“I found a closet for him.” He reached for Phoenix.
Raya pulled back. “A closet?”
“Just for now. I put in a little bed, some newspaper. Until we can find his owner. Or a new home.”
Phoenix felt Raya’s body relax.
“That’s all right, then.” She transferred Phoenix to Ahmed’s arms. “What about tonight, when you’re not on shift, though? Will you take him home?”
“My wife—she’s allergic.” He paused. “Perhaps one of the staff?”
Phoenix reached out a paw toward Raya and meowed pitifully.
“I know! He could stay in my room.”
Ahmed looked doubtful. “The management might not like it.”
Raya bent level with Phoenix. “But he would. Wouldn’t you, my little dark prince?”
Phoenix purred like a sports car.
Ahmed hesitated.
Raya touched the wand in her hair. “I’m sure it will be fine.”
That minx. She was spelling the poor man.
Ahmed blinked, then smiled. “You’re right. It will be fine. So helpful, really.”
Raya gave Phoenix one more caress. “See you tonight, dark prince.”
17
Spending the day in a hotel broom closet was no one’s idea of fun, but Phoenix endured knowing the end of Ahmed’s shift would bring him back to Raya’s side.
In cat form, still—but it was better than nothing.
The door to the closet creaked open.
Ahmed poked his head through the doorway. “Kitty cat? Where are you?”
Phoenix stood up, stretched, and meowed, making himself easily seen and heard.
Ahmed scooped him up. “Time to visit your new friend.” He scratched between Phoenix’s ears.
Phoenix didn’t resist. It was actually quite hard to scratch that spot on his own.
Ahmed carried him upstairs along with a few supplies and knocked on Raya’s hotel room door. “Madame? It is Ahmed.”
The door opened.
Raya let out an uncharacteristic squeal of delight. “My little prince!” She reached for Phoenix.
Ahmed handed him over and set the box of supplies just inside the doorway. “I will call you in the morning when I get here.”
Raya nodded, no longer paying much attention to anything but the little black cat she snuggled in her arms. “Thanks, Ahmed.” She scooted the box of supplies out of the way with her foot and shut the door. “Aren’t we going to have such fun!”
Phoenix nearly lost his focus. It was embarrassingly easy to slip into the role of a pampered cat, especially when it was enhanced by the novel experience of Raya doing the pampering.
