Haven 4 AVOW - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,59

nose. Kitty’s face wrinkled up as he pulled his head back and regarded the tiny person in front of him. Then he lifted a huge paw and tapped the boy on the nose so hard the boy fell over backward. Then Kitty walked over to the boy and leaned his huge head down to press his nose to the boy’s. The boy laughed and reached out taking hold of Kitty’s ears, and Kitty licked a huge swath of wetness up the side of the boy’s face.

“He likes me!” the boy yelled.

“Kitty! Get off the child!” Vivian ordered.

“It’s okay. I like him! Can I have him?!” the boy asked.

“No, I’m afraid he’s staying right here with me. He thinks I’m his Mommy,” Vivian answered, pulling Kitty back so the boy could get to his feet.

“He’s big,” the older boy commented.

“Yes, he is,” Vivian agreed.

“I’m so sorry, Sirena. They didn’t know he was your pet,” Au'revele said.

“Nothing to apologize for. I'm going to let you and your charges play, and I’m going to get something to drink, and get cleaned up.”

Zahn’s chest rumbled again, and Vivian threw him a glance. “And maybe switch out a guard or two,” she added.

“I need to go as well. I need to get some supplies to restock my galley, and I have a brunch date with Mee'ta and Ph’eel, then I have an appointment later in the day,” Synclare said.

Au'revele’s face reflected immediate fear.

“What’s wrong?” Synclare asked.

“If they knew I’d spoken to…” she began, but stopped short of finishing her sentence.

“No worries, Au'revele. I spoke to you first and you had to answer me. And for the record I find it pretty damned sad that they even control who you can and can’t speak to,” Vivian said.

“They even have to give Ko'San and Lau'San permission to speak. It’s not a lifestyle I care to be a part of,” Synclare admitted. “I’m so thankful that Lo'San chose to live his life here rather than there.”

“Control happy much?” Vivian asked, strolling toward the exit doors, with Synclare at her side.

Vivian threw a glance over her shoulder and found Rel right behind them, and Zahn following along as well, but his attention was back on Au'revele as she chased the two little boys that were her responsibility.

“Zahn and Au'revele?” Vivian mouthed, her eyes wide.

Synclare raised her eyebrows and gave a can-you-believe-it expression. “Girl… do you see the resistance to what is obvious to everyone else?” she asked.

“He’s the most stubborn I think I’ve encountered yet,” Vivian answered.

“He’s obviously obsessed with her,” Synclare said.

“He has made it painfully clear each time one of his warrior brothers has found their Ehlealah, that a female of any kind, Ehlealah or not, is not something he’s interested in even considering,” Vivian said.

“Hmpf, you know that saying… The bigger they are the harder they fall? I think he’s going to fall harder than all the rest,” Synclare said with a chuckle.

Chapter 16

Synclare smiled as she took the seat between Ph’eel and Mee'ta that Mee'ta indicated.

“Tell me, bond-daughter, how has your day been?” Mee'ta asked.

“Very good,” Synclare answered.

“This is good. It is important to go to your treatment with a complete lack of stress,” Mee'ta said.

Synclare nodded politely. “I try. As stress free as I can be.”

“Why does it cause you stress? I understand it is a simple procedure,” Mee'ta said

“Mother ‘San, if you recall, Sink Lar stated that the treatments make her ill and cause her a great amount of pain. Surely it is difficult to proceed knowing these will be the results each and every time,” Ph’eel said.

“Oh, of course. Forgive my inattentiveness. How may I help, I wish to be of comfort to you, my bond-daughter.”

“It’s not necessary. Lo'San always puts me in bed and gives me the pain medication that Doc prescribes. He sits with me until I fall asleep before going back to work. It’s about all that can be done,” Synclare said.

“I know! I shall tell Lo'San that we’ll stay with you while he works and you struggle through the suffering that will no doubt come,” Mee'ta said.

“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Synclare said.

“But it is! I would do the same for Ph’eel, just as I would my own daughter had I had one. You two are the daughters of my heart now. You understand how much it means to me, I’m sure,” Mee'ta said, clasping her hands to her heart and forcing a sheen to her eyes that enforced her impassioned plea.

“I don’t want you to go to any