Page 91

Jade relaxed one muscle at a time.

"Hello."

It sneezed.

She laughed.

The sound escaped before she could make it smaller. It filled the grotto, startling one of the kits into the water and making the other two whip around toward her. Jade pressed her lips together, but the damage had been done.

The smallest climbed higher.

"No. Absolutely not."

It reached her knee.

"I don't have food."

It nosed at the pocket on her thigh.

"That contains a knife."

I rose and walked toward her.

"Do not encourage them."

I lowered my head beside the kit. It touched its nose to mine, then placed one wet paw between my eyes.

Jade laughed again.

I closed my eyes.

The paw remained there.

"You look very dignified."

I opened one eye.

I moved my head just enough to unbalance the kit. It slid down my muzzle, caught one rounded ear against my brow and scrambled onto my neck instead. Tiny claws found purchase between the scales along my shoulder. They didn't hurt, but the determined climbing pulled at my fur.

The other two joined it.

Jade shifted back on the stone as three Kelvarin kits attempted to occupy the same space between my shoulders. "I think they've mistaken you for something climbable."

I turned toward the pool.

Her eyes widened. "Halver."

I walked into the water.

The kits held on until it reached my chest, then launched away in three different directions. One surfaced beside Jade's stone, shook itself and sent a sheet of water over her.

She stared at it.

The kit chirruped.

"I healed you."

It slapped both front paws against the surface.