Page 56 of Locked
I shook my head. "Don't worry about it, Basil."
"Easier said than done…" Basil muttered under his breath, rubbing under my chin one more time.
Kinden was shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. "I think I need to leave now…" he said sadly.
None of this was his fault, but it was sweet that he cared.
I took a deep breath and rubbed my face against Basil, inhaling his fur and letting it tickle my nose. I kissed his head and he licked my face in turn.
"Goodbye, Basil," I whispered.
"Until next time," he corrected me. "With us, it's never goodbye."
I swallowed thickly and kissed him once more before handing him over to Kinden, who tucked him safely inside the knapsack he'd brought with him. "You good in there, Basil?"
"I'm fine. Just no running." Basil said.
I chuckled and so did Kinden as he zipped up the bag. He turned to me, holding out his arms. I walked into them, wrapping them tightly around him as I tried to hold back my tears.
"I'll miss you. Both of you," I said a little louder to include Basil too.
"Until next time," Kinden said, smiling widely as he adopted Basil's way of not saying goodbye. It was a good habit to form.
He kissed my lips, leaving me breathless as he walked towards the door.
I tugged out a strand of hair and tossed it into the fire to unlock the door. "Until next time, Kinden."
