Zephyr chuckled, then pulled back, wiping at his face. "Yeah, I know," he mumbled, and I remembered he'd said his familiar could talk to him. It was just another example of how powerful he was.
Zephyr stood up, then walked back to me, Rei at his heels. She gave me a considering look when they reached me, and I smiled at her.
"Hello, Rei. It's nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."
She narrowed her eyes, but if she replied, I couldn't hear it, obviously. I turned to Zephyr, who still looked a little shell-shocked, and took both his hands in mine.
"Zephyr?"
He blinked, then met my gaze. He shook his head, then gave me a smile I'd never seen before. It was wide and bright and carried none of the weight he usually did. "Keoni, meet Rei, my familiar. Rei, this is my mate, Keoni."
Hearing Zephyr call me his mate made me smile, especially when I realized this was the first time he'd said it.
I was glad she was back in Zephyr's life. It was clear he'd never thought that could happen, and neither had I. Maybe if I'dlooked at the stars in the last week, I'd have had a clue, but I'd either been too busy, too tired, or too distracted. I supposed it was better as a surprise anyway.
"Rei says she saw us the last time we were here, but we'd been leaving, and she couldn't follow us through the streets, so she stayed back and hoped we'd come back," Zephyr relayed, and I frowned.
"I'm sorry you had to wait that long," I murmured, and Rei eyed me for a moment before turning to Zephyr. They communicated with each other for a while, and I figured it might be best if we headed home. They had a lot of catching up to do after all.
"We should head home," I said, hoping I wasn't interrupting their conversation, and Zephyr turned to me. His hands were still clutched in mine, and his fingers twitched.
"Sorry," he murmured, making me frown.
"What for?"
"Cutting our date short."
I rolled my eyes as I pressed kisses to the backs of his hands before pulling away and rolling back so he could stand up. "You have a good reason, and I don't mind. Come on."
Because walking through the busy streets with a raccoon would draw too much attention, Zephyr made a portal in the first alley we passed and took us straight to the Sanctuary.
We arrived just inside the front door, and I quickly got rid of the wheelchair, enjoying the wide-eyed look Rei gave me.
"I'll see you guys later. I'm gonna go get my daily dose of the little ones." I popped up to press a soft kiss on Zephyr's lips before leaving him and Rei to talk.
While today's date hadn't ended the way I'd hoped it would—in Zephyr's bed, with his cock in my mouth or hands—I didn't mind. I knew how much the loss of his familiar still haunted Zephyr, and I couldn't imagine how happy he was to have herback. How could I be disappointed about something that meant so much to him?
Zephyr
Touya wasn't in his office, so I led Rei past his desk, through my office, and into my bedroom so we could talk.
Your magic is everywhere. Is this a pocket dimension?
"Yeah," I answered out loud as I settled on my bed. She climbed up and settled in front of me, and I finally took a good, long look at her. Other than her white markings, she looked just like any other raccoon, and nothing like the big black dog she'd been.
I'd never imagined I could get her back, never thought it was possible.
"How... how are you here, Rei?"
Rei shrugged, her dark eyes sparkling.I don't know. I guess you could say I was reborn? It happened a bunch of times, but I couldn't find you until now.
"A bunch of times? You mean you've been reborn before?"
I was a hawk once. That was cool. Another time, I was a rat, which sucked. This form isn't my favorite, but it's a lot better than some of the others. And look, I have hands.
Rei wiggled her fingers, and I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in ages, maybe since I was a teen.
"How did you find me?"
