Life-Suspension

VIII

Ghenji blinked as the cocoon opened, and Rokujo smiled at him, bending down and brushing his lips with hers—warm and merely apple-red, rather than chill and cherry red.

“You gave even me quite a bit of trouble,” she murmured, “but you’ll be fine.”

“You’re not…” He remembered the words of the snow-woman in white—so like, if not identical to Rokujo—and he forced a smile.

“I am what I am, and you have a very good memory, for which I’m grateful.” She kissed him gently once more. “Besides, you really don’t believe in those ancient legends, do you?” Her white eyebrows arched, just slightly, but sinuously.

This time, after her kiss, his body and blood did not turn to ice.