Chapter 29 The journey.
CATHERINE
"What about you?" I changed the direction of conversation. "What pet do you like?"
I watched Kane’s expression change as he seemed to consider my question, his usual confidence flickering for a moment.
Then, he cleared his throat, as if shrugging off the thought.
“I’m not really a pet person,” he finally said. “A pet is not meant for someone with my nature.”
“Your nature?” I echoed as my curiosity was piqued. There was a guarded look in his eyes, one I’d seen before when he was about to dodge a question, but I didn’t back down. “What does that mean, exactly?”
Kane ran a hand through his hair and a smirk tugged at his lips.
“Nothing too important.” He glanced away, focusing on the water surrounding us. “Maybe I just prefer the company of stronger creatures of I was destined to.”
I raised an eyebrow, feeling like he was carefully choosing each word.
“Stronger creatures? And here I thought you were about to tell me you keep a dragon hidden somewhere.”
He laughed, but it was cut short.
“If only it were that simple,” he muttered, more to himself than to me.
The breeze tugged at my hair, but I barely noticed it as I studied him. His expression was back to being unreadable, like he’d erected some invisible wall between us. I didn’t want to push, but part of me needed to know more about him for real.
“Alright, if not pets, what about hobbies? Things you actually enjoy?” I asked, hoping to lighten the mood.
Kane’s shoulders relaxed a little, and he shot me a sideways glance.
“What makes you think I have time for hobbies?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. You just seem like someone who might secretly paint or carve wooden animals in his free time.”
“Wooden animals?” he echoed, amused. “You’ve got quite an imagination, Catherine.”
“Maybe.” I grinned. “But seriously, there must be something you enjoy. Something that makes you relax.”
Kane’s gaze grew thoughtful, as if he was deciding whether to let me in or not. Finally, he spoke up.
“I enjoy strategy, plans. Anything that requires thinking ahead, seeing things unfold in a certain way.”
I tilted my head, intrigued. “Like a game of chess?”
He nodded. “Something like that. It’s satisfying, watching all the pieces fall into place.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Of course you’d find control satisfying.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Kane’s smirk grew, but there was a faint hint of vulnerability beneath it.
“Control is essential. Especially when you’re in a position where people look to you to make decisions.” He hesitated as his gaze met mine. “But it can be lonely.”
Silence ensued between us.
“That asides, how much are you enjoying life here, since you entered the castle?” Kane broke the silence with a question that caught me off guard.
I huffed, rolling my eyes.
“Enjoying? Well, it’s not that simple.” I met his gaze. “I still don’t like the idea that I’m here in my sister’s place, Kane. But I’m trying to blend in. After all, it's not like I have a choice.”
He nodded slowly, absorbing my words, then murmured, “I’m glad you’re here instead of her though.”
I whipped my head to look at him, giving him an angry glare.
“Glad? You’re glad that I was brought here against my will, instead of her?”
His eyes widened, realizing he’d struck a nerve.
“No, no, I didn’t mean it that way,” he said quickly, lifting a hand as if to soothe me. “Catherine, I apologize. I didn’t mean to make light of how difficult this has been for you.” He paused, looking earnestly at me. “Please, don’t be mad at me.”
I crossed my arms, still feeling the sting of his words but seeing the genuine regret in his eyes.
“Then tell me, Kane… why are you so glad I’m here, of all people? Since when do you care about anyone else being around you?” My words came out sharper than I’d intended, but I didn’t back down.
Kane took a breath and his gaze softened as he met my eyes. For a long moment, he said nothing and just looked at me in a way that made my stomach tighten.
And then, finally, he spoke, his voice low. “You.”
I blinked, taken aback. “What?”
“You, Catherine,” he repeated in a whisper, sending a shiver through me. “I’m glad you’re here because it’s….it’s you.”
I felt my face flush, and I struggled to process his words.
“Kane, you barely know me. I mean, we barely know each other.”
“But I want to,” he said. “Maybe that’s why I’m trying so hard to be different around you. I don’t usually feel this way, Catherine.”
I could feel my defenses wavering, but I tried to keep my voice nevertheless.
“I’m not sure what you expect from me, Kane. But you can’t just expect me to forget everything because you’re trying now. I mean, I can't give in just yet. It's..."
I took a deep breath, steadying myself before speaking.
“I think… I should return to my room in the castle.” My voice sounded hesitant, but I needed some distance, a chance to process what he just said.
But a smile played at his lips.
“Or,” his voice was soft and persuasive, “we could stay here on the ship. Away from everyone… away from everything. Just for the night.”
I glanced up at him, surprised by the suggestion.
“Is that even possible?”
Kane’s hand extended toward me, palm open, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “Come with me,” he urged, his voice carrying a playful energy that was hard to resist.
I hesitated, glancing around the deck. “Where are we going?”
He chuckled softly. “A tour. I want to show you everything.”
Without thinking, I placed my hand in his, and he gently tugged me forward, leading me across the ship. We started at the deck, where the night sky sprawled above us, the stars reflected on the calm waters around the vessel. Kane pointed out different parts, explaining details about the ship’s structure, how it was designed for swift travel.
“And here,” he said, guiding me down a narrow set of steps, “is where we keep the equipment. Everything a ship might need for a long voyage.” He showed me a room with stacks of supplies—barrels of water, crates of food, even blankets neatly folded in the corner. His attention to detail was clear; everything had its place.
“Have you been on a lot of voyages?” I asked as we continued to another section of the ship.
He gave a slight nod, his gaze distant. “Plenty. Sometimes it’s the only place that feels… free. Where no one has expectations.”
I glanced at him, sensing a deeper meaning in his words, but he didn’t elaborate. Instead, he led me to the main cabin, pushing open the door to reveal a cozy, dimly lit space. The warm, wooden interior was more luxurious than I’d expected, with a comfortable-looking bed and a small seating area by the window.
“This is where the captain would stay,” he said, his voice softer now.
I looked around, taking it in. “It’s beautiful,” I murmured.
The thought of spending the night here, away from the castle, with only the quiet sounds of the water surrounding us, was more appealing despite that I had a lot in mind.