Page 23 of Wicked Magik
I pulled my lips into my mouth to hold back my smile. “Not today, Casanova. Turn around.”
He huffed and turned away. I quickly took off my shirt and pulled the tunic over my head. As I tried to pull down my leggings, I noticed the big metal cuff link at my ankle.
The fudge is this?
“Hey Casanova, want to explain this?” I jingled the cufflink and saw it was connected to the wall. “Take it off. Now.”
Oryx brought his hands together and clinked his claws. “I cannot. You might run from me. I cannot lose my pet. Not on the estate. Bad things would happen.”
“Bad things are gonna happen if you don’t. I can’t get my pants off right now if you don’t anyway.”
Oryx whined. He looked so defeated as he trotted back and forth across the stone floor.
“Why do you want to keep me, anyway? I am a human, not a pet, Oryx. Pets don’t talk. I am not an animal you can feed, walk and cuddle with on a whim.”
“I cannot cuddle you?” he cried and wiped his hands down his skull.
I’m now officially confused. It didn’t sound like he wanted a pet, but a companion, a friend.
I stood up, my pants down at my ankles. It was a sight I’m sure. “Oryx, what you want is a friend, not a pet. Someone to talk to and bring you comfort. That is a friend. I guess friends cuddle. I haven’t had that many. If I had a friend, I would want to cuddle.” I put my hand on my hip and cocked it to the side.
Oryx lifted his head and came closer. “A friend? That is what I need? Will you be my friend then? I want you to be.”
I tisked. “You want me to be a friend but you kidnapped me here. You don’t kidnap friends. I’m going to forgive you because you did not know, okay?”
Oryx nodded his head. “Yes, forgiveness. I know this. I am sorry. I won’t do it again. Now will you be my friend?”
I bit my cheek to try and keep myself from smiling. “Aren’t there others that might want to be your friend Oryx? Because, I’m sure you could do better than just me?”
Oryx shook his head. “No one wants to be my friend. Only you are not scared of me. And you smell the best.”
My heart shattered when he said no one wanted to be his friend. I’ve been down that very same road. To want to have friends with children my own age but saw me as too different? Oryx had a lot of stuff going on but, anyone could see he has a good heart in there.
The clothes, the food, I mean there was something that set him off with the people doing magik. His Lord didn’t want it and he was trying to please him.
This Lord should be his friend instead of his freaking master and ordering him around. What a complete douchebag.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I’m going to regret what I am about to do, but I couldn’t take it. Not when this sweet monster just wanted a friend.
“Oryx, I would be happy to be your friend.”
If he had eyes, I’m sure they would have lit up. Instead, his jaw opened and I saw the razor sharp teeth inside.
I cringed internally.
“You will? Truly?”
I nodded, and then he suddenly swept me off my feet. I landed with a soft thud on the pile of plush blankets. He leaned in closer, his warm breath tickling my skin as he nuzzled his nose along the curve of my neck, inhaling deeply as if trying to memorize my scent. I lay still, my heart racing, carefully avoiding any sudden movements that might collide with his sharp, curved horns. However, it was a futile effort, as his long, muscular tail had already coiled securely around my legs, holding me firmly in place.
“I like this cuddling, we will do it often.”
I laughed cautiously and patted his head. “Yes, of course. I’d like to set some ground rules first, or well, ask you some questions.”
Oryx didn’t move, just cuddled closer to me. “Mmm honeysuckles and lilacs. So pretty. Yes, pet please ask me what you wish to know?”
“Right, not a pet. Vesper. Vesper is my name.”
He hummed in agreement and I’m sure I’d have to repeat that one a few times.
