Rakel smiled. “Welcome to Verglas, Layrn.” She watched the huntress follow Halvor around the lake and return to the palace.I am so proud of Verglas and how it has changed.Indeed, though most liked to credit her, much of the attitude change had set in while she was unconscious after defeating Tenebris.
Steinar, crouching down next to the ilumen again, interrupted her thoughts. “Isn’t this wonderful, Rakel? We have another matched set.” He stroked Senay, who bore it with a patient sigh.
Rakel, beginning to wish the dogs had swapped choices, brushed white fur off her dress. “Yes. Wonderful.” She looked doubtfully down at Koray, who tilted his head and panted happily. “What am I supposed to do with him?”
Steinar frowned slightly. “Do? What do you mean? He’s a pet.”
“Yes,” Rakel said. “But Frigid is my pet as well, and the stables care for him.”
“Ah, yes.” Steinar stood up again. “Dogs are a bit more of a personal pet. They’ll be free to roam the palace with us, and I will see to it that the servants know they are to be fed and watered.”
“So he just…exists?” Rakel peered down at the dog, who leaned into her with a happy smile.
“He’s like a built-in companion who follows you everywhere,” Steinar said.
Rakel already had one of those in the form of Phile, but she didn’t want to seem ungrateful, so she patted Koray’s head.I’ll just have to adjust to him. He seems…nice.
The dog licked her hand, his massive tongue swiping her palm.
Rakel stared at her moist hand.
Farrin chuckled with his velvet voice and kissed Rakel on the cheek, barely missing her lips. “Just try it. He’s a mystical creature. I do not think you will find his presence irksome.”
“I don’t find him irksome or irritating. It’s just…I don’t know what to do with him. He’s very different from Frigid.” Rakel dipped her hand in the icy cold lake, rinsing spit from her fingers.
“He’ll be good for you,” Steinar said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, as much as I regret it, I must return to my work. Senay, be good, and stay with Rakel, will you?”
He honestly expects her to understand him?
To Rakel’s surprise, the blue-eyed lupine stood up, but she did not follow Steinar as he strode across the lake shore. Instead, she joined Koray in staring up at her.
Oskar tilted his head. “Laryn didn’t mention it, but do you think these dogs would attack if someone threatened them?”
Farrin ran a hand through his black tea-colored hair. “I would imagine so.”
Oskar smiled. “Brilliant! I love them already.”
Rakel shook her head slightly. “Oskar, would you help me explain their presence to the servants?”
“Of course, Princess, but Steinar said he would inform them.”
Rakel started for the palace. “Yes, but he has a country to run, and I would rather introduce them sooner as opposed to later.” She glanced over her shoulder when she felt both of the dogs trail after her.Yes, this will take some getting used to.
After dinner that evening,Rakel gathered with Steinar, Oskar, Farrin, Phile, and Halvor in the royal library. Officially it was to discuss current events and goings-on of other countries, but it had turned into something of a canine-adoration-event.
“They are handsome dogs.” Phile crouched in front of Koray and sank her hands into his soft fur. He illustrated his approval with a wildly thumping tail. “Koray looks especially wolfish.”
“It is a little at odds with his goofy temperament,” Steinar said.
“Maybe, but it’s perfect given that Little Wolf is his owner. He’ll suit you just fine.” Phile nodded in satisfaction. “Andhe’ll keep you relaxed and laughing when I can’t be around to entertain you. Farrin certainly won’t be able to.”
Farrin raised an eyebrow at the Robber Maiden.
“What?” Phile shrugged. “It’s true. You’re wonderfully handsome and as smooth as ice, but by a king’s eyebrows, you and Rakel are as fun as paste if you’re left to your own devices.”
Rakel ignored her friend and instead shifted in her chair and took a sip of her mint tea. Farrin, who stood behind Rakel, skated his hand across her shoulders in a caress.
Halvor cleared his throat. “If we are done admiring the dogs, may I begin our session?”
