If Ellery doubted that the other lions in the pride would accept his relationship with Kefir so easily, then he couldn’t bring himself to be too concerned with that.The only one who seemed capable of making a significant amount of trouble for Kefir was Arslan, and the leader of the pride seemed to accept how things stood.
The rest of the world dealt with, Ellery turned his attention back to his kitten.
Kefir blinked open his eyes and looked up at him.He made no attempt to move until Ellery pulled slowly away from him.Even then, Kefir waited patiently until Ellery had dispensed with his condom and was ready to move back to his chair.
A nod was all Kefir needed to have him wriggling around and levering himself up onto his knees, his hands still neatly kept behind his back.
The boy never once looked toward anyone else in the room.Ellery could almost believe that there wasn’t anyone else in the world as far as Kefir was concerned.His thoughts were all on his master.
Leaning into Ellery’s body, Kefir lapped at his skin as he rubbed his forehead against Ellery’s stomach.A tug on his collar brought him easily up onto the seat.
He let out a contented little murmur as he settled himself on Ellery’s lap and snuggled against him, obviously not in the least doubtful of his welcome there.
Shaking his head slightly, Ellery found himself disinclined to put any uncertainties in his head.It felt odd, after so many years spent on a leather scene where subs tended to find him intimidating.But Ellery liked the purity of the trust Kefir had in him far too much to want to damage it.
He slowly ran his fingers over Kefir’s skin as they rested together, enjoying the way his touch made the little lion snuggle in all the closer to him.He really was a kitten at heart.
As Kefir’s eyes drifted closed, and Ellery’s attention turned to the room around them, he couldn’t help but wonder what Kefir would think of some of the other places he’d taken his subs to over the years.
While his eyes roamed over the other lions, Ellery found himself impatient to find out just how Kefir would handle being the only lion in a room full of humans.It was one thing to make sure the boy knew that his master respected the world he came from, but maybe it was well past time Ellery took Kefir on a field trip into his own domain.A little time away from the pride would do them both good.
It would also do Arslan a world of good to realise he couldn’t play dictator to another man’s sub, too—leadership of a pride be damned.
Kefir chose that moment to purr, as if he sensed his master’s plan and agreed with it wholeheartedly.
Ellery nodded to himself.Decision made.
Chapter Eleven
“Kefir, if you want to go through the rest of the questions you have about Cameron after dinner,” Arslan began.“Then—”
“Kefir and I are going out after dinner,” Ellery cut in, before Arslan’s plans could build up any momentum.
As the room fell silent, Ellery met Arslan’s gaze along the dining table.
He could feel Ryland’s attention moving back and forth between him and Arslan as he tried to work out which way the conversation might go.Kefir’s focus was also noticeable—but it was all on his master.
Arslan raised an eyebrow.“You didn’t mention you had plans.”
“I’m mentioning them now.”
Arslan took a sip of his wine and set his glass back on the table.There was no similar glass of wine in front of Ellery or Kefir that night.Ellery had seen to that.
Arslan looked at each of his guests in turn.Unless Ellery’s read on him was very wrong, Arslan’s interest in Kefir was more paternal than anything.He cared for the little kitten; he looked out for him.And that was all well and good—providing he didn’t get carried away and start thinking he owned any part of him.
Ellery leaned back in his seat.The tension in the room doubled over and over again.Ryland and Kefir were both starting to get nervous as it swirled around them.Ryland was starting to fidget, but, if anything, Kefir only became more still.
“Do you believe Kefir needs your permission to leave the house?”Ellery asked, his tone as polite as he could make it.
Arslan glanced towards Kefir, and Ellery followed his gaze.Kefir tilted his head slightly to one side, apparently quite curious about the answer, too.
“No,” Arslan said slowly.“Kefir’s free to come and go as he pleases.He’s aware of the traditions feline courtships follow, and how important they are.He won’t forget them.”
Kefir nodded, as serious as ever.
“I trust his decisions.”Arslan turned his attention back to Ellery.Can I trust yours?He didn’t say the words out loud.He didn’t need to.Ellery still heard every syllable very clearly.
He considered his own words scrupulously in return.Perhaps a man who seemed to genuinely care about Kefir deserved to receive some sort of conciliatory gesture.“We shouldn’t disturb you too much when we return.Our plans won’t run late.”
