He doesn’t even look at me.
My ears flatten against my head. How dare he not acknowledge me when I have just gone into battle for him? The humans call a third of meman’s best friend. Am I not his best friend? The one and only companion of the king?
Yes.
Yes, I am.
And he will thank me.
That human he’s been watching is not more important than me.
Leaping up toward the warmer water, I wriggle my tail to gain momentum. The suckers along the backs of my limbs pulse as I tuck my legs up against my chest, staying small to swim easily, using the fins along my back, stomach, and sides to steer.
A low growl starts in my chest. Ordus still isn’t looking at me. My eyes narrow on one of his floating arms. It sways and wiggles, threading through the water to keep him afloat. My jaw loosens, and I oh-so-carefully swim closer. Maybe he won’t notice if I take one little nibble?—
“Vasz,” he warns. “Think very carefully about whether you want to bite me right now.”
I snap my mouth and avert my gaze to the side. Nope, not looking at him. I wasn’t about to bite him. I don’t know what he’s talking about.
“We must catch crabs to keep in the den for my mate.”
I blanch, haunted by the memories.
“Snapper too.”
This, I approve. What was I here for?
Oh, yes. That’s right.
Untucking my arm, I show him the gaping wound on my paw pad. “I was injured in your name.”
Ordus leans forward, and I put on my brave face. I am a mighty warrior. Scars are a symbol of my prowess.
“Where?”
My ears fall, pointing down to the sea floor. Is he blind? I push my snout into the cut and almost die from the pain. “There.”
Ordus grabs my arm to take a closer look. His eyes narrow, and he tips his head to the side. “I don’t see it.”
The wound is half the size of one of those land ants and as thick as a strand of his hair. How can he not see it? That he would dismiss me after everything we’ve been through?—
Is that a coconut?
I snatch my arm and swim away.
Oh my.
Ohyes.
Look at her. She’s beautiful, themostbeautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I have never seen a coconut so amazing. It’s green with a patch of yellow the same shade as the skin around my eyes.
There’s a spot in my quarters where it would?—
Not a coconut.
Crab. Crab. Crab. Retreat.
Spinning around, I move my tail as quickly as I can, darting back to Ordus before the crab can wound me again. I’ve won one war today; I must heal before going into another.
