Page 69 of Honeythorn
“I did.”
Katerina laughed incredulously.
“It’s nothing but friendship. He has met Raphael—you and he are seeing far too much into it.”
“If you say so, dear. Now, have you heard back from your sisters?”
“Yes—Imane is courting another Alpha.”
“How exciting. What will you do if there is a wedding?”
“Well…I don’t know. Go to it. I do miss them, despite how happy I am here.”
“Of course you do. You’d have to go for quite some time.”
Milan sighed. “I wish they weren’t so far away.”
“Maybe they’ll finish the blasted train tracks in the next decade, and you’ll be able to see them without going through so much trouble.”
Milan laughed. “Let’s hope so.”
Katerina opened her mouth to respond but was cut short as the door to the den opened. They both turned to look as Raphael entered the room—Milan had asked him to join them, hoping that Katerina and he would get along. Judging by Katerina’s expression, however, Raphael’s lateness had not left a good impression.
“Hello,” Milan greeted happily.
Katerina flapped her fan vigorously. “How generous of you to join us,” she drawled. Milan sent her a chiding look, but Raphael bowed his head.
“I apologise for my lateness. I got caught up with one of the farmers.”
“Well, of course,” Katerina said with false magnanimity, “why prioritise your husband? After all, why offend an acquaintance when you can hurt someone you know will forgive you?”
Milan winced. “Katerina,” he admonished. She only blinked at him.
“You’re right,” Raphael said, startling them both. “I should have been here when I said I would. Truly, I apologise.”
Katerina, being as skilled as she was, managed to make a noise that conveyed both approval and disgruntlement.
“Come join us,” Milan said, holding out his hand.
“Yes,” Katerina said as Raphael sat down. “We were just discussing Jason’s intentions towards your husband. I would besointerested to hear your opinion.”
Milan rolled his eyes, sighing, but Raphael nodded his head. “My opinion is that Milan is easy to be interested in, and I would not be surprised if Jason is one such fellow, and that Milan is loyal to a fool like me.”
Not even Katerina seemed to be able to pick apart that response. Milan squeezed Raphael’s hand, grinning at him.
“What we wereactuallydiscussing,” Milan said, “was my correspondence with my family. Imane is courting.”
“That’s wonderful news.”
“Yes.” Katerina, of course, had to jump in. “There might be a wedding. Milan was just saying that he so wished that he could attend.”
Milan looked at the ceiling in exasperation.
“Well, yes, of course you would,” Raphael said. Milan turned to look at him. “I would love to meet your family.”
“You’d come? But what about the estate?” Milan asked, shocked.
“Well—I’d be able to delegate most things. If we travelled quickly, we could make it to the South in less than two weeks.”
