Page 37 of Casting Butterflies

“He’s been opening up a bit more.”

“What if the sex sucks? Or he’s a one-night-stand kind of guy? What happens then?”

“Who says I want more than a single romp? As for bad sex, it happens.” But I doubted that would be the case with Misha. The chemistry alone would have me coming without much effort on his part.

“You barely know the guy.”

“And? How long did you know your lovers before you did the dirty tango?”

“It’s different for males. We don’t tend to get as emotionally attached,” Cedric blustered.

“That is such a misogynist thing to say,” I huffed. “Women are allowed to have needs and fulfill them.”

“Can you?” his pointed riposte.

I sure as heck hoped so, but rather than say that, I went on a different tangent. “Do you know where we’re heading to in Russia?”

“No, but I’m going to guess it’s not heavily populated, given Misha’s people have been able to stay hidden.”

“Should we be pressing him harder on the actual address? I mean, what if something happens to him or we somehow get split up?”

“Planning to travel there on your own if the sex is bad or he gets too clingy?”

My mouth rounded. “No. Just thinking, what if the bad dude sends something meant to take out Misha so the pernicae can get to me?”

“You know, I hate to admit, but that is a valid concern. I’ll see if I can get Misha to reveal any clues.”

“Or we could straight out ask him where we’re going.”

“I’ve tried that. He refuses to say.”

It surprised to discover Cedric had already been making the attempt. “And what’s his reasoning?”

“That the enclave location is a secret that cannot be divulged.”

“Do you think he’s lying?”

The cat rolled his furry shoulders. “Hard to tell. The man has an excellent poker face.”

Indeed, he did. Stony. Square-jawed. Serious. Intent. Up until our sightseeing time together, he’d been utterly inscrutable unless he was insulting or ordering me around.

I lay on the bunk staring at the ceiling as the ferry unmoored and began to chug. Misha had yet to return, and I quickly grew bored.

“I’m going to get some fresh air,” I announced, popping to my feet and putting my hand on the door.

“Is that wise?” Cedric asked.

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Falling overboard.”

“Pretty sure I can avoid having that happen.”

“You could be attacked.”

“I’ve got enough magic to nuke a city, according to you guys. Pretty sure I can defend myself.”

“Without sinking the ship?”