Chapter Twenty
Ren stood next to Sonia, watching them film Kat’s close-ups. Sonia was keeping them all on track with an iron will, but even she had to allow the camera crews a few minutes between shots to rearrange for the next take.
Kat was so beautiful she stole his breath, but there was something even more alluring about her now, since they’d made love and he’d claimed her as his mate. He remarked on this to Sonia and was surprised by her response. Sonia regarded him with a knowing smile on her face and laughter dancing in her eyes.
“Of course she looks different,” Sonia told him. “This is why I pushed to have all the early parts of the film done first. You’ve had this effect on her, Ren. Katrina now has the look of a woman in love. She will never have that same air of innocence she once had.”
It stunned him to know that he’d changed her on some fundamental level. Then, he wondered, had she changed him, as well? The answer came back immediately. Of course she had, but he wanted to know what others saw. He turned his questioning gaze on Sonia.
“Are my eyes calming down now, as the elders claimed they would?” He was almost afraid of the answer. Having more normal eyes could both alter his career and allow him greater freedom in the human world. It was a complex situation.
Sonia smiled gently at him. “They are. A little. But it’s a miniscule change that few would notice at this stage. I believe it will take years for your inner cat to settle completely. By that time, if he should fade from your famous eyes, it won’t matter. In fact, it would probably be for the best, since you’ll likely have retired by then and will want to alter your appearance in any case. But don’t worry, dear Ren, the cat is still there and will continue to be for a long time to come. I think he likes the attention he brings to your human form.” She laughed her musical laugh and took off to oversee her crew once more.
They were just about ready to resume with a new angle, and Ren tried to shake off his new awareness. He was going to be in the next sequence with Kat, and he had to get his head back in the Robin Hood game quickly. Timing tonight was crucial.
The scene was a romantic one, with the setting sun behind them. Ren knew he didn’t have to really act. Not with Kat. Not in a scene where he would have her in his arms and profess his love. For the first time in his acting career, when he spoke of love to a woman, he would mean every single word, every single gesture, every single heated glance.
When the time came to do the scene, he could feel the magic of it. This wasn’t just Robin talking to Marian. It was also Ren talking to Kat, professing his love and his desire for a lifetime together. He wondered, after it was over, if the people who would ultimately watch this film would realize the full extent of what had been happening. Even as he walked back to their room with his arm around Kat’s shoulders, his inner beast purring with satisfaction at having such a wonderful mate, he realized it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Kat was with him, part of his life, the center of his new universe.
“I think that went really well,” she said softly as they walked down the dimly lit corridor toward their tower room.
“It’s going to be spectacular,” he promised her. “I felt the spark between us. I think the viewers will see it, too.”
“Really?” Kat turned her head slightly to look up at him, meeting his gaze. “I’m not sure what to think about that, if it’s true. My family doesn’t even know about us yet.”
“Don’t worry, kitten.” He bent his neck slightly to nip at her lips gently. “We’ll tell your family and friends about us before this film ever hits the screen. In fact, you should probably start thinking about what kind of wedding you want. Break out that planner of yours and draw up some lists.” He chuckled as they arrived at the door to their room. “I want to legalize our union in the eyes of the human world as soon as possible.”
Her smile was joyful as she reached upward to draw him in for a kiss. It might have lasted longer if they weren’t standing in the drafty hallway of an ancient castle. As it was, Ren was content. His mate was in his arms and all was right with his world.
It was Katrina who drew back first, a small frown marring her brow. “I assume we can’t tell my family about your…uh…”
“About shifters?” he prompted when she seemed at a loss for how to express herself. “No. I’m sorry. The only people who know, really need to know for various reasons, and have earned the trust necessary. Honestly, your parents don’t need to know. We can live wherever you wish. I have my house on the island, and that will be one of our homes, but I’m amenable to getting a place in New York, if you like. We can split our time up however you want. And after this film hits, I think you’re going to have a lot of offers for more work, so you’re probably going to be traveling quite a bit.”
“I’ll be traveling,” she repeated, her gaze narrowing. “Where will you be?”
“Traveling with you, of course,” Ren told her, loving the way her expression cleared. “We’ll talk to Mel about finding some projects where we can work together. It shouldn’t be too hard. You’ll have plenty of offers and once our relationship goes public, it’ll be a novelty the film world won’t want to pass up. It’ll work out. You’ll see.”
*
Katrina’s head was still spinning from the incredibly romantic scene they had filmed at sunset and then Ren’s declaration about wanting her to plan a wedding. She hadn’t really thought so far ahead, except in the vaguest possible terms. Their relationship had all happened so fast. She hadn’t been really sure someone could fall in love so deeply, so quickly, until it had happened to her. Everything she’d thought she’d known about love and romance had been turned on its head by the whirlwind that was Ren.
Her beloved, sexy, smart, intensely magical whirlwind of a man.
After dinner that evening, Margarete invited them back to the music room where a number of the family members were gathering to play. Ren was bemused by the invitation but happy to go along with whatever Katrina wanted, and she was intrigued by the idea of the family playing all those amazing instruments in that remarkable room.
“It’s a casual evening, tonight,” Margarete told them as she greeted them on arrival in the small concert hall that they called a music room. “People will come and go, joining the jam session or playing a solo piece,” she told them, showing them to seats among the wide circle of musicians. “If you play or sing, you’re welcome to join in,” she added as an afterthought as she picked up a classical guitar and sat near them, already part of the circle that was forming.
Within moments, the music started, and Katrina was stymied by the level of musicianship, the caliber of the music and the frivolity of the mood in the room. These people were not just good, but really, really good, and they seemed to enjoy the music they created. The styles of music the group favored went from classical to contemporary.
The evening wore on, and Katrina barely noticed the passage of time. The music was high quality and ever-changing, keeping her attention throughout. She was even called upon to do a show tune from one of the productions she’d been in as a student. Ren then surprised her by joining her in a duet from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Yeoman of the Guard. He even acted it out with her, dancing her gently around the stage area at the appropriate moments.