Page 41 of Grave Expectations

“No, I’m a man of action. Best to get it over with in a public form, where there’s less time for gossip. I need them to all see how fetching I am with this new glow.”

Roz rolled her eyes but continued down the street, coming up short when a short, old woman stepped before them.

Gertrude.

The woman gave Roz a once-over, then stared openly at Alaric. “By the goddess above, is that Alaric Blackwood?” Several heads turned, most of which had already been whispering to each other.

“A pleasure,” Alaric said, taking Gertrude’s hand in his to place a faint kiss to her knuckles. “And who might you be?”

“You’re dead,” she said, but didn’t withdraw her hand.

“Yes, for quite some time,” Alaric agreed.

“How are you here?” she asked.

“A talented necromancer,” he said, wrapping his arm around Roz to bring her close. “Miss Graves managed to reach me after so many failed before her.”

“Her?” Gertrude asked, raising a white eyebrow at Roz.

“The very one,” Alaric commented. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I’ve a lot to experience. We didn’t have flushing toilets in my time, and I am eager to try one.”

He stepped around her and led Roz with him, his arm still around her. The town parted for them, the whispers following.

“How long until they’re sick of me?” Alaric asked.

“A week,” Roz said.

“I think I can accomplish it in two days,” he said. By now they’d reached a clearing in the center of Main Street, where a raised platform held a DJ. Before him was a dance floor, currently only occupied by children. They watched a moment until the music changed to something slower.

“Will you join me, Rosalin?” Alaric asked, holding a hand out to her.

“Dancing?” she asked.

“A slow one, mostly I just hold you close and shuffle my feet. I’ve seen it in movies, it’s seen as romantic.”

She laughed and took his hand, following him onto the dance floor. He pulled her close, his arms around her waist, hers around his neck. They swayed slowly to the music. Roz closed her eyes and leaned her cheek against his chest.

The music faded and switched to something more upbeat. Still Alaric held her close, swaying despite the beat. Two more songs passed before he stepped back, looking down at her with a content smile.

She smiled up at him, closing her eyes as he lowered his head to kiss her. A few gasps erupted around them, but Alaric didn’t stop. He kept kissing her, his hand along her jaw, her body pressed to his.

“You’re not acting like someone that wants to stay here much longer,” Roz said in between kisses.

“We can stay as long as you’d like. I’ve found I’m patient now that I know I have forever with you.”

“Forever?” Roz asked.

“Yes, when we eventually die, we will cross over together. And then I will have you in the afterlife. There is no escaping me now, you’ve anchored us.”

“What if I get bored of you?” Roz asked.

“You will not, I am full of many surprises.”

“And if you get sick of me?” she asked.

“I am unable to get sick, I am a ghost,” Alaric said.

“I guess that settles it,” Roz said, her smile widening.