They've been through so much now.
Apart.
Together.
Katarina knows she's only fragments of the woman she once was. Hardened slivers made of clear, tempered glass. But, Jeffrey… he's still the kindest(vicious) and most generous(when suited his need) man Katarina has ever known. Blooming with life(also lies). An endless, flowering garden. But, amongst the rich and fancy flowers, there's hidden poison in there if you know how to search for it.
(Susanna would absolutely love that comparison, lovely thing. That's also why she's keeping her mouth shut. As she will tease her for that comparison. At least, Jeffrey will probably just smile.)
Jeffrey's palms roam over her back muscles, tracing and worshiping her. His blunt and soil-encrusted nails dig in. Katarina shuts her eyes, feeling him shudder, and moans out. Jeffrey gives one last thrust, seating himself desperately between her naked, clenched buttocks. He quickly pulled out his cock. His cock quivers up against her face, ejaculating globs of hot, sticky fluid onto Katarina's face.
She swallows the one that got into her mouth, leaning on her elbows, spreading her legs over the blanket and rubbing lightly around her overly sensitive clitoris. The early morning air smells like burned, old firewood. Jeffrey made sure Katarina got hers first. Ever the gentleman. It's adorable.
"Jeff…"
"Stop calling me that," Jeffrey mutters, scooting away and zipping up his jeans. How romantic. Katarina smirks, grabbing the rag Jeffrey tosses her. As she's wiping her face , he yanks on his frayed, colorless shirt. "Hey, I got something for you."
With a delighted, secretive look over her shoulder, Katarina sees him rummaging. She slips back on her own top, Katarina's nipples poking against the thin, blue-gold shirt. They've been fooling around, off and on, since Jeffrey got back from journeying(political journey) on the country across the ocean. She helped him to get Jeffrey mind off of everything. The constant rocking of the waves, and the feeling of Katarina's ass on his stomach certainly help.
"Awww. How sweet." Katarina beams, teasing him. "Is it another shiny bracel—?"
Her mouth drops open. She hesitates, speechless, as Jeffrey holds out a multitude of creamy white flowers with yellow centers. Their pollen so sweet-smelling. Sand roses, all twisted with miniature vines and leaves, shaped into a half-crown.
"I had, uh—I found a whole lot of them. On my way back after investigating about the rebellion at Ethenell. I asked Jeord to put it together before we all left. It's native to Ethenell."
Jeffrey glances away, still holding out the flower-crown.
"It's Susanna's birthday, ain't it?"
Katarina's jaw twitches. A flash-flare of heat and sorrow behind her eyes. Susanna Randall. She and Katarina are too different, yet they share Jeffrey's love together. No matter how important Susanna are to Jeffrey, she's important to him too. She shouldn't be jealous with Susanna.
(She still betrothed to Jeord by the way. Katarina, Jeffrey, and Susanna agreed to keep their relationship as a secret. Frankly, she doubt Jeord even notice she not in the Academy when she and Jeffrey enjoying themself at Susanna's fief. He too busy with Maria Campbell to notice her.)
She too alive, too innocent but she's a Claes, she ready for the world of betrayal and etiquette that laid ahead. Together with Jeffrey and Susanna. "Yeah," she answers, inhaling and thumbing the moisture from her cheek. "It is."
He glances back, examining Katarina's features before leaning in, pressing his mouth warmly to her forehead. "Don't worry, we'll never leave you."
There's no one else really knows her like Jeffrey and Susanna, or is it Larna?
(Small blessings.)