All's Fair in Love and Lion (17 page)

“Stalked and conquered me, you mean?”

I frown. “Should I rephrase what I said?”

“No, it’s all right.” She laughs. “I was teasing.”

“You make me feel very blessed.”

Shadows fall over her face, then quickly vanish. “I feel the same way. You’re so good to me.”

Shame fills me. “I didn’t start out that way.”

“I don’t hold it against you.”

“I’m grateful. Particularly since I was insufferable. Bast was right. I should’ve saved stalking for my food, not my future wife.”

“Monroe, stop. I’m not mad,” she says firmly.

“Doesn’t excuse me.”

“I’m excusing you. Aren’t I the one who should determine whether you’re forgiven or not?”

“Of course.”

“Then there’s no need to rehash it.”

“You let me off the hook far too easily.”

“That’s my choice.”

A yearning to hold her and never let go overtakes me. I slip my arms around her waist. “I can only be amazed you’re not mad anymore.”

“I’ve thought it over. I’ve chosen not to let it bother me.” She wraps her arms around my neck. “You’ve been a gentleman, so it’s not difficult to forgive and forget it.”

“What have I done to deserve you?”

“Who knows?” Her warm smile thrills me. “Doesn’t matter, though.”

“You are a lioness in every way,” I say, bringing her closer.

“Give me a kiss.”

“As you wish.” I press my mouth against hers, rocked by a sense of completeness.

The Creator help me if anything happens to her.

Chapter 24: Sasha

A week until prom and I’m on pins and needles. Knowing Monroe, the gown will be more appropriate for a Hollywood premiere than a high school dance.

Then there’s Lily. I’m sure Monroe suspects something. With my luck, he’ll find out Lily has been pestering me and overreact.

“Sasha?” Carl holds up our exam outline. “Are we still going to look over the material for finals?”

“It’s that time already?”

“He’s as worthless as you are.”

I jump, toppling over a stack of papers.

He chuckles. “Whoa, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“You Firstlings are so predictable.”

“How dare you come uninvited into my head
,
especially with a coworker in the room!”
I press against her intrusion in my mind. Nothing I do makes the slightest difference.

“My, you’re touchy.”

Sweat trickles down my back.
“So you noticed?”
Despite my efforts, she won’t budge.

“Earth to Sasha,” Carl singsongs.

“Sorry. You were saying?”

“Are you okay? You seem distracted.”

“He’s more observant than you are.”

Silently I scream,
“Shut up!”

“No, please, go on,” I say, trying to clear my mind. “You have some ideas for finals?”

“Sure, pretend I’m not here. You really think you can ignore me?”
Chilling laughter fills my head.
“Nice try, human, but you’re not strong enough to push me out.”

“These are from last year. I’ve elaborated on them.” He hands me a manila folder.

“You can’t suppose I’ll go away merely because you’re not paying attention to me? I thought you were smarter than that.”

“Go away.”
I shove against her presence.

She presses harder against my consciousness.
“Make me.”

“So, will they work? If not, we can come up with something else.” Carl’s voice seems far away.

Slowly the folder comes back into focus. “Oh, no, your suggestions are fine. Have you already written up your test?”

“What does Monroe see in you? Your life is so humdrum. You have no spark
—
no passion. Wait a minute.”
Again her laughter fills my head.
“This is absolutely perfect. Does Monroe know about your hot little fantasies? No? Hmmm . . . maybe I misjudged you.”

My temples throb.
“I told you to leave. Get out!”
I summon all my energy.
“Out!”
A scream rents through my consciousness, then silence.

Carl stares at me with confusion. “You want me to go?”

“What?”

“You said ‘out’ pretty loudly. Are you mad at me?”

Crap.
“I’m sorry. I was thinking about someone, I mean, something else. I’m not angry at you.”

He gives me a funny look. “Whatever you say. I guess we’ll talk later.” He gathers his things.

“I apologize. I’m a bit distracted.”

“I’ve noticed. Earlier you appeared happy, then you looked annoyed.”

I clutch the edge of the desk. “I am happy.”

“Odd way of showing it.”

“I was a little uncomfortable for a moment. I’m fine, now.”

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know, Carl. I haven’t told very many people and I’m still adjusting to it, myself.”

“Oh.”

I hold his gaze. “Don’t misunderstand. It’s good news, but it feels surreal.”

“Well, if you change your mind . . .”

“I’ll let you know.”

“Is there anything else I should add to my notes?”

“I think we’ll go ahead with what you have. Thanks for doing that.”

“No problem. I know you usually like to plan ahead.”

Embarrassed, I nod and he walks out.

The bell rings as I stack up the fallen papers and my students wander in. Normally I don’t pay attention to their conversations, except this time I hear my name.

“You really think Miss Brighton has a boyfriend?”

“What else could it be? She used to be so uptight.”

“C’mon, Miss Brighton, dating? You’re kidding!”

“No way, I bet you anything she finally got a man.”

“Not like she doesn’t have it going on.”

I rub my hands over my face. First Lily in my head, now my students are speculating over my love life. What I wouldn’t give for the day to be over. Wearily, I approach the podium and the conversations abruptly end.

“Miss Brighton,” a girl calls out.

“Yes, Nadine?”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“You dork!” someone hisses.

“Not up for discussion. Sit down, please.”

“Hey, Miss Brighton,” one boy calls out. “You can tell us.”

“Are you dating Mr. Darrenmore?” someone else asks. “I hear you’re going to prom together.”

“Please, she could do better than Mr. Darrenmore.”

“Class,” I yell after the bell rings, “we have work to do.”

A girl raises her hand.

“Yes, Tonya?”

“Is it true you’re going to prom with Mr. Darrenmore?”

My headache intensifies. “Only as a friend. Back to work, everyone.”

A glance at the clock tells me there’s way too much time left in the workday for my peace of mind. All I want is to go home, have some hot tea, curl up with a book, and—

“Why are you going with him?”

I throw Tonya a stern look. “Can we please get on with the lesson plan for the day?”

“Mr. Darrenmore’s got a hot date with Miss Brighton, whoo-hoo!”

“Class, get out your grammar textbooks and lower your voices.” I begin the lesson for the day amid their whispers. Would Monroe quiet them down?
I fight a smile. Maybe he could enter their minds. Now that would definitely get their attention.

At the end of the day, the pain in my head has become a full-fledged migraine. All my students have hounded me with questions and theories about me and Carl.

Leaning my elbows on my desk, I rub my temples. Unfortunately, I left my headache medicine at home. I wince as the final bell rings.

Carl opens my door. “You okay?”

“I’ve got a horrible migraine. I’ll scream at the next person who asks me if we’re dating. I’m not sure what happened, but apparently somehow we’re the main topic.”

“My students pester me constantly about my dating life. Now they’ve gotten it into their heads to ask about you.” He shakes his head. “I’m sorry.”

I blow out a breath. “It was inevitable.” I pick up my bags.

“Take care of that headache. Hope you feel better soon.”

“Thanks, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Arriving home, I drop my stuff by the kitchen table and go into my bathroom. I turn on the water in the bathtub and dump in some bubbles. In my bedroom, I kick off my shoes. I’m about to unzip my pants when someone clears his throat.

I spin around. “Monroe!”

He leans against the doorway. “I apologize. But your door was open. Appears I came at a bad time.” He slips a hand in the pocket of his black pants. “Then again, maybe not.”

“Please don’t tease. Today was rough.”

His expression changes to concern. “What happened?”

“It seems our students think Carl and I are dating.”
And Lily paid me a visit, except I can’t tell you because you’ll go all macho about it and think I’m unable to defend myself.

His eyes flash. “Why?”

“It got around we’re going to prom together.”

His mouth forms a thin line. “Don’t they realize you’d choose a more superior man than him?”

“Would you put your ego aside and focus?”

“Forgive me. Is there anything I can do?”

“Leave the room so I can take my bath.”

“Oh, of course.” He backs out of the room. “I’ll see you when you finish.”

When I’m done, I dress in comfortable cotton pants and an oversized T-shirt. I toss my hair up into a ponytail, then slide my feet into fuzzy slippers before padding out of the room. Monroe turns from the mantel when I enter the living room.

His face lights up. “This is how I prefer to see you,” he says, coming over to me. “Relaxed and comfortable.” His eyes travel over me. “As usual, you’re a vision.”

“You’re kidding!” Faded sweat pants and an old shirt? How can I be a vision? Suddenly I wish I had picked a nicer outfit. “I’m a wreck.”

“On the contrary,” he says, taking me into his arms, “you’re gorgeous.”

“I don’t know.” Guilt riddles me as I remember how he tried to find out what was wrong and I wouldn’t tell him.

He loves me more than anyone ever has. If it weren’t for his let-me-take-care-of-everything attitude I’d pour the whole Lily fiasco out to him. Still, I feel terrible keeping secrets from him. We’re about to get married, how can I betray his trust by holding back something he’d want to know?

And, why can’t I tell him how I truly feel? With him, I’m not so alone, anymore. I don’t have to be jealous of Mel’s happiness, or wonder when my Prince Charming will come. Monroe has done all of it for me, and yet, I can’t seem to find the words to express everything that’s in my heart.

“Why wouldn’t I think you’re beautiful?” he murmurs.

“Monroe . . .” I feel like the lowest of beings. He’s the most tender, kind, and gentle man I’ve ever known.
I’m such a rat.

He fingers a strand of my hair. “Very soft, much like you.”

I break free from his embrace and scoot to the far side of the couch. “You act like I’m so wonderful.”

“Aren’t you?”

“Don’t look at me with that expression. I can’t bear it!”

“Sasha, what’s troubling you?”

I cover my face with my hands. “I can’t tell you and it’s killing me.” I drag my hands from my face. “Do you trust me?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Damn it, Monroe, why do you have to be so chivalrous?”

His jaw drops. “You never curse. What’s the problem, my love?”

“Don’t be upset when I say I can’t tell you why I’m all messed up.”

“I do trust you. Is it Carl? Do you want him? Or is it me? Have I pressured you too much?”

“No, I don’t want Carl, and no, you haven’t.”

“Then, why don’t you let me help?”

“I must handle the situation on my own. Promise you won’t doubt me?”

“I don’t understand.”

“Promise me!”

He puts a hand over his heart. “I swear, I won’t.”

“Thank you.”

He shifts me closer and I lean against his chest. His incredible scent fails to soothe me. My heart breaks. He’s the one person I should be able to confide in and the one person who could complicate it further. It’s not fair. This isn’t how I imagined things. Why doesn’t Lily leave us alone?

“Do you want some tea?” he asks.

I sniff. “That would be nice. I can make it.”

“Let me. If you won’t divulge what’s on your mind, at least allow me this small gesture.”

I sit on the couch and try to compose myself. What he must think of me. How this all must look. I bury my face in a couch cushion. How can he be so sweet when he knows I’m hiding something from him? I fight against the agony. If all the men in the Third Realm are like Monroe, I pity us poor human females for missing out.

He returns carrying a steaming mug and I reach for it gratefully. The spicy aroma comforts me a bit. “Apple Cinnamon. My favorite.”

He joins me on the couch. “I did all right?”

“More than all right. Exactly what I needed.”

“Do you feel up to a change of topic?”

“I’d love it.”

He strokes my knee. “Ayres was relieved when he found out I wasn’t going to decide on tuxes without his expertise. He would’ve been offended otherwise. The cooks’ sulking is enough.”

I set my cup on an end table. “I’m sorry they’re upset. I thought they’d gotten over it at Easter.”

“They pouted when you left.”

The motion of his hand and the distraction of our conversation makes me relax enough for me to giggle.
Poor Monroe dealing with the servants’ injured pride.
“I hope they don’t take it out on you.”

“I assured them you had already promised to spend part of the summer at the castle.”

“If I become a lioness, we’re going to have to be sure to eat at home sometimes so they don’t get mad again.” Silently I groan. The big decision. When Lily showed up I had forgotten.
Which works best? My world or his? Human or lion? How can I give up everything I know and love . . . yet, I could never ask him to give up such a big part of himself.

“Do you want to become a lioness? Or, if you prefer, I’d become fully human.”

“What about what you’d give up? As a lioness, I wouldn’t have to give up as much, then we could live in both realms.”

He rubs his chin. “If we have children, balancing between the two Realms might present a problem. Are you willing to give up your friends and teaching here if it came to that?”

“First of all, we don’t even know if we can have children. Second, what does it matter if we do?”

“If you become a lioness, the children would be man-beasts.”

I bite my lip. The thought had occurred to me, but his confirmation of it takes me aback. Images of lion cubs play in my head. How could I mother them?

Monroe chuckles. “They wouldn’t be fully animal at first. A man-beast doesn’t reach the ability to change form until their eighteenth year. However, they still would be aware of what they are. Instinct starts early. I remember having cooked venison because we boys had such a craving for it. Human stomachs can’t safely ingest raw meat.” He smiles self-consciously. “When I finally gained the ability to change form, I went hunting for two days.”