Kinnek let go of him. “Muffin, get us going. Everyone, in the circle, please. No stepping out of the circle, and—oh, I know they have a spiel on airplanes, something about emergency exits and storing your luggage in the bins or under your seat, but we really only have the one rule. Stay inside the circle.”
Vergis turned as he dropped the burlap sack in the circle. “Two rules. We don’t want the princess to do magic either.”
Kinnek beamed. “Good point. Well done, Muffin. Go on, you two.”
He motioned for Inkiri and me to go into the circle, but I stopped and turned to look at Donna, who was still holding on to her dog’s collar.
“We’ll be back. I… Thanks for everything.” Inkiri clicked, and before I knew what was happening, I felt a fat tear streak down my cheek. “Oh.” I quickly wiped it away.
“Sadir? Are you hurt?” Inkiri started feeling me all over, gently, carefully.
Donna looked surprised at first, then just…warm. She really did have the au pair vibe, which was probably why I was crying.
“You had a hard time of it, didn’t you?” she asked softly, coming close enough that she could put a hand on my shoulder, which meant the big white dog was close enough to nuzzle and slobber all over me as if he was worried for me. I’d really wanted a dog like this as a kid, but I hadn’t been allowed.
“I-I’m fine. I’m sorry. I’m not hurt, it’s fine.” I repeated that a few more times, but Inkiri didn’t seem to want to stop touching me, which was good. I didn't want him to stop either.
“Kinnek, perhaps he’s still not fully healed? Sadir, my Rory, tell us if you’re hurting.” Inkiri clicked at me a few more times, and the way his arms were circling my waist, he was just waiting for a chance to pick me up.
Kinnek put a hand on my shoulder. “I have done no studies on it, but with all the time I spent on Earth, I think humans tend to cry more when they’re sad or distressed, maybe when they’re confused, not just when they hurt.”
“I really am fine,” I sobbed. The dog licked my chin. “What’s his name?”
Donna grinned. “Duckling.”
“Y-you named your dog Duckling and your chicken Wilson?”
She shrugged. “What’s in a name?”
I snorted a snotty laugh. “Did you call the kitten Rose?”
“Didn’t have a name yet, but that fits. I’ll tell him you found it for him.”
I wiped my eyes and looked up at her. “Okay. Thanks. We will come back, okay?”
She nodded. “Bring Nokim for the waffles, and take care of yourself.” She looked at Kinnek. “Make sure to get him a cuppa once you get there. I like him.”
Kinnek beamed. “We will. I like him too. Rory, ready to go?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Sorry, Ink. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
I felt his breath ruffle my hair. “Don’t apologize. Let me worry, so long as you’re fine. Are you ready to go into the circle?”
“Yeah.”
I felt him nod, then hold out his hand for Donna to shake. “We’ll see you soon.”
“I’ll hold you to that. Kinnek, it was good to meet you.”
“Likewise. Muffin, manners.”
Vergis groaned. “Bye. See you and the chicken around.”
Donna clicked her tongue. “Someone likes having the last word.”
Kinnek giggled as we stepped into the circle. The dog sat at Donna’s feet but looked as if he’d happily come with us if anyone just said the word. I wasn’t going to. I didn’t know if the magic would hurt him, and it was probably better not to risk that. The burlap sack was already scary enough.
“Is everyone ready to hop off?” Kinnek asked.
