“No. My… appetite just changed a bit since becoming a necromancer.”
“You’re drinking your milkshake just fine,” my father comments.
I tilt the glass. “It’s just almonds. Maybe oats. Coconut? I don’t know. Probably almonds. It has a more dramatic taste, which I need to feel anything.”
“Catie, have you been having trouble eating?” my mother asks.
“No,” I swiftly reply.
I’m already feeling tired frominteracting with the living—I don’t need to be lectured by them too. They don’t know half the beauty of being a necromancer. They’ve never cast spells. They’ve never had the music of the dead whisper advice into their ears.
I know one woman I can share my experiences with, my mistress, Vincenza. We share the briefest gaze together, before Piero interrupts the bar with his presence.
“What a lovely—Vincenza?” He freezes in place after she turns her head to him.
I run out from my booth to join them both. “Hey, Piero. And his boyfriend.” I wave to the other guy.
“Yeah, about him—Wait. I’m not ignoring this.” Piero beams with the widest smile he’s ever shown. “I was not expecting you to gain a consort.”
Vincenza sighs. “I had some encouragement from Catarina and spent a night with someone during the Light’s Festival. It was a modest event, really.”
My memory of her that night certainly doesn’tfeelmodest.
“That’s amazing, Vinzie. You gonna meet with her again?”
“The parlour’s a public space. If she comes in… she comes in. Maybe I’ll see her today.”
“Piero”—I lean onto the counter—“I had to go through my own questioning on the nature of my patron from my family. You’re Vincenza’s family; you should ask her embarrassing questions too.”
Vincenza raises her shoulders, turning to me with her teeth clenched in an expression that looks like she’s half ready to jump close and bite me. I wouldn’t mind.
Piero chuckles. “Don’t worry, Catarina. I already had my questions all planned. Number one, is she cute.”
She rollsher eyes, hissing, “yes.”
“May I offer a question?” Piero’s partner joins in. “What made you accept her advances?”
“I didn’t. I… She happened to share my interest in necromancy and have pretty eyes. And, truly, I hope you’ll find yourself stopping at my discomfort with these questions.”
She thinks I have pretty eyes.
“I’m actually thinking of more questions.” Piero snaps at my servant. “Strawberry for Iulio, vanilla for me.”
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I feel aware of my servant’s movements, but they’re autonomous enough for me to look away and forget.
“The bar’s opening soon; I and Catarina have to prepare in the back.” Vincenza stands up.
“Wait.” Piero glances at my family. “We were hoping to get here early enough to keep the announcement to you two, but I don’t think it’s too big a deal if Catarina’s family overhears.”
Vincenza looks down at Piero’s hand, wearing a shining gold ring I’ve never noticed before. “You’re getting wed?”
Iulio answers, “yes! Just as the season turns to spring, we’ll be married in a wonderful Lawrinian garden. You’re both invited.”
Piero says, to me, “you’re family now—whether you like it or not. And the both of you have beds provided by the villa, and the right to pick your plus ones. Your formal letters of invitation should come in tomorrow.”
“I’m very happy for you, Piero. Both of you,” Vincenza breathes.
He warily adds, “I… My mother insisted that our father was invited.”
