“I need all of that I can get.” Sabrina laughs. “I can see the two of you are a good match. Don’t worry so much.” She pats my hands.
“Thank you, Sabrina.”
He reaches into his pocket for a wallet.
“No, allow me to give this to you as a coronation present.”
He laughs. “Clever. I will accept it as such. Thank you.”
“Enjoy the city,” Sabrina says as we stand.
We leave her with a wave.
“It’s been ages since I had my fortune read.”
“Did you like it?”
“It was incredibly enlightening.”
“You know the next place you took me is what won me over.”
His brow wrinkles. “Really?”
I nod. “Because it showed me who you were behind all the pomp and circumstance.”
We catch a trolley to Storyland Park, holding hands as we work our way through the fairytale-themed park.
“What made you take me here?”
“Other than the obvious irony of a witch and a vampire in a fairytale-themed place? I always saw you as magical, beyond your abilities. You were so pure to me.”
I laugh. “I was until you took care of that.”
He presses his lips together. “I’m sorry. But it’s more than that. You still maintain this radiating aura of goodness.”
“Even now?” I whisper.
He pulls me to his side and kisses my forehead. “Always.”
“Do you remember what happened here?” I whisper, pausing at the pirate ship.
“You told me that Peter Pan was one of your favorite stories.”
I nod my head. “And then you asked me if you could kiss me.”
“Yes, and you offered up your cheek.” I laugh.
“Damn right. It was the first date.” I elbow him playfully.
“I knew then you’d always keep me guessing and amused in the best possible way. I’d grown so bored with things before I met you. It had begun to blur together.”
I remain quiet, letting him process and speak in his own time. “I’d considered going to ground for a bit. That’s why I had you make the protection spell, so I’d be safe there if I decided to go through with it.”
“Cristobal,” I whisper, stunned.
“No one knew. Eventually, we all do it. The press of years and responsibility become too much. You put those you trust in charge, and you let yourself reset. It’s a painful process when the hunger sets in, but afterward, the bliss of nothingness.”
My stomach lurches. “If I hadn’t been the one to do the spell for you?”