Chapter Text
Tactics is knowing what to do when there is something to do; strategy is knowing what to do when there is nothing to do. - Savielly Tartakower
It was the end of the day after Bella’s eventful experience in Volterra that Katherina found herself in her bed. The last rays of the setting sun dancing over her naked skin, the sparkles reflecting against the ancient wall that made her bedroom. Her arms streched over the foot of the bed, as her feet rested near the headboard. The room was cast in silence, only the sound of Caius’ pencil, and the turning of the pages from Markus' book could be heard.
No matter how much Katherina loved her travels, this would always be where she belonged. In the company of her mates, and the ease in which their lives flowed together. They didn’t have need for words, even Katherina, Markus and Caius who had no ability such as Aro’s, often knew what the other was thinking.
Katherina opened her eyes for a moment, her own red ones seeing vermilion as Caius looked at her intently, not looking away from her as his hand continued to move with his pencil over the paper from his sketchbook. He was draped on one of the chairs that stood facing the bed, a linen sheet draped over his legs, covering the most important parts. “You are staring, Ομορφιά μου. ” Katherina smiled, before closing her eyes again. “So are you.” She pointed out, moving her body slightly so she would lie closer against Aro, who had been stroking her back with his fingertips.
“I need to look at you to draw you, Ομορφιά μου. ” Markus looked up from his book at his brother’s comment. He had been leaning against the headboard, holding the book with one hand, the other slowly stroking Katherina’s leg, tracing her skin with his thumb. “Don’t tell me you can’t picture our mates' beauty in your mind, my brother.” Markus said, a slight hint of a tease could be found in it. “Markus is correct. I know for sure your atelier holds enough paintings created while our mate was away on her travels.” Aro added, joining in on the fun of targeting Caius, who just huffed in return. “Perhaps I just needed an excuse to look at my mate.” He muttered, and Katherina smiled, opening her eyes again. “You can look all you want, darling. I’m not going anywhere for a while. I have missed you three too much.”
“Yes, tesoro. You’ve been gone for too long.” Aro agreed, his hand still stroking Katherina’s skin. Even with his ability, her mind seems to quiet his own. Perhaps it was because he knew every thought there was to her, like a book he has read a thousand times. He knew every word, every struggle and every victory. It was like coming home whenever he saw into her mind. Only when she returned from her travels would he read the newest chapters, go through them like he couldn’t live without them, and memorize them as if they were his own. And besides, he wanted to know what Katherina had seen and heard, the joy she felt traveling the world. How he missed her terribly when she left, but seeing her enjoy the freedom she has makes it all up for it.
“But I do have something to ask of you, a destination for you to investigate.” Katherina’s eyes turned in his direction, as she slowly sat up. Her blond hair falling down her back, the combination of the sunlight hitting her hair and skin making her look like an angel. Their own personal angel for the demons they are. Aro remained lying on his side as Katherina crawled towards Markus, sitting down next to him against the headboard. Markus, in turn, closed his book and placed his arm around Katherina’s shoulders.
It had taken some years but now it almost seemed effortless the way Katherina was able to share her attention, love and body between the three of them. There was no jealousy between the brothers as they knew Katherina loved all of them equally, even if it had taken a long while for them to get there.
“Does it have something to do with our visitors today?” Katherina asked, and all three kings could see the wires turning in her head. Their mate turned into their queen who was ready to play the game. “Yes, it does.” Aro confirmed as he slowly sat up himself. At that Caius placed his sketchbook down, and moved back to the edge of the bed taking the linen sheet with him. Both Aro and Caius leaned with their backs against one of the carved wooden columns decorating the corners of the bed.
“I don’t understand why we just didn’t change her. It is the law, it will make us look weak.” Katherina shook her head at Caius' statement. “No, we’ve already discussed why we decided to let her go. It will make us look benevolent or fair, whatever they wish to name it. For giving the two of them time to get their affairs in order before Bella will become one of us.” She didn’t sound annoyed as she said it but just calm as she tried to make her mate understand her reasoning. “In the end, the coven comes first.” Caius nodded to show he understood.
“Yes, indeed it does, mi amore. That is why I wish to bring this subject to your attention,” Aro glanced at his brother sitting closest to him. “Especially to you, brother.” He said cryptically. “We are not Mr. Cullen, Aro. We can’t read your mind, say what you need to say.” Markus interjected as he pressed a kiss on Katherina’s forehead. “So we may turn our attention to where it is most important.”
Aro smiled, happy to see the image in front of him. After centuries Aro was still happy that Markus had found happiness again after the tragic death of Didyme. “You’re right, Markus. My apologies. When I looked into Mr. Cullen’s mind I saw something interesting. I came across it by accident while I was looking through all his memories regarding Miss Swan. It seems Mr. Cullen is worried he has some competition from what looked like a werewolf.” Silence filled the room as Aro’s words had been registered.
It had been one of Edward’s more recent memories. Alice had been talking Edward up to speed in her mind, telling her about this boy named Jacob who she had been growing closer to in his absence. The thought about how Bella could ever be with a mutt like him had stood out to Aro. Which had led to him delving deeper into Edward’s mind, finding flashes of his memories of the werewolves. Aro’s couldn’t see everything before Edward had demanded his hand back, and Aro was nothing if not a decent host.
Aro’s search had continued in Alice’s mind, learning more details. A contract between the Cullens and the werewolves. It saddened Aro to have seen his friend stoop so low. A grave betrayal to their friendship, not only to Aro but to Caius as well.
“All the children of the moon are dead, I made sure of that myself.” Caius said through clenched teeth. Katherina moved forward slightly to place her hand on his knee, wanting to comfort her mate. Caius placed his hands over hers, showing her he appreciated the gesture.
“I know, my brother. And it seemed these werewolves were not like the types that we know off. That is why we must make sure we are correct in our assumption. It would reflect badly on the Volturi if we are to make hasteful judgments.” Caius glanced over towards Katherina, who was watching their conversations intently, before turning his attention back to his brother. “And you would send the person who holds our hearts to such a dangerous place.” It wasn’t a question, but Caius didn’t understand why Aro would make such a decision.
“I think our mate has proven herself more than enough times or have you forgotten, Caius? She will be able to handle the situation.” Markus said, coming to Katherina’s defense, his voice sounding slightly offended at his brother. Caius looked surprised at Markus, before his features also turned defensive. “Of course I know that. Don’t dare insult me as if I am not as proud as you of our mates accomplishments. But werewolves are sometimes else entirely.”
Katherina smiled at Caius as his eyes found hers, while he spoke of being proud of her. “Caius,” Katherina said gently, while giving a soft squeeze in his hand that she was still holding onto. “Will it ease your worries if I send Ezra to investigate? I was already planning on sending him before me, but if it bothers you this much I will not go near them. You have my promise.” And Katherina was not planning on breaking that promise to her mate.
She had heard the stories of Caius' experience with the werewolves, or rather the Children of the Moon as they were used to be called. Katherina had heard of the werewolves' strength, able to kill a vampire easily. Their resistance to vampire venom, not being able to be turned or to feel the pain flowing in their veins. Their own whole being, whether it was in their blood or saliva, rejected the vampire venom, and so wounds created by werewolves took much longer to heal, or did not at all.
And she had heard the stories of how Caius nearly got killed by one. His body and clothes torn to shreds, scars still visible on his further flawless skin. But the most prominent scar was the one on his lower neck. It wasn’t a clean straight line that one might have if he had been beheaded. No, this scar was jagged and uneven. The edges were rough, like the scar had been ripped open and hastily stitched back together. Not that any needle would have been able to pierce the strong skin of a vampire. No, only a set of werewolf teeth would have been able to do that.
Caius had told Katherina how the werewolf had managed to get his jaw around Caius' throat and nearly had ripped his head off, just before Markus and Aro had taken it down. Caius' head had been hanging on by a few pieces of skin. It had taken three years for his head to fully grow attached to his neck again. When he told her that Katherina had apologized for not being there to hold his hand as he healed. Something had changed in their, at that point, turbulent relationship.
And as Katherina looked at Caius, she knew that he feared losing her. That it was the same fear that had driven him to hunt the werewolves to extinction that was trying to prevent her from investigating herself.
Caius nodded his head, and he gently squeezed her hand back. “It would make me feel better if I went with you, but I can accept this alternative idea as well.” Then he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
As Katherina settled back next to Markus, Aro smiled at the three of them. “Then it’s settled. Katherina will visit the Olympia coven, while Ezra will investigate the alleged children of the moon.” While Aro had been talking, Markus had pulled Katherina closer, pressing his lips against hers. When he pulled away he had a devilish smile on his face. “Then it seems we need to make the most of our time together. ”Katherina couldn’t help but let out a small laugh as she was pulled back in the middle of the bed, and soon her mates lavished her with all the attention she deserved.
Katherina sat in the car, looking outside the window as they neared the city of Seattle. It had been a couple of months since Mr. Cullen and Bella Swan had been in Volterra. Although possibilities of werewolves required their attention, Katherina had thought it best to give the Cullens some time to see through with their end of the bargain. The werewolves hadn’t been a problem until now, and there had been other pressing matters that had required their attention. The added time with her mates was a bonus and she liked to give the Cullens some sense of false safety. But everybody had to pay their dues someday.
“You’re having that smile again.” Santiago commented, from the seat across from her. Katherina turned her attention back to him, one eyebrow raised. “What smile?” She asked, although she had a suspicion. “The smile you get when you are scheming. It’s the one you get just before the smile when everything falls into place.” Santiago pointed out. Katherina rolled her eyes, but the smile remained on her face. She wasn’t surprised that Santiago knew every single look of hers. Aside from her mates, he was the most important person to her.
“Any updates on the newborn army?” It was a clear attempt to change the subject but Santaigo knew that, until Katherina wanted to, she wouldn’t tell him what she was thinking. He didn’t mind it as he was often amused by the accomplishments Katherina managed to achieve. During their time together Katherina had proved herself to be resilient, and clever. It was why he never doubted her actions. She had gotten them this far, and he would follow her until the end.
“Jane, Alec, Felix and Dmitri arrived in Seattle yesterday. By their calculations the army grows with one or two men everyday. But they lose one around every two days as well as the newborns' emotions cause them to destroy each other as well. Their last status report counted 15 newborns. 20 humans are reported missing. Dmitri reports that they have confirmed one leader, Riley Biers, but he is a newborn himself. They suspect that somebody else is the true leader of the army.”
Katherina nodded, letting the details sink in. They would let the matter rest into the Kings' Guards hands for now. She knew that they would be more than capable of handling the situation, and it would be best to leave the decision making up to the guards for now. Katherina and her mates suspected that the Olympia Coven would use Alice Cullen's ability to keep an eye out on them.
That is why it had been Imogen’s decision to go to Seattle yesterday, and now here they were. Ezra, Tia and Benjamin had gone the day before them, making preparations for the other matters that required their attention.
It was later that night that Katherina found the rest of her guards in the living room of their hotel. Benjamin and Tia sitting on the couch watching the news. The current subject? The rise of missing people in Seattle. How fitting.
Ezra had been sitting on the window seal, which was deep enough for cushions to be placed in it. In his hands was a gaming console that he had picked up back in 1989. Katherina paid no attention to what her guards did during their free time, it was up to them. But she had heard Imogan ask Ezra once what he did with the thing.
Ezra had replied that it kept his mind busy while also being able to shut his mind off for a while. This device still had a black and white screen so it didn’t hurt as much to his eyes as newer consoles did. And another perk was that it kept his fingers busy so he didn’t accidentally activate his powers if he was too deep in thought. Katherina also assumed it was a way for Ezra to cling to the last pieces of humanity he had in his mind. As the youngest of the group, being only 57 years old while still looking 21, she could still see the small parts of his mind that remembered him being human. Katherina knew it would slowly fade away with time, so she paid it no mind.
Everything faded with time. Even her own human memories were blurry if she thought back on them now. The only face that remained clear in them was Santiago’s, but he had not always been around. She could only remember the feeling she had at certain points during her life. The pain of betrayal, the need for revenge, and the rage at the people who wronged her. While she may no longer remember the events that had happened, she knew that they had created her into the woman she was today. Her mates had explained to Katherina the circumstances of her turning, since she wasn’t even able to remember that event. So even those memories she couldn’t tell from her own point of view. The venom had burned away the memories, or the bloodloss had played a part in it. Katherina would never know. Not that she needed too.
Katherina had everything she wanted. Her mates loved her unconditionally, they would burn down the world for her should she ask it. They would never betray her. And her guards, loyal to a fault. A promise made by blood, and paid by death if broken. They protected her, gave her their loyalty and she would take care of them. She made sure they were fed, she gave them a home and a family. No, Katherina wouldn't trade what she had for anything in the world, and she would go to hell and back to protect it.
The sun was almost up the horizon, signaling a new day for the inhabitants of Seattle. But it was no easy morning for Victoria as she was running through the streets, jumping onto rooftops and back down again. Everything to get her pursuers off her trail. She had made a mistake, but she would not back down. She would just need to disappear for a while. Worst case scenario Riley and the army would be killed, and she would have to start anew. But everything was better than dying before she got her revenge.
Victoria entered a small alleyway, but then she saw it was coming to a dead end. Using the few seconds head start she had, she jumped up wanting to go towards the rooftop again. But before she could reach the rooftop a spray of fire blocked her pathway. Victoria was barely able to move her body sideways into the wall to prevent herself from being doused in flames.
The impact wasn’t hard enough for any cracks to appear in her body, but a few stones were crumbling off the building. Landing back on her own two feet Victoria looked up at the rooftops where the flames seemed to be coming from. On the rooftop of the building left of her stood a man, holding a burning flame in his hands. Even without the fire Victoria would have been able to see the Volturi crest on his lapel. “Please, I dare you to try again. It has been a while since I had target practice.” The man called out to her.
“We need her alive, Ben. For now.” On the right rooftop another man seemed to appear from thin air, wearing the same clothes as the man she assumed was Ben. Victoria snarled at them, turning around towards the entrance of the alleyway. She prayed to whatever god would listen that she still had time, but her prayers weren’t answered. The entrance was blocked by four vampires, but the one that caught her attention the most was the one in the front.
Most vampires knew of Katherina Volturi, but would never get to see her. It is said that if Katherina attended your trail or came to look for you herself, you might as well be truly dead. Even if Victoria had never seen Katherina before, it was clear who she was. The Volturi crest necklace hanging in plain sight, and the protective way her guards were standing around her. The aura coming of her demanded respect.
“You are a difficult woman to track down.” Katherina said, as she walked closer to Victoria. A polite smile on Katherina’s face, as if she was running into an old friend. A prickling sensation ran over Victoria’s body, making her body feel tight, as if something was pressing down on her. “Katherina, I presume.” Victoria said, still standing in a defensive position. Her eyes darted from Katherina, to her guards behind her, to the guards on the rooftops.
“You would presume correct. I only wish to talk, no need to get defensive like that.” Katherina said, waving her hand in Victoria’s direction. And it wasn’t like she would be able to get away anyway. “Well, forgive me, but since I almost just turned into a crisp because of one of your men, I wouldn’t really know you wanted to have a little tea party, now would I?” Victoria pointed out sarcastically.
Katherina released a small laugh, as she crossed her arms loosely in front of her chest. “Quite a big mouth for one who has been breaking the law.” The male guard, with dreadlocks tied behind his head, pointed out. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” Victoria had learned that sometimes you needed to play dumb, let the other party show their hands of cards first, let them show what they knew.
A smile spread across Katherina’s face, seeing the attempt at the upperhand for what it was. An attempt. And normally it probably would have worked, with somebody other than her. But now was not the time to use that tactic. Katherina didn’t mind showing her some of her cards. There was a big chance Victoria wouldn’t be leaving this alleyway.
“The newborn army. You and I both know you are the true brains behind this operation. Riley Biers isn’t smart enough to think of creating an army on his own, and he would have no reason for it.” Katherina walked closer to Victoria, slowly circling around her. It made Victoria even more on edge, the feeling of something pressing down on her only grew. “You are hiding behind him, letting him make the decisions. And I can think of only one reason somebody would do that so close to a certain coven. The only question that remains is why?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Victoria snarled, taking a step closer to Katherina. But the moment she did another spray of fire went for her head, making her step backwards. Katherina had remained standing, no sign that she feared the fire that had missed her by a few inches. Katherina trusted her Benjamin, she knew that he would never take a shot if he thought it would hurt her.
“Your scent hangs around the newborn army. Faint as it is, it is there. So we have three options; we can continue this charade, I will have Benjamin refresh your memories, or you can tell us why you are making a newborn army and how the olympic coven is involved.”
Victoria thought of her options. It was clear that Katherina wasn’t going to drop the subject, and she wasn’t keen on getting better acquainted with Benjamin and his fire power. But if she admitted the truth, Katherina would have no reason to spare her. She had broken the law after all. But then Victoria’s eyes fell on the Volturi necklace hanging around Katherina’s neck. Perhaps there would be a way out for her after all, if she played her cards right.
“Alright. Yes, I created the newborn army.” The moments those words had left her mouth, two of Katherina’s guards, the male and one of the females, had moved towards her side, gripping her arms and forcing her down to her knees. As if those words had been all the confirmation they needed to execute their judgment. Another one, the female with brown hair, went to stand behind her, and grabbed her neck. “No, no, no. Let me explain.” Victoria said, thrashing her body, wanting to break free. Her plan was not going the way she wanted too. “You broke the law, Victoria. We are very clear on what we do to vampires who break the law.”
Victoria felt the pressure on her neck, hearing the sounds of glass breaking as her head started to come loose from her neck. She watched as Katherina turned around, ready to walk away from the scene. Not even giving Victoria the respect of looking her in the eyes as she had signed Victoria's death sentence. “They killed my mate, I wanted revenge. Tell me you wouldn’t have done the same!”
Victoria didn’t know how she had managed to say it, perhaps her last will of preservation, to survive. But it had worked as Katherina held up her hand, signaling her guards to stop. “The Cullen’s killed my mate when he went after their human pet. They tore him to pieces, and threw him onto a pyre.” Victoria explained, after the guard had slowly released the hold on her neck. She could feel her skin stichting back together, the feeling unpleasant.
“Sounds like you were trespassing into their territory, and tried to kill something that belonged to them. It would make sense why they would enact their own judgment.”
“He only wanted them to abide by the law. She knew what they were, and they had no intention of turning or killing her. Why should I be killed for breaking the law when they do the same?” Victoria stared Katherina down as she said it. The silence that filled the alleyway was deafening.
“I knew that creating an army would be my death sentence. But I knew that I wouldn’t be able to take the Olympia Coven out on my own. I just wanted to take them down, before I could meet my own end. James deserved to get avenged.” Victoria’s broken voice broke the silence, as he hung her head, looking down at the ground.
Katherina was silent for a while, as her eyes took in the red haired vampire. She could tell Victoria wasn’t completely honest with her. Victoria didn’t seem like the type who would embrace death with open arms. Her previous actions were evidence of that. Victoria had hoped that hiding behind Riley Biers would have spared her from her faith, but they’re had been some truths to her words.
Why wasn’t she allowed to break the law while the Cullens had done the same?
Aro had mentioned a brief instance in which Edward had sucked the venom out of Miss Swan, preventing her from turning. It had been the reason he had assumed that Bella would never become a vampire, until he had seen the vision.
It wasn’t until Volterra that the Cullens had been given a deadline. That Bella was allowed to be human for a little while longer. Victoria wouldn’t have known that. To her the Cullens were still breaking the law, and the Volturi were letting them. They would be seen as weak, and Katherina couldn’t let that happen. But if she let the army do what they were created for-.
“Don’t tell me that you wouldn’t have done the same as me. That you wouldn’t have raised an army to take down the whole world if it meant you could avenge those who killed your mates. You would,-” Victoria’s voice pulled Katherina from her thoughts, her voice sounding more desperate now. Katherina’s silence had put her on edge.
“Silence!” Katherina snapped back, shocking all those surrounding them. The thought of her mates dying was one Katherina didn’t want to entertain. Not now or ever. But she needed to think about how to handle the situation.
The coven always comes first.
But when both choices would benefit the Volturi, which one did she pick? Perhaps she should let her choices make the choice for her themselves. Survival of the strongest.
“You’re free to go.” Normally her guards were able to keep their opinions on the matter to themselves, but apparently this decision had been so sudden that their faces still betrayed their surprise. As the two guards released her arms Victoria remained on her knees. The equal amount of surprise on her face. “Th-thank you, Lady Katherina. I-I,-”
“On a couple of conditions. You leave with the army as soon as possible. No further additions will be made to the army, and no humans will further come to harm. If any of these conditions are broken, you will find I will not be so merciful next time we meet. Should you survive the attack, you will not be harmed. The rest of your army, including your little general, will be killed in the aftermath regardless if you survive or not. Should you die, well, then it doesn’t matter to you what happens after that. Do I make myself clear?”
Victoria nodded her head. “Yes, yes. Thank you.” A smile threatened to spread across her face, but Victoria was smarter than that. She needed to look humble, and thankful for the mercy Katherina had given her. But she would live another day, she would have her revenge. Now, she would only need to inform Riley. Victoria knew better than to test the Volturi's patience.
“Good, then it’s settled.” Katherina turned around, her guards moving towards her side. The fire bender and his fellow guard jumped down from the roof. “The best of luck to you.” Katherina said, before she turned around the corner. When Katherina and her guards were out of sight, Victoria didn’t waste any second to leave that alleyway. It was time to put her plan into action.
The moment Imogen had closed the door, Santiago could see Katherina relax. The mask of the Volturi Queen faded away into that of Katherina Volturi herself. Something only her mates and her guards got to see. The car started to roar to life as Imogen started driving. Katherina leaned her head back against the headrest, closing her eyes. She replayed the conversation in her mind. Katherina had known that Miss Swan wouldn’t have gone with them today. But she didn’t need Markus' ability to see emotional bonds to know things had changed since Volterra. Miss Swan seemed more confident, and was able to stand up for herself even in the face of the vampire queen. Miss Swan would need to build that confidence if she wants to be able to make the decisions that matter in life.
“Can I ask what that was all about?” Katherina opened one eye again to look at her best friend, and right hand man. “You just did.” She closed her eyes again, and Santiago couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, waiting for Katherina to answer.
Santiago didn't know of Katherina’s desire to talk to the human girl alone, before they had gone towards the Olympia Coven. He knew that they needed to confirm if the Cullens had kept their end of the deal, which it was clear they hadn’t. So Santiago had been surprised by his mistress' wish to speak with the human girl, alone. He had been surprised with a lot of her decisions these past couple of days, such as letting the red haired vampire go this morning.
Santiago had wanted to go with Katherina during her walk, but she had made it clear it was just going to be her and Miss Swan. Santiago knew that the human wasn’t a threat. But even then Santiago remained at Katherina’s side most of the time. He had even entertained the thought of sending Ezra after her, despite her wishes, but he knew better than that. And so he just hoped that Katherina would tell him, but it seemed like his mistress wasn’t planning on it.
It was silent for a little while so Santiago decided to try again. “Well?” Katherina sighed as she opened her eyes again to look at him. “Carlisle seems happy, don’t you think?” She asked, as she turned her head to look through the tinted windows. “He does. That was what you wanted for him, wasn’t it?” It had been a long while since Katherina had seen Carlisle Cullen. The Olympia Coven had only existed out of four people, but it seemed that Carlisle had managed to make a home for himself with people who followed his beliefs. It was hard to believe that, perhaps in a different universe, she would have been part of that Coven. “Yes, it was. It still is. I’m happy for him. I just wanted to make sure of that.” Santiago didn’t hear any lie in her voice, not that he had expected any. “And your conversation with the human?”
“Just some necessary steps for the improvement of the Coven. Now, please call Ezra and tell him to meet us in Seattle.” Katherina answered vaguely. Santiago knew that he wouldn’t know what Katherina had discussed with Miss Swan until she deemed it necessary to tell them. He had been by her side the longest, even longer than her mates. Just like Katherina his human memories were a blur, except for her face. Their friendship runs through both their mortal and immortal life.
It was because of their friendship, their bond, that Santiago knew for certain that to Katherina the world was one big game. But Katherina wasn’t just a player. She was the puppeteer of it all, leading the strings of the players. Letting them place everything into position so she could strike when the time was right. “Yes, Mistress.” He answered, but there was a smile on his face, reaching for his phone, and calling his fellow guard.
Katherina had been patiently waiting in her private bedroom, sitting on the couch near the window, with a book on her lap. As she was turning the page her phone lit up with a text from Markus.
M: I’m calling it now. The husband is the killer.
K: Schat, the book is called the perfect husband. It is kind of in the title.
M: Yes, but still if it turns out to be him, you owe me something.
K: :) Alright, if it turns out to be the husband I’ll take you to that bookshop in Portugal.
Katherina was waiting for Markus' reply when a knock came on the door. Katherina’s mind had been with Markus that she hadn’t noticed Ezra’s footsteps coming towards her room. “Enter.” She said, as she closed the book and placed it on a nearby table. Ezra walked inside, and nodded his head in greeting to his mistress. His eyes fell on the book Katherina had placed on the table.
“Your book club pick of this journey, mistress?” Ezra asked while he sat down opposite Katherina, after she had waved towards the chair. “Yes, it was Markus’ pick. We both suspect the husband did it.” One of the things Markus and Katherina both enjoyed was to lose themselves between the pages of a book. When Katherina started on her travels Markus had given her a book so she could read it while she was away. Unbeknownst to her, he had been reading the same book during her travels so that when she returned they could discuss it together. It became a tradition from that point forward. In turns they would pick a book for Katherina to take with her on her travels, and they would discuss it when she returns. But with the arrival of cell phones it was easier to discuss it while they were reading it. It was a pleasant addition to the tradition. And it was something just for her and Markus. Her mate who would never beg for her time, who is happy with all the attention he gets from her, every touch they share will bring a smile to his face.
“I think with a title as the perfect husband that it would be a given.” Katherina couldn’t help but release a small chuckle. “That is what I said.” The room was silent for a few seconds before the easy smile turned more serious.
“Please, tell me Ezra. What do you know?”