I noted the fading light as I leaned back in my chair, contentedly full. Unsure how to excuse us, I glanced at Mom who’d been skillfully guiding the conversation throughout the meal. She caught my look, glanced out the window and then at Stephen. I could see the worry in her eyes.
“Mrs. Sole, would it be alright if Tessa and I walked to my house?” Morik asked saving us from having to come up with some lame excuse. For being such great planners, we hadn’t planned the details of my leaving tonight. Dusk crept too close. Would I even be safe walking out the door?
Mom agreed and Morik thanked everyone for the wonderful dinner while taking our plates to the sink.
I quickly grabbed my coat and mittens, not forgetting my new hat. Morik met me by the door with Gran following behind him. She kissed my cheek and whispered that she’d see us in the morning. I nervously eyed the dying light through the window.
Morik tugged on his jacket in slow measured moves, completely relaxed. He smiled at Gran when she patted his cheek and moved to the side, blocking us from Stephen’s view.
His calm helped put me as ease. He pulled me to his side, opened the door, and blinked us away.
We stood in his living room.
“We didn’t close the door,” I pointed out.
“That’s why your Grandmother came to send you off. She didn’t want you stepping outside any more than you wanted to go out.” He helped me from my jacket.
I hummed an acknowledgement, looking around. I didn’t want to go to bed yet. “You said your house was better protection than the chant. Does that mean I can stay up?”
“Yes, if you’d like that.”
“Very much. We can watch movies until we pass out and then I can sleep in until I feel like waking up.”
He took my coat and hung it in the closet. With his back to me, I took a moment to dig his gift out of my pocket. When he turned to face me, I had it out and ready, extended toward him sitting in my palm.
“What’s this?” He titled his head, violet flashing in his eyes.
“A gift,” I said smiling at him. “It’s the reason I asked what you wanted. Come on. Take it. Open it.” I bounced it in my hand a little.
He reached out slowly, studying the crumpled tiny wad of wrapping paper. I agreed it didn’t look like much. Closing his fingers around it, he plucked it from my hand. I didn’t watch him carefully untangle the paper. I watched his eyes. Violet, brown, yellow and green danced together in their depths.
It took a moment for me to realize his focus had shifted from the gift to me. His eyes questioned, yet I read hope in them too.
“I know you want me to choose you,” I said meeting his eyes. “And I’m working on that, but until I figure it out, I wanted you to have this.” The ring lay in the palm of his hand. I carefully lifted it up for his inspection. “It’s something our husbands have worn for, according to Gran, at least the last six generations. It’s my promise to you to keep trying.” I set it back into his waiting palm. “I hope you’ll be the last one to wear it.”
Brown dominated his eyes as he slid the ring onto his third finger, a tight fit over the knuckle. I doubted it’d ever come off even if he wanted it to.
“Merry Christmas,” I whispered.
He pulled me into his arms and kissed me gently.
I truly cared for him. I liked kissing him and being with him. Why couldn’t I just choose him already? He pulled back with a wide smile showing me his lower teeth in full detail. Wow… I held my surprise in check and smiled in return. Those were sharp teeth. Despite all the time I spent with him, I still didn’t feel completely comfortable with all of his differences. I needed to work on that.
Morik got us both a soda and led the way downstairs. He taught me how to play a few of his favorite games until our stomachs rumbled again. We drifted upstairs for new drinks and I thought of my Aunt’s popcorn and praline mix.
“Do you think you could sneak in and grab it?” I asked Morik with a mischievous smile after telling him what I wanted.
His eyes flicked to the windows. “Yes,” he said drawing out the word.
“I sense a 'but' coming,” I teased.
“It’s dangerous to leave you at night,” he explained.
The disappointed I felt rushed to my face before I could stop it. Ochre flitted into his gaze and I quickly assured him, “That’s okay. We can raid your supplies.”
“We can make a deal,” he suggested.
“But I thought you said we didn’t need to use deals,” I said, confused.
“You are correct. But this one is important. For your safety. I want you to stay in the house while I’m gone. You may not open a window, a door, nothing.”
“Morik, we don’t need to make a deal for that. I promise.”
He shook his head before I finished speaking. “You must name a price.”
“How about my popcorn?”
“Your obedience in this is worth far more.”
“Like how much? I’m not a deal pro like you,” I smiled at him trying to lighten the mood.