“Good to know. I am just wondering how others can switch in between, and I am stuck.”
Syar smiled. “We won’t ask you to dance, but will you sing for us?”
“I don’t have a guitar.”
Reynaldo walked up and lifted a guitar. “Oh, look. Surprise.”
Moira sighed.
Syar grinned. “Oh, come on. For your king.”
“Wait, where are the babies?”
“With the nanny, getting ready for bed. We are going to stay out until eleven. You’ve been missed, Mimi.” Syar asked softly, “Why did you stay away so long?”
“I didn’t fit. My parents are both professionals, my brothers are in research, and I could barely get my accountancy. I can do it, but I really don’t like it.”
“What do you like?”
She turned and whispered in his ear.
He looked at her clothing. “Right. Well, you look comfortable, if not island standard. Can you make something up for Ven? I think she would look good in something black and gold.”
“Are you able to get drones?”
“No, but you can put it on the ferry, and it will get to her.”
“Fine. I will make her something and send you the image in case you want any changes.”
Syar grinned. “And sing. Sing to please the king.”
“Stop rhyming.”
“Eat and then sing something. Anything. That’s an order.”
She nodded. “Ven is going to get firmer control over you. You are getting bossy.”
He grinned. “I know. Having everything I want has been both calming and stimulating. I can hardly wait until Missus shows up and gives Ven more birds.”
“So, the royal family is being controlled by a giant kitty?”
There was a low rumble behind her, and she turned and looked at the feline who had emerged from the edge of the trees and grasses. Moira mimicked the sound the panther made, a kittenishbrrrrppp,and looked at her with a lashing tail.
Syar said calmly, “That is Missus. Do you want me to get Ven?”
“Nope. This is fine.” She crouched and spoke to the cat. “You are going to give Ven a year before you bring the birds again, right?”
Moira felt the want for kittens.
“I understand, but look at the city. Ven could fill the city over time. That would mean her children couldn’t breed. They would all have to leave to find mates. That would empty the island. Give her the year and then bring the birds.” She mentally went through the seasons on the island, and finally, the cat huffed and started cleaning her paws.
Syar said, “You can understand her?”
“Yeah, but the important part is that she understands me.”
Ven came over and looked at Missus and Moira. “Have a nice chat?”
“As long as you were serious about not having a child for at least a year.”
