Page 26 of Fractured Empire

That’s good to know, at least.

While my father sends my brother and his wife to do my bidding, I watch the rest of the room with curious eyes. Chloe, the woman Katya came with, looks lost and nervous as she goes back and forth from fidgeting in her seat to pacing around one side of the room. She’s not any more obvious about her clear nerves than any of the other more anxious candidates, and I don’t judge her for it.

Still, nothing draws me to her. She’s beautiful, sure, but not someone I would spot in a crowd and want to bring myself closer to. Looks aren’t everything to me, as cliche as it sounds. Energy does a lot for me, I think. Some people might think that’s bullshit, but if you’ve ever met a magnetic person, you’d know otherwise. Someone who draws you in just with what they radiate.

And right now, my gaze keeps being pulled toward Katya Lukáčová. I can’t get a good view of her as Apollo and Rayna stand in front of her, but the glimpses I catch as she speaks to them and my children, they’re good glimpses.

For the first time in weeks, I think I might be experiencing some relief.

Chapter Twelve

Katya

Leon Moretti’s home is cozy and warm, nothing like my childhood home after my father’s death. There’s not a single cold chill in the air, or darkness from the shades being drawn and the lights being too cool-toned. And the smell…it’s fresh, almost sugary but light. Like someone has been cleaning with lemon while baking cupcakes.

My mother was haunted by the loss of her husband, and without a large support system, there were weeks when I wasn’t sure if she would ever recover. Not only is Leon’s home warm, but it’s full. Not just of the women who are here for the same purpose as Chloe, but with family and friendly faces. A bit of envy hits me softly in the gut, but it’s quickly smothered by genuine happiness for the young boys who are growing up here. Leon’s children would be hard pressed to feel lonely and abandoned in such an environment.

It took me a while to get a real feel for the space of course, since Chloe was stuck to my side and almost vibrating with anticipation and nerves for several long minutes. When we first arrived, I thought she might dig her nails so deep into my forearm that she’d draw blood. That, or tear through the sleeves of my dress at the very least. She needed to take a few minutes to herself to acclimate and remember to trust her instincts, and I needed some space to breathe.

As Chloe has finally calmed herself down enough to leave me alone in the designated sitting room, I’m able to take in the home more fully. The tall windows, high ceilings, and dark oak floors only made the soft lighting and open air feel more regal and rich. The wealth of the mansion is understated to the untrained eye. There are no obvious luxuries or flashy golden accents. It’s classy and comfortable, a style my mother would appreciate.

Between looking around the space, and my friend’s obvious nervousness taking up my brain space, there’s no time for me to consider whether or not I should be just as anxious as her before more company finds me again. A small, child’s size soft soccer ball rolls into my feet where I’m sitting down, and the sound of little feet quickly follows it. I can’t help the smile that breaks out on my face as I look up to see two boys trotting over to me, one much more boldly than the other.

“My ball,” the smaller blonde one declares, crouching down slowly to pick it up. “I kick.” He reports the short sentence so proudly, explaining to me how his toy came to be in my personal space.

“You must have a very strong leg,” I tell him, widening my eyes to look impressed. “Do you drink lots of milk to build those bones of yours?”

He grins, pleased with the compliment. “I love milk,” he agrees. Patting his chest, he adds. “Me Leo, dats Bastian.” He indicates his brother by grabbing the quiet boy’s hand and tugging him closer. “My bruther.”

“I can tell,” I tell him happily. “You two are the spitting image of each other.”

Leo finds the word spitting hilarious, and tosses his little head back, giggling. His wild hair full of blonde bouncing curls makes my heart clench. He’s so perfectly young and innocent, and so freaking cute—chubby little rosy cheeks and all.

“It’s nice to meet the two of you. My name is Katya, but you can call me Kat if you like,” I offer with a small smile.

“Kat like kitties!” Leo lights up happily.

“Do you like cats, then?” I ask with a chuckle.

“Love,” he agrees.

“Well, I love your shirt, Bastian,” I say softly, wanting to include the little brunette. “Dinosaurs are so cool. My little sister actually named our cat Dino, you know?”

Leo finds Gaia’s choice in cat names hilarious, and starts giggling again, even harder this time. I laugh along with him, tickled by the sound of his humor. Bastian doesn’t crack up with us, but he does smile. He seems to exhale too, becoming less on edge the longer his brother shows his comfort with me.

“Do you know Ice Age?” Leo asks, more like demands, actually. His little hands are on his hips suddenly, as if the question is of great importance and my answer is extremely important to him.

“I know Ice Age,” I agree with a very serious nod. “I love Diego the tiger.”

He lights up, his little blue eyes twinkling with joy. I seem to have confirmed his suspicions that I’m a person he can get along with. Ice Age may be his current movie obsession, but he seems to have a love of a great many things. And he isn’t shy about sharing each and every one of them with me.

For the next two minutes at least, Leo begins to chat my ear off about all of his favorite things. Dinosaurs, animals, food, and baby Vaughn come up more than once in his spiel. I can tell by his babbling words that he’s extremely passionate about the things he likes, and with the way Bastian nods and smiles along, it seems he is too—just more quietly than Leo.

We aren’t left alone for long though, as we’re quickly joined by two new faces. A woman holding a baby and a stern-looking man who could never be mistaken for anyone other than who he is. Apollo Moretti, heir to The Outfit, and first son of Dante Moretti. The beautiful woman by his side must be his wife, judging by the size of the ring on her left hand and how closely he stands to her.

“I’m Rayna,” she speaks up first, her lips curving up into a welcoming smile. “This is my husband Apollo, Leon’s older brother. We’ve been staying here with the boys for a while, and I see you’ve met my favorite nephews.”

“I’m Katya,” I reply, refusing to get nervous. If I fumble over my words I might make Chloe look bad. “And it seems I have.” I smile, looking toward the two young children before turning back to her. “They’ve been very sweet. And this must be the baby little Leo here has been telling me so much about.”