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turned her full attention on them and inched closer. Lowering her tone, Bridget continued, “Don’t talk about what a woman eats. Trust me on this. I’m pretty sure that social rule will not have changed since I made the trip down. And don’t count her intake.”
    “Go on.” Brutus crossed his arms over his chest and stared at Laurel. She took another step toward them. He thought about the breathing kiss, the feel of her body as the ocean water surrounded them in a cold, dark blanket. It was the most intimate moment he’d ever had with a woman.
    “Just treat her as you would a fellow hunter.” Bridget made a small noise. “No. Forget that. Treat her as you do me.”
    Brutus didn’t move.
    “You like her, don’t you?”
    He sighed in frustration. “Of course, I like her. She is my ward.”
    “I mean you’re attracted to her.”
    He thought about denying it, but he wasn’t one for lying. “She intrigues me.”
    Bridget smiled. “You should take her to the borderlands. As far as I know, it’s the best way to convince someone that all of this is real.”
    Brutus started to protest but then heard laughter. He turned to see Laurel talking to Erastos. The man worked in the kitchen. Laurel laughed harder. The man handed her something, and she accepted the gift.
    “Brutus?” Bridget asked. “Are you listening to me?”
    “He has not been introduced,” Brutus said, ready to charge forward.
    “Who? Erastos? Yes. I introduced them in passing as I was showing her the palace,” Bridget said.
    “I accept your advice. We leave for the borderlands immediately.” He strode toward Laurel.
    Erastos saw his approach and quickly took his leave. Brutus glared after him.
    “You are accepting suitors?” Brutus asked.
    Laurel looked at her hand. “I thought he called it an auv?” She held up the round fruit.
    “Good. You should eat. We have a long walk today.” Brutus motioned for her to follow him.
    “I’m not sure I’m up to a long walk. I need to rest.” She handed him the auv. “I think I can find my way back.”
    “But…” He watched as she walked away from him. “We are going to the borderlands.”
    “That was an interesting approach,” Bridget said behind him.
    Brutus handed her the fruit and went after Laurel. He couldn’t force his ward to leave with him, not if she needed to heal, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to. The borderland held one very big appeal—no males to ask to be Laurel’s suitor.

Chapter 9
    “ M y lady , I plan to bring you a giant squid,” Brutus said.
    Laurel looked at her host in surprise. They sat in his living room, not talking, not doing much of anything. It had been like that for a few days. She spent her time between sleeping and eating and sitting and thinking. When the boat she’d chartered didn’t make it back to the dock, and she didn’t check out of her hotel, Laurel was sure they’d declare her missing. She looked up at the ceiling. If she was in Deep Ocean like everyone claimed then there might be a rescue party searching for survivors. If they found the others, those men would tell everyone she drowned. She was officially dead.
    Laurel scrunched up her brow as Brutus’s words sunk in. “You plan to bring me a squid?”
    “Aye, after I build you a pool to keep it in.” Brutus gave her a small, hopeful smile. Most of the time he stared at her in silence as if he was worried she’d fall over and break. She had yet to decide if it was disturbing or sweet.
    “Ah, thank yo—actually, wait. Why? Is this part of the whole drowning ritual? You feed me to a squid?”
    “I told you I would not drown you unless it is your wish.”
    “It’s not,” she assured him.
    “Women like things from the ocean to study. Bridget requires her husband to bring her live samples. He has never brought her a squid, so I will bring you one of those.”
    Laurel merely stared at him, torn between admiring his handsome face and paying attention to what he was