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“Good.”
It’s not the answer she wants. She’s been part of the business since her papa ran it. The way things used to be. But now we’re global, while still privately owned. The best thing for the company and our coffers would be to go public, let the humans help us grow even faster. But it’s not an option that the few expats on the board like. They want to remain secretive, and I don’t blame them. Going public to the humans could be a great thing for business, though. We could capitalize on all the human mythology and use our image as marketing. It’s crossed my mind more than once that the Boston battle might be the best thing that’s ever happened for Glyden Mining, the company I run for my family.
“You need to head back to the office.”
“Soon.”
“Anytime you need to, you should do it. I can take care of finding Annabelle a good mate.”
“You don’t like her?”
Ophelia clicks her tongue, pulling back like I’ve slapped her. It’s not often my mother shows her emotion about something like this. “No, I do like her, and that’s the issue. You like her too. Too much.”
“I do.”
“The list of reasons why you need to stay out of her bed is longer than the Odyssey.”
“I know.” But I don’t want to. And as long as I’m unmated and in the city—and her pod welcomes me—I’m not going.
“Good.” Her inflection says she understands I won’t. “I need you to check on a few invitations, those who haven’t responded yet. I’ve sent them to your block.”
I click over to the list. It is five long. Three in Seolfor. They’re probably too busy with their work to have even checked their blocks this week. I wouldn’t want Annabelle with them, anyway. They would park her in the corner like a trophy to be looked at. Ugo from Permula—not a bad match. But I think his breath smelled of eel the last time I ran into him.
The final name on the list has my head snapping to my mother. “Soren? No.”
“He’s your brother.”
“Exactly. He’s not going to be happy with my castoffs.”
“That’s the problem. She hasn’t been cast off yet, has she?”
My stomach flips. Fucking Soren. “Fine. I’ll go down and talk to him.”
“Excellent, and while you’re out, you should pick out a new suit.”
“I have several suits.”
“Yes, but you always wear your dark blue one.”
I narrow my eyes at her. The last time she saw me wearing it, she called me regal. Her seal of approval. “What color gown did Annabelle buy?”
She purses her lips as her eyes skim the page of mining notes back up on my block. “Send me the financial report from the last quarter when you get a chance.”
“What color gown is Annabelle wearing?”
“Get a new suit.” She pivots out of the dining room.
Fucking hell. I storm down the corridor to Kai’s old pod room. I knock, and when there’s no answer, I go in. The bag with the gown is hanging on the valet rack. I untie it. It’s an exact match for the suit I always wear. Hanging beside it are several other gowns from a competitor, one that Kai and Mother think is too expensive, but someone has arranged for them for Annabelle. They’re lovely too, but in much lighter blues. Colors I never wear. But they would also bring out the bright blue of Annabelle’s eyes. In typical Ophelia style, she’s trying to get what she wants by giving Annabelle something even nicer than she chose for herself.
It’s past dinner time. I expected Holter and her to be back a long time ago.
Nico’s been in the gym for the last three hours. Even when he’s in the city, he’s never far away from theCentauri. He’s going through withdrawal for sure.
“Castor?” Annabelle’s in the doorway.
“How was your trip into the city?”
She places a small cloth package on the pod bed. Holter’s behind her. He moves the package to the coffee table. “It was good.” She scowls at the package.
