With that searing parting shot, she stomped off, dragging Grace with her.
Toren stood there, staring at her retreating back. He felt something. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he knew he didn’t like it.
Simone was still mad at Toren.
And she was mad at herself.
She’d sent Grace off to classes with some of the other House of Rone kids. There were a lot of children who called the house home, and Magnus ensured they were given lots of opportunities to learn and study.
Simone curled her legs up beneath her. She was sitting on the balcony outside her room, staying tucked back in the shade. Gladiators and cyborgs were training in the arena down below. She tilted her head, scanning the group. She spotted Mace and Acton training together.
No Toren.
She pressed her palms to her eyes. She’d lost it with him this morning. She knew he’d never hurt Grace, but he was inexperienced with children. Grace was too smart and daring for her own good. She did not need to be learning how to use weapons.
Simone groaned. Dammit, she was lying to herself about the real reason she’d lost it. She hadn’t been angry with Toren, she’d been angry with herself. She’d failed to protect her child. She’d made the decision to take Grace to space aboard the Helios exploration ship, and that choice had landed them in the hands of the Edull.
Grace wanted to learn to protect herself because she’d been hurt, and Simone hadn’t been able to stop it. She’d failed her daughter.
Seeing Grace with a weapon in her hand, wanting to learn to fight, had broken Simone’s heart.
And she’d taken it out on Toren.
She sighed. He made her feel such conflicting things. She knew better than to tangle herself up with a man. Especially one who was suffering. He didn’t need her adding to that.
There was a knock at the door inside. “Hello, I’m out here.”
Sage and Jayna appeared on the balcony. The two survivors from the Helios were smiling, but Simone saw the stubborn glint in their eyes.
“Come and have breakfast with us.” Sage smiled, the sunlight setting her copper-colored hair alight.
Jayna, her hair was a tumble of dark curls against her brown skin, grabbed Simone’s hand and pulled her up. “Yep. We aren’t taking no for an answer.”
Both women had survived the Edull and then fallen in love with Acton and Mace. They were both thriving at the House of Rone. The women dragged her out the door and down to Ever’s sitting room.
The others were all there, and Asha was sitting on the floor, banging her toys.
“My daughter has a talent for noise,” Ever said.
“She doesn’t get it from her father,” Quinn noted dryly.
Jax’s mate had been the first of the Helios survivors to be rescued. The former security chief leaned against the wall, her long, fit body ready for action. She happily fought alongside Jax and the other cyborgs.
Quinn raised a brow. “Magnus doesn’t make a sound when he moves.”
“Grace was the same,” Simone said. “Always moving, banging things together.”
Sage grinned. “Looks like she never grew out of it.”
Simone laughed. “True.”
“Magnus praises every move Asha makes, like she’s written a concerto or invented the cure for an infectious disease.” There was pride in Ever’s tone.
Simone’s heart hurt. “Like every proud dad should do.”
Grace had never had that. Michael hadn’t been interested in his daughter.
Ever reached out and took Simone’s hand. “I’ve made you sad.”
“My ex-husband ignored Grace. He liked a quick hold to show her off when she was clean and happy…but the rest of the time, he pretended she didn’t exist.” Simone managed a tight smile. “Marriage and fatherhood were not as exciting or as fulfilling as he’d hoped.”
“I’m sorry,” Ever said quietly.
“Don’t be. Grace never asks about him. Michael is highly intelligent, high-strung, and always searching for the next challenge or fulfilling encounter. He was a brilliant scientist, but a terrible husband and father.” Simone grabbed some juice off the low table in front of them and sipped. “He cheated on me countless times, ignored his daughter, treated us badly.”
“You have a new beginning here.” Ever lifted a plate full of goodies and offered them.
“We do.” Simone took one little roll and bit into it. She moaned. “This is good.”
“One of Calla’s creations,” Ever said. “That woman is magic in the kitchen. And Zaden loves testing everything she makes.” Ever smiled. “Those two are crazy about each other.”
“How’s Toren?” Quinn asked.
“He’s still struggling.” Simone looked up. “I got angry at him this morning. I caught him teaching Grace to shoot.”
She watched all the women’s eyebrows go up.
“He should’ve discussed it with you first,” Ever said.
“She’s a child,” Simone said. “She shouldn’t be firing a gun.”
“But it’s also important to remember that Carthago is not Earth,” Quinn said quietly.
“I’m very aware of that.” Simone blew out a breath, her shoulders sagging. “Dammit, I might have overreacted.”
Sage touched her knee. “Give yourself a break. You’re still healing and adjusting too.”
For the first time in so long, Simone felt surrounded by friends. People who cared about her and her daughter.
She wasn’t alone.
Chapter Five
Toren paced under the arches surrounding the empty training arena. He glanced up. Night had fallen, and a few stars tried valiantly to cut through the city lights. Strobe lights arced in a dizzying dance from the Kor Magna Arena and the sound of thunder—the cheering crowd—rumbled.
The House of Loden was fighting the House of Aviar this evening. Lots of members of the House of Rone had gone to watch the fight.
But not Toren. He was too preoccupied. Too…upset.
He hated that he’d worried Simone. He felt that he’d broken some sort of trust. He thrust his hand through his hair.
“Hey.”
Grace’s subdued voice made him turn. “Hello.” She was loitering by one of the columns, dragging a toe through the sand.
“You look guilty,” she said.
So did she. “Your mother was very angry.”
“Yeah.” Grace made a pattern in the sand. “It happens. She’ll get over it.”
Toren’s stomach was agitated. “I want to…” He couldn’t quite put what he wanted into words.
“Make it up to her?” Grace suggested.
He nodded. “Yes.”
The girl smiled. “Then do something nice for her.”
He frowned. “Like what?” He could get her a weapon. Or take her to the market.
“Something she likes. That makes her feel good.”
Toren put his hands on his hips. He was good at fighting and apprehending people, not making them feel good.
“Come on.” Grace reached for his hand. “I can help you.” She tugged him along the walkway.