Page 30 of Flint's Arrow
“If you wanted to shift,” Flint said carefully, “you could do that back at the Alley. Your wolf could have a run in the woods. There’s plenty of space, and the wards keep everyone out.”
Arrow’s wolf surged forward at the suggestion, eager and desperate to be closer to their mate. But Arrow forced himself to think clearly. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
Flint’s face fell. “Oh. Okay, I just thought…”
“No, I mean…” Arrow ran a hand through his hair, frustrated with himself. “I want to. You have no idea how much I want to. My wolf wants to be with you, too. But being that close to you, at your home, surrounded by your scent...” He met Flint’s eyes. “My need to claim you is really strong, Flint. I promised Iwouldn’t get too pushy about it, and I really don’t want to mess this up by moving too fast.”
Understanding dawned in Flint’s expression, followed by something that looked like relief. “I’m having similar problems,” he admitted quietly. “Every time you leave, it gets harder. My snake is demanding I bring you home and keep you.”
Arrow’s heart kicked against his ribs. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Flint’s fingers twisted together. “I’d like you to meet my snake first, though, before we talk about anything else. Because that might change your mind about me.”
Arrow frowned. “Why would it change my mind? You’re a shifter, just like I am - your animal side is a part of you.”
“Snakes are an acquired taste.” Flint wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Not all people can handle them. Some people think reptiles are disgusting or creepy. I need to know if you can accept that part of me before we go any further.”
The vulnerability in Flint’s voice made Arrow want to wrap him up and promise him that nothing could change how he felt. But words weren’t enough. He’d already learned that lesson. Flint needed proof.
“I’d love to meet your snake,” Arrow said firmly. “When?”
Flint looked up, surprised. “Now? If you want to follow me back to the Alley…”
“I’m fine to travel with you, if that’s all right.”
The smile Flint gave him was blinding. “Really?”
“Really.” Arrow gestured to his rental car. “Let me drop this off at the hotel and I’ll ride with you.”
/~/~/~/~/
Twenty minutes later, Arrow was in Flint’s truck, trying not to stare at the way Flint’s hands looked on the steering wheel or how the late afternoon sunlight caught in his blond hair. The drive to the Alley was quiet but comfortable, the kind of silence that didn’t need filling.
When they pulled up to Flint’s house, Arrow noticed the greenhouse looked even more impressive in person than it had the night he’d been caught on the porch. Plants pressed against the glass, lush and green and thriving under Flint’s care.
“We’ll go into the woods behind the property,” Flint said as they walked past the other houses. Arrow caught glimpses of the other assassins and their mates - Pax waving enthusiastically from Storm’s porch with one hand because the other one was holding a donut, Cyrus and Python working on something in the distance - but Flint led him away from the buildings and into the trees.
The forest was quiet, just the whisper of wind through pine branches and the distant call of birds. Flint stopped in a small clearing and turned to face Arrow.
“My snake is big,” Flint said. “And black. Some people find that threatening. If you need to leave, I won’t follow you, and I won’t be offended.”
“I’m not leaving,” Arrow promised.
Flint searched his face for a long moment, then nodded. He stepped back and began to undress, folding his clothes neatly on a fallen log. Arrow tried very hard to focus on the trees, the sky, anything except the expanse of pale skin being revealed. Flint was gorgeously proportioned.
Then Flint shifted. The change was fluid and fast, nothing like the bone-cracking shift of mammals. For one split second, Flintstood human and vulnerable, the next a massive black snake coiled where he’d been standing.
Arrow’s breath caught in his throat. The snake was enormous - easily twenty feet long and as thick as Arrow’s thigh. Black scales gleamed in the dappled sunlight, patterns shifting as the snake moved. The head was broad and elegant, with eyes that were still unmistakably Flint’s - huge, expressive, and watching Arrow carefully.
“You’re beautiful,” Arrow whispered.
The snake went very still. Arrow took a cautious step closer, then another. He’d never been near a snake before and had no frame of reference for what to expect. But underneath the scales was Flint, his mate. The snake was his mate, too, and Flint was testing him to see if Arrow could accept all of him.
“Can I touch you?” Arrow asked softly.
The snake dipped its head in what was clearly a nod. Arrow reached out slowly, giving Flint plenty of time to pull away. His fingers made contact with smooth scales that were cool and dry against his skin. He stroked gently along the snake’s side, marveling at the powerful muscle beneath.
“You’re really incredible,” Arrow said softly. “So powerful and graceful. I’ve never seen anything like you.”
