Catastrophic Attraction - Eve Langlais Page 0,47
got to Titan, he interrupted her. “Not him since it’s obvious he’s the king’s lackey now.”
“The point I was making is it doesn’t always have to be me. There are other people you can partner with. Others you can count on.”
“You want me to go home, then I will, but only after I see you and that guy”—he glared in the direction of the door—“reach that city safely.”
If she gave him this reprieve, this fight would start all over again. “You are not coming with us tomorrow.”
“I’ve heard of Port City. It’s huge and dangerous.”
“I’m dangerous. Do you really think I’m not wily enough to survive? Or is it you do think I’m incompetent?”
“Stop twisting my words.”
“Then stop patronizing me,” she snapped. “I’m going. You’re not. But if you need something to do, then you can provide extra security for the princess.”
“I don’t mind princesses.”
“You will mind this one. And do so with your life. Charlie reminds me of myself at that age.” The one thing she could say that would quiet him.
“Annoying?”
Her lips gave a quirk. “Actually, she’s the nicer version.”
“Are people still trying to hurt her?”
“The night I arrived I killed a swamp golem in her room.”
His lips pressed into a tight line. “That’s not right.”
“No, it’s not. And while I don’t want to leave her, the danger won’t stop until the person going after her is taken care of. I’d feel better knowing she had you watching her.”
Cam once more eyed the door down the hall, and the pair of guards on the other side of it pretending they weren’t paying attention to their fight. She’d long ago lost her ability to care if people saw her and Cam spatting.
“Where’s her mother?”
“Dead.”
“How?” was his next question.
Her shoulders rolled. “I haven’t found out yet. It happened when this place was just starting out. Most people came after. Those from before are loyal to him and haven’t yet told me.”
“He’s hiding something.”
Her wry smile and shrug said, Aren’t we all?
Cam’s shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry for what I said.”
“You should be. Just like you should know that if I did choose to fuck the king, I would. I’d fuck him so hard he’d walk crooked the next day. Because it would be my choice. Not yours. Mine.”
He winced. “Ew. Gross. Seriously, can’t you be a little more—”
“If you say ladylike, I will gut you. Now if you don’t mind, I’ve got a job to do.”
She left her brother, feeling the weight of his sorrow and regret but knowing if she turned around now, she’d only fall back in that same trap. The one where she let herself be miserable for his sake. Perhaps without her to fall back on, he’d discover someone new to latch onto.
Entering the room, she immediately set her gaze on the bed and the amused glance of Roark.
“How much did you hear?” she muttered.
Judging by the twinkle of his eyes, it was no surprise when he said, “All of it. Your brother only wants the best for you. Your wellbeing is his main concern.” He gently rolled Charlie to the side.
“It’s his only concern, and I’m tired of it.”
Leaving Charlie in the bed, the blankets tucked tight, he moved to the far end of the room to a pair of chairs parked in front of a cold fireplace. He gestured to a seat and took the other. She tilted it first to have her back to the wall and eyes on the bed. It also provided a perfect view of the king, a coincidence of course.
“What was her nightmare about?” she asked.
“The usual. Fear she’ll lose me like her mother.”
It seemed the best time to ask. “How did her mother die?”
“Violently.” He looked away and drummed his fingers. His agitation clear.
“Did Charlie see it?”
“No.”
“But you did,” she surmised.
“Aye.” The whoosh to her right and the sudden influx of heat let her know he’d set fire in the hearth.
“Your magic is back,” Casey blurted out.
“Not really. Just flickers. It will be another few days before it’s fully recovered.”
“Days?”
He shook his finger at her. “Don’t you even say it. I am not delaying this trip.”
“I wasn’t going to suggest anything. Although I will insist you be fully armed before we leave this place.”
“Only an idiot enters the Marshes without a few weapons.”
“Says the man who walks the city without any.”
“Is that what you think?” He smiled as he laced his hands over his stomach. A stomach she recalled that had distinct lines of muscle.
She eyed him up and