Katie whispered, “I don’t think she even knows she’s in love with Grigori.”
I shook my head, completely struck dumb. “Nope. Me, either.” I couldn’t tell Katie she had said she would never be ‘in love’ again. But it was painfully obvious she was head over heels for Grigori. “You better get ready. We’ve got a fun filled day out on the sea planned.”
“Yeah us!” Katie mumbled sarcastically, rolling her pointed fingers in the air in mock celebration. “Sounds like a blast.”
“Yes, ma’am. Sure does.”
And it sure…had not been. Walking to the restaurant dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers with my duffle and purse slung over my shoulder, I knew I was underdressed. I just wanted to get this story and go to bed. I zigzagged as I walked, still feeling the rolling sea under my landed feet. I swallowed hard. I didn’t puke on board, but I had spent the entire time occupying one of the bathrooms just in case. It was awful. My parents even felt bad for me.
Only about half of the group was sitting at a large table inside an emptied out restaurant. Ember said they ate privately for dinner, but I hadn’t expected the black-tie affair. Ireallywas underdressed. Must be nice to have that kind of cash flow to order everyone else the fuck out so they weren’t bothered. I didn’t even have to give my name to the guard at the door. I’d not seen this one before, but after one glance at my hair, he opened the glass door for me. I slipped inside, Least Ugly following a few minutes later.
He had gone on the cruise too since it was a public cruise. It was more than weird to see him out of his black fatigues and in a pair of shorts and Bermuda shirt trying to fit in. Honestly, he did somehow, my parents not even giving him a second glance on the crowded boat. It was mind-boggling though.
Brent, Cole, Zane, Stash, Peter, Lev, and Ember were already seated, sipping on what looked like red wine—nonalcoholic, of course—and I swallowed hard again, feeling the bile rise. The nonalcoholic wine was fucking gross, and the thought of it made my stomach twist even more. They paused, dressed in their finest. All of them in black, of course, since they didn’t realize there were other colors in this world. They watched me wobble my way to the table.
Ember’s eyebrows snapped together. “Have you been drinking?”
I snorted, plopping down next to her and pushing my bags under the table. I let my head thump down on the table. “I wish.” I lifted a hand, and put my pointer and thumb an inch apart. “Little boat.” I waved my hand grandly. “Big ocean.” Then I made my hand and arm do the wave. “Makes for a bumpy ride.”
Stash chuckled, setting his glass down. “Not a sailor, I take it.”
I moaned and my stomach turned. “It’s safe to say the ocean and I do not agree with one another.”
Zane mumbled, “Why aren’t you resting? I’m sure your editor gives you sick time.”
“No, he doesn’t.” Best to keep it at that. “Just nudge me when everyone else gets here.” I shut my eyes. And groaned.
I felt like shit.
“You mean Daniil, right?” Brent asked, sounding amused.
I waved my hand blindly. “Whatever.”
They snickered, but I concentrated on my feet and butt and the side of my face, where they were firmly planted on non-moving objects. It helped. But only a little. When a hand landed on my forehead, I moaned, “Are they really here already?” It had only been a minute.
“I was already here,” Daniil murmured softly. “I was in the restroom.”
I wrinkled my forehead under his touch. “I hope you washed your hands.”
The conversations at the table cut off, and then they started chortling.
“Of course, I did.” Daniil petted my hair back from my face. It felt good soothing a few of the wrinkles from my forehead, so I kept my eyes closed and let him continue. He sat down in the chair next to me, still stroking me. He asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
“I got sea sick on the boat my demonic parents dragged me on.” I hadn’t told him what I was doing today, figuring Least Ugly had probably already done that. Plus, when I had paused to actually call him, I stopped myself since it seemed a little off to have to check in with someone who was just my lover. It was even more bizarre that I had thought to do it in the first place since I had never done that before.
Gently, he started massaging the back of my neck. “Why aren’t you in bed, then?”
I groaned, not wanting to talk anymore.
Zane helpfully supplied, “She said her boss doesn’t give her sick time.”
“Really,” Daniil clipped in an irritated tone, his hand stopping its caress. I waggled my shoulders, letting him know to keep going. He did, his touch soft and gentle, but he was clearly pissed when he asked, “What kind of fucking asshole doesn’t give his employees time off when their ill?”
Ember murmured softly, “Probably not the best time to be having this conversation when she’s not feeling well.” Thank you, Ember, for saving my ass since my editor did, in fact, give me time off. “Plus, everyone else is arriving.” She nudged me as I had asked. But much harder than she needed to in my ribs.
“Bitch,” I mumbled, pushing up off the table and swallowing hard. I wiped the sweat from my forehead. She almost pushed the puke up. “You’re so not sleeping in my bed tonight.”
She smirked even as the table went mute, gawking, the others just coming through the door. “We’ll see about that. You didn’t even know I slipped in with you and Katie last night. I could sleep there and be out without you even knowing.” She patted my cheek cheerfully.
