The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 5: Therapy

Sabrina woke slowly, feeling as though she'd barely slept but savoring the luxury of Ford's embrace. She almost never woke before he did, and she smiled at the sight of his face, relaxed and peaceful in sleep as it rarely was when awake. She opened her end of the link to see if he was dreaming, but he was sleeping deeply.

The bed shifted, and Sabrina looked around, startled.

"Sorry," Marie said in a low voice. "I thought I'd get started on breakfast. I can't sleep anymore, and Tristan's been bugging me to feed him for half an hour now."

Sabrina saw that the cat was making rather frantic circles on the bed, emitting a plaintive mew every third step. "Mmm. A sleep-in catsitter. Nice."

Marie paused. "Who's going to feed him while we're both gone?"

"Oh. Oh dear. I hadn't planned to go, so I hadn't thought about it! And Scotty's not here either."

"Do you think Khediva would let us bring him?" Marie asked doubtfully.

"No," Ford said, blinking awake with a scowl. "Absolutely not!"

"But Ford, I can't just leave him here with nobody to take care of him. And the staff refuse to do it, and he bit Therenden last time—"

"You leave that to me," Ford said.

Sabrina sighed. "I warn you, if you start assigning care of my cat to your staff, you'll start losing them!"

"I have no intention of abusing my staff so outrageously. This is a family obligation. In your brother's absence, it devolves on your sister-in-law."

"Um, on Earth they usually discourage pregnant women from dealing with litter boxes. There's some kind of bacteria, I think, that can harm the fetus," Sabrina said. "Don't you dare endanger my nephew!"

Ford sighed. "She can assign some menial to deal with the litter box—that doesn't have to involve direct contact with the vicious little beast. There are usually some interns hanging around the Chief Attendant, and this is just the sort of chore to help sort the determined ones from the dabblers."

Marie giggled. "There are probably a lot of training programs that Tristan could help cull."

"True. Maybe the wretched animal could pay for his own keep," Ford agreed. "And sleep somewhere else!"

"Hey," Sabrina said, "he does earn his keep, by keeping me company! No hiring him out. And since it's your idea, you get to ask Aurora. I've got to pack. I suppose we'll be forced to meet the dean of your school, Marie? Do you know if there are any formal functions we'll have to show up for?"

"It's Lthos," Marie said over her shoulder, leaving the room with Tristan darting between her ankles.

"That's a yes," Ford said.

"I know that. I have been there, you know."

He grinned. "I know." Leaning forward, he gave her a brief kiss. "Good morning, sweetheart."

"Good morning. I like waking up with you," Sabrina responded. "Good idea, by the way—not giving Marie a chance to escape."

"I don't think she'll give us any more trouble," Ford said.

"Why? Did you brainwash her?" Sabrina teased, then sobered. "Ford, what did you do?"

"I was at my wits' end, all right? It just slipped out."

"Ford! What is it with you and telling your sister state secrets?"

"Me? You just let slip that Aurora's pregnant—I don't think that's supposed to be in general circulation yet either."