The Neko's Tail (Book 2 of Astara)

Looking for Home

"A new ship...?" Artemis echoed weakly.

He leaned back in his chair, head spinning. This was not the reward he had been expecting. Not that he had been expecting any reward at all.

"Yes. I want to make sure my kit is safe out in space," Ceirel smiled.

"This is.... This...."

"This is a great gift Mara," Reinard cut in, smiling. "Thank you."

"You told Reinard we needed a new ship," Elias hiccoughed.

Artemis felt the neko's hand brush his thigh and his tail flicked uneasily.

'You have horrible timing kitten...'

"My ship is about ten years old," he explained, trying to ignore Elias' touch. "It's still in good condition. The only problem is it's a little small for three people."

"From what I saw it's a very nice ship," Reinard said before yawning.

Ceirel looked at the Faro, a mortified expression on his face.

"Didn't you sleep?" he demanded.

Reinard stared down at his plate guiltily.

"Sweet Golaski..."

Elias copied Reinard's yawn, his head dipping.

"I think Elias and I should get going anyway," Artemis said. "He seems pretty tired himself."

"We have a guest room set up. You're welcome to use it instead of making the trip all the way back to the port," Reinard said, stifling another yawn.

"We don't want to intrude..."

"Oh, it's no intrusion at all," Ceirel smiled.

"Not at all," Neistar agreed. "I want to get to know the two who are going to travel with my ardai."

Elias rolled on the bed, his head spinning. He was so tired, but at the same time he had never felt more awake.

"A new ship..." Artemis muttered, sitting on the bed.

His tail flicked back and forth on the bed and Elias tracked its motion. Swatting the tiger's tail, the neko giggled.

"Really?" Artemis smirked at him.

The tiger leaped at the neko, pinning him to the bed. Elias let out a squeak as Artemis' hands began tickling his arms. Pulling himself away from the tiger, he grinned at Artemis, breathing heavily.

"I love your smile," the tiger said, staring at him.

The neko's grin faltered.

"You still want me?" he asked, his bracelet repeating the words.

He hated that thing...

"Yes," Artemis said immediately. "But you like Reinard. I know you do."

"But... But I like you too," Elias said quietly.

He tugged the chip out of his bracelet, setting it on a table with a sigh.

Artemis smiled at him.

"You like both of us?"

The neko nodded. Artemis wrapped his arms around him, nuzzling Elias' neck.

"It's perfectly okay for you to like us both," he said.

Artemis' lips pressed into Elias' forehead.

"Let's get some sleep kitten," he smiled.