Sway Me

Sinder tensed when the doorknob turned with a miniscule click, letting in a shadowy figure who slunk on four paws toward the bed.

Timur was sound asleep, and Sinder still had plenty of work to do, but he hadn’t wanted to leave the bed. Some of it involved body heat, sure. But there was another part of him—probably something instinctual—that didn’t want to casually set aside something Timur had sacrificed sleep to nurture.

And there was another thing, too. Something that hadn’t been true for a long while. Sinder belonged somewhere. So he was sticking by Timur because this was his rightful place now. Only problem was, it was Fend’s place, too.

Blankets shifted near the foot of the bed, and Sinder jumped when cold fingers touched his ankle, then his knee, then glided along the outside of his thigh, pausing in their unhurried ascent to twirl. Damned cat was exploring the glittering patterns Timur had made.

Tense and still, Sinder awaited Fend’s verdict.

And waited. Because the cat wasn’t in any kind of hurry.

The building suspense was probably Fend’s goal.

But then Sinder began to feel … admired, and as soon as he relaxed, Fend purred in approval.

“Aren’t you ornamental! May I explore your wings, lovely one?”he inquired, the internal words as gentle as his touch.

Answering in kind, Sinder said, “I don’t mind, but don’t blame me if you get knocked. They’re touchy.”

“Softly then,”Fend promised.

Sinder couldn’t help the jerk and jump of his wings, but the cat didn’t complain once. He kept right on familiarizing himself with every knuckle and slender digit, then stroking the supple membranes until their shivering settled.

Hours passed before Fend pressed against Sinder from behind. He lifted his wings to make room, then draped them over the cat.

“You gave in,” Fend whispered. “I knew you would.”

Sinder simply shrugged.

“Are you giving me the cold shoulder?” Soft kisses trailed across Sinder’s blaze. “I have news.”

Curiosity snagged, he half-turned. “Something about Hisoka?”

“You’re worried about Uncle.”

“Yeah.”

With a glance at Timur, Fend switched back to an inner voice. “He said little, but he was looking past his own whiskers for once. We prowled the borders, and we stopped for a glass of star wine from an old friend.”

“Andor.”Sinder wished he could see Fend’s face better. “And … Eri?”

“The visit did him good. Uncle was in a mellow mood when I turned him over to Rhomiko. But there are more interesting things afoot.”

“Like what?”

Eyes alight, Fend dropped another kiss onto his shoulder. “A phoenix has been summoned.”

“Juuyu!” he softly exclaimed.

“Shush.”Fend somehow managed to boff his nose with the tip of his tail. “We caught and claimed you just in time. Your partner cannot take you from Timur this time.”

“You were glad enough to be rid of me last time.”

“Things change.”Fend demanded, “Put away your wings so you can turn my way.”

Sinder complied, and Fend stole him out of Timur’s unresisting embrace, rolling him into a clumsy tangle of limbs. Sinder came out on top, pinning the cat, though he couldn’t think why he’d done it. Self-preservation again? Yeah, no. That didn’t apply here. Not with Fend gazing up at him with so much approval.

The cat coyly asked, “In the mood for dominance?”

“Not really, no.”Sinder figured this was as good a time as any for plain words. “Was this bond your aim all along?”

“All along? Clearly not. But as I said, things changed.”Fend reached up with one hand and caressed Sinder’s cheek. “Thank you.”

Sinder drooped, relieved.

Fend pulled him down and whispered, “My turn.”

“For what?”

“I want a bond, too.”

“Tending only works with reavers.”

“You know we’ve been bond-building since you washed ashore.”

“Hey, being used to your scent and your softness and your voice … that’s too flimsy to count as a true bond.”

“Is that your way of demanding something truer?”

Sinder frowned. “You’re the one who asked for a bond.”

“Then we both want the same thing. How fortunate.”

Didthey want the same thing? Sinder had doubts. “Look, I’m not some kind of … acquisition. You can’t expect me to follow orders or betray secrets or help you take over the world.”

The cat solemnly promised, “If a takeover seems imminent, I’ll make certain you think the whole thing was your idea.”

Sinder swore softly.

Fend’s kiss was softer still. “Relent.”

“I’m not being stubborn. Ido want peace with you. And to trust you.”

“Such humble ambitions, wanting what you already have.”

Sinder drooped anew. “Then what is this about?”

“Alliance. I’ve been saying so from the start. An unassailable alliance—brains, brawn, and beauty.”

Fend’s purr was a soothing rumble, and Sinder pondered alliances and allegiances and applicable instincts. “So … all you want from me is cooperation?”

“No. I expect more from a person of your abilities.”

Sinder was almost afraid to ask, but this was important. “You’re expecting something? From me, I mean?”

“So much.”

“Like what?”

“I expect you to sway me.”

Sinder shook his head. “Kith are immune to dragon sway. Kith-kin, too.”

“Yet with one word, you could forge bond as intimate as the one you share with Timur.”

“What … you want me to say please?”

Fend nuzzled close and whispered in Sinder’s ear. “Reward my attainment. Choose a new name for me, and I will be yours.”