Page 238 of The Spider Queen
“You know how to knit?”
I turned to look at him. “My spiders knit. Or spin silk. Whatever. You know what I mean.”
“You need a purpose.”
“Yes. What did your mother do while your father went to work?” I putwent to workin air quotes.
“She raised us.”
When I thought about having children—when I’d been human—I assumed I’d go back to work. I wanted to work. I’d been passionate about what I’d been studying, and I couldn’t imagine not having that to enjoy. I chose my words carefully. “That’s all well and good. But I think I’m going to need something else. Something that’s just for me.”
He nodded thoughtfully, his hands gently massaging my shoulders. “Now that we’re discussing it, perhaps we should talk about children.”
“Later.” I wasn’t ready to discuss babies with my immortal mate. I hadn’t even grieved the loss of my human life and my human lover.
“Come here.” Thane pulled me into his arms.
I went willingly, snuggling against his chest, breathing him in. “Isn’t Gabriel going to get here soon with the first batch of souls?”
“It’ll keep.” He pressed a kiss to my hair. “Tonight, you come first.”
And I did.
Many, many times.
When the both of us were sated, we finally slept, tangled in each other and musky sheets. Sometime during the night, I woke up. I rolled over onto my back to stare at the nebula ceiling. My mind had unwillingly turned on, and I was awake.
I looked over at Thane. He slept on his stomach, one of his arms flung out to rest on my belly. He looked soft, vulnerable. I gently ran a hand through his hair and then crept from the bed. I pulled on a silky black robe, which rested on an ornate wooden chair, and then quietly stepped out onto the balcony.
Thane’s bedroom overlooked the ocean. It appeared almost like a body of water on Earth, except with a few differences. Every now and again, a creature not found in the mortal realm would pop to the surface and then dive back down. The silvery water glowed purple. Iridescent Purgatory algae? Or something else, perhaps? Ocean nymphs, maybe?
I couldn’t wait to explore Thane’s domain and learn all about the beings that inhabited here. Though I suppose it could be considered my domain now, too.
A shadowy figure walked along the beach. My heart tripped in fear, but when a hand pulled back the hood of the cloak to reveal long silver hair, I knew it was Cassandra.
Spin me a ladder.
Ropes of silky thread kneaded together and crawled over the stone balcony edge. I sent a silent thank you to my spiders and then climbed down. My feet hit sand, and I walked silently toward the lapping waves. Nothing would harm me here. I instinctively knew that. But even if there was the slightest bit of danger, I knew I possessed the powers to defend myself. I didn’t need Thane. Not for that.
Cassandra turned, her smile slight. “Couldn’t sleep either?”
I shook my head.
“Care for a walk?”
I nodded and moved up to stand beside her.
In a show of friendship, she embraced me. “Welcome home.”
Chapter 54
“I thought for sure you’d sleep soundly this night,” she commented as she began to walk.
I kept by her side. “I thought I would too.” Thane’s lustful ministrations had exhausted my body, but my brain hadn’t been lulled into rest.
She smiled in thoughtful understanding. “You succeeded. Well done.”
I laughed softly. “Is that your version ofatta girl?”
