Epilogue
Jasmine, one month ago
I couldn’t believe it.
After all the years of mooning over Vorzak, never having one single class with him, or even a single conversation, we were on the same ferry together, heading back to the mainland for winter break.
The water was choppier than normal, making for a rough ride, but that was to be expected in the winter months. Unfortunately, the wind was doing a number on my hair, which meant I definitely wasn’t looking my best.
It was also freaking cold.
Despite the weather and the ferry ride, though, I was certain this was my moment. I’d been staring at him from the moment we boarded the boat. I just had to gather my courage.
Any minute now.
The problem was that he was just too damn intimidating.
Oh, not his snakes. They were freaking adorable.
The man, though, was so unapproachable, it wasn’t even funny.
I’d seen the way he looked at the other women of the Academy when they approached to flirt. Total hands-off demeanor.
I never wanted to be in that category, one of those women he looked at and dismissed immediately.
So, for two and a half years now, I’d just admired him from afar.
It was hard, though, because I was pretty certain his snakes liked me.
Take right now, for instance. They were staring at me and I’d swear they were flirting. Not that that was unusual. They were always flirting with me.
Every time they saw me, they would dance, and no matter which way he would turn, if I was anywhere nearby, they would adjust their position so they could still stare at me.
It was really sweet.
It was also weird that Vorzak never noticed .
For a while, I was sure they probably flirted with everyone, but after two and half years of watching him, of watching the way his snakes reacted to other people, the way they hissed at the women who approached him, I knew they thought I was special.
They liked me.
So why was I too nervous to approach him?
Mikaela cleared her throat and I glanced at her and Elliot.
I’d completely forgotten they were on the ferry with me. “Sorry. Did you say something?”
Mikaela just shook her head. “You do realize that snakes kill 138,000 humans every year, right?”
“Whatever.” I waved a hand to dismiss her pessimism. “Those statistics are for non -supes. I’ll be fine.” Assuming I ever managed to get up the courage to approach him, of course.
“One hundred and thirty-eight thousand humans and you don’t think even one of those was a supernatural?” Mikaela snickered. “You’re deluding yourself, Jasmine.”
“I’m not. I mean, look at him.”
“Oh, I’m looking.”
I didn’t know how she could look at what I was looking at and not drool.
I mean, I knew Elliot was her mate, so that probably had something to do with it, but Vorzak was hot , like seriously wow -hot.
The tattoos, the lip ring, those snakes .
I honestly got wet just thinking about kissing him, let alone doing anything else.
A bump signaled the end of the ferry ride as the ferry lined up with the dock.
Worse, it signaled the end of my opportunity to approach while we were still trapped on the ferry.
I stood, thinking I might get a chance to catch him at the ramp leading down to the dock, but I was too late.
He was already striding down it.
I let out a huge sigh.
Mikaela chuckled at my side. “Maybe next time, Jasmine.” She nudged me with her elbow. “Maybe Elliot can?—”
“No. No. And no again. I do not play matchmaker for any man or woman. Sorry, Jasmine, but you’re on your own.”
Jasmine giggled. “That’s okay, Elliot. Thanks for offering his services, Mikaela. You’re a good friend.”
We walked down the ramp together and said our goodbyes.
Mikaela and Elliot headed for the car that was waiting for them.
They were spending time with both their families over break, doing the dreaded meet-the-parents routine, so it should be an interesting vacation for both of them.
Meanwhile, I was heading to the bus stop.
I waited until Mikaela’s car had pulled away before I looked for Vorzak. It took me a moment, but eventually I saw him a ways down the boardwalk, standing super close to an absolutely gorgeous woman.
She was smiling up at him and he was touching her cheek.
She suddenly threw her arms around him and Vorzak hugged her back.
Worse, though, was when his snakes began petting her hair.
The sight of those snakes being so loving with another woman was like getting gut punched.
I’d always believed I was special, which was ridiculous considering Vorzak didn’t even know I existed.
I knew it wasn’t fair for me to get upset, but I was.
Watching him with the other woman was eye-opening.
I’d been deluding myself that just because his snakes liked me, it had to mean something.
Obviously it didn’t because they liked her too.
At that moment, as if they could feel me looking, his snakes lifted up and turned to stare right at me.
Then, they did what they always did when they saw me.
They started to dance.
Weaving and waving and beckoning, they were clearly trying to convince me to approach, but this time I wasn’t even tempted.
I shook my head and they beckoned again.
Unfortunately, the fantasy had been shattered and I had to face the facts. It was time for me to move on.
Vorzak of the incredibly hot body and adorably sweet snakes was not the one for me.
Dragging in a deep breath, doing my best to ignore the increasing dramatics of his snakes, I hitched my backpack higher on my shoulder and set off at a brisk walk in the opposite direction of the man I once called my destiny.
When one of his snakes hissed and the others joined in, I refused to look back, though I did stumble over my feet a bit when I heard Vorzak’s exclamation of pain.
“Ow! Since when do you guys bite me ?”
I smirked a little and kept on walking.
Thanks for reading!