Page 108 of Forsaking All Others

The imagery makes me shudder.

“Are you OK, Cat?” Thorun whispers where we sit on the couch awaiting the arrival of the bachelor for another cocktail party.

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know, I guess you’ve been acting a little quiet since the baby challenge.”

I shrug and finger the jewels on the black velvet ribbon around my neck. It had been sent to me earlier this evening in a matching velvet box. When I’d opened it, I’d gasped. The entire ribbon was studded with tiny rubies. The black velvet dress that arrived with it, also in a long, black box, matched it to perfection.

All the women in the house had received individual dresses for tonight, but no one else had received jewels. Part of me was delighted, but part of me also knew it was as a payment for my blood, and a way of covering what had occurred between us.

I’d normally be worried that singling me out puts a bigger target on my back. But only Sona and Thorun knew about the gift.

“I’m just keen to get the next challenge over and done with,” I sigh now. “It’s usually the most brutal, involves weapons, and will knock us down in numbers significantly in preparation for the final challenge.”

“Great,” Thorun whispers.

We look up as the bachelor enters the room and makes his way towards us.

With only nine women left it’s clear we’ll all get more time than usual with him tonight. For myself, I’d rather not. Being around him makes me feel uncomfortable, especially knowing that while I’d worked hard to stay as close to the truth as possible answering his questions, he still doesn’t trust me.

He clears his throat and nods to me.

“Ladies, you all look ravishing tonight.”

I blush and look down at my hands, his words sending a remembered thrill through me at what it had been like being ravished, his lips upon my throat, his body pressed to mine. It wasn’t sex; it would never be that. But it was as close as I’ll ever come to that with anybody.

“Thorun, would you like to spend some time?”

I try to act nonchalant as he holds his hand out to her and she takes it.

80

Thorun settles in beside me and accepts the drink I’ve offered graciously, but she seems subdued tonight.

“How are you?”

“I’m well,” she says quietly, “I guess. I mean, it’s been a hard few days, but I love Egypt.”

“I hear you like to ride.”

“I do!” Her eyes light up. “I’ve always wanted to ride a horse, and last night while you were on your date with Miranda we all had the opportunity to ride around the pyramids while the light show was up.”

“It reminded you of the Northern lights, didn’t it?” I smile at her.

“How did you know? The green and pink, especially. How did you know?”

“Because it did for me, too. Would you like to take a walk around the gardens? They’re especially fragrant at night in this part of the world.”

She nods and rises, and I shake my head at the director.

Sighing heavily, he groans but doesn’t make a move to follow.

“Cut!”

“Viscount,” he calls after us as we walk away, “Please, Viscount, don’t take too long.”

I snort and keep walking.