Small Spaces Katherine Arden Novels & Stories

but it was too late when the shredding sound of clothing reached us before a loud thud. "This is why we made sure the doors swing," I winked down at Marcy. "I'll get more clothing," Marcy grumbled off into the other room. Katherine was already in front of me, scoffing as she picked up Aydin's shirt that he managed to discard before shifting. She’d been around a few months already, you’d think she would be used to his antics by now, but outside she had her fists curled by her side as she watched their wolves, Amara and Jax, tumble around playfully.

“Please, Katherine. Just… give me five minutes. That’s all I’m asking.” Another pause. Then, reluctantly, she said, “Fine. But make it quick.” I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thank you.” A few minutes later, the front door of the building opened, and Katherine stepped out, her arms crossed over her chest. She looked tired, her hair pulled back into a messy bun and dark circles under her eyes. But even like this, she was still the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. “Well?” she said, her tone sharp. “What is it?”

~Amara~ “Welcome to my safe space,” Katherine said and closed the door behind us. I walked into the unfamiliar room, one that I hadn’t been in before. It looked depressing; almost like the person who lives there doesn’t want anything that has to do with happiness. It was painted in dark gray, and the only splash of a little color in it was the ashes that were in a gourd. “This is your room?” I asked, my gaze moving all over the properties in the room.

After leaving the supermarket, the four headed straight to Branden's apartment near Styre University. The apartment was not big compared to the Duncans' villas. This one, less than 2000 square feet, was considered small. But as soon as one entered, one could feel a sense of home. It was like a newlywed couple's home. Although the decoration style was as cold as their personalities, it was still proof of their happy life. At the entrance, there was a figurine holding a gold plate. On the gold plate were Catherine's favorite chocolates. Branden placed them there so that she could eat them whenever she entered or left home.

Katherine sat at her desk in the dimly lit sanctuary of her bedroom with notes, books shattered open. The delicate fabric of her blush pink satin sleepwear hung loosely over her frame. The camisole clung to her full breasts, the thin spaghetti straps slipping slightly off her shoulders, exposing the gentle swell of her cleavage through the V-neckline. The matching shorts rode high on her thighs, the ruffled hem teasing just below the round globes of her ass, leaving her long, toned legs bare and inviting. Her light brown hair cascaded in loose waves down her back, framing her striking blue eyes that were fixed on her laptop screen, but her mind was miles away, drifting to Vincent Morris.

After a long week, Katherine received a message from Darius Richards. He would be waiting for her at Ana & Juana - Onas at 6:00 PM, a public venue designed to ease any fears she might have about meeting him. Though Darius didn’t fully understand her apprehensions, he knew this would be his first time seeing Alden as an adult. The last time he had seen him, Alden was a small child with dark, wavy brown hair and charming gray eyes.

"Fine! Just make sure you do not cause any trouble" "What about me?" Kate asked and I turned. "When did you come in?" I asked. "A few minutes ago" "Without knocking? Did I not tell you to knock anytime you come to my room" "I knocked but there was no answer. So I..." "You should have waited outside until there was an answer" "It's not like you would answer me if I..." "I can't believe I am listening to this," Arden said, standing up. "I am leaving, so you can have some time with your wife"

Katherine hissed. She slammed her hairbrush down onto the glass table with a loud, ringing clatter. She stood up slowly, her emerald-green silk robe flowing around her ankles as she walked over to him. The heavy, sweet scent of her lavender perfume filled the small space between them, but tonight, it only made Xavier feel nauseous. Katherine reached out, placing her cool, delicate hands flat against Xavier's chest. She could feel his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird. She softened her expression, forcing her dark eyes to fill with a fake, desperate tenderness.

Can I come over? Of course you can, she said immediately. Come now. I'll open a bottle of something expensive. I changed out of the pajamas I'd been wearing since six, got dressed in something casual, and drove across the city to Katherine's house. Katherine lived in one of those sprawling modern places in the hills, all glass and clean lines, that she'd gotten in the divorce along with half of everything else. She'd turned it into exactly the kind of space a newly single woman with money and freedom would create — beautiful, comfortable, unapologetically hers.

Lillian said later that evening, when Nathaniel joined her in the living room. “Yes,” he replied. “I expected she would.” “Did you,” Lillian asked. “Yes,” Nathaniel said. “She’s been leaving in pieces for years.” They sat together, the knowledge settling without urgency. Catherine’s new apartment was small, but light filled. It overlooked a narrow street where people walked without recognizing her, where Henry could ride his bike without security following too closely. The walls were bare for now. Catherine liked it that way. She wanted to choose what filled the space deliberately.