Chapter 3

"I-I only did that as... as a test," I blurted out, thinking on my feet and pulling a reason out of thin air.

Snow's sobbing stopped instantly. She tilted her head, tear-covered lashes fluttering, looking completely innocent and clueless. "A test?"

"Exactly! A test. To... to see if you really wanted to stay with me." I bit the bullet and kept spinning the lie. "See? You found your way back on your own, didn't you? It proves our connection isn't over yet."

I thought the excuse was brilliant. It explained away the "abandonment," gave her a reason for "coming back by herself," and even made me look like the good guy.

Snow stared at me for a long time. Her gaze made my skin crawl; I was terrified she'd find the lie unsatisfactory and decide to swallow me whole.

Suddenly, she broke into a wide grin. A smile as pure and enchanting as a white rose bloomed on her gorgeous face, leaving me momentarily dazed.

"Charlie, you are a good person," she chirped, happily nuzzling her head into my chest. That icy sensation returned immediately.

I was speechless. A good person? I was a "jerk" who had literally tried to dump you like a piece of unwanted luggage.

System notification: [Snow's emotional score just went up by 10. Current level is 80. The host managed to calm her down. Just 20 more points and the task's done.]

I finally let out a long breath. It seemed my "test theory" had successfully hoodwinked her.

"Snow..." I began cautiously, "Could you... maybe get off me for a second?"

I was referring to her octopus-like grip. It was the height of summer, and while she felt pleasantly cool, the position we were in was way too intimate.

Plus, I was actually struggling to breathe.

Snow stiffened for a moment and then quickly scrambled off. Her bare feet made soft padding sounds against the floor.

As she stood up, her silhouette was barely visible in the dark, and that was when I realized she didn't have a stitch of clothing on.

Holy Moly! I was floored. I slammed my eyes shut, my face feeling like it was on fire.

"You... why aren't you wearing anything?" I stammered.

Snow looked at me with total innocence, her voice soft and sweet. "Clothes? What are those? When I took this form, I didn't have any..."

She paused, then added, "Charlie, do you not like it? My skin is very smooth, not rough like my old scales..."

I was shocked, and I felt like my nose was about to start bleeding.

"It's not that I don't like it. It's just... this isn't okay." I was so flustered I was practically speaking in tongues. "Hang on a sec!"

I scrambled to the closet, yanked out an oversized T-shirt and a pair of gym shorts, and tossed them toward her. "Put these on first, and then we'll talk."

Snow caught the clothes and inspected them with curiosity. Then, right before my eyes, she started dressing herself at a snail's pace.

I spun around instantly.

Eyes off! Even though I really wanted to look, I couldn't. Charlie Foster is a decent guy.

After a bit, Snow's confused voice drifted from behind me. "Charlie... how do I wear these? They're so complicated."

I turned around to look and nearly choked.

She'd pulled my oversized T-shirt over her head and was wearing my shorts around her neck like a scarf, leaving her smooth back completely exposed.

I was speechless. She was a snake demon, not a toddler. Her common sense was below zero.

I had no choice but to turn around and teach her how to dress.

Her skin felt cool and silky. It was a surreal sensation. Every accidental brush of her skin sent my pulse racing.

System notification: [Snow's emotional score just went up by 5. Current level is 85. The host successfully soothed her. Only 15 points left to clear the task.]

After I helped her get dressed, Snow's emotions seemed to level out.

"Charlie, am I a human now?" she asked, poking at her hands before touching her own face.

"Well, sort of..." I nodded. "But listen, you can't just go around showing your true form in public. People will think you're a monster and haul you away."

"A monster?" A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. "I'm not a monster. I'm your Snow."

I was speechless. Great. Explaining this was going to be an uphill battle.

Looking at her and thinking about the days to come, I felt like my future was looking pretty bleak.

This wasn't "repaying me;" this was pure, unadulterated torture.