38. Felix

38

FELIX

F ather ushers me into his office, looking smug. We're alone, maybe for the first time in years. We don't have chats.

He sighs as he sits in his leather chair, scooting under the desk and folding his hands on the polished wood. "Congratulations on completing your first monster hunt."

"It wasn't my first."

"I know. You made quite a name for yourself fighting draugrs in Galbreah."

Startled mute, I blink at him.

"You don't think I kept tabs on you while you were gone?" he laughs. "Of course I did."

"Did your spy have black scales, a big mouth, and a fondness for cows?"

"Perhaps." He breathes in deeply, contemplating me. "I wouldn't send you after a werewolf if I wasn't confident you could kill it."

"You knew Cat could kill it."

"I'm proud of you, Felix."

My throat thickens, and I press my lips together. He's never uttered those words before, and hearing them now makes me want to lash out like an adolescent.

But then I think of Cyril.

"Thank you, sir," I manage.

"Sir, even?" He grins, looking delighted. "Is there something you want?"

"Yes, actually. I have something to tell you."

"Is it that you and Catriona married before you left for Braunwin?"

Dumbfounded, I gape at him. "How do you know that?"

He drums his fingers on the desktop. "A clerk came to speak with me the day after you left. He was all in a tizzy—I thought the poor man was going to have heart failure; he was sweating so profusely."

What a sniveling little government rat.

"I have no plans to annul the marriage." I sit a little straighter. "But I'd like your blessing."

He narrows his eyes, studying me. "Can I trust you with Catriona?"

I pause, trying to make sense of that. "What?"

"You will take care of her, you understand? And no more running off. If I give you my blessing, I expect you to act like the man you were when you were away from the Allied Provinces."

"Shouldn't Cat's father be saying this?"

"Catriona is dear to your mother and me. Do I need to remind you that she has never run away from home?"

"Home being the guild?" I say wryly.

"Correct."

I scoff, shaking my head, and then lean back in my seat, getting comfortable. "You're looking old."

"Am I?" He raises a brow.

"You should probably retire. I think Cat and I can handle GHOST."

His expression quavers with emotion, his eyes softening. "Felix?—"

I hold up my hand. "Please don't get emotional. It will just be awkward for the both of us."

Father chuckles, clearing his throat. "You must finish your apprenticeship first."

"That's fine. I'm not in any particular hurry."

"Will you consider moving back to the estate?"

"If Catriona would like to. Otherwise, we'll find our own place in the city."

"And what about a ceremony—will you deprive your mother of the opportunity to see her only son's wedding?"

"Cat and I have already agreed we'd like to have a ceremony."

Father nods, looking satisfied. "Your mother will be pleased—as am I. You already have our blessing."

I rise, deciding the conversation has gone better than I could have hoped, and we should end it before we press our luck. "Oh, we've also brought you a new recruit."

"I've met him. Scrawny boy."

"Cat will put muscle on him."

"Heaven help him."

I laugh, heading for the door. Then I pause, hesitating.

"Well, what is it?" he asks.

"Did you know how Cat and I felt about each other before you sent us out together?"

His white mustache twitches as he tries to keep a straight face. "Of course I did."

"Then…why?"

"Because I know the closer you are to Cat…the closer you are to us. And I selfishly want to keep you close."

"Devious."

"And…I want you to be happy."

"Since when do you care about that?" I ask skeptically.

"I always have."

"You didn't seem to when you bought me a donkey instead of a horse."

He lets out a loud, highly amused laugh. "You're still angry about that?"

"I really wanted a horse."

Grinning, he jerks his head toward the door. "Go away. I have work to do."

"Yes, sir."

"And Felix?"

I turn back. "Hmm?"

He smiles, leaning back in his chair. "I'm glad you're home."