too many factors, and her feelings are her own. I can say that breaking her heart is the furthest thing from what I want.”

I drop the charming act and let Mrs. Rivera see the graveness I feel for the situation. The weight of losing the man I love and the woman I’ve only met but know to the core of my being will complete us.

“I’ve been alone for a long time, and I recognize the opportunity not to be. I won’t ruin that for anything.” Not with Jasper’s fearful reticence or Emilia’s need for normalcy.

Things just need a little push.

15

EMILIA

Ari was right.The food is good.

I don’t have lamb very often, but the kebabs are crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside with a good balance of seasonings. It’s a simple dish with rice and yogurt, but flavorful.

Eating around the table together has a domestic feel to it and the adrenaline of the evening starts to subside. As long as I don’t think about all the projects I’m working on that will need to be completed by someone else, my heart keeps a steady beat.

And as long as I don’t think about how long the process of becoming unblessed could take, I can remain calm and enjoy the food Ari put in front of me.

Jasper, the strict director, had surprised me when we’d gone through work specifics.

“Don’t apologize. This happening to you wasn’t your fault. It’s better for everyone that we delegate what projects we can while you learn how to control this. Ari is a good teacher.”

The way Adder had glanced away when he’d said that made me curious, but I don’t ask about it.

He hadn’t been superfluous or gratuitous with his words. He didn’t reassure me that my absence wouldn’t be missed. It made me believe him. Being Chosen wasn’t a part of the plan, but it’s happened and now we’ll deal with it.

“This is great,” I say to Ari. “Thank you for making dinner.”

“You’re very kind,” Ari says, almost shy. “Thank you for sharing a meal with me. I value the companionship of it very much.”

Jasper’s brow furrows slightly before he shakes it away as if that was something about Ari he didn’t know. Maybe their relationship is strictly sexual.

Annnd that’s not something I should be thinking about at the dinner table.

Ari’s uncharacteristic shyness at my compliment makes the next part easier.

“Um, I think with everything that’s happened… that I should stay with you,” I say. “If the invitation is still open, that is.”

I half expect his expression to be triumphant or maybe smug, but Ari’s face lights up. The unbridled joy from my words stuns me. He’s acting like I’ve given him a priceless gift.

“I’d be honored to have you stay with me,” he says.

The sincerity of his words is almost too bright. I look down at the delicious food and nod.

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