Page 53 of Honeythorn
“You forgive him then, completely.”
Milan sighed. “I don’t know. I…it has always been difficult for me to hold grudges.”
“This is not agrudge, Milan.”
“I know, that’s not quite what I meant. It’s not that I excuse and forgive everything. But…”
“You’ve grown fond of him,” Katerina said, and Milan hadn’t acknowledged that was true until that moment.
He flushed slightly. “Perhaps.”
Katerina paused. “You think he’s worthy of you?”
“Yes. I do,” Milan said. At Katerina’s sigh, he sought to explain himself. “You know what makes me sad? I can see, in his unguarded moments, that Raphael is…he needs affection. He’sopen. That’s why he defended himself so savagely—he didn’t know to close himself naturally. Sometimes I look at him when he smiles at something simple or shares something with me, and I can see how easily he would be to take advantage of. I just…I don’t like what he’s done. But I like who heis.”
“Well. I’m happy for you, then. But do not think I will forgive him so easily. Oryou, for not telling me, and ignoring me for so long.”
Milan smiled brightly, taking her hands in his. “I owe you a great deal for being there for me, even though I didn’t take the offer. Friends?” he asked tentatively.
Katerina sighed as if what was being asked of her was a great chore, but Milan could see her smile.
“Fine. But don’t do that again.”
“Agreed.”
“And Gianna—she’s quite cross with you too.”
“Oh, no. Oh—you tell her the story. Not too much about Raphael, just about the neglected bond, and that it wasn’t on purpose.”
“Why shouldItell her?”
“Well, that way you can be there to comfort her.” Milan smirked over the rim of his teacup.
Katerina rolled her eyes. “Fine. But you owe metwofavours.”
“Agreed. Now, tell me everything I’ve missed.”
“Oh, of course you wouldn’t know—did you know Edwin was rebuffed by the Omega he tried to court?”
“Edwin…? Oh! That boor of an Alpha at the ball.”
“That same one. Wait, I’ll call for another pot of tea—I have a lot to tell you.”
Milan looked at her fondly, thanking the stars for giving him such a wonderful friend.
**********
“How was your visit?” Raphael asked a few minutes into dinner.
“Good,” Milan said, smiling. “I know you think her a great gossip, but she has been a good friend to me.”
Raphael flushed, looking down at his plate. “I shouldn’t have said that. I have no qualms with Miss Rosewood. I think I felt resentful of you spending time with her.”
Milan snorted. “That’s rather ironic, considering.”
“Yes, well. Nobody said I wasn’t foolish.”
“Nottoofoolish,” Milan teased.
