“What the—what are you doing?” she yelled. “Hey! You can’t just come in here?—”
“Wow,” he said, letting out a whistle as he glanced around him. “Your agency must have deep pockets.”
“Get the hell out of my room.” She stomped toward him, arms stiff at her sides. It would have made a menacing sight exceptA, the plush carpet absorbed any sound and vibrations from her stamping feet andB, her flannel pajamas were covered in cute capybaras.
“I can’t.”
“Excuse me? Yes you can.” She pointed to the door. “Door. You. Out.”
“No, I mean, I need to stay here.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “My mother called me and told me that we need to start cohabitating immediately.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Believe me, I feel the same way. But it’s true, I’m afraid. If the council of elders finds out we’re not living together like a proper married couple, we’ll be in trouble.”
“Argh!” Her fists curled into tight balls at her sides. “Fine. I’m gonna go get another room then.”
“No!”
Her eyes narrowed into slits. “No? Why not?”
That protest came a bit too quick, especially since he didn’t exactly have a good reply. In theory, it was a good idea, since technically they would be in under the same roof. However, seeing her now, looking annoyed, yet cute as hell, he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to see her sleeping. Would she snore? Or make cute sounds? Or look peaceful?
“Maldenis?”
“Uh, because it doesn’t count. We have to be in the same room.”
“Really?” Her mouth twisted. “Specifically said we must be in the same room? At night?”
“Mm-hmm,” he said noncommittally, then dropped his bag on the floor. “Honey, I’m home!”
That only earned him a nasty look.
“Woo, I’m so tired,” he said, adding a fake yawn to his statement before gliding into the bedroom.
Like the rest of the suite, it was also luxuriously decorated, with a seating area in the corner and a king-sized bed in the middle. Recessed LED lights went around the perimeter, giving the room a soft glow, and the scent of expensive Egyptian cotton linen and amber hung in the air.
“We should get some sleep. Long day tomorrow and all that.”
“And where areyougoing to sleep exactly? You’ll barely fit in that bed, with your tail and all,” she pointed out. “And there’s no way I’m sleeping on the couch inmysuite.”
He tsked. “This is a basilisk hotel, remember?” Making his way to the bed, he traced his hand along the headboard. “One sec…ah!” His fingers found what he was searching for—a button hidden on the side. With a quick press, the bed shifted, recessing into the floor continuing until it was three levels lower than it had been, effectively creating a sleeping nest, large enough to fit two adult basilisks. “See?”
Liora planted her hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side. “And where am I supposed to sleep?”
“In there.”
“With you?”
“Yes, with me.”
“I’m not sleeping in there with you,” she protested.
“Why not? It’s not like—oh my gods. Do you think I’m gonna try to have sex with you?”
“Well…”
He pressed his hand to his chest. “Liora Chura,” he began, putting on his best scandalized tone. “Do you think I’m that kind of basilisk? That I would force you?—”
