Page 18 of The Naga

Pulling back, I smiled at Dustin before taking his hand in mine. "So, do you want to meet the others? And see the rest of the place?"

Dustin nodded excitedly, his hand tightening around mine, and I smiled, finding his excitement contagious.

Making my way across the room with him at my side, I waited a moment before opening the door—giving my family ample time to act like they weren't eavesdropping, though I could hear their footsteps skittering off—and leading Dustin outside.

The door to the Forest opened, and Silas stuck his head out, the picture of innocence.

"Oh, hey, Dustin!" he greeted as if he hadn't just met him a while ago.

"Step aside, you troll," I grumbled, making him laugh as he held the door open for us while Dustin shot me a wide-eyed look.

"It's okay," Silas told Dustin, his eyes twinkling above his mask. "Iama troll."

Dustin blinked, and his brows shot up as the realization sunk in. I had a feeling Dustin was going to experience a rollercoaster of emotions today. I just hoped it wouldn't be too much for his frail human heart.

"Wow," Dustin said as he looked around, taking in my home. I wondered what the place looked like through his eyes.

I clearly remembered the day I came to live at the Sanctuary, and the awe I'd felt, and I wondered if Dustin was feeling thesame way. I hoped so. I hoped he appreciated my home the way I did, because it was a magical place, in more ways than one.

Dustin

I was in a fairy tale, or at least, that was what it felt like. This place was wonderful.

The room was labeled Forest, it turned out, because it was a forest. Walking through the door, I'd stepped onto a grassy field that extended out into a dense forest. I could see glimpses of cabins scattered among the trees, and I wondered just how many supernatural beings lived at the Sanctuary.

"What do you think?" Khush asked, and I glanced up at him. He looked right at home in the greenery, and I realized I was seeing him on his home turf for the first time. He looked even more stunning here, probably because he was completely relaxed for the first time since we'd met now that he'd shared his biggest secret.

I didn't think I'd fully processed everything just yet, but I'd have more than enough time to do that once I went home, so for now, I focused on my surroundings, and on Khush.

"This place is wonderful. I don't think I've ever seen any place as beautiful as this," I answered honestly, and Khush smiled.

"That's how I felt the first time I saw it too," Khush said, and I tilted my head curiously.

"Have you lived here long?"

"Not really. I've only been here for a decade or so."

I blinked, filing that in the back of my head for later examination because apparently a decade was not long for Khush.

A clattering sound interrupted whatever he was about to say, and I glanced at one of the paths in time to see an honest-to-god centaur walking toward us. Their back legs seemed to be supported by a wooden cart, the source of the clattering sound.

"That's Keoni. He's one of the youngest residents here," Khush said a moment before Keoni came to a stop before us.

"You must be Dustin! It's so nice to meet you! I'm glad Khush didn't scare you off," Keoni rambled off with a grin, taking my hand without prompting and giving it an enthusiastic shake.

Khush actually hissed at Keoni, smacking at his hooves with his tail, and I chuckled. I could see how close the two were, and I wanted to get to know Keoni better. He seemed like my kind of people.

"Come on, brat. Help me with some stuff and leave those two alone," Silas said, throwing an arm around Keoni's shoulder. I'd almost forgotten Silas was still here, and judging by the look on Khush's face, so had he.

Once those two left, Khush shook his head before giving me a sheepish smile. "I didn't really plan this further than telling you the truth."

I grinned, linking my arm with his. He—like the gentleman he was—lowered himself just a touch so I wouldn't need to be on my tiptoes. "How about you show me your favorite spots? Do you have a cabin too?"

"I do, but I don't really use it much. I'm a bit claustrophobic, so I prefer to be out here, or in the trees."

I hummed thoughtfully, glancing around the place. Despite the dense trees, it was still very airy and open, and I could imagine Khush lounging under a tree, all coiled with restrained energy and grace.

Watching Khush move was fascinating. I'd always loved snakes—I wondered if that had factored into us being a 'perfect match?'—but the mix of snake and human mannerisms thatKhush employed was captivating, and I found my gaze drifting back to him again and again.

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