“Why am I nervous?” I murmured. “It’s a date and I don’t even particularly like this magic user.”
His voice echoed through the wooden door. “I can hear you, Jessa. You might as well let me in before you convince yourself out of tonight.”
Mischa laughed then. “I’ll never get used to these extra strong senses.”
“Yeah, well magic users don’t generally have super hearing. Clearly Louis is an overachiever,” I said as I stomped across to the door. My cheeks wanted to blush, but I refused to let the blood pool there.
I slammed the wooden barrier open to find his big body crowding the doorway and his handsome face staring down at me. The slightest grin tipped up the corner of his lips. Frigid air wafted in around the sorcerer. It was cold tonight.
“Hey,” he said, all casual-like, his eyes sparkling at me. He was like a brilliant sunset, spectacular to look at but kind of blinding at the same time.
A smile crossed my own lips, and then the laughter followed. I felt ridiculous all dressed up, but I was looking forward to this date, weirdly enough.
“Are you ready?” he asked, when I didn’t say anything.
I nodded and pulled on my long coat, zipping it up. I waved to my sister, stepped out onto the deck, and kicked shut the door behind me. I didn’t have a bag or anything, there was no need. Stratford had a few restaurants and the dining hall, but there was no money exchanged. People were expected to contribute to our community, so we had various businesses but money was only involved for exchange with humans.
Louis was relaxed as we strolled away from my house. He dipped that smile in my direction again. “I’m surprised one of the quads aren’t here giving me a lecture and questioning my intentions.”
The sun was just setting and there were still plenty of young supernaturals playing in the street. They paid us no attention, enjoying their variety of games.
I wrinkled my nose at him. “I forced them to leave. As much as I love that they care, it can be awfully awkward having so many protective men in my life. You’d be amazed at how many of my male friends have been scared off.” In reality, I couldn’t think of one sexual partner I’d had who wasn’t wary or outright petrified of the Compasses. No wonder I didn’t date.
Louis chuckled. “I wouldn’t be amazed at all. They have spread the word far and wide that you’re off limits.”
Those bastards were going down.
Louis reached out and took my hand. I tensed and almost yanked it free; his power licked along my arm and the sensation was uncomfortable. Gritting my teeth, I stuck it out and soon the sensation subsided. Which was a relief.
Louis didn’t comment on my reaction, he was still focused on the Compasses. “I’m not sure you realize how far the quads’ reach actually is. I would say the only reason you’ve had any options of sexual relationships is due to the fact that you’re … utterly desirable.” I must have made a choking sound, because he pulled me to a halt. “I know you can’t see how magnetic and fascinating you are. It’s not just that you’re gorgeous … it’s something from inside.”
I examined him closely, wondering if he was talking about my dragon mark.
“Men have told me I’m beautiful before,” I said, shrugging, “but at the end of the day I’d rather be thought of as more than looks.”
Louis’ eyes roamed across my face and I could see thoughts churning in their unusual purple depths. “Yes, people have told you, but you don’t really believe them. Or maybe it’s that you don’t really seem interested when they say it.” He pulled on my hand and we started walking again. “Why is that do you think?”
I knew I wasn’t ugly, and I had some striking features like my hair and eyes, but I thought I was much more beautiful in wolf form than in human.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So my only hope is that when I fall in love, find my one, that he finds me beautiful.”
“And there we have a perfect demonstration of the very reason you’re desirable,” I heard him murmur under his breath.
I changed the subject.
“So where are we eating tonight?” I wasn’t sure if Louis was aware but I judged harshly on food quality, so it better not be Murphy’s. Their restaurant was for the demi-fey and catered to a select clientele. Which unfortunately did not include me.
“I thought maybe I’d cook for you.” His relaxed demeanor did not change, but I sensed a slight tension filtering into his stance.
I curved my lips upwards. “Wow, are you actually taking me to the mystery home of Louis the great sorcerer?” I didn’t really know what to think about that.