Page 93 of Kiss the Filthiest King

"Holy fuck!" Rain screams, pinned against the closest wall by my wave of magic.

I wince. "Sorry. I didn't mean…sorry."

I lower my palm; to my relief, she's able to move.

"Hey, no biggie. I know accidental magic," she assures me. "Just glad I'm shielded. That would have given a regular a nasty headache at the very least."

I look at my hand, empty of the colorful mist now, but still so dangerous. I'm lucky it was Rain and not Rachel. I have to add myself to the long list of dangers my sister may not survive. Loch and Ryther's argument she should leave is sound; but what would I have left if she does?

"I heard screaming."

"That would be," the witch says primly, "because this entered the bloody room!"

She's pointing an accusatory finger at my nixie licking her massive paws. From the smell alone, I can tell whatever she's cleaning off was alive not so long ago.

"Oh. That's my familiar."

The nixie's wings twitch, a sign of annoyance, I think.Yes, I have to put up with this inadequate, fangless, clawless creature for some reason.

"Your familiar? Your familiar is a bloody saber tooth panther vulture thing? You know what's anormalfamiliar? A bunny. A cat. A bloody goldfish! They're supposed to be beneficial energy."

"Well," I argue reasonably, "she's a cat.Sort of."

"Her fangs are the size of my head. She looks like she ate one of your subjects."

"Hopefully it was an annoying one."

Eying the cat doubtfully, Rain returns to the bed, half hiding behind me.

"She won't eat you. I think."

Again, the nixie stares at me.

I might.

Do not eat my friend.

I could. She looks tasty.

Please?

Pfft.

The cat resumes her paw licking.

"You really do communicate," Rain marvels.

"I think? I mean, it's hard to tell. I don't always hear a proper word."

She nods sagely. "It'll come with time. I don't have a familiar yet, but from what I understand, the bond grows with trust on both sides. I don't want anything half as terrifying, but I must admit I'm jealous. I've always wanted one. What's her name?"

I look at the creature dumbly. It never occurred to me to name her. She's no pet. Does shehavea name, though?

"Not sure."

Rain switches to teacher mode, nodding. "That's one of the first things you should do to bond. Choose a name to call her. If she accepts it, answers to it, you'll become much closer."

"Mosthouse catsdon't even answer to their names. She looks like she might bite if I try to call her."

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