Chapter 36
Quoth
To My Knights of the Bookish Table, Brave Sir Heathcliff, Moriarty the Malicious, and Quoth the Wingèd.
I wish to extend to you my gratitude for your hospitality and your willingness to help me complete my quest.
I have begun the arduous inner journey of accepting my fate – that I am stuck in your world, I shall never again see the Fair Guinevere, and that there is not much call for questing or slaying dragons and, on the whole, women in this age do not require a chivalrous knight and prefer to do their own rescuing.
After a crisis of faith, I have found a new purpose.
I’m rather adept at motivating fellow knights in my ‘Chivalry Bootcamp,’ where they perform feats of endurance while wearing plate armour.
I’ve been talking to a fellow about making a tournament, which he called ‘Hyrox, but make it Medieval.’ To me, a Hyrox sounds like a beast in need of slaying, but he assures me the only beast to slay is one’s own limitations.
Peaches has a paddock of bountiful grass and will be giving rides to small children at the village fete.
Fear not. I shall not darken your doorstep again. Unless you have need of me. If ever you require it, you shall have my sword.
Yours in fellowship, Lancelot
Mina and Jo are downstairs, sharing a glass of wine together and giggling over naughty romance books they enjoy.
Heathcliff has gone to yell at the bank, so Morrie and I are upstairs – I’m trying to finish a painting of Mina, and he’s doing something for his criminal empire that involves calling people and making unsettling and creative threats to their extremities so they agree to what he wants.
“…and just remember, if you fail to come through for me, I’ll take great pleasure in alphabetising your organs. Toodles.” Morrie clicks off his phone.
“You know, you could probably tone down the criminal mastermind stuff while Mina is around,” I say. “I don’t know if she’s ready to accept you as someone with less than no morals.”
“Considering Mina suggested that threat to me…” Morrie waggles his eyebrows. “I think she’s cut out for a little mischief. Or a lot of mischief. Speaking of which, birdie, I have something to discuss with you.”
Uh oh. I don’t like the glint in Morrie’s eye.
“What?”
“I was sceptical about your plan to share Mina, but it’s going swimmingly. The other day, when I had her against the shelves and on the stairs, that was a lark, wasn’t it?” His ice eyes bore into mine.
At the memory of watching Mina while Morrie entered her, I’m fighting to retain my human form. My skin heats and itches. My heart hammers against my ribs. I’m dizzy in a way that birds never get dizzy.
I nod because if I open my mouth, I’ll shift.
“I knew you’d agree. And you know what happened the other week.
Heathcliff apologised. To another human.
And things are changing around here. Not just with us.
Mina just brought me an interesting book.
The little minx snuck into the Occult room.
It opened for her, and so did the time-travelling room.
She’s figured out that the book in the Occult room is from the first ever owner of the bookshop.
Whatever she is, I think this bookshop recognises her.
I think it wants her to stay. And that’s interesting to me.
Which brings me to my proposal. I think we need to show Mina exactly what it means to be shared. ”
I swallow and swallow and swallow. I can’t seem to make my mouth work properly.
“That’s right, birdie,” Morrie whispers, leaning in close.
“I think it has to be you and me. Together. Maybe one in both holes. Maybe you eating her out while I take her from behind. We can use our imaginations. She trusts you the most, and I’m the one who will bring out the dark, depraved side of her.
It has to be us first. Our job is to make her ready for him, because when he finally gets over himself and takes her with all of his fire and fury, she needs to be ready, or he’ll undo her utterly. What do you say?”
My pulse races along my veins.
Slowly, I nod.
Morrie’s right. It’s an annoying habit of his. Heathcliff clearly wants Mina, but of all of us, he has the most layers of trauma from his book to work through before he feels worthy. And for all that he pretends to be immune to emotions, Morrie cares about him. This is his way of helping.
And I don’t know if I’m brave enough or ready to be with Mina on my own.
I struggle so much to hold on to my human form around her when she’s not naked or kissing me.
But if Morrie’s there, leading things, telling me what to do, keeping me anchored in this world and in this body, then maybe I can have this one dream come true.
Mina Wilde has entered our lives in a flurry of silken hair and chaos, and I don’t know what the future holds for the four of us and Nevermore Bookshop. All I know is that wherever she goes, I wish to follow.
THE END