Page 31 of It's In His Hiss

I follow each step, carefully enunciating the ancient words that taste like dust on my tongue. Hours pass as Gideon recites the chants over and over until my brain feels like it’s about to explode and sweat drenches me.

“Concentrate on your connection with her,” Gideon instructs at one point when he notices my flagging energy. “Channel your desire to see her, to hold her, into the spell.”

I close my eyes and inhale deeply. It’s the easiest and hardest thing I’ve ever done. Images of Alice, her laugh, the spark in her eyes when she talks about her favorite books, and her vibrant blue eyes fill my mind, fueling my determination.

And this time, as the final word slips from my lips, a warm glow envelops Alice’s stone form. The air crackles with energy, and my heart hammers against my ribs. Then, like the slow bloom of a flower, the petrification reverses.

Flesh returns to her cheeks, color seeping back into her once-gray skin. Her brown hair cascades over her shoulders, and those dark blue eyes flutter open, dazed and confused but alive.

“Alice!” I cry out, overwhelming joy washing over me.

She stumbles forward, and I catch her in my arms as we fall to our knees. She’s real, warm, and her pulse thrums against my skin. My snakes, for once, are silent, sharing in the wonder of her return.

“Gordy?” Her voice is a whisper, but it’s music to my ears. “Thanks for wrapping me in that robe. I’d have hated to be naked in front of Verity andGideon. She’d have smacked him for looking at my what-nots and bits and bobs.”

“You’re welcome,” I manage to say, my usual humor failing me. “Welcome back.”

“Thank you,” she breathes, and though she’s shaken, there’s no mistaking the relief that floods her features.

Verity immediately drops to her knees beside us, brushing Alice’s hair back with trembling fingers. “Are you okay? Do you remember everything?” Her voice cracks. “You scared the hell out of me, you idiot.”

“I’m fine,” Alice whispers. “Mostly. My brain’s a little foggy. Like… like I was dreaming through sand.”

Verity wraps her in a fierce hug. “Don’t ever do that again. I was ready to hex Gordy and shave his snakes.”

“Take it easy,” I tell Alice, my embrace protective as she tries to stand. “You’ve been out of commission for a bit.”

Her laugh is weak but genuine. “Guess I owe you one, huh?”

“Let’s call it even,” I say with a grin, my confidence creeping back with the sheer relief of holding her warm, responsive body in my arms again. “After all, it’s not every day you get to rescue a beautiful witch from a stony fate.”

“Nor is it common to be saved by a handsome gorgon with questionable hair choices,” she teases, and just like that, the peculiar dance of our romance resumes, tentative but hopeful.

“Questionable?” I feign indignation, but the lightness between us is like a balm to my previously guilt-ridden soul. “I’ll have you know, these snakes are the height of fashion in certain circles.”

“Of course they are.” Alice chuckles, her laughter ringing through the room.

As I hold Alice close, her body warm and supple in my arms, Gideon clears his throat. The moment hangs suspended as we all turn to him, the gravity of what’s happened still settling around us like dust.

“Gordon,” he starts with that steady voice that seems to make even the trees listen, “can you look past what she is?” His gaze flickers to Alice, then back to me. “Can she live with you knowing that, at any moment, you could turn her to stone again? And that her ancient DNA might lead her to one day attack you?”

I stiffen, but Alice’s hand, delicate yet firm, clutches at my shirt. “We can get through this, right?”

She looks up at me, her dark blue eyes searching.

“Of course,” I say, a bit too quickly. “We’ll just avoid playing rock-paper-scissors for keeps.”

Her lips twitch, a ghost of a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. There’s a flicker there, something uneasy, and it gnaws at me. Realization is settling in.

I rake a hand through my hair—well, through the cluster of disgruntled snakes that pass for hair. “Can we stop that from happening again?”

Verity’s expression is thoughtful. “You don’t stop it. You redirect it.”

Gideon nods. “The key isn’t suppressing the reaction—it’s syncing with it. Bonding. Teaching your snakes to recognize her as not only safe but connected.”

I stare at him. “You want me to bond my snakes to Alice?”

“They already want to,” Gideon confirms. “But you’re standing in the way.”

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