Page 70 of Forsaking All Others

“I’d like that very much. And if it makes you feel comfortable you can call me Jag.”

“That does make me feel comfortable, thank you.”

I look up at the director’s frantic waving and roll my eyes as he points to a board with a series of questions on it. He wants me to ask the same lines of each contestant ‘for fairness’ and ‘romantic opportunity,’ and I inwardly groan.

“So, tell me, Thorun, what are you looking for in a husband?”

“Love, honesty, integrity. Someone who’ll be my best friend and the best father for our kids.”

“You want children?”

“Heaps of children,” she laughs. “Don’t you?”

She leans down and picks up a shell, considers it, and drops it into her pocket.

“No,” I shake my head. “I don’t want any children.”

“Oh.”

‘But you’d be a wonderful mother. It’s a tragedy you won’t get the chance.’

“Shall we head back?”

She nods, a slight frown on her forehead, and I continue along with the script, just wanting this night to be over as fast as possible, but also wanting to soothe her, have her not worry about anything for the short time she’s still breathing.

“Before we return to the others, will you accept my bite, Thorun?”

Her voice is subdued when she answers.

“Yes.”

Leaning forward I give her a quick nip, somewhat nervously. I haven’t bitten all the women in the house, and I’m slightly paranoid I’ll find more than just Catriona to my taste, especially since she’d confirmed she was just a normal human. Fortunately, there’s no such lure in Thorun’s sweet blood.

After the bite I take her hand and lead her back to the others. She says nothing more on the walk back, seemingly deep in thought. When we reach the picnic blanket Evelyn is already standing, shifting her weight from foot to foot in anticipation.

Without asking, she reaches for my hand and threads her fingers through mine as I turn to walk in the opposite direction to the one I’d walked with Thorun.

Unlike the Icelander, I don’t enjoy my talks with the American. Her accent makes me maudlin. Prior to coming onto the show the selectors had asked for input on what I was seeking in a wife. Naturally, given that I don’t want a wife, I’d tried to be more strategic in my requests. I’d asked for the most exotic women they could find, my thinking being that at least I might have some interesting conversations with unique women during my confinement. But while they’d given me a mixture of women from around the globe, they’d also thrown in a woman who came from the same state as Angie, and three redheads.

Somehow I don’t think it will go down well if I return to the Dragonspur castle with any of these.

Containing a sigh now, I try to ignore the pang her accent gives me and be present for the American. Her voice aside, there’s no reason I shouldn’t also try to give her a pleasant last few weeks on earth. After all, I’d seen some strength of character in her during the contest.

“How are you?” She asks quietly, leaning into me as we walk and placing her head momentarily against my shoulder.

“I’m well. How are you after the last trial?”

“Great. It was terrifying, obviously, but quite illuminating,” she shrugs as we keep walking.

“Illuminating, how so?”

“I know now who the biggest threat is, who I can ally with, the strengths and weaknesses of many of the competitors. You know, that kind of thing.”

“I see. And who do you see as the biggest threat?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” She widens her eyes and pulls me to a standstill. “She shot two competitors in cold blood, and you carried her to the ambulance. We all think Catriona is the biggest threat. She killed her best friend, you know.”

I turn to her and frown, Thorun’s assertion that Catriona had no friends coming immediately to mind.