Page 18 of Carnal: The Beast Who Loved Me

Some nights she walked around the settlement after dinner, keeping to shadows. As Dandy had suggested, she would stop here and there and eavesdrop on a fireside conversation. Dandelion was right. The old ones told horrific stories about life in captivity. After hearing some of the memories told in graphic detail, she was surprised that Free and Serene were able to treat her with such warmth and kindness.

One night, when Charming was walking with her, she asked, “Did your parents know each other before?” He looked over at her like he was waiting for more. “Before, um, coming here?”

“Yeah.” Charming smiled. “Carnal was born when we were still,” he paused and winced with the phrase that finished that thought, “in captivity.”

“But…”

“Just ask what you want to know, Rosie.”

“Dandy told me breeding was forced.”

“Well,” Charming hesitated, “that’s true. But sometimes people were paired with a partner who wasrightfor them. When we came here, my father claimed my mother. He loved her. She felt the same about him. He would have formed a family unit with her regardless, but he knew Carnal was his.”

“How?”

Charming smirked. “Smell.”

“Oh.”

He laughed. “Now I have a question for you.”

“Shoot.”

“Why areyouhere?” Blunt. Abrupt. To the point. He must have seen that she was taken aback. “Not that I don’t want you here. I do. I just… was wondering?”

Rosie looked straight ahead. “I had a boyfriend. We had a disagreement. I needed a break. He was leaving anyway.”

She glanced at Charming, whose eyebrows were raised as high as they would go. “Some guy leftyou!”

Rosie laughed, feeling a blush coming on. Charming sounded so incredulous, it made her feel like she’d just received the highest compliment ever.

“It was work,” she said. “I forced him to choose between the job and me. He chose the job.”

It was Charming’s turn to say, “Oh.” After a few more steps, Charming slanted his gaze toward Rosie. “I’ll bet he’s sorry. No job would be worth giving up a prize like you.”

Rosie smiled. “Wow. That wascharming.”

“Got to live up to our names. Just like you did a minute ago when you blushed.”

“Did not.”

“Did.”

He laughed. “Whatever.”

“So what do you do during the day?”

“Train.”

“I need more.”

“Next year I’ll go on active duty. I’ll patrol like Carnal does.” Then in a quieter tone, he added, “Like Crave did.”

When they were almost back to the door of the house they shared, Rosie said, “Dandy told me he was…”

“Taken prisoner.” He finished the sentence for her. “Yeah. Don’t mention it in front of my mom and pop.”

“No. I won’t.” Rosie stepped onto the porch. “Where do you train?”