Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
They set the trays on the table without a word and leave. I bite back a sigh. Della still hasn’t forgiven me for my sharp words after Ramanu arrived, and Annis has always been skittish around me. It doesn’t look like either situation will resolve itself tonight.
“What will you do with all this money you’re paying so dearly for?” A question I have no business asking, but that hasn’t stopped me yet when it comes to this woman.
Catalina pokes at a plate of food with a strange look on her face. “The usual. Live a life of luxury. Eat like a queen. Surround myself with beautiful people who want to make me happy.”
I frown. “Those people will only want you for your money.”
“What’s your point?” For once, she’s not laughing. Her expression is painfully serious as she sets down her fork and looks at me. “You’re the king of this territory.”
“Yes,” I say slowly. There’s a trap here, but I can’t divine the parameters of it.
“So you’re the most powerful person around. Power and money are the two main things that attract people in droves. How do you know every person who cozies up to you is pure of heart?”
Something uncomfortable takes up residence in my chest. “I don’t. Not until time has passed.”
“Exactly. You can’t tell the difference. I can’t tell the difference.” She picks up her fork again. “Which means the difference really doesn’t matter for my purposes.”
There’s a wealth of information in that single sentence. I don’t know what to do with it, though. Not yet. I’ll need to ponder Catalina and what it is about her life that brought her to this place where she’d happily surround herself with people who don’t care for her . . . just as long as they’re there.
I care. I’m not entirely comfortable with the fact that I do, but I wouldn’t feel this conflicted about possibly betraying Brant’s memory if there weren’t some genuine feelings for Catalina involved.
I’ll ensure she’s with someone who truly cares, even if it’s only for tonight.
12
CATALINA
I’m trying so hard to be good. This is the first meal I’ve shared with another person in weeks, and it’s like I’ve forgotten how to be human. More than that, I’m sharing it with Thane.
The conversation is awkward as we eat, mostly because I’ve never known when to quit and Thane is as serious as a heart attack. He takes everything I say as if it’s fact, which is slightly terrifying.
I don’t know if I’ve ever been taken seriously before.
I’m the outrageous one. Not the class clown—my mother would have locked me in a closet before she let me embarrass her in public like that—but the one who always pushes the limits with a smile on my face. I can’t do that now. Not when Thane’s dangled such a tempting carrot in front of my face.
I grin a little at the metaphor. I am nothing if not always on brand. Focus, Cat. “Thank you. For the, uh, distraction on the way here.” Talking about how he made me cum all over his fingers probably doesn’t fall into the realm of good behavior, but if I don’t say something beyond commenting on the food, I’m going to burst. “I’m not normally the nervous type, but . . . what’s the opposite of claustrophobia? I think I might have that. At least when it comes to the great open ocean or whatever.”
Thane studies me as intently as he always seems to. As if every word out of my mouth is the god’s honest truth. How horrifying.
Finally, he takes a long drink of his goblet. “Would you like to learn to swim, Catalina?”
No. Absolutely not. I’ve had my fill of water, and while it’s very pretty to look at from the various windows about the tower, so is fire, and I certainly don’t want to jump into the fireplace. “I’m very much in love with not drowning.”
“You won’t drown.” He nods at the bracelet around my wrist. I probably should have taken it off once I realized the swimming trips weren’t going to happen regularly, but I find the weight of it comforting. Also the fact that it means I can’t drown. That’s a pretty intense security blanket.
“I might get eaten.”
His grin is quick and devastating. “Only if you’re very, very good.”
Is Thane . . . flirting with me?
This should be familiar. I flirt as easily as I breathe. But that’s always been with normal people who want the normal things from me. They’re entirely within the realm of expectation. Thane is not. He’s so serious all the time. If he’s flirting, then . . . I don’t know.
I reach a shaking hand for my goblet, mostly for something to do. “As much as I’d like to sit on your face and ride until dawn, I’m more worried about whatever might be down there with sharp teeth and a hankering for human flesh.”