Monsters Under Mistletoe

6. Kat

Chapter 6

Kat

W hatever Mr. Kvalt wants to tell me, it’s making me nervous that he hasn’t come out and said it. The only thing that’s keeping me here instead of scurrying back to my apartment is his warm hand enclosing mine. Whatever it is can’t be that bad.

When we round the corner and see the square with the enormous Christmas tree lit up with thousands of tiny lights, I let out an audible gasp. “Oh, it’s beautiful!”

In the distance, I can just make out the shape of people gathering around market stalls, wrapped up in scarves and beanies. The sounds of children laughing and cheerful Christmas music fill the air and I can smell something warm and sweet and spiced.

He smiles down at me, lines creasing at the corners of his kind eyes. “Can you see it with those glasses on?”

My fingertips flutter to the frame and for a moment, I’m tempted to lift them. But I’m in public. Someone could come past.

“Go on,” he says. “I’ll watch out for passersby.”

“I shouldn’t.”

Mr. Kvalt comes to stand behind me, hands drifting from my arms, up and over my shoulders, brushing my neck as he gently takes the glasses between thumb and forefinger. “I’ve got you. I promise. If someone comes, I’ll put them straight back down again.”

The low rumble of his voice at my back makes me want to sink into him. “OK,” I whisper.

He lifts the glasses and the dark film blunting the beauty of the Christmas lights lifts. The entire scene is brighter, more nuanced. I can make out the signs of the stalls and the small figures of children dressing up a snowman in their bright jackets and small knitted mittens. I drink it all in for a few more heady moments.

Then regretfully, I cover his hands with mine and bring the glasses back down over my eyes. I turn to him. “Thank you, Mr. Kvalt. I wish I could tell you how special that was.”

His hands are still on me. One rests on my shoulder, the other strokes a snake back from my cheek. “Call me Algi.”

I smile and hope it’s not completely obvious how those simple words send a tingle through my whole body. “Thank you, Algi.”

He seems to breathe in my use of his name, dropping his head, bringing himself closer. My gaze drifts to his mouth and I’m thinking about our kiss in his office.

“Can I kiss you again, Kat?”

This time I don’t say anything. Instead, I answer by lifting on my toes, flinging my arms around his neck and bringing my mouth to his—or as close as I can get.

Thank goodness, he reads my unspoken message and drops his head to kiss me too. For a moment, I get lost in the increasingly familiar warmth of being held by him. Guided and coaxed into growing confidence by the slide of his lips and tongue over mine.

When we break apart something whisper soft kisses my cheek. Then the flick of a tiny reptilian tongue snatches it before I can lift my fingers to check what it was.

Another and another spot and soon I can see the small white flakes drifting around us landing on our clothing, but melting as soon as they touch Algi’s warm rough skin.

“Snow,” I whisper. “Could this day be any more perfect?”

Algi sighs. “At the risk of spoiling it, we really should talk.”

“OK.”

He rubs a hand across his rocky chin and sighs. “Listen, Kat. I’m telling you this because I really like you.” He breaks off, shaking his head. “No. That doesn’t cover it. I more than like you, Kat. I just don’t want to scare you away.”

That makes me laugh. I cover my mouth with my hand, but Algi seems to relax. “I’m not sure anyone has ever worried about scaring me away before,” I explain.

He smiles. “Well, I feel the same. It was a bit adorable for you to worry about hurting me. Me !” He chuckles. “Look at me. Anyway, I’m not sure how much you know about trolls, but there are some things I should mention.”

“OK.”

“Kat, trolls mate for life. Once we find our kuna—our female—that’s it for us.”

“OK.” My throat is dry. I can’t find anything else to say. I only know that my heart is skipping beats inside my chest as I wonder if that means maybe—just maybe he’s thinking of me that way.

“But we also can’t be with our kuna without hurting her. Not unless a ritual has been performed.”

“Oh.” I thought for a moment… but he’s here with me now. Does that mean I’m not his kuna? Then I realize what he’s trying to say. “Be with, as in be with her? Sleep with her?”

He gives me a sad smile. “I’d like to do more than sleep, but yes. That’s what I mean. Intimately. Sexually. I would burn you with my release if things went too far. And believe me,” he shifts. “With you, I think things would go that far almost instantly if I’m not careful—”

“Yes!” It bursts from me before I can call it back.

Algi stops, his eyes widening.

“Yes. Please. Whatever it is, I'll do it. I want to be with you, too.” I’m blushing. The icy snowflakes feel extra cold against my heated cheeks. But I don’t want to risk him thinking I don’t want him. I’ve never wanted anything more. Everything in me knows I can trust this male. This beautiful soul who wants nothing but the best for me.

His hand trembles a little when he brushes a snowflake my snakes haven’t caught from my nose. “You do?”

I nod.

He laughs. “I thought that would be harder.” Then he grows serious again. “But you know it’s permanent, right? At least for me. Once we perform the ritual. If you changed your mind…” He looks away. “If you wanted to leave, I would never stop you.”

I squeeze his hands until he looks back at me. “Algi. I won’t change my mind. I think maybe gorgons mate for life too. I don’t know. I’ve never met another. But I feel it too and I want to be your kuna.”