Chapter 36: THE FIRST BREAKFAST (2)
They walked to the gazebo in silence, as Arella admired the white flowers in the garden. Up close, they were even more beautiful. The petals glittered in the sunlight, which is what gave the whole garden that sense of being illuminated when someone watched it from afar.
Echo trailed behind them, his large form casting a shadow over the garden path. As they neared the table, the soft clink of silverware being set and the gentle murmur of servants filled the air. Velmoria, who had slipped away from them a few moments before, was directing the servants on the placement of the silverware and food.
The servants had finished by the time their king and queen stopped by the gazebo. Those who were not directly serving the royals gave a bow before leaving the garden. Those who were left stood quietly to the side, waiting for any instructions.
The king held Arellla’s seat out for her. "Thank you," she folded her wings tightly behind her back before taking the seat. Echo sat beside her, his glowing eyes scanning the surroundings. Arella reached down and gave his fur a soft, absent-minded ruffle as she settled herself in.
King Varziel looked down at the Shadow Hound as he himself took his seat. "You have a unique companion," he remarked. His tone was more observant than inquisitive. "I doubt I have seen any humans, let alone angles, manage to tame one. They are usually driven by their hunger for infernal energy, which makes them notoriously difficult to tame."
Arella glanced down at Echo. "Echo and I have an understanding, don’t we, boy? If he tries to eat me, I kill him." She stopped petting his head to pick up the teapot. She filled her tea cup with the warm tea. "It is really that simple. Some tea?" She raised the teapot, shaking it slightly in his direction.
King Varziel extended his own cup, thankful that the table was not too wide, giving her the chance to fill it. His lips were quirked in amusement.
"Velmoria asked me the same thing." She deftly filled his cup. "But all I can tell you for certain is that he and I have been through more together than I care to count." The Shadow Hound gave a soft rumble of agreement.
"I suspect he might have bonded with you, and perhaps that bond is the reason he is here now. Familiars don’t tend to show themselves to the outside world. Many live in the shadows of their masters." Arella watched intently as he took a sip of the tea, the subtle rise and fall of his Adam’s apple painfully tempting her to sink her teeth there.