Pet's Pleasure (7 page)

“
Pelbuah
?” she asked but she had a sinking suspicion she knew the answer. There had only been one thing she hadn’t liked from the meal presented the day before.

“The fruit you thought disgusting enough to spit out. It is called
pelbuah
.”

And that confirmed her fears. She dropped the bowl quickly, which made the contents slosh over the sides. A little bit touched her fingers. She grabbed a napkin and rubbed it away.

Bekion laughed. His merriment didn’t help the sudden queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

She whispered, “It doesn’t taste the same.”

“The taste of the fruit becomes sweeter when it is aged past ripeness then cooked.”

“You said you wouldn’t feed that to me again.”

“You started eating before I could warn you.” He winked at her. “And with such enthusiasm.”

“I wish you hadn’t told me then.” She held a hand to her lips. Queasiness had turned into nausea. She could feel the liquid crawling up her throat.

“Do you plan to expel it now that you know what it is?”

“My brain and my stomach are still debating that.” She swallowed a few times but that didn’t calm the feeling.

“Let me know when a conclusion is reached.”

A hiccupping burp passed her lips and she clutched her mouth. Bekion continued chuckling under his breath. She had half a mind to barf all over his breakfast. See how funny he found that.

Another hiccup and Starling knew her food wouldn’t stay where she put it. She jumped off her seat and ran for the bathroom.

Bekion said, “I guess the debate is over.”

She reached the toilet just in time. If Bekion ever fed her that nasty fruit again, she would delight in barfing all over his lap.

* * * * *

Bekion continued eating his soup as he waited for Starling to rejoin him. She hadn’t eaten much so he didn’t think she would take long. He heard no telltale sounds of her expelling the food but then he didn’t know if humans even made noises like that.

There were so many things about humans he had to learn. He lifted his wrist and tapped out a quick message to himself—a reminder to ask Vieve for a human care book. The information contained might not apply one hundred percent to Starling but it would give him a place to start.

A servant asked, “Will Lady Starling wish to finish, Sire?”

Bekion felt his smirk return. “I doubt it.”

The girl nodded and carried the bowl away.

Another servant asked, “Is everything to your liking, Sire?”

“Yes. Tell the cook no more
pelbuah
.”

The man nodded and walked away.

Frankly, Bekion wouldn’t miss the dish or the fruit. He found the soup too sweet for a breakfast food and the fruit was finicky, even when grown in prize soil.

He couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips when he remembered Starling’s expression of dismay. She’d looked adorable. He would have to watch himself or else teasing her might become a hobby.

A small commotion in the hall preceded his chamber door being thrown open so hard it bounced against the wall. Tinette stood with anger making her eyes glitter.

“Bekion!”

“Good morning, Mother.” He stopped himself from asking about her well-being. “You rarely eat with me but you are welcome.”

Kuruk and Cavell were beside her. Behind her, Rois wore an apologetic look and Lukacht seemed amused.

“How dare you?” Tinette yelled.

Bekion’s gaze landed on Cavell. “Get out.”

Cavell looked at Tinette and then Kuruk.

The boy’s hesitation irritated Bekion more than a little bit. Cavell shouldn’t look for approval from another. The boy should obey Bekion’s words without question like all others in his kingdom.

Bekion said, “Walk out or be thrown.”

Rois gripped the boy’s shoulder.

Kuruk said, “Leave, Cavell.”

The boy pouted but left the room with Rois following close behind him.

Once the door closed, Bekion faced Tinette. “What have I done to upset you, Mother?”

She said in a raised voice, “Kuruk informed me over breakfast about your theft of his human. Return it this instant.”

“You make no sense. How can I steal anything when everything in this palace belongs to me?” He almost smiled when Tinette’s face flushed red with increased anger. His mother seemed at a loss for words.

He glanced at the bathroom. Starling hadn’t returned yet. She must have heard Tinette’s yelling and decided to hide. Or she was still sick. Either way, he wanted someone to check and ensure Kuruk wasn’t using Tinette as a distraction while Cavell secreted Starling away. Bekion should have let the boy stay, if only to keep an eye on him.

The thought was paranoid but not without merit or past experiences to draw upon. Before Bekion could voice his request, Furielle dropped a quick curtsy and went to the bathroom. He turned his attention back to Tinette and Kuruk.

Tinette said, “I will not allow this, Bekion.”

He stood. “You seem to forget you abdicated your throne and all of your power to me. It doesn’t matter what you will or will not allow. That I listen to you at all or let you interrupt my breakfast without consequence is only because you are my mother.”

Tinette’s mouth worked quickly on words she didn’t speak.

Kuruk snorted with an amused smirk then turned away, leaving the room.

No sooner had the door closed behind Kuruk, did Starling and Furielle reenter the room. Starling met Bekion’s gaze with a look of worry. He wanted to console her but Tinette was still present.

He gestured to Starling. “Have you met Starling, Mother?” He was sure Tinette had noticed his pretty pet the second she entered the room.

Tinette glared at Starling. “Give it back.”

“
Her
, Mother. Starling is female, not neuter.”

“That
thing
belongs to Kuruk.” Tinette stalked across the room. She grabbed for Starling but missed as Starling dodged back at the same time Furielle moved into Tinette’s path. “Move!”

Bekion rounded the table but didn’t intercede. “Stay where you are, Furielle. Starling, come to me.” He beckoned to her.

She ran to his side and hid behind his legs. He placed a hand on her shoulder as both a calming gesture and as assurance she was safe.

He said to Tinette, “I am sorry this circumstance has so upset you, Mother, but be assured I will
never
turn Starling over to Kuruk. She is a living, sentient creature. Kuruk is a spoiled, sadistic brat who would delight in killing her.” He tightened his hand on Starling’s shoulder when she shivered.

Tinette said, “That thing is human and can hardly be described as sentient. It’s a dumb animal like any other. Why not get a pet worthy of a king if you must have one and give that nasty little thing over to Kuruk? Who cares if he kills it? It’s not like its life means anything.”

Starling, speaking in her native tongue, bit out something in an angered tone. She held up her hand with the middlemost finger raised. Bekion wasn’t sure what any of it meant but Starling’s attitude translated well enough—she didn’t appreciate being insulted.

“Mother, if you have nothing else to speak about—”

“You will not dismiss me!”

“In fact, I will. Today is the conference with the Panagiota lords, after which I must prepare for tomorrow’s conference with the empire’s other monarchs. I don’t have time to quibble over a moot point. Starling is mine.”

“You were never this disrespectful when you were younger.”

He grinned at her. “I never had this much power when I was younger. Now that I do have this power and all the responsibilities that come with it, I can see why you never had time for me.” He gestured to the door.

Tinette left but not without a scathing look shot in Bekion’s direction. Bekion already knew the days ahead would be trying. Tinette hated not getting her way.

Starling said, “She was pissed. Should you have goaded her like that?”

He patted her shoulder. “Tinette can do nothing.”

“What if she tries to get her kingdom back from you?”

“She cannot. As per imperial law, once a monarch abdicates in favor of another, the transition is permanent. Even if I decide to abdicate, Tinette would not be allowed to assume the throne again.” He faced her. “What did you say to her?”

Starling looked a little embarrassed and dropped her gaze. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Worry didn’t prompt my question but curiosity. What did you say?”

She didn’t speak and didn’t act as if she would.

“I see we have reached the impasse that barred our progress yesterday. I have yet to think of a proper punishment. Perhaps I should confine you to my rooms for the day.”

“You’d be doing me a favor since that conference you mentioned would probably bore me to tears.”

“And you think staying here would be any different?”

“You’re right. It’s six of one and a half dozen of the other.”

“What is
dohzen
?” The word hadn’t translated. He didn’t know why he’d bothered asking. She wouldn’t answer.

“Dozen—it’s another way of saying twelve. Half of twelve is…” She looked at him expectantly.

“Six. Ah, I see. One and the same.” He knelt so he could be eye level with her. “Why explain one and not the other?”

“Why do you insist on asking? I don’t want to.” She turned her gaze down then stepped back.

Though he’d only known her a short time, Bekion could tell something was bothering Starling. Something other than their argument over her refusal to translate for him. He placed his hand on her shoulder. She shivered under his touch.

“Starling?”

She looked at him. Worry wrinkled her brow.

“What is it?”

“You won’t give me to him, right? You said you wouldn’t.”

“Never worry about that, Starling. I’d send you away before I would think of giving you to Kuruk.”

She stepped closer to him. “Not even as a punishment?”

“I would not submit even my worst, most hated enemy to Kuruk’s brand of care.” He smoothed the back of his hand against her cheek. “And I don’t hate you, pretty pet. Not at all.”

Bekion could almost see the anxiety slip from her body onto the floor. She relaxed and a small smile curved her lips. Her lips moved on a silent
thank you
.

“You’re welcome.” He straightened and would have turned away except Starling caught his hand and held it. She stared at the floor, so he thought she needed more reassurance.

“Do me a favor, Bekion.”

“If it pleases me to do so.”

Her head snapped up and she met his gaze. A low fire burned in her eyes. He knew that fire would erupt into much more. He would have another argument on his hands if he didn’t handle this with care.

She snapped, “I’m being serious.”

“As am I. I will not grant you any favor simply because you ask. However, I will hear your every request and decide upon them fairly.”

The fire in her eyes dulled and was replaced with worry and a little uncertainty.

He checked the urge to look at his arm cuff and see how much time he had left before his meeting. It wouldn’t do to make Starling think she was bothering him. Neither did he want to spend his entire day calming her fears. She seemed to have so many.

Stooping to her level once more, he asked in a soft voice, “What is it?”

Her mouth opened and closed a few times. She took a deep breath and met his gaze. “Take me with you when you leave the palace.”

“You’re worried about Kuruk trying to take you once my back is turned?”

She nodded.

“You needn’t. Nausic is a capable guard. He is one of my best.”

“Best?”

Her surprise made him chuckle. “Did you think I gave you an incompetent guard, pretty pet?”

She didn’t answer and didn’t have to. Her surprised expression gave her away.

“You may only be a pet but you are
my
pet. I am a very possessive man. I won’t have anyone taking or harming what’s mine.”

A muscle in his leg started complaining about his position. He straightened with a wince of pain and lifted Starling. Rather than carry her in his usual fashion, he lifted her under her arms, carried her a few steps to a chair and set her sideways across his lap with her legs between his.

“That’s better,” he said. “As I was saying, I fully intend to protect you from everyone, including my brother. I’ve given you one of my best guards for that. He is second only to Rois, whom I would have assigned to you but Nausic’s past makes him a better choice.”

“His past?”

“He has a grudge against my brother.”

“Why?”

“Ask him yourself. I merely tell you all this so you know I have your best interests at heart.” He placed her on the floor once more.

She gripped his hands before he could release her. “I don’t doubt you think Nausic is best but I would rather err on the side of caution. I don’t want to take a chance. And why put Nausic’s skills to the test needlessly? I could just go with you when you leave the palace.”