Strange Charm
Page 5
“The one from the ‘Mating Incident’?”
It was pack lore and always told in hushed voices during gatherings, especially after the drinks had been flowing. Never completely detailed, but Ocet usually blushed, and every one of the elders would laugh while Jax and his littermates just wondered. All they got out of it was that mating was not something you wanted to interrupt, and any questions they asked were immediately dismissed.
“Yes.”
Okay, Sirdar really could lose the smirk.
“Be prepared during the next feast. I think Ocet has been waiting to respond to a certain kitten’s challenge.”
Oh shit. “I did that?”
Sirdar nodded. “He was the first to notice your display and tried to separate you before... Well, not really sure how he thought the bond wouldn’t set, since you are littermates, but he tried to spare you both. And you took exception to his misguided consideration.”
Jax groaned. This was not going to be good. Blood would be inevitable, but with any luck, Ocet’s anger had dissipated with the years, not magnified. Regardless, the challenge couldn’t be ignored and truth be told, Jax was more than ready to fight for Igor, even if it meant an honor match against his superior.
Sirdar kissed his forehead. “Ocet always was a superstitious one.” Another kiss on his cheek. “The fear of the Prophecy of the Feldoonae Younglings being reenacted by you and Igor scared him. How he believed that you would be just like the apocryphal mates who found each other and never broke embrace becoming fossilized into the statue in Capitol Park—no clue. Fear does strange things.” He kissed the other cheek. “He freaked out, started babbling about the warning on imprinting too early and earned himself a stripe, thanks to you.”
“Well, that will liven up our next gathering.”
“As if news of your mating isn’t enough. But, a little blood match should be entertaining.” Sirdar pulled back to smile at him.
“Does he know?” asked Jax.
Sirdar didn’t pretend he didn’t understand. “Igor imprinted at birth, that’s why he always followed you.” He paused for a second then carefully continued, “When you were first separated for studies, he approached me in tears and asked why?”
Just hearing it evoked a sharp pain, bright and quick.
“He was convinced that he’d done something wrong, that we were punishing him.”
Jax shook his head. “Never. He was always the good one.” He leaned into the hand cupping his cheek. It was as if Sirdar knew how much the retelling of something so old could bring such fresh hurt.
“After a couple weeks of emotional distress, I explained to him about mates. And he made the connection directly.”
“Always the smart one, even at the very beginning.”
A flutter of magenta in the corner of his eye was all he saw before Igor said, “Is Jax alright, Sirdar?”
Jax pulled out of Sirdar’s embrace, stepping backwards.
“Yes. You have duties Igor. I expect you at the institute next solarii. Do you wish to return with me?”
Igor looked to Jax. There was a slight furrow in his brow, but then he smiled. How could he have ever been so blind? Not even once thinking about the luxurious accommodations available on the private cruiser should he accept Sirdar’s offer. It was so obvious and Jax could see it now.
He saw the question in Igor’s eyes, but the choice belonged to his mate. The one he had denied for years. “What do you want, Igor?” asked Jax.
“I want to register that token.”
Jax pulled it from his pocket and tossed it over; Igor snatched it mid-arc and smiled. Igor turned it over and over, running it back and forth across his knuckles. He seemed to be pondering something.
“After hosting parasites from Carnarvon, being expelled from a Flatula, wrestling eels on Amphitrite, not to mention our ill-fated run through the Sanguine Fen—even after all those incredibly stupid and foolish adventures,” Igor shook his head and smiled, “I wouldn’t give up a moment of this adventure.”
Jax caught the token as he tossed it back. “I would travel with you until the very end.”
The End
Background on the world setup and species for this book, as well as other stories set in it see: https://spv7z218.wordpress.com/
Other works in this universe:
Matters of State
KRAX
Additional works:
A Shift in Sands
Someone Like You
Author Bio:
APS is a Jack-of-all-trades and master of none. Self-defined as terminally curious and prone to self-indulgence, APS excels at frittering. Diagnosed as having issues with authority from a young age, APS frolics in being a perpetrator of general ridiculousness and a defender of the irreverent.
Contact Info: https://aphallussi.wordpress.com/