12. Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Business as Unusual
Sundar
Lying here in the soft, dawn light, I find myself entranced by Aubrey. As she sleeps, her chest rises and falls with each breath, and the rhythmic sound is like a lullaby to my senses.
I brush a stray strand of hair from her cheek, reveling the soft texture of her skin against my scales. She’s so vulnerable, and yet, she has shown me a strength and courage that defy reason.
This human, who could be easily crushed in the jaws of a thousand predators, has not only faced me without fear, but has dared to trust a naga in the most intimate way.
I recall the first time I saw her, the faint scent of her skin catching my attention amidst the dusty shelves of my shop. She seemed lost, a delicate flower in a sea of ancient relics.
Little did I know that she would soon become the centerpiece of my world, the sun around which all else orbits. The way her small body molds to mine, her warmth soaking into my scales, is beyond anything I’ve experienced in my centuries of existence.
I trace the curve of her lips with a claw, careful not to wake her as I try to etch every detail of her sleeping form into my memory. The way her eyelashes flutter, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the soft sighs that escape her lips—these are treasures that I will hoard jealously, locked away in the vault of my heart.
For in this quiet stillness, there is a tranquility that soothes the savage beast within me, the primal predator that lurks beneath the surface, waiting to strike. With her, that beast is tamed, content to bask in her presence and protect her from any harm.
It is a strange sensation, this transformation, and yet, it feels as natural as the shifting of the seasons.
As the sun begins to filter in through the blinds, painting the room in hues of pink and gold, I vow to myself that I will cherish this gift, this unexpected miracle, and protect it with all that I am.
I’m sure she’ll wake up soon, so as gently as a breeze, I slide out from under her, careful not to disturb her peaceful sleep. She stirs, a soft murmur escaping her lips, before settling back into the realm of dreams, and a surge of affection wells up within me at the sight of her tousled hair and rosy cheeks.
With a silent slither, I slip from the bedroom, my tail carrying me with fluid grace as I make my way to the kitchen. I move with purpose, gathering ingredients and setting a pot of tea to brew, the familiar motions providing a comforting routine in the middle of this newfound intimacy.
As I work, my mind wanders to the events of the night, to the passion that had consumed us both. The way she had yielded to my touch, the trust and desire in her eyes, had stirred something deep within me, a fierce longing that had lain dormant for far too long.
Nalini had been wrong. Of that, I’m certain. While she may see humans as inferior and frail creatures, Aubrey is something far more precious—a woman of depth and complexity, of humor and warmth. A woman who has chosen to stand by my side, to brave the disapproval of a society that fears the union of human and monster, in order to follow her heart.
Of course… We have only been together one night. Maybe I am getting ahead of myself.
Still, I can’t deny that a part of me hungers for her presence, craves the sound of her voice and the way she looks at me with such tenderness and understanding.
And so, I will take this chance, and allow myself to indulge in the fantasies that swirl through my mind, the dreams of a future where we are bound together in a partnership that transcends the boundaries of species.
With breakfast laid out on a tray, I return to the bedroom, quietly pushing the door open with a graceful sweep of my tail. Aubrey is awake, sitting up in bed, her hair tumbling around her shoulders like a cascade of silk. The sight of her steals my breath, and for a moment, I can do nothing but gaze at her, marveling at her beauty and the miracle of her presence.
And then her eyes meet mine, and her lips curve in a smile that warms my heart and sets it racing.
“Breakfast in bed?” she asks with a laugh. I set the tray down with a flourish, a hint of a grin on my lips.
“You deserve pampering,” I tell her, and she fights back a smile.
As we enjoy the meal together, a comfortable silence settles over us, broken only by the occasional clink of utensils or the soft rustle of fabric. It’s a quiet moment, and I relish it, savoring the simple pleasure of sharing a meal with the woman who has changed the way I see the world.
As the last dregs of tea are drained from our cups and the final crumbs of pastry disappear, Aubrey looks up at me with a sparkle in her eyes. “I suppose we should probably head downstairs and open the shop,” she says, though it sounds like she’d be happy to laze in bed with me all day.
“Yes, we wouldn’t want to keep our flood of early customers waiting,” I say, my tone laden with irony. The shop, with its cluttered shelves and dusty corners, has always been more of a private sanctuary than a bustling hub of commerce. But considering that I closed early yesterday for the estate appraisal, perhaps a bit of punctuality wouldn’t be amiss.
However, as I study Aubrey, I note the faint circles under her eyes and the pallor of her complexion. Despite her obvious eagerness to resume her duties, it’s clear that the events of last night have taken a toll on her. She is, after all, a human, and her frailties and limits are different from my own.
“On second thought,” I say slowly, “perhaps you should take the day off. You look like you could use some rest.”
A flicker of protest crosses her features, and she opens her mouth to argue, but I hold up a clawed hand to forestall her words. “I’ll hear none of it,” I say. “You’ve already given so much of yourself to me, Aubrey. Let me do the same for you.”
I reach out and cup her cheek with a tenderness that surprises even myself. This gentle side of me, this nurturing instinct, had been buried beneath the scars of a past love. But now, with her, it awakens anew.
She leans into my touch with a sigh of contentment, her eyelashes fluttering closed in acceptance.
“Okay,” she whispers, as though she’s surrendering to sleep even as she speaks. “I guess I could use a shower and a change of clothes. Maybe I should pack a bag, in fact. For next time.”
The thought of there being a next time, of having her here with me, in this space that has been mine and mine alone for so long, is both a thrilling prospect and a daunting one.
My apartment, with its sparse furnishings and lack of personal touches, is a reflection of my solitary existence, a monument to the walls I’ve built in order to shield myself from hurt. Inviting her in, allowing her to leave her mark on these walls…
She laughs, having noticed my deep introspection. “Is that really such a terrible thought, Sundar?”
I shake myself free of my ruminations. “No, not at all. But you will be back tonight, right?” The words escape my lips before I can stop them, and I’m surprised by the note of vulnerability in my voice.
It’s a strange sensation, this neediness, this fear of being left alone.
Aubrey’s smile is like a beacon, cutting through my doubts and fears, her eyes sparkling with warmth. “Of course I’ll be back, you silly snake. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
And with that, she leans in and presses a kiss to the tip of my snout. My scales, normally so cool and impervious, seem to heat beneath her touch, and I feel a stirring within me, a longing for more, a hunger that knows no bounds.
As I watch her gather her things, a mixture of emotions churn within me—anticipation, fear, hope—and I wonder at the strange alchemy of fate that has brought us together.
Not that I’m about to question it.
Whatever force has conspired to bring this woman into my life, I will forever be grateful toward.