Page 27 of A Yulean Sister’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped

She seemed to consider what I said. “I suppose.”

“Haven’t heard that one before?”

A sharp laugh cut through the quiet night, one that wasn’t reserved or carefully crafted for proper company, but one reserved for actual joy. I liked it much better than the latter.

“I have not,” she finally said.

“Good, I like surprising you.”

For a few moments we basked in the sounds of outside. Lightning bugs danced around the courtyard, glowing briefly before flickering out again.

Sage dropped her head to my shoulder, making me freeze in place. I hadn’t expected even the simple contact to feel so… heavy.

“So you really weren’t… expecting anything?”

“I was expecting a better compliment on my planting skills, but that was all.”

She hummed, as if she still didn’t fully believe me. I understood why; a lot of people around her had alternative motives to speak to her.

“I do find you very beautiful though,” I found myself saying. She reminded me of some of the golden flowers growing at the front of the property. I had no clue what they were, but they were gold on the edges, like her hair, and had a bright blue center, just like her eyes.

She flushed the slightest bit. “Then kiss me,” she said, looking up at me.

The logical part of my brain should have said no, but that part of me was currently malfunctioning.

I leaned down and planted a long, drawn out kiss to her lips. They were so soft and pliant in a way I hadn’t expected. It was as if she melted beneath me. I’d kissed quite a few people, but it had never felt as… exhilarating as this.

And it seemed I wasn’t alone in the feeling. She was quick to open for me, letting me explore her even further.

The necklace, a voice in the back of my head said.

Right, the reason I was there.

This would be the perfect opportunity.

Carefully, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the stone. I pulled her up on top of me, her thighs resting on either side of my tail, pressing hard against me.

Her hands fell to my waist, squeezing slightly. I let mine wrap around her neck, and spent a few more moments basking in the kiss, before slipping my finger under the chain and pulling, just enough she didn’t notice.

Once I had it away from her skin, I pressed the stone to it.

I felt it vibrate, then get warm. It made sense, if it was working, but then it got hot. Really hot.

Though I tried to hold it, doing my best to get it to work. She didn’t seem to have noticed yet, and this would be my only chance.

Quickly, the stone overheated and shattered, cutting my hand. I dropped it, cursing.

She pulled away and blinked. I pulled my hand towards me, trying to hide it, but she was suspicious. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” I said.

Sage stood, looking at the stone on the ground. “Were you trying to kill me?” she asked. Loudly.

My eyes widened. “No, absolutely not.”

“Then what the fuck is that?” she asked, pointing to the shattered stone on the ground.

“I-I can explain.”