“Yes, it’s moving, although it doesn’t seem as vigorous.I don’t understand.It’s obvious Iseult has done something to you, but this has never happened before.Leo, are you still in pain?Grunt once for yes, twice for no.”
Leo let out three gruff barks.
Betrys wrinkled her nose.“What does that mean?”
Caspar chuckled, and Betrys shot him a glare.
“I think he means that it still hurts, but he’s more comfortable in feline form,” the irritating man said.
“Leo?”
Leo grunted.
“Okay then.I’d better tidy up before Leo’s brother arrives to take us back to the resort.”
“Have something to eat.”Caspar gestured toward the cold-box and the kitchen area.“My people will take care of cleaning up.”
“Thank you for letting us stay here,” Betrys said.“I’m thankful for you bringing my son on the dreamscape to visit and returning him safely to the mansion.”
“Lass, the pleasure is all mine.You can thank me by visiting again with your young man.”
Betrys shot Leo a quick look and saw him resting, his head relaxed on his front paws.“I don’t think Leo feels that way about me,” she said in a soft voice.“I think this is a casual thing between us.”
Leo lifted his head and grunted twice.
Caspar grinned in his annoying way.“Maybe the two of you should discuss the matter so you present a united front.”
Betrys stood beside Caspar and Leo and watched the shuttle land.A dark-haired man jumped out, and a tall, slender woman with short black hair leaped out behind him, landing lightly on her feet.He nodded in acknowledgement of her and Caspar then focused on Leo.
“Leo,” the man said and crouched beside his brother.“How are you doing?”
Betrys studied the new arrival and would have picked him as one of Leo’s siblings or a relation.They possessed identical black hair and bright-green eyes, and they both moved with the same lazy confidence.
“You must be Betrys,” the woman said.“I’m Casey, Felix’s mate.Hi, you must be Caspar.You’re looking very well.”
“Thanks to the Mitchells, all my friends and family are doing well,” Caspar said.
“Do you think you can help him?”Guilt was knocking Betrys over the head, and emotions swamped her without warning.She inhaled in an effort to regain her equilibrium.“This is my fault.”
Leo growled in two distinct sounds.
“It is, Leo.If I hadn’t approached you in the market…” Her shoulders rounded into a hunch.If it hadn’t been Leo, she would’ve signed another willing male.
“Assigning blame won’t help,” Felix said, straightening from his crouch.“Let’s load up and get back to the resort.Fingers crossed Scarlett has discovered information to help Leo.”
Leo struggled to his feet and padded onto the shuttle.Betrys glanced at her clenched hands and noticed she still wore the green robe she’d found by the sleep-bed.She let out a squawk.“Wait, I need to get dressed.”
Caspar bowed in her direction.“Wear it back to the resort, my dear.The robe will remain solid until you reach your room.”
Betrys’s eyes widened.“I think I might grab my own robe.”She ran back into the dwelling and let out a squeak of alarm when Caspar appeared in front of her.She glared at him until he turned his back, and only then did she scramble into her own garments.“Thank you.”
Caspar beamed.“My pleasure.”He paused, then frowned.“Take one of my knives for your protection.A strong and admirable woman should receive gifts.”He strode to the collection of weapons and selected a knife with a glowing ruby in the hilt.He pulled it from its leather sheath, studied the blade and replaced it.“Think of me whenever you use it.”
“I couldn’t.”
“A mere token of thanks,” Caspar said in a firm voice.
“Thanks.”She stuffed the jeweled dagger out of sight in her pocket.“It was very nice to meet you, even if you do poke your nose into other people’s private business.”
