Zul shook his head. “I am keeping you and your mama safe.”
The child frowned, trying to understand why efforts to keep him and his mother safe would anger her. Drawing himself up to his less than intimidating height even seated on the hoverwagon, he demanded, “Explain.”
Zul chuckled, seeing the commanding nature of a golden warrior breed in the youngling. Bran would have to work hard to keep the boy from becoming a bully, as none understood the nature of a high caste warrior breed better than another, just as none understood the challenges of a berserker better than another.
“You’re a bit young to impose your will uponme, Crow,” he chided gently.
The youngling frowned at being thwarted and ducked his head. He pursed his lips, then looked at the third of his patriarchal triad. “Some day you will obey me.”
Zul shrugged. “By the time you are strong enough to control one such as I, you will be ready to form your own warrior triad.”
So, that’s what it is: Bran controls you, so you feel it necessary to control me.
The icy blast of her words in his mind surprised him. However, he mustered calm and replied,Do you think me so petty?
She responded with frosty silence which he interpreted as yes, she did think him so petty. Her poor opinion made his gut clench and the natural sway of his tail as he walked turned into a tight wringing motion, the only outward sign of his unsettled emotion.
Nervous clicking sounds came from the castratus sitting in the back of the hoverwagon with the new inventory.
When they reached Ursula’s shop, Zul helped the castrati unload what little cargo there was, carefully setting down the crates so his mate could place each new piece where she thought it would be best displayed. He’d quickly learned to allow her this menial labor, as it gave her satisfaction and did no harm.
After each crate was emptied and removed from the floor back to the hoverwagon by the castrati, Zul took his usual position in a corner where he had visual command over all the storefront and a good bit into the back room. No sooner had he seated himself when Addilli entered, accompanied by Master Gallik and two castrati.
“Good morning, Master Crow,” the male greeted the youngling with a bow of respect.
Crow smiled and bowed. “Good morning, Master Gallik. Have you come to see Mama?” Guileless, the child took a step forward, leaned closer to the familiar male, and whispered, “Mama’smad.”
Ursula rolled her eyes as Addilli giggled.
“Prima,” the male began, his stiff voice exhibiting discomfort in addressing another female, “we are hoping our order is ready.”
“Of course,” Ursula replied with a tight smile.
Addilli correctly interpreted the other female’s expression and attempted to ameliorate Ursula’s visible ire. “Sifgul is eagerto receive the new plates and bowls. He says the beauty of your wares makes our food taste even better.”
Ursula blinked in surprise, her ill humor evaporating. “Really? He said that?”
Addilli tilted her head and smiled. “Have I ever lied to you?”
Ursula sighed and wiped away a sudden tear that sprang to her eye. “Oh, Addilli, you are a treasure. That compliment was just what I needed.”
Addilli patted her arm and looked at her mate. Gallik gave her a nod of approval.
Ursula gestured toward the back room and said, “There are four boxes marked with your name, Mr. Gallik. Everything you ordered is in there, but please be sure to reconcile your records with the content to make sure.”
The restaurateur bowed and replied, “I am certain you are correct, Prima. It is an honor to do business with you.”
With a flick of his fingers, he signaled his castrati to fetch the boxes.
Addilli’s eyes flickered toward Zul who sat silent and watchful. Alluding to the berserker’s consistent presence when Ursula’s males generally rotated their guarding, she asked, “Have Prime Bran and Second Gil been deployed again?”
Ursula’s lips pressed together in a thin line as she took a second to ponder her answer. After that brief hesitation, she replied, “Yes.”
And that,elska’adir, is why I keep you ignorant. You are a less than convincing liar.
Lying isn’t honorable, she flung back at him.
But sometimes it is prudent.
