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“Only if it was a life-threatening wound.”
Charlie turned to me. “I’m starving. Shall we get some food?”
“You don’t want to listen to Savida’s tales of adventure?”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m listening to my belly, and it says if I don’t eat soon, I’m going to be the one firing arrows.”
“That’s a lot for one organ to say,” I said but agreed and stood up since I didn’t want to be surrounded by the strangers looming over our table any longer. I informed Daithi we’d be back with food, and he nodded. Charlie led me through the crowd, who all gaped at the sight of me, back to the dining room. A shiver ran down my spine.
Charlie scoffed as we approached the queue for the food. “It’s like they’ve never seen a titan before.”
“They haven’t.” I took the plates he passed me and continued shuffling along the queue.
“There’s no need for staring.” He glared at a male who stood open-mouthed behind us.
I smiled at his protectiveness and teased, “Need I remind you of your reaction when you first saw us?”
He grumbled as he began picking up a spoon and loading his two plates. “I still think they are weird.”
“Are you making a plate for Clawdia?” I assumed he passed me the extra plate for me to make something for Daithi and Savida to pick at.
“Yes,” he replied, and I began filling my plates. “Where is she anyway? Surely it doesn’t take this long to get ready.”
I shrugged. “I’m sure she’ll be along soon. I’m glad she is getting time to talk to females.”
“I don’t think she’s ever had girl time before. It might be a bit much for her.”
“She’ll be fine.”
Just as we collected cutlery and headed back outside, we spotted her walking through the crowd. She saw us as we dropped our plates on the table and strode toward us, three other females in tow. But I couldn’t see them. They were background, as was everyone else, because my little cat looked completely different.
“Little Cat,” I gasped as she came within earshot of us. “You look—”
I couldn’t put it into words. Her hair was darker, shorter, and styled in a way I’d never seen before. Her lips and eyes looked bigger and brighter, her cheeks were sculpted, and her skin was clear of any blemish left from a traumatic few weeks. And her dress hugged her like a bandage, showing the curves and soft skin I was intimately familiar with. It made me feel both proud and possessive. I wanted to cover the eyes of all the males who glanced her way. She was not for them. She was mine.
Charlie turned at my exclamation and found his words faster than I. “Stunning.”
“Beautiful,” I agreed quickly and preened as she shyly bowed her head and blushed.
“Do you really like it?” she asked quietly.
“Get over here,” Charlie demanded and held out his hand. She took it ,and he raised it above her head, saying, “Spin,” and offering us both a full look at the outfit. He pulled her close and then muttered, “Gorgeous,” as he pressed his lips against hers.
A cough interrupted us, and suddenly the rest of the world swarmed into sight again. But it was quiet, hushed. I cast my eyes around, confused at what would cause the party to die down, and then it became clear as I followed the gaze of staring party members back to Clawdia and Charlie. Some faces were puzzled, others sneered, but no one seemed to share in the joy of two people in love.
Why is that?I reminded myself to monitor the situation.The last thing we need is to be trapped on an island with people who hate us.
I returned my attention to Clawdia as she introduced her new friends. “This is Karin and Naomi and Natasha.”
Ingrid’s daughter had the same intense and uncomfortable gaze as her mother, but the other two girls smiled warmly.
“It’s nice to meet you all,” I said.
“You’re fairy godmothers,” Charlie exclaimed and twirled Clawdia again. “You’ve turned our feral cat into a princess.”
“Feral?” She glared and looked at me. “I wasn’t feral, was I?”
“Never, Little Cat.” She smiled shyly, moving from Charlie’s embrace into my arms, and I pressed a kiss to her silky soft hair.
