NARRATOR

"Miss Victoria!" he jolted when he heard her voice.

He looked like a lover caught red-handed.

Meridiana’s lips ended up wet against his cheek as he turned his head.

If Rousse could blush, he’d be redder than a tomato.

"This… isn’t what it looks like…"

"Oh, really?" Victoria couldn’t help teasing him.

She eyed the woman who had just pulled away. She was cute.

"Should I leave? Do you need some alone time with your girlfriend?"

"She’s not my girlfriend!" he even blurted nervously.

He didn’t want Meridiana to get the wrong idea.

"And who is she, Rousse?" the witch’s quiet voice asked.

Her hands clutched his heavy cloak like she was afraid he’d push her away.

For some reason, she looked tense and a little bitter.

Who was this woman talking to him so confidently?

Rousse used the moment to gently set her down and take a step back.

"This is Miss Victoria. I work for her family. And she’s… Meridiana, a sorceress," Rousse introduced them, clearly uncomfortable.

Victoria kept giving him