Page 46 of Sky’s Edge

I got over it, swirled my spoon in the air and said, “As you know, I would understand if you find this unattractive, and you might not want to carry on with this arrangement. Partners should share at least a few common hobbies they enjoy. And it doesn’t seem we do.”

“I like to sit on loungers under the sun.”

Crap.

“And I like to ski,” he continued.

I probably should have left that one out.

“I also like cocktails,” he went on.

Ugh.

He wasn’t done.

“Further, I have the firm belief that partners should not have common hobbies. Things they enjoy doing together, certainly. But I do not want to live on top of you, and I do not want you to live on top of me. I want you to have your own pursuits and interests. I want you to have your own life outside mine, and even outside the duties you’ll have to the crown. Furthermore, I grew up here.” He swung an arm out. “With precisely three other beings around, and no one remotely my age, I’m used to being alone and doing things by myself. I’m okay with that because I like it and will want to continue to have those times, just for me. We’re going to be sharing a lot of years together, raising children together, and it would drive me mad to spend every waking moment doing what you do, or having you do what I do.”

It was official.

He had an answer for everything.

And they were all good ones.

“How do you feel about Sigil?” he asked, and if I wasn’t wrong, he was watching me closer than he had been before.

“Feel about it?” I asked back in order to stall, because I was going to have to lie and it was going to have to be a great lie, meaning one I could actually pull off.

Sure, it was cold as all farg and ridiculously secluded, but it was awesome.

There was no noise. The sky was so dark at night and the stars twinkled brighter. The vistas any time of day, I was noticing, were insanely beautiful.

And honestly, I hadn’t had such a good night’s sleep in a long time, and I wasn’t a bad sleeper.

“Do you like it here?” he queried.

Think of a lie, Catla, think of a lie!

“It’s cold,” I said lamely.

“It is that.”

“Even in the castle.”

“It reminds me of home, to bundle up when I’m here. But when I start on the refurbishments, I can have the heating upgraded.”

That would mean I couldn’t cozy up under a throw by the fire unless I turned the heat down.

“Catla?” he prompted again.

“Oh, all right!” I snapped loudly. “I like it here. Whatever.”

Oh yes.

That was definitely a lip twitch, and there was nothing micro about it.

It was also hot.

For Beelzebub’s sake.