Cat and Company Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Some of us live with them easier than others.” His black gaze caught hers. “You should forgive yourself and move on, Catherine.”
    “It’s not me that needs forgiveness,” she muttered. Then she pressed her lips together. “Never mind.”
    “Bedivere?” He gave her a small smile. “You never speak his name. Are you aware of that?”
    Catherine sighed. “Meaning that if I could, I’d be cured?” She grimaced. “Easier to just not think about it at all.”
    “And while you are busy not thinking about him, it colors everything you do and most of what you say…or don’t say.” He shifted on the seat. “I’m in lecture mode. Forgive me. I don’t like to see you abuse yourself like this. To answer your question, we’re heading for—”
    The ship gave a little shimmer around them. It was a barely perceptible tremor.
    “We have arrived,” Devlin corrected himself smoothly, “at Ey’Liv, just in time for my meeting with the planetary governor…although he’s not really planet bound anymore. He lives in the city that has attached itself to the station.”
    “Like coral,” Catherine said.
    “An apt analogy,” Devlin replied. “It does make life easier when we don’t have to navigate the gravity well to meet with people on the planet surface. It saves time and energy.”
    “I know you like the idea of space cities,” Catherine said. “I still have my doubts.”
    “Even though you lived in the original space city for years.”
    “Charlton wasn’t a city to start with. That came later. I started living on a ship that turned into a city while I wasn’t looking.” She sighed and sipped her coffee. “Old history.”
    “ Interesting history. You know I never tire of your stories.”
    “Docking at Ey’Liv station in twenty minutes,” Mael said.
    “Thank you,” Devlin told him gravely.
    Catherine took his moment of distraction to study him openly. Devlin was a great-looking man. He had rich olive skin and black hair to match the eyes. A pleasant smile. He was intelligent. He worked tirelessly to advance Varkan affairs in the galaxy, even though he was human. He had single-handedly negotiated with every known world, talking them into signing a Varkan Bill of Rights and Freedoms, thus earning himself an indelible place in history. He was a humanist and philosopher and was one of the most powerful men in the galaxy. He used his influence to improve human and Varkan lives…and he was taller than her—just.
    He never judged her or made demands. He always seemed inordinately pleased when she continued to help him with his work, which just made her feel even more insignificant and unworthy.
    Perhaps that was why she stayed.
    Devlin looked at her. “There’s a newly awakened Varkan in the city who has asked me to negotiate their transition to a corporeal state. Would you like to come along? I could use your insights into the Ey’Liv authorities. I haven’t dealt with the new governor at all.”
    “Kainan? He likes to eat,” Catherine replied. “Present him with a planet-raised steak and the deal will lock itself in.”
    Devlin laughed. “And you wonder why I like to have you by my side.”
    “I thought it was because I could out-drink you,” she said.
    “That, too. You keep me humble.” He got to his feet. “Shall we do this?”
    Catherine stood up carefully.
    “I’ll have someone bring you some salicylic acid for your headache.”
    “Don’t bother,” Catherine said curtly. “I deserve every minute of it.”

Chapter Four
    Charlton Space City, New Cathay (Ji Xiu Prime), Ji Xiu System, Perseus Arm. FY 10.187
    Brant was booted out of the clinic before Bedivere, who wasn’t responding to rehabilitation and orientation nearly as well. Brant didn’t need to ask the medics why. Brant had every reason to return to his life as quickly as possible. That wasn’t something he could say for Bedivere.
    The therapy clinic was located in the garden village, which was part of the original