Without much warning, he shoots toward me, his legs almost spring loaded.
“Marta!” Raf’ere shouts as he does.
But I can’t bother with him, when this sweet little bean is kissing my face with wild abandonment.
“With my eyes closed, I would think this thing is part pug!” I laugh, pulling the cutie off my face and sitting to cradle him to my chest. He’s covered in short, thick fur that reminds me so much of Bruno’s coat. I stroke my hand down his back, and he wiggles his shoulders in pleasure.
When I open my eyes, Raf’ere is standing over me. His brows are furrowed in concern, and he pulls the little creature off me.
“He’s so cute. Someone gaveyoua pet? You don’t strike me as the pet type…no offense.” I eye the duke, holding the creature under its armpits with straight arms.
“None taken, I’m not.”
“You’re not really going to get rid of it, are you? Also, what is it?”
“He’sa very desirable animal companion, apparently, a kahne’ah.”
“Aw, what a good boy!” I baby talk to the little blue lump.
“I certainly have no use for a pet—”
“Yeah, you’ve already got me, don't you?” I can’t stop the words from escaping my lips before I realized that I just called myselfthe duke’s pet…We both feel the weight of the implication of that title for a minute before he clears his throat and brings us back to the matter at hand.
“Would you want him?” the duke asks.
Do I want this absolutely adorable little alien pug to love?
“I mean sure, if you’re just going to get rid of him.” I try to play it cool, but I am already in love. The little guy is just so ugly, he’s cute. “I don’t know how to take care of him though…there’s nothing weird about alien pets, is there? I don’t have to feed him drops of my blood like inLittle Shop of Horrors, do I?”
I guess Audrey II is the closest thing I know to an alien pet.
“Goddess, no. Would you feed that thing your blood?” Raf’ere’s concern is only deepening at this point.
“I mean, probably not.” I pause, taking in the teeth sticking out of the little alien’s underbite. He squeals again when I reach to pet him. “I mean, not unless hereallyneeds it.”
My humor might be lost on Raf’ere, though.
“Are all humans as concerning as you are?”
“I think I’m just special,” I let the sarcasm drip off my tongue.
“I don’t think he’s especially hard to take care of. The occasional swim and regular feeding was all I was told. His belongings are being delivered later.”
“The occasional swim, huh?” I gulp.
“Oh, don’t let your human emotions get the better of you.” He passes me the kahne’ah. “In fact, we don’t even have to see the ocean to let him swim.”
“Oh really? How’s that going to work?”
“The chapel, I’ll show you shortly—just let me have a drink first,” Raf’ere drops into his favorite easy chair and hits a button on his data pad.
“So, he’s really mine?” I ask, waiting for my hopes to be crushed at any moment.
I could have a friend again. I don’t have to do this alone.
“I said you could, didn’t I?” His annoyance is palpable as he gives a curt reply to my repetitive questioning.
“Thank you Raf’ere!” Rushing to him in excitement, I move the water dog thing to my hip, like he’s some fat toddler. I kiss the side of the duke’s cheek.
