The Monster's Caress - S.E. Smith Page 0,25

an encounter that did not go well with the alien creature I told you about,” he replied.

“Is she okay?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Tonya walked around the chair he was sitting in and sat down on the footrest in front of him. He gently stroked her cheek.

“I think so. I’m worried though. One bead has turned red and another is partially discolored,” he replied with a worried frown.

“Hey, don’t you have this really cool mirror that will take you to your heart’s desire?” she suggested, biting her lower lip and looking back at him with an expectant expression.

“Yes—and no. I told you that Nali thinks it is best that she handles this alone,” he responded in a disgruntled tone.

Tonya sat back and raised an eyebrow at him. “Since when has anyone ever stopped you from doing what you wanted to?” she dryly inquired.

A wave of pride and anticipation washed over him. The indecision and frustration that had been building inside him since Nali returned to her kingdom melted away. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss against Tonya’s lips.

“Nali’s going to be furious,” he murmured, pulling back and looking into her eyes.

“She loves you. She’ll get over it,” she reassured him with an encouraging smile and a little shrug.

“I love you. I don’t want you to—” he began.

Tonya pressed her fingers against his lips and leaned into him. “I love you, too. I’ll monitor things here. You never know what Dapier might decide to give away. Just… just promise me that you’ll be careful and come back to me safe and sound,” she whispered.

“Always,” he vowed.

Valley of the Manticores and Centaurs

“Pai,” Nali called out when she caught sight of the old hippogriff talking with a centaur.

Pai turned around, his sharp eyes scanning her before he responded. “Empress, it is good to see that you are still in one piece,” he said.

“You sound almost disappointed,” she dryly replied.

Pai snapped his beak and shook his head. “I’m surprised,” he retorted before his sharp eyes rested on Asahi and narrowed. “Who is this creature?”

Nali cast a sharp glare of warning at her old friend. “Pai, meet Asahi Tanaka,” she said with a wave of her hand at Asahi.

“Pai. I saw you in the forest. You helped the injured troll. I hope she is recovering,” Asahi said with a polite bow of his head.

“You saw—How could I miss him? I don’t miss anything!” Pai grumbled.

“If you remember, we were caring for Medjuline and dealing with an alien,” Nali reminded Pai.

Pai shook his head again and glared at Asahi. “I still should have seen him,” he grouchily muttered.

“Let us find some food. It has been a long day,” Nali said with a tired smile.

“If you would please follow me, Empress,” Reese said.

Nali nodded. She glanced at Asahi. Pai had skillfully inserted his immense body between his Empress and Asahi. From the amused expression in Asahi’s eyes, he knew exactly what her second-in-command was doing.

I am centuries old, and Pai STILL thinks I need a chaperone! she thought with wry humor.

“Where were you—in the forest—exactly?” Pai demanded.

Asahi looked at the strange creature. Pai’s eagle-eyes were focused on his face. The sharp beak showed signs of age with hairline cracks and small chips along the edges. The vibrant colors of his feathers on his cheeks were streaked with gray along the vanes.

“To the east of where you were standing, about twenty feet away, behind a tree surrounded by tall ferns. There was a dead tree lodged against it, allowing for plenty of cover from the air and the ground,” he replied.

Pai grunted. “Excellent choice. What did you see before we arrived?” the hippogriff continued.

“I came across the troll approximately five minutes before you arrived. She was agitated and muttering under her breath. I assumed that wasn’t typical behavior. She ran headfirst into a tree, knocking herself unconscious. I saw the alien emerge from her mouth. It is incredible that she survived,” he said.

“Why didn’t you come out when we arrived?” Pai suspiciously demanded.

Asahi stopped and looked at the hippogriff. “If you were in my position, would you have come out?” he asked.

The old guard snapped his beak and shook his head. “No, I would have remained hidden and observed what happened next,” he grudgingly admitted.

“Pai, if you’ve finished interrogating Asahi, we are going inside for a meal,” Nali said as she stood in the broad doorway of an extensive structure.

“I’ve eaten. The fishing is good in the river,” Pai commented. “I’ll do a flyover of