“All right.”
Vashana laid down across my feet.
Looking at her, Rian asked, “So, how did you get her?”
“I met a dog breeder on the street, and he was so impressed with my interaction with his dog that he gave me a token.”
“A token?”
“Yes, evidently Ricarri dog breeders hand them out as invitations to purchase a vanrussa. I used it to gain entry to his breeding facility today. His employee was pretty shocked.” I chuckled. “And then I found Vashana. She and I just . . . we looked at each and knew. Furn said—”
“Who's Furn?” Rian growled. Then he cleared his throat. “Sorry.” He calmed his tone to try again, “Who is Furn?”
“He's the Ricarri dog breeder I met,” I said. “Well done for catching yourself.”
“Thank you.” He slid an arm around my shoulders. “So, what did he say?”
“He said . . .” I trailed off as I remembered our full conversation and how I'd replied that Rontor had left a piece of himself with me. Nope, couldn't mention that.
“Yes?” Rian prompted.
“He said he'd never seen someone choose a dog instinctively as I did, that only Ricarri do that.”
“Interesting,” Rian murmured.
“Can you handle me speaking about Ron—”
His face twitched before I finished the name. So, I didn't finish it, just left it hanging.
After a few tense seconds, he said, “Go on. I'm all right.”
“Let's just refer to him as my ex,” I said. “He had a vanrussa, and I came to care deeply for her. I've been saving up to accept Furn's invitation.”
“Saving up? I didn't realize you were in need.”
“I'm not. I came to Vagasof as a wealthy man, but the move cost me, then I purchased an entire building so I could live above my shop, and then I had to buy parts for my inventions. It has depleted my savings, but with the shop doing so well, I knew it would only be a matter of time before I felt secure enough to take on the responsibility of a companion.” I stroked Vashana. “And then you sent payment for the crispers, and that took me to my goal. I delivered them today, by the way. The crispers.”
“Oh? I was wondering when you'd send them.”
“I was holding them hostage, to tell the truth.”
“Hostage?”
“Yes. I expected you to come collect them.” I made a face. “But you didn't. That's when I began to really worry.”
Rian sighed. “I'm sorry I've been gone so long. I should have sent another message. I would have asked you to come to the castle, but after your initial reaction to being here, I knew that wasn't possible.”
“What's going on? What's so terrible that it's taken you away from me?”
“Nothing has or ever will take me away from you,” Rian said firmly.
I ignored the leap in my heart at his words. Rian was good with words. Most kings were. But where was the value in words? I couldn't hold words, couldn't look at them. Words wouldn't warm me when Rian slept here, and I slept in my apartment. Or maybe they could, but not in the way I wanted. And they were easy enough to betray.
“Rian, tell me,” I said.
“I think it's better if Geris tells you. I haven't seen it firsthand, and I'm sure you'll have questions.”
“Haven't seen what?”
