Page 11 of Veil of Shadows

“Is tea your answer to everything?” I muttered.

A bouquet of two dozen yellow roses materialized beside the tea. I snorted. “You’re not very original.”

A hum of magic pulsed on the walls, and then a fluffy kitten appeared at my feet.

I melted when the tiny creature gave out several mewls. “A live creature? You summoned an actuallive creatureto soothe my anxiety?” Scooping it up, I cradled it in my lap.

A knock came on my door, and my spine straightened, my heart beginning to thump.

The door opened and closed, and then Jax appeared by the arched entryway.

I sagged back against the sofa. “Oh, it’s only you.”

Some of the pounding in my heart slowed, yet Saramel’s words still swirled through my mind. Just hours ago, when Jax had stated I was to remain a prisoner here, I’d hated him. But now I knew about Bastian...

I pet the kitten more and nibbled on my lip. I had no idea how I felt anymore.

“I saw your light on under your door,” he said hesitantly and took another step into the living area. Stopping, he frowned, then eyed the kitten. “Where did you get a kitten?”

“The enchantment gave him to me, but I have no idea from where.”

“Ah, probably from the domal stables. The stable cat gave birth last month.” He walked slowly toward me, his handsstuffed in his pockets. He still wore the same slacks and sweater as he had earlier. Even though it was the early hours of the morning, he obviously hadn’t retired for the night either. “Since your light was on, I figured you also couldn’t sleep?”

I sighed. “No.”

He sat down on the couch beside me, and all I could do was stare at him. According to Saramel, he’d been pacing in the library because of me. He was that concerned about my fate.

But that wasn’t the only reason I stared. It was still startling to see him undisguised and in normal clothes.

I quickly reverted my attention to the kitten and pet it more. Loud purrs emitted from its throat. “I thought you’d be in Faewood by now, searching for that half-breed.”

“I thought I would be too, but such impromptu trips need to be explained, which means I can’t leave until tomorrow.”

“I see.” I swallowed the thickness in my throat. I knew he planned to leave me behind until he could figure out what to do with me. But I couldn’t help but wonder what waiting to leave for Faewood was doing to him. It’d been nearly four days since his calling.

“Did Saramel come to see you?” Jax interlocked his fingers, drawing my attention to his strong hands.

“She did.”

He glanced at the coffee table, now devoid of the supper Saramel and I had shared. A heavy frown snagged his eyebrows together. “Did you not eat again?”

I dipped my chin and dropped a few kisses on the small kitten’s head. “I did. Not a full meal, but I had some.”

A low, discontented sound came from him. “You need to eat, Elowen. It’s not good that you spend so many days not eating.”

I started at the worry and protectiveness in his tone. Once again, it seemedgenuine.

Slowly, he inched along the sofa until he sat closer to me, then reached across the distance and scratched under the kitten’s jaw. The feline closed its eyes and purred even more. “They usually like that spot.”

The kitten turned over in my arms, tilting its head up to give Jax better access. I couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, he does seem to like that.”

“I’m going to have to return him to the stables soon. He still needs his mother’s milk.”

I cuddled the bundle of fur closer to me, my heart rate calming even more as the kitten’s purrs continued. “How do you know it’s a boy?”

“Because the stable cat’s most recent litter was all boys. This little guy has three male siblings.” His eyes dimmed slightly, and for the briefest moment, I wondered if he was thinking of his own brother.

I ran my fingers through the kitten’s soft fur, and with a start, realized it was the first time I’d been in Jax’s company since arriving here when anxiety over my future wasn’t claiming me. It seemed the enchantment had gotten it right after all by delivering a kitten.

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