Chapter 33: Held and Howling
WINTER TERM - January 22nd (Continued)
I went back to my room after the talk with Blackclaw and stewed over it probably longer than I should have. While I was out Whisper had had another accident, so there was inevitable training, and then I had to take him out again for yet another pee run. Aisling doesn't have to put up with housebreaking her familiar, yet I do? Just more shit I hadn't expected... I'll manage.
I missed dinner. Hadn't meant to. But it was obvious when they all showed up at once after dinner, too many hands banging on the door at once.
"I want to see the puppy!" Aisling shouted through the door. She loved Whisper about as much as Aries did.
I grabbed Whisper. He was still small enough I could pick him up as a means of keeping him from making a break for the open door. "It's unlocked," I called back. "I've got the dog."
The door swung in.
"He's not a dog, Zeph. He's your familiar," Aisling said. She took him from me, a little too heavy in her arms, and kissed the top of his big square head. Whisper barked and tried as he might to lick her face.
"I don't know how you stand it," Noodle muttered. "He still reeks of hell." Noodle was already making himself at home on one of the arm chairs in my room, a good distance from Whisper.
"But Zeph washed him!" Aisling argued. They'd had this debate before. Noodle was technically right. Whisper had this strong undercurrent of sulfur when he first showed up that I mostly managed to scrub away, but my nose wasn't nearly as sensitive as his was. It didn't matter. I could let them bicker over him off to the side. Aries was trying to get my attention, crowding a little close. "You alright, dude? You missed dinner. Blackclaw wasn't that much of an ass, was he?"
"No," I said. What was I meant to say about all this? I was still reaching for the words when Aries pulled me into a kiss, open-mouthed and wanting. His tongue in my mouth, tasting like rosemary chicken. It bothered me less than it should, maybe I do love him. Even though choosing him feels like a choice I never actually made.
"Get a room," Aisling sniped. Her tone was just pointed enough to make Aries turn a little pink as he pulled away, all smiles.