Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
“You did what?” Sven asked.
“It didn’t work,” Magnus explained. He’d finally told Sven the full truth about how he’d tried to curse Mercedes, but that’s before he realized that she wasn’t actually Yrsa and it hadn’t actually worked.
Sven pinched the bridge of his nose. “No, I don’t care about you trying to curse her. I mean, I’m not happy about it, but I’m glad it didn’t take, even if I found the dryer burping out lint today. Did you know it did that?”
“I did. I don’t know why it’s doing that, but you do know Mercedes admits she’s not the best witch.”
“Yes. You’ve told me that, and maybe she has too. I can’t remember.” Sven sighed again. “Anyways, I’m talking about you asking her out on a date, not curses and burping dryers. Though that might be a problem later on.”
“Well, we were supposed to have a date a couple months ago.”
Sven rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well she wasn’t our housekeeper back then. This isn’t that crazy revenge date thing again, is it?”
Magnus snorted. “No. It’s a legit date. I…I like her.”
Sven’s red eyes widened. “You like her?”
Magnus pressed his lips together in annoyance. “Yes.”
It was more than like. He was pretty sure he loved her, even when he’d thought she was Yrsa’s reincarnation. He definitely wanted her, and if he had blood, he’d be burning for her.
“I’m glad you like her, but what if things don’t work out? We’ll be out a housekeeper.”
“What if things do work out?” Magnus countered. It was hard to think about the future, because he’d never allowed himself that before. Somehow, this was different. The moment they kissed, something had changed inside him.
Now, all he could see was a future between them because he didn’t want anyone else. That kiss had been so right and he didn’t believe that things would end.
Sven’s pained expression eased. “If it does work out, I guess your curse would be broken and I would be happy for you.”
The idea of the curse breaking, the idea that one of them might be free from immortality, was always in the back of their heads.
They were twins, they’d been together since day one.
The concept of one of them being released and eventually passing on was a bitter pill to swallow, but they’d talked about it many times in the centuries they’d been together.
About a hundred years ago, back in the twenties, they’d had to open that discussion when Sven fell in love with that human woman. But then she disappeared, and he was left nursing a broken heart.
When Sven said he would be happy for him, Magnus could hear the sadness and longing in his brother’s voice.
It’s why they’d bought this old funeral home; it had been her home.
Back then, he’d found it ironic, the daughter of the funeral director being in love with a ghoul who haunted the graveyards at night.
But Sven was always the more romantic, poetic, yet levelheaded soul.
Whereas Magnus was a bit of a bull in a china shop.
Then they’d found out her father was also a bootlegger. Lots of shady deals happened here over the years. Including her mysterious disappearance.
“I promise you, I won’t ruin this,” Magnus stated. “I crushed on her hard before I saw her face.”
“Yes, and I remember that being a disaster.” Sven crossed his arms. “Have you thought this through?”
“Spending time with her, I know she’s not Yrsa. Not at all, and nothing like her pureblood-obsessed family. Would she really work for ghouls if she were like some of the residents of Tallowfield?”
Sven’s red eyes narrowed. “No, I suppose you’re right.”
Magnus grinned. “Well, that’s a first.”
“Admitting you’re right?” Sven smirked. “It does happen from time to time.”
Magnus grunted and rolled his eyes. “Do I have your blessing or are you still angry at me?”
Sven slouched against the front desk. “It’s fine. Just…don’t hurt her. Even though there’ve been a few messes, she’s great and I don’t want to lose our housekeeper when we’re about to open.”
“I swear. I’ll behave.” Magnus made a cross where his heart would be, if he still had a beating one. “She’s coming over here for dinner tomorrow night. I’m going to cook for her.”
“You are a fantastic cook, but why not take her to Ming’s Garden or The Lucky Goat?”
“They’re great, but I want to cook for her, and since you’ll be out tomorrow, I figured why not try out some new menu items and christen our dining room?”
Sven rolled his eyes, but was smiling. “Fine. It makes sense.”
“Where are you going tomorrow?” Magnus asked.
Sven sighed sadly. “It’s the anniversary of her disappearance, so I’m visiting her empty grave and then Hetty is going to make me some dinner. I promise, when I get home, I’ll just head up to my ivory tower and wallow.”
“Mercedes can see ghosts, maybe…”
“Don’t even say it,” Sven said quickly, his spine straightening. “I don’t even want to think of her being locked here and me not being able to see her. That’s a special kind of torture and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
“I get that,” Magnus commiserated.
“Besides, I have a lot to focus on. Our first guests arrive in two days. This is a big deal.”
“It is.” Magnus floated away from his brother who went back to work on his computer.
He was glad he had the talk with Sven and told him everything. He had hidden so much from him since the bad date—the whole cursing thing, the dreams he’d been having about Mercedes, just everything.
Although he was slightly worried that this wouldn’t work out with her, it was a dwindling worry, because something deep inside him was telling him that this was it.
She was it. Whether his curse would end or not, he wasn’t sure.
All he knew was that he wanted to be with her, and he was glad for this opportunity for a second chance and righting his wrong.
Magnus barely slept.
He was excited about the date with Mercedes, and though he didn’t doubt his culinary abilities, he was still a bit nervous about cooking for her.
It was then he also realized that most of his interactions with women had been casual and he really didn’t know what to do for an important first date. He threw off the covers, had a quick shower, and then got dressed.
It was early in the morning, but he needed some help planning this first date. Since Pearl was out of town, he knew the next best person to turn to was Margaid.
Magnus snuck out the back door of Room with a Tomb and headed along Pleasant Street, through downtown. Most of the stores were closed still, and a fine autumn mist crept across the ground.
This was one of his favorite times to walk through Harmony Glen, and he would usually have a leisurely stroll, but there was no time for that. He was on a mission, because everything about tonight had to be perfect for Mercedes. He didn’t want to take any chances.
He turned on Verdant Street and went straight to Margaid and Finn’s little cottage, which had once been Hetty’s little rental, but now was home base for Margaid and Finn.
As he approached the bright yellow house, he saw Finn and Margaid on the front stoop, her arms around him as she stood on the top step and he on the bottom so he could look her in the eye.
Or rather, so they could kiss. Her hands were wrapped around his neck and playing with his mane.
“Morning,” Magnus called out.
Finn craned his neck to look at him, frowning. “Magnus.” It was said through clenched teeth.
“Morning, Magnus,” Margaid replied brightly, stepping back from Finn. “You’re out and about early.”
“Well, I don’t mean to interrupt, but I need some help.”
“If you need another boat rental, then just take one, you can materialize through the walls,” Finn growled.
“No. I need Margaid’s help.”
Margaid’s eyes widened and she pushed her glasses up her nose. “Mine?”
Finn’s eyes narrowed. “Hers?”
“It’s about my love life. Sort of.”
Margaid giggled softly behind her hand, and Finn rolled his eyes and let out a huff.
“I’m going to the marina.” Finn glared at Magnus as he left, slamming the little picket fence gate behind him.
Magnus opened the gate and dashed up the path. “I’m sorry for coming here so early, but I knew you’d be up.”
There was a flash on Margaid’s finger. “It’s fine. Would you like some coffee?”
“Wait, are you wearing a ring?” Magnus took her hand and stared at the new shiny ring on her left hand.
“It is. He proposed to me last night.” Margaid sighed happily. “I guess I need to talk to you and Sven about renting out Room with a Tomb for the wedding.”
“That’s fantastic.”
Margaid opened the door and he followed her in, kicking off his boots.
“Take a seat in the living room and I’ll bring you some coffee,” Margaid said over her shoulder.
“Thanks.” Magnus wandered into the living room that was littered with journals about watersheds and fisheries. He took a seat in an overstuffed floral chair, resting his hands on his knees.
Margaid came in and handed him a mug, and then curled up in the matching chair across from him. “So, what do you need my advice for?”
“Well, it’s something I would usually go to Pearl for, but she’s away.” He set the coffee cup down on the table. “I…I asked Mercedes out on a date.”
Margaid’s eyebrows raised. “Mercedes? The woman you accused of taking revenge on you?”
He winced, nodding. “That’s all in the past. I know she may look like the witch who cursed me and Sven, but she’s not her.”
“Wait, what?”
“Margaid, it’s a long story.”
“Sounds like it. So, you asked her out.”
“She’s coming to my place for dinner.”
“What’s the problem?” she asked. “You’re an amazing cook.”
“It’s not the dinner, it’s this do-over of a date.” He stood and began to pace. “It’s just, I haven’t been on a serious date ever. Not really. I mean, I’ve had casual hook-ups. And back before I was cursed, I didn’t date or court or whatever it was called.”
“So you told me,” Margaid said dryly. “I think you said something about sacking my village and carrying me off when we first met.”
He winced. “Sorry about that. You were pretty and I was trying to be charming?”
“Yeah, no. You weren’t.”
“I deserved it when you said you would kick me squarely in the nuts if I tried.”
Mirth flickered across Margaid’s face. “You were a little rough around the edges when we were first met. I know you better now. It’ll be okay.”
“I doubt that.” He groaned and sat back down. “My first ever real date with someone I liked and not just lusted after turned out horrible. Now, I’m contemplating going out with her again.”
“I remember your first date with Mercedes. I picked you up on the road home.”
“I don’t want to repeat that. What did Finn do for your first date?”
“He cooked me lasagna, but I think everything about that night was Pearl’s doing.
” Margaid smiled at him gently. “It’ll be okay.
She said yes again, so that’s half the battle.
All you have to do is be yourself. Light some candles, dim the lights, and be yourself.
I mean, when you were chatting with her on the MONZTR app, you were yourself and that’s why she agreed to meet you face-to-face, right? ”
Margaid had a point.
Magnus nodded. “Yeah.”
“Maybe don’t get wine from a box.”
“Who served wine from a box?” Magnus asked, horrified. “Please tell me it wasn’t Finn?”
“It was, but you know what, it wasn’t that bad. It wasn’t the cheap stuff I used to get drunk on when I was in college.”
“You got drunk on boxed wine in college? You’re a doctor.”
She narrowed her eyes. “So? Doctors can have fun. It’s not just ghouls.”
“Nice pun,” he grumbled.
Her eyes widened. “Oh! Ghouls just want to have fun. That is witty.”
“Droll.”
“Okay, so nice, unboxed wine.”
“Well, we have an extensive wine cellar and I know how to pair wine with food.” He took a deep breath. “I just want tonight to be perfect.”
Margaid reached out and squeezed his hand. “It will be. Just be yourself and don’t threaten to sack her village and carry her off, unless she’s into that kind of thing. I think you’ll be okay. You’re a nice ghoul. It’ll all work out.”
“Thanks.” Magnus picked up his coffee and took a sip.
Margaid’s advice was sound and sensible.
All he had to do was be himself, but it was easier to do that behind a keyboard sometimes, rather than face-to-face, especially after he blew it so spectacularly last time.
So yeah, Margaid was probably right. If only he could convince himself of that.
This was possibly his only chance at forever and happily ever after because he couldn’t picture himself with anyone else.