Book 2 - The Chameleon's Song

Chapter 14: Hola Seigo

Catherine woke the next day still in her wedding dress and with Antonio and Parce curled on the bed beside her. Parce stared at her as she slowly sat up.

"I'm never going to get used to living with a jaguar," she muttered and Parce made a low, chest growl that was so soft it could have been a purr. "That didn't help."

Catherine was able to change her dress and quietly left but once she reached the arch, the door to the tower opened and Bruno walked in. His hair was back to hanging down his face, and his vest was open.

"Is Antonio still sleeping?" he asked.

"Parce is on guard duty."

"Hm. Is it safe?"

"I think you're in more danger of getting attacked in this room than you are in that one."

Bruno was confused until Catherine grabbed his open vest and pulled his lips to hers. Bruno smiled into the kiss. He held her hips to his. Then the tower door opened and Pepa walked in.

"Save it for tonight, you two," she said. "Dolores said Antonio is still in here? Bruno, get dressed. There are already people here to keep celebrating."

"Still?" Bruno asked. "Why? The village hates me."

"The village will take any excuse for a party, Brunito. You know this."

Pepa walked into the tower and Catherine looked at Bruno who seemed deep in thought.

"I didn't get a chance to say this yesterday, but it's the first time I've seen you not wearing either green or maroon. You look good, Bruno. And you should definitely wear your hair up more often."

Bruno smiled, embarrassed, then kissed her again before walking down into the tower.

Catherine knew that if she followed, once Pepa got Antonio out of the tower, she'd pounce on Bruno and they'd be late for the rest of the celebrations. So instead, she turned and left the tower.

There was already music going, dancing, and lots of food brought by guests on top of what had been made by Julieta. Catherine spoke with a few of the guests and was just outside Casita listening to María José complain about how many fish Bruno had apparently 'killed'.

"I've seen your fish bowl," Catherine muttered. "Have you considered getting one bigger? Or, perhaps putting other things inside the bowl other than water? You know, like rocks, plants or other aquatic life to help it maintain a sustainable environment for a living creature?"

"What?"

"That's what I thought." Catherine saw Bruno come out of Casita in his usual get-up, vastly different to the white and tan wedding number his sisters probably forced him into. "Excuse me."

Once Catherine was close enough, Casita moved both of them together and into each other's arms.

"Buenos días, mi amor," Bruno whispered.

For some reason, Catherine could only giggle before pulling Bruno's lips to hers once more. This time there was a bigger audience and people cheered. Though, no one cheered as loud as Camilo. Their sobrino's voice could be heard over all others.

When they broke apart, they both looked over to the house as Seigo Gonzalaz walked out, stretching.

Bruno took Catherine's hand and approached.

"Someone has some courage today," Catherine stated. "Approaching strangers?"

"He's Luisa's future," Bruno whispered.

"That one?" Catherine asked, taking note of his rather slightly below-average build (smaller than Miguel had been) and thick auburn hair.

"Sí."