He knows what I mean by the question. We may have agreed to live together, but we haven’t finalized every detail. Since we couldn’t exchange letters while I was on the ship, he may have news I’ve yet to hear. Good news, hopefully. Last I heard, he’d auditioned for a part in a play. If he got the role, we’d temporarily relocate to Lumenas, where the play is set to premiere for three months.
Cassie elbows him in the side. “You didn’t tell her?”
“I haven’t had the chance,” he whispers back.
Hope blossoms in my chest. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”
“I got the part,” William says.
“Tell herwhichpart,” Zane says.
He gives me a crooked grin. “The villain.”
My knees go weak just thinking about my handsome beloved playing the role of a villain. “You’ll make the perfect arrogant asshole, Will.”
“Your faith in me knows no bounds.”
“Any kissing scenes?” I ask.
“None.”
William’s answer fills me with a flutter of relief. Not that I would stop him from taking on a role that had a kiss. We’ve even come up with some ideas for how he may be able to navigate kiss scenes in the future. We’re willing to bet if I stand off stage and he meets my eyes, he may be able to perform such a feat. First, it’s best he establishes himself in roles he can astound the audience with.
“So Lumenas will be our home for a while,” I say.
He nods. “Rehearsals start next week, so we’ll be catching a train north tomorrow.”
I could leap for joy. Of all the places we visited, Lumenas was my favorite. I’m so happy we’ll be returning sooner rather than later.
“Your stay will be extra comfortable,” Zane says, “considering you’ll be at my place.”
“You’re going to host our stay?” I ask. “Won’t we be a bother?”
“I won’t be there,” Zane says. “I’m headlining a three-month tour around the isle. I’ll have sung in every major city by the end of it. I’ll be sure to catch a train back for at least one performance, of course.”
“As will we,” Jolene says, and her husband voices his support.
“I’ll be there on opening night,” Cassie says. “For obvious reasons.”
Thanks to the funding I provided, Cassie was able to attend the Borealis School of the Arts, on the south end of Lumenas. It took some convincing to get her to agree to let me pay her tuition, but she relented in the end. Based on the weekly letters I got all about her college experiences, I know she’s grateful. And I’m grateful we’ll be so close to her, at least for a while.
“What I want to know,” Jolene says, arching a brow at me, “is if you finished your manuscript.”
“I did, on my way here.” I heave a sigh. “What a relief. My deadline is next week.”
Jolene releases an impatient groan. “I’m so eager to read it. I’ve already read through your backlist.”
“My wife is quite fond of your work,” her husband says. “I can’t say I’ve read any of it, but she’s always in a rather…exhilarated mood after she finishes certain chapters.”
I purse my lips to hide my smile. I think I know what kind of mood he means, and Jolene’s blush only confirms it.
“George,” she whispers, “not in front of others.”
“What do you mean?” His frown looks genuine, which gives him the aura of someone adorably dense.
Jolene rolls her eyes, but there’s a sweetness to the expression.
“Don’t worry,” I say to her. “I’ll let you read an early copy.”
