“Morning kitten,” Artemis smiled as Elias opened his eyes.
The neko yawned, drawing the blanket up to his neck as he rolled over.
“Aw, you’re not ready to wake up?”
A tiny voice said, “No,” and Artemis’ smile grew wider. Elias had made so much progress in the month since he had started therapy. He still refused to talk to anyone other than Artemis, but he at least seemed a lot more comfortable talking around the tiger.
“Fine, but I’m getting into bed with you then.”
Elias grumbled as Artemis crawled under the blanket, their bodies pressing together. The neko rolled over again, his mouth suddenly inches from the tiger’s
Artemis froze, unblinking. Despite Elias’ progress, he wasn’t sure the neko was ready for this kind of closeness. But when Elias’ lips pressed against his gently, the tiger sighed quietly, returning the kiss.
Elias backed off slightly, ears flicking uncertainly. Rather than asking if he was okay, Artemis leaned forward, kissing the neko again, taking the risk of Elias pulling back again. He was relieved when the neko pressed into the kiss.
“I love you Elias,” Artemis murmured.
Elias’ ears flickered, the neko dipping his chin into his chest. Artemis didn’t push the cat, crawling out of the blanket.
“Would you like some breakfast?” he asked, adjusting his groin as the neko still gazed down.
Elias nodded and Artemis turned toward the door.
“Artemis?”
It was so quiet he almost missed it. Facing the neko again, Artemis waited to see if he was just hearing things.
“I love you too,” Elias whispered nervously.
The two walked into Scholar Aegle’s office together, the Egaro smiling brightly at them. She turned back to the tigeress she was speaking with as Artemis and Elias took a seat.
“I’ll see you tonight. Make sure the fish is fresh,” she said, kissing the tigress on the cheek.
“Isn’t it always?”
“Go on you,” Aegle chuckled, turning toward Artemis and Elias. “It’s wonderful to see you as always Elias. Why don’t we step inside my office?”
The neko followed the scholar into the office, pausing at the door to look back at Artemis. The tiger smiled encouragingly at him, and Elias’ lips turned up in the slightest of smiles.
He stepped into the office behind Aegle, closing the door gently.
“So, we have some things to talk about, don’t we?” Aegle smiled, gesturing for Elias to sit.
Sitting in her own chair, the tiger studied Elias.
“Did something happen between you and Artemis?” she asked.
YOU ARE READING
The Neko's Tail (Book 2 of Astara)
Science FictionElias has gone missing from the pack of werewolves that took him in. While they believe him dead, the truth is far more startling. Elias has been kidnapped by an alien. Lost in a strange reality, the neko must learn who he can trust. He must grow if...
