Flo wallowed for a few moments, crying because it was a lot to process. And as she sat there pondering, a memory came flooding back to her.
“Run away with me,” Sven whispered against her ear, making her body heat. They were standing in the woods under a full moon, his arms around her waist.
“Are you certain you want me?” she asked, nervous because she wanted him.
“Yes. Only you. We can be together and I’ll protect you from your family. When we are married, everything will change and I’ll be free to leave here and so will you.”
She kissed him, her body trembling with desire. “Where will we go when your curse is broken?”
“Anywhere,” he said, smiling at her indulgently.
“How about Alaska?”
He laughed softly. “Why there?”
“We’ll be safe there. It’s remote. No one will find us, Sven.”
“If you want Alaska, then that’s where we’ll go.”
That memory calmed her. It’s why she was so drawn to him. She couldn’t even really remember where Alaska was and it didn’t matter. Something was telling her Sven was her safe haven, and yet here she was, hiding from him.
What am I doing?
Flo picked herself back up and then floated up from the safety of her little room. When she got back to the dining room, she remained hidden in the wall, watching before she decided to take a chance and safely venture out.
The guests that had been staying in the house were gone, which was good. She didn’t like them. The other witch had departed too. Flo also didn’t see the beautiful young unicorn shifter with the violet eyes. The one who Sven and Magnus seemed to dote on, but she understood from watching for a while that they thought of her as a little sister.
The only ones left in the dining room were Mercedes, Magnus, and Sven. A few of the spirits lingered, but they couldn’t see her. Flo knew they were just loitering because someone else could see them.
“So, he can see ghosts now?” Magnus asked, crossing his arms.
“It would appear so,” Mercedes responded, wringing her hands. “Are you sure you’re okay, Sven?”
“I am. My head hurts a bit.” Sven rubbed his head. “I’m fine.”
“That was kind of a nasty jolt though,” Mercedes said, softly touching his arm.
“I’ll say,” Lottie sniffed.
Sven’s eyes snapped over to the spirit in question. “I don’t think we need spectators.”
Mercedes also glared at the other spirits. “Maybe it’s best if you all give us a moment?”
“Geez, doll. You don’t need to tell me twice,” Sal said. “Come on, Mario.”
“Right,” Mario the nude spirit stated. “Let’samscray.”
“You’re so cliché,” Lottie droned. “Very well.”
“No!” Erickson shouted. “I have waited a millennium to speak to my shipmates again.”
“Erickson,” Sven stated. “There is a lot of time for that. I just need a few minutes to process what happened.”
Erickson grumbled and crossed his arms, much like Magnus. “Very well.”
“So, I’m the only one here who can’t see the spirits,” Magnus groused. “And Erickson, I mean, I can’t believe he’s here and I can’t see him. Does he look gnarly?”
“Gnarly?” Sven asked.
