All of a sudden, he was heavier but far more lithe. Petur lifted his arm and inspected the damage in his otter form—a solid strip of hair was missing, and he was bleeding a bit, but he could handle that. He bounded over to the fountain, and after sniffing it suspiciously for signs that it had been used as a toilet and finding none, slid into the water.
Not the cleanest, but not bad. Petur paddled around for a bit, twisting and turning to help burn off the rest of his nervous energy before he finally surfaced and turned over onto his back. He scratched his stubby claws through the thick fur on his belly, then got distracted by the fact that he’d rearranged all the hair on his belly, and there was anorderto it, damn it. Now he had to smooth it out again. Once he got going, he couldn’t stop, though. He just needed a bit more grooming here, and then a bit more over here, and now it needed to mesh with this part over here just a little better, and then …
This was why he didn’t take his otter form as often as the others. It was too easy to get caught up in maintaining himself, and before he knew it, an entire day could get away from him, and he’d still be preening. Which Deyvid would say he could do in any form, but what did the love of his life know?
He is. He’s the love of my life. I know it, he knows it, my sister knows it. And she hates it.
A few children were watching him and giggling. Petur eyed them, contemplating whether he should change into a more defensible form, but then one of them tentatively held out a piece of dried squid, and … Well. That was certainly permissible.
He spent the next hour playing with the children, accepting treats and doing little tricks for them. Some of their parents came out to watch and make sure he was no danger, but a few bats of his big otter eyes were enough to soften them.
“Shifter Corps?” one of the older men asked. Petur nodded.
“Good on you,” he said. “Was a hound myself, back when the old king and queen ruled. Got a grandson I’m training up now, in case he wants to go for it too.”
That was nice. It was heartening to see families that had the ability, carrying it on from one generation to the next.
“You like working for the prince and his Harrier?” the old man went on.
Petur nodded briskly.
“I’ve heard good things, but I’ve also heard bad.”
What? Who was saying bad things about Deyvid? Petur would string them up by their toes.
“They say the prince is a wild thing, too clever and confident by half.”
Oh, they were saying bad things abouthim? That was acceptable. Petur did a little back-and-forth tilt of his head, trying to indicate that he didn’t have much of an opinion either way.
“You work with him?”
Petur nodded.
“Must be high ranking, then.” The man smiled. “Should I be saluting you, sir?”
Petur lifted himself up onto his hind paws and struck as close to a formal pose as he could. The old man burst out laughing and then, true to his word, gave him a salute. “Well, then! Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir. Glad that your route took you out our way today.”
“It would have been nice if you’d let the rest of us know,” a new voice said. The old man stiffened with alarm, but Petur turned and bounded over to where Deyvid was leaning against a wall, pleased as could be to have been hunted down by him.
I knew you’d look for me. You love me, adore me, you can’t live without me. Right? Right? You feel the same way, don’t you?He cavorted back and forth in front of his lover, and Deyvid laughed.
“Yes, you’re a very wild and free creature, aren’t you?” He glanced over at their company. “I hope this soldier hasn’t been disturbing you.”
“Not at all,” the old man said, his hackles slowly lowering. “He was good company, good to the children especially. Not sure why you sent him out so far, but we’ve enjoyed him.”
“He sent himself,” Deyvid replied wryly. “But I’m glad he behaved. However, it’s time to return to the barracks.” He looked down at Petur. “I’ve clothes if you’d like to shift back.”
Part of him wanted to, but more of him liked being exactly as he was. He shook his head, and Deyvid laughed again. “Have it your way. I brought Mara; she can take you like this.” Mara was the latest horse he was training up for Petur’s use, and part of that was getting her accustomed to being comfortable around him in all his forms. She could handle everything except the warrior, and Deyvid was confident he’d get her there. He brought Mara around, then placed Petur at the front of the saddle before getting up himself.
“Enjoy your evening, sir,” Deyvid said before turning Mara toward the palace.
“Aye, you two as well.”
Petur, tired after the day he’d had and comforted by the scent of his lover so close, closed his eyes and relaxed against the saddle horn. He fell asleep between one step and the next and didn’t even register they were back to the barracks until Deyvid was lifting him down but keeping a hold on him.
“The bath’s been refreshed for you,” he said quietly as he handed Mara’s reins off to someone else. That was unlike Deyvid; he usually preferred to tend to his horses on his own, as part of the bonding process. Something must be wrong. “I’ll take you there, all right?”
Oh, he thought something was wrong withPetur.That would explain it. Petur thought about shifting right then and there to remind Deyvid that he was always perfect, thank you very much, but … it felt like so much trouble at the moment. And his arm still hurt, and Deyvid’s embrace was strong and warm, and …
