Zoe wanted nothing more than to go back to that dark corridor and take Susan’s face between her hands and…
No, I definitely need to stop that. I shouldn’t have even implied—
“Zo, are listening to me?” Naomi asked. She seemed quite irritated, so she’d said it more than once.
“I’m sorry, Nome. I’m tired.” Zoe yawned to punctuate it.
Naomi sighed. “I’m sure you’re mostly tired of hearing about everyone getting married. And you still have no suitors.”
“Because I scare them all away.” Zoe propped her head on her hand and looked across to the other bed.
She and her twin had decided once they left the nursery to share a room until they were both married. They had tried a few times to have separate rooms, especially when they got into a spat. But they always seemed to be drawn back together.
“You don’t scare them away,” Naomi argued, “They just weren’t right for you.”
Oh, how right you are. But not in the way you think. Zoe reached up and turned off the lamp that rested between their beds. “Blow out that candle and go to sleep, Nome.”
Naomi did as Zoe requested. They were both quiet for a while. Zoe was nowhere near sleep. And Naomi always took forever to settle in, even when she was particularly tired.
Naomi’s voice spoke through the darkness. “Reginald does have a brother who is looking to wed as well.”
“I remember,” Zoe sighed. “And I also remember that I don’t like him. I won’t marry just because someone wants to marry and I am the closest female.”
“So you will marry for love?”
It was something they had spoken of so many times before. Naomi swore she would marry for love or not at all. Zoe was more practical. She agreed that love would be preferable, but barring that she would marry if she needed to wed for money. Or if a man were to need a wife for practical reasons. But not just because either of them was unmarried.
“I honestly don’t know if I ever want to be married.” Zoe’s admission surprised even herself. She had never sat down and really thought about it. But after seeing Susan again after all these years and feeling the flood of emotions she always held back, she knew she would never be satisfied in a marriage to a man. Not that she could ever act on her feelings for Susan or any woman.
“You cannot be serious!” Naomi gasped.
“Why should I worry about marriage? You’re worrying enough for the both of us.” Zoe argued. “I’m worried too much about life after you leave me anyway. I’ll be just myself for the first time.”
There was the sound of the bedsheets rustling and then Naomi pushed Zoe out of the way to make room. “I’m not leaving too far. And I know Reginald wouldn’t mind if you lived with us.”
“Nome, there are things husbands and wives do that sisters cannot participate in.” Zoe said, wrapping her arms around her sister. “And from my understanding, they especially like to do those things a lot when they are first married. I would just be in the way.”
“There are only so many hours in the night. Reginald is a lawyer. He will have to leave the house for that.” Naomi giggled. “How long do you suppose it will be before I have my first child?”
Zoe rolled her eyes at the quick change of subject. “Within the year, I’d wager.”
“It would put quite a damper on things, won’t it?”
Naomi continued to rattle on about babies and motherhood and being a proper wife. Zoe was lulled to sleep by the sound of her sister’s voice. She was going to miss this the most.
Beware the company of wolves, my dear … beware the spawn of the dark. Where one rises, so does the other, and black blood runs in the streets. An old fable, perhaps, but one that is playing out on the streets of Denerim right under the noses of those not born to take notice. What happens when a mortal woman learns about the secret lives lived by the friends she thought she could trust? - A Modern Urban Fantasy Paranormal Romance AU
[Read on AO3]
Fort Drakon had once been the most feared gaol in Ferelden; the place where rebels were tortured and killed, where a Blight had been ended. These days, it had a slightly different reputation as the central building of Drakon College, the arts center of Denerim University. The place where countless men and women and elves and dwarves had suffered was now packed with music rooms, theater workshops, sound stages, and the liveliest canteen the university could boast. It was also home to the Arts Library, where Tatum worked when she wasn't studying or attending lectures and thus, it was Katrina's intended destination at this moment in time.
In the middle of the dual-level courtyard stood the Library itself, the only truly modern building within sight. Red brick and tall glass windows set it apart from the pre-Chantry Tevene architecture that surrounded it, the Satinalia decorations hanging in the windows giving it a more homely feel than Kat had been expecting to find in a library. There were six snowmen standing outside it as well, three on each side of the main door, and the sight made her laugh quietly to herself as she headed for the entrance. She remembered Tatum telling her about building those in protest at the head librarian, Mr Rutherford, not having any decent decorations for the season. He had given in after they'd stolen his spare glasses to put on one of the snowmen, apparently. None of the snow people was wearing glasses that she could see, so she assumed a condition of buying new decorations had been the returning of the hostage.
Grinning to herself, Katrina pushed open the door to the library, sighing happily as the warmth of a well-heated building washed over her. Sweet Maker, she hated winter in Ferelden with a passion. It had never got this cold in Ostwick, not even in the deepest part of winter. But this was where Tatum had wanted to be, so here they were. Thank goodness for the Fereldan obsession with supremely overheated buildings.
Already stripping off her hat and scarf, she looked around curiously at the quiet library, wondering if she should text her little sister to remind her they had a date, when her attention was caught by an enormous patchwork quilt hanging on the widest clear wall of this first floor. Each square was unique, obviously having been created by the student body at some point in the past, a riot of color and personality that clamored for the attention of the viewer. The border tied it all together, decorated with running mabari, silver on a background of black. Stepping closer, her gaze was drawn to a simply decorated square - what looked like deep navy blue velvet, decorated with pinpricks of silver and gold thread, and in the corner, a silver lamé circle. A beautifully rendered night sky complete with full moon.
"We do ask that people don't touch the quilt."
Katrina jumped, snatching her hand back from the square that had caught her attention so vividly, and turned, blinking in surprise at what she found behind her. Or rather, who.
Standing just a foot or two away was the grumpiest of her new acquaintances from last night, the gorgeous one who hadn't appreciated being teased about getting her laid. In the gloom of the bar, he had been gorgeous enough, but here and now, in the light of day ... She swallowed, unable to keep her eyes from wandering.
The man who had last night worn a dark t-shirt and jeans and glared at the world from behind his pint of ale was now stood upright, showing off his broad shoulders and the vaguest hint of a soft tummy in two parts of a three-piece suit. The jacket had either been abandoned or left off entirely, leaving him in a gray vest buttoned over a soft blue shirt, sleeves rolled up and top two buttons undone. The amber eyes that had caught her breath last night studied her from behind thick-rimmed glasses, his golden curls brushing over his brow.
And he wasn't speaking. He was just ... staring down at her, the way she was staring up at him, both of them apparently lost in similar thoughts. Maker's breath, not that similar, I hope. Kat wasn't entirely sure she wanted this beautiful specimen of a man to think of her like that.
Someone dropped something, the thump echoing through the quiet building, and she jumped again, tearing her gaze from his.
"I-I'm sorry, I ... it's lovely," she offered, glancing over her shoulder at the quilt.
The corner of his mouth turned up in a smile that tugged at the scar on his lip and made her think some truly sinful thoughts about what she could do with that mouth before she could stop herself.
"It is, isn't it?" he said, looking up at the vast quilt. "I did not mean to startle you. May I help you? Katrina, isn't it?"
Kat cleared her throat, forcing her hands to stay wrapped up in her handful of scarf and hat rather than fidget.
"Ah, yes, and, uh ... actually, I'm here to pick up my sister," she told him. "I-I didn't realize that you were Mr. Rutherford."
"Cullen," he corrected her, and she felt her lips twitch in an unbidden smile. "And you must be Tatum's sister. As far as I am aware, she is putting the back room to a purpose it was never intended for with Carver."
Kat frowned curiously.
"Who's Carver?"
It was worth the flash of vague hurt that Tatum apparently had a boyfriend she hadn't mentioned just to see Cullen momentarily at a loss for words. His mouth fell open, working silently for just a few seconds before he cleared his throat, wincing as he looked away. His hand rose to rub at his neck awkwardly.
"Could we, perhaps, pretend I did not say that?" he asked hopefully. Before she could respond, however, he was already moving on. "I, uh ... I believe I made something of a poor impression on you last night. It was not my intention to be unpleasant. Isabela constantly puts me on my guard."
"No, I-I can understand that," Kat assured him, her smile coming more easily at the implied apology. "It was pretty awkward with the whole table talking about getting me laid."
He chuckled awkwardly, and she felt a part of herself melt. There was something rather adorable about that sound, that expression on his face.
"All the same, I apologize for my behavior," he insisted. "I hope it won't prevent you from cultivating a musical friendship with Leliana. She is rather excited about it."
Kat blinked.
"Really?" she asked, surprised that the redhead had even remembered the conversation they had shared at the end of the night. "I mean, well ... it sounds like fun, but we didn't exchange numbers or anything like that. I don't have a way to contact her."
Cullen shrugged, reaching into his back pocket to pull out his cell phone.
"I could give you her number, if you would like?" he offered, frowning when Kat quickly shook her head.
"You shouldn't be giving out other people's phone numbers without their express consent," she pointed out, her expression softening at the flicker of guilt in his gaze. She considered him for a moment, and sighed. Why not? He seems trustworthy. "If I give you my number, could you give it to her?"
Cullen's mouth fell open for a moment, a glimmer in his whiskey-warm eyes almost delighted for a split second before he was nodding enthusiastically. Despite herself, Kat realized she was reminded of a large, friendly dog with that gesture, fighting not to laugh as she took his phone from his hand and typed in her own contact details.
"Oh my Maker, are you hitting on my sister, Mr. R?"
Kat didn't even bother looking up as Tatum's arm slung about her shoulders, handing Cullen's phone back to him before looking her sister in the eye.
"Finished playing tonsil hockey in the back room?" she asked innocently.
Tatum gasped theatrically, turning a playful glare onto Cullen.
"You told," she accused him laughingly.
"You locked me out of my office," he answered calmly, and Kat was both surprised and rather pleased to see the same playful flicker in his eyes once again. He was playing, and enjoying playing, rather than insulted or annoyed. That was surprisingly attractive. "Is Carver still conscious?"
"Last I saw, he was muttering about the new catalog system," Tatum told the librarian cheerfully. "And I clocked out, so technically I'm not responsible for him right now."
"You decided to date him, that makes you responsible for him," was Cullen's response, his gaze flickering to Kat for a moment. "Don't let me detain you, I understand you have plans for the afternoon."
"Great! I'll grab my stuff."
And with that, Tatum slipped away to collect her belongings. Kat looked up at Cullen with a faint smile.
"Well, it's been ... it's been a pleasure to meet you again, Cullen," she said in a friendly way, offering him her hand. "I, um, I expect we'll meet again."
"I hope so, Katrina," he agreed, his large, warm hand enclosing hers in a gentle grasp.
"Kat," she corrected him without thinking, charmed by the way his face lit up behind his glasses.
"Kat," he confirmed, belatedly taking his hand from hers. "I will give Leliana your contact information. I expect she will be in touch within a day."
"I look forward to it. Thank you." Kat nodded, glancing away as Tatum rejoined them, wrapped up in her coat and scarf. "Ready to go, vampette?"
To her surprise, this was apparently hilarious to Cullen, who hurriedly turned his face away as he spluttered with laughter at her address to her little sister. Tatum cackled with laughter of her own at this not so subtle allusion to her back room antics, taking the hat out of Katrina's hands to wriggle it onto her elder sister's head.
"C'mon, spinster, before your purity starts showing," she said impishly, looping an arm through Kat's. "See you tomorrow, Mr. R!"
Cullen was still attempting to swallow down his chuckles, nodding as he offered a dismissive wave to the two women as they left. Kat wasn't entirely sure what was so funny about implying that her sister was a femme fatale, but apparently Tatum was a different sort of person when she was at work. It made her wonder what else she didn't know about the little sister she had turned her life upside down for. It wasn't the sort of thing she could just blurt out while they were walking through the campus, though, which meant Tatum got a slight reprieve.
A very slight reprieve, because as soon as they were sat down with their lunch at a cafe Kat hadn't even known existed off the Royal Market Square, her big sister just had to bring it up.
"So ..." Kat eyed her sister over a forkful of mashed potato. "Who is Carver?"
The guilt on Tatum's face would have been comical if Kat wasn't feeling hurt over being the last to know. The way Cullen had spoken, it seemed as though this relationship was not new, nor was it being kept a secret from anyone but her. But Tatum rallied in the face of her sister's soulful gaze.
"I didn't mean to leave you out," she said, concern bleeding from her eyes to color her expression as she spoke. "I just ... You've been kind of all about me for months now. I mean, you don't go out; you haven't kept in contact with your friends in Ostwick or Starkhaven. You just ..." She sighed. "You seem really lonely, Kat. I know I can't force you to go out and make new friends, but I thought keeping this quiet was a way of not making that worse for you."
"Why would you having a boyfriend make me feel bad?" Kat asked. "I'm glad you found someone you feel that way about. But I am hurt that you didn't feel like you could tell me."
"You're missing the point, but okay," Tatum conceded, pushing her fries through the gravy on her plate. "I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you, Kit-Kat."
Kat held her gaze for a long moment, but she knew she didn't really have room to complain. She herself had kept Sebastian a secret for three years while she attended university in Starkhaven, after all. She relented, offering up a forgiving smile.
"I get it," she assured her sister. "It's fine. But I want to know all about it. I cannot be outdone by your precious Mr. Rutherford when it comes to your love life."
Tatum laughed, a very faint blush painting her cheeks as she took a mouthful of her drink.
"To be fair, Carver does live with him," she offered, as though trying to assuage this sting.
Kat blinked in surprise; she hadn't expected that.
"What, are they related?" she asked, curious more about Cullen than the mysterious Carver. "He doesn't look old enough to have a son your age."
Now it was Tatum's turn to blink and stare for a moment, disbelief melting into a shriek of laughter that drew embarrassingly curious eyes toward their table until it was clear that nothing untoward was happening. Kat rolled her eyes, waiting patiently for her sister's fit of the giggles to calm down.
"No! Oh, Maker, no ..." Tatum gasped for breath, waving her hand as she fought for control of her mirth. "No, they're not related. It's kind of complicated, but I guess Mr. R is sort of Carver's guardian? He, uh, he knows Carver's brother."
"Oh, I get it." Kat smiled, choosing not to examine why this was something of a relief. "So Carver's not from around here, either?"
"No, he grew up all over Ferelden," Tatum clarified for her. "His mom moved him and his brother and sister to Kirkwall a year and a half ago, and he decided he wanted to come to uni in Denerim. So his brother called up Mr. R and arranged stuff."
What a lovely thing to do for a friend, Kat thought to herself, impressed that Cullen really did seem to have a heart as beautiful as his face. But she was supposed to be finding out about Tatum's boyfriend, not fishing for information about a handsome man. She wasn't in the market for a relationship, anyway. She distinctly remembered saying that to Isabela last night. Before you met Cullen, a quiet voice in the back of her mind pointed out.
"All right, so tell me all about Carver," she said, dismissing these thoughts to lean forward with teasingly eager eyes. "How did you meet? When did you start smooching in the stacks? Who asked who out?"
Giggling around her mouthful, Tatum swallowed, only too happy to tell her sister everything. The sheer pleasure at being able to talk freely at last went a long way to assuaging Kat's hurt feelings, gathering her close into her sister's confidence once more. Though the difference in their ages might be considered significant by some, it had never kept them from sharing everything they possibly could. Which was how they ended up in a subject Kat really should have expected to crop up.
"So ..." Tatum drew the word out, nudging her elder sister's arm as they walked over the bridge toward their own area of the city. "You gave Mr. R your number. Are you gonna bone my boss?"
"Tater!" Kat let out that exclamation in absolute shock, but swiftly dissolved into giggles. "That-that, no, that is not what was happening!"
"Oh, c'mon, he's gorgeous," Tatum pressed. "And you obviously noticed. You had those shiny eyes and everything, and he was staring at you like he'd seen Andraste's tits on a plate."
"Maker, what a terrible mental image." Kat shuddered affectedly, sharing a grin as her sister snorted with laughter.
"You know what I mean!" Tatum nudged her a little harder, this time making the gesture discernible through two layers of thick quilted winter coat. "I saw you with his phone. Did he ask you out?"
Kat laughed, shaking her head.
"No," she told her sister in amusement. "He was just getting my number to pass it on to a friend I made last night. Leliana's one of his friends, too, so it seemed like a good idea."
"Wait, wait, wait ... you met Mr. R last night and I'm only just now hearing about it?" Tatum demanded playfully. "Carver said he was going out to some music show last night - you went to that?"
"Yes." Kat tried not to sound defensive. "Isabela invited me, so I went out. And Leliana was performing her first show in a while, and all her friends were there, and they were very welcoming. Actually, wait, no, they weren't all welcoming. Your Mr. R was a bit weird and unfriendly. But he is much nicer in the light of day."
"Carver said something about Mr. R meeting someone he really liked last night and being all grumpy that he hadn't made a good impression," Tatum mused, grinning down at her big sister. "And it was you! Oh Maker, and you gave him your number to give to someone else?" She cackled with laughter. "He's gotta be so torn right now."
"Why would he be torn about that?" Kat asked, bemused by her sister's amusement.
"Duh!" Tatum rolled her eyes. "Pretty girl he kinda fancies gives him her phone number to give to someone else - does he keep it once he's passed it on, or does he delete it? Total conundrum, Kitty-Kat."
"He seems like a perfect gentleman, I trust that he'll do what's appropriate with it."
But inside, Kat could feel the blush wanting to make itself known. Had she given her number to Cullen so he could pass it on, or had she used the act of passing it onto Leliana as an excuse to give him her number? If even she wasn't sure, then she was certain he couldn't be. And if he was as gentlemanly as he seemed, then having her number would not be enough for him to make use of it. And why did she care, anyway? She'd only met him recently, not nearly long enough to know much more than how gorgeous he was both in and out of work, and last night, almost all his friends had been very ready to join in with Isabela's teasing about getting them into bed together.
Which isn't going to happen, she reminded herself. She was not looking for a relationship. She didn't want a relationship. And if she kept telling herself that, she might just start believing it, too.
Waverly doesn't like the taste that water acquires when drank after having her teeth brush, and one can always find an Earp in the kitchen with a drink in hand in the middle of the night.
