The Ghost Bride
Page 21
"Will you agree on a new bet then?" Martinus asked, as we stood in the Main Hall, talking before I went home for the winter holidays. He'd visit me, but then, we wouldn't be able to have a private conversation.
"Whether I can beat you or not?" I laughed. "Why would I agree to that? You're the best, Martinus Novak, and I don't see the point of engaging in a silly competition with my fiancé."
It seems like quite a few people around us heard it. It was way too loud (I don't remember shouting it like that). And my voice seemed to have an echo now? I looked at Martinus accusingly and punched him lightly on his shoulder (what if the spell that made my voice so loud was still on? I didn't want to humiliate him after complimenting him; just punch him).
"What?" he said, waving his hand, and placing the now-familiar silence sphere around us. Now, I could shout at him at my heart's content. Except I didn't do that. Shout, I mean.
"When will you stop showing off and bragging?" I asked, with my hands on my hips. "It's embarrassing, frankly."
"You find embarrassing showing how much you like me," Martinus said, "but you weren't embarrassed to show how much you disliked me."
"Because it's different," I said, not convinced by his argument. "My dislike was deserved and not personal. My current feelings towards you are a lot more personal and intimate. Not something I'd like anybody to see."
"Personal and intimate," Martinus said, coming towards me, his hips close to mine. "I like that."
"Stop," I said, pushing his chest. "I told you. Not in public. And please, just stop showing off. I'm with you, I'm not changing my opinion, what more do you want?"
"Alright, I'll stop," Martinus said, "but in exchange, I'd like you to go out with me during the winter holidays. The Leern Theater is having this play that, according to the Sentinel, is good."
"Sure," I said. It still frustrated me how Martinus, instead of just inviting me to do what he wanted, tried to strike some kind of bargain. What was the point? But for now, I let it slide.
"Well then," he said, putting his hands on my hips and pulling me closer. "See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow," I said, standing on my tiptoes and kissing him before running away.
Before I said something dangerous.
Like 'I love you'.
About the Author
Stacey Keystone is a fantasy and science fiction author, who has written the Marn Magical Academy series and the Alchemist steampunk fantasy series. If you’d like to hear more new from Stacey, subscribe to her newsletter at her author’s website:
https://stacekeystone.com/subscribe