Page 60 of Castor

“See anything you like?” the woman asked with a kind smile.

“All of it.”

I laughed.

He smirked at me and focused back on the jewelry, touching each of the pieces before stopping at a necklace. The chain was silver, and in the center? A silver dragon pendant holding a blue stone. He held it so delicately before looking at the woman. “How much?”

“Forty-five.”

“Only forty-five dollars? Seriously?” Castor pulled out his wallet and handed her some cash.

“I can’t believe you bought that,” I said as we continued walking.

Castor put it around his neck and smiled down at the pendant. “Looks just like you.”

I shoved his shoulder, and he laughed. Although I was good at hiding it, I was a little emotional that he bought it. Which was stupid. It was just a dumb necklace. But he’d wanted it because it reminded him of me.

“Now we just need to get you a gold-plated dildo to represent me,” Castor said with a shit-eating grin.

“Just when I think you’re being sweet, you go and ruin it by opening your mouth.”

When he laughed again, my heart skipped a beat. I loved the sound of it. Much better than how quiet he’d been the day after I’d told him about my upcoming marriage. Days had passed since then, and while he seemed more like his old, upbeat self, there were still moments when I caught a sad look in his eyes.

My front pocket buzzed, and I moved to the side of the path to stop and check my phone.

“What’s wrong?” Castor stopped beside me.

“My brother’s calling.” I hit the button to accept the call and held the phone to my ear. “Hey.”

“Where are you?” Tatsuya asked.

“Greece.”

“Why the hell are you in Greece?”

“Sightseeing. Sun. Relaxation. A beautiful man warming my bed every night. You know. Just living while I still can.”

“You’re still upset about the marriage.”

“Did you think I’d get over it since the last time we talked?”

“Why must you be so difficult, Kyo?” Tatsuya sighed. “It’s a marriage arrangement. Not a prison sentence.”

“Yeah, well, it feels like prison to me.”

Castor averted his gaze from mine and stared at the ground, the light-hearted moment from earlier gone. Reality had seeped back in.

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” Tatsuya said, and he sounded sincere. That sincerity meant very little in the grand scheme of things though. He wouldn’t change his mind. Too much was at stake. “Now. Why are youreallyin Greece?”

Rolling my eyes, I moved the phone to my other ear. He’d always been good at seeing through my shit. “I’m with the Nephilim. Top secret mission. Sorry, can’t tell you.”

Castor’s lips twitched at that.

“You better not be starting any trouble,” Tatsuya said, a warning clear in his tone. “Their war is not ours. Don’t forget that, little brother.”

He disconnected the call.

“I wish my stupid phone couldn’t get service on this island,” I muttered, shoving it back in my pocket.