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Eres huffed in disagreement.
I remained kneeled, and the other dogs sensed their alpha moving close to them. The licking and wagging of tails ceased, and Caius sat up. Izza nervously called Kish, and when the dog ignored her, she took a step toward us, but I shook my head.
Izza looked at Caius, but he sat still, watching the exchange. Kish turned and glanced at him, and he inclined his chin as though they were having a secret conversation. She huffed, her jowls jiggling with the exhaling of air.
Did she just roll her eyes?
Kish stopped in front of me, letting out a low rumble in her chest and she pawed at the ground twice.
“She wants you to . . . pet her,” Izza said, the last two words sounding as though they were a question.
“That’s a friendly growly sound?” I asked, arching an eyebrow. Kish barked loudly. “Okay, okay.” I reached out, finding a spot behind her suede-like ear. She grumbled her delight, closing her eyes and sighing as she leaned against me.
“Well, I didn’t expect that,” Izza said, clearly relieved.
“Why not?” I asked, almost falling over as she plopped herself down at my feet, knocking my balance off.
“She only likes Caius. She hates everyone. She only tolerates me for his benefit.” Kish turned and grumble-barked at her in response. “Oh don’t act like it’s not true,” Izza shot back, and Kish sighed.
Caius got up, dusting his pants off and walking to a water barrel to wash his face. “Izza is actually the only one who hasn’t lost a body part when working with Kish.”
My mouth fell open, and I looked at the dog whose head was in my lap. “And you didn’t think to warn me?”
“No need,” he said, splashing the water on his skin a few times before patting himself dry with a towel. “I’m the only one she truly answers to, but she has always indicated she’d accept my mate.”
“How does she know?” I whispered, glancing at Izza, and not wanting to say anything further. I wanted to ask, what if she just recognizes the other part of his soul?
I expected Caius to answer, but Izza was the one who spoke. “Kish is his familiar. She’d recognize his mate anywhere.”
“Then why were you worried?” he asked her, coming to stand beside me. Kish had passed out in my lap, snoring.
“Not worried. Just cautious. I said I didn’t expect it to go so well because,” she paused, lowering her voice into a whisper, “she’s been a moody bitch all day and meeting someone new could tip her over the edge.”
Kish’s eyes snapped open, and she turned her head to Izza. She barked, getting up and stretching completely before leaning to lick my hand once. She walked by Caius, and he knelt down to kiss her nose and she gave him a single lick. Kish turned for her kennel, with fresh straw and clean water and a large, warm bed—then she glared at her lead caretaker before softening, and nudging Izza’s hand with her snout in a kiss-not-kiss.
“Love you too, mama,” Izza said, smirking.
“Do you want help getting them cleaned up and put away?” Caius asked.
“Nonsense. You two go off and have lunch. Gild will be back soon enough, and with any luck, he’ll have all ten fingers.” She smiled, then tucked her bottom lip between her teeth and whistled, calling the dogs with a sharp sound I had never heard before.
Caius bent down and rubbed their faces in a goofy way as each one went to Izza as instructed. He mumbled what could only be described as baby talk to each of them.
Growing up, I’d always heard we could judge a person by how they treated animals. As I watched him show affection, loving on his beautiful dogs, I had to assume it wasn’t just a way to judge man, but primordials as well.
* * *
We left the busy markets after an hour or so. Watching Caius mingle amongst the citizens of Tartarus was interesting. He didn’t lord over them or treat them as if they were lesser. He spoke with several townspeople, even asking about their family members by name. Checking in on the progress of a blacksmith’s child who was learning how to ride a horse. Getting an update on the construction of a woman’s second pub. Her first was a smashing success and in such high demand, they needed another location, which he helped procure.
How are the moon crops this season?
Is your grandfather well? Tell him he owes me another chance to win my money back at dice.
Why is so-n-so not in the bakery? She had her baby. Joyous news! I’ll send a gift.
He kneweveryone. Really knew them. Furthermore, he cared about their wellbeing. The warmth on his face was genuine, and it didn’t disappear the moment we were alone again. These people brought him joy. Their happiness was important to him.
“What’s troubling you?” he asked, breaking my train of thought as we headed back to the castle.
