Page 18 of Monster's Pet

“When I was holding her, she didn’t really move.”

We watched as the kitten got to her feet and wobbled two steps toward Aiden, mewling piteously.

“I think she likes you,” I pointed out.

“How? It’s not like she can see me,” he said, putting his hand out so she’d reach it before she fell off.

“She’s not deaf. Your voice is the first thing she heard after she was born. Maybe she’s like a bat and can use echolocation.”

“Her ears look cat-like to me, but we can ask Rhiannon.” The kitten licked Aiden’s fingertip. “I’m sorry, kitten, no milk in there. Siobhan is working on it.”

Rhiannon came back at that moment with a rough cloth and a bowl full of steaming water. A towel was thrown over her shoulder. “Bath time,” she said cheerfully. “This should mimic the mother’s tongue,” she said, dipping the cloth in the water and wringing it out. “We don’t want her to get sick because she can’t clean herself.”

Briskly, she rubbed the kitten down, unmatting the fur, and then dried her off with the fluffy towel. “There you are,” she crooned. “And now for the milk. Aiden, can you hold her again? Cup her head in your hand and rest her body along your forearm, yes, exactly like that.”

Rhiannon drew a little of the cream into the syringe and then hesitated. “Umm, I don’t think she needs the extra heat right now, Aiden.”

If it was possible for a fire monster to blush, Aiden did it. “Sorry. I didn’t even notice.”

“That’s all right. Hold her head up... No, kitten, you’re not going to get milk from his ribs,” Rhiannon said with a chuckle. With practiced hands, she rolled the kitten onto her back again and stuck the tip of the syringe in her mouth, letting drops fall.

The kitten grabbed the syringe with both front paws and sucked the rest of the liquid from it.

“There you go,” Rhiannon said softly. “That will fill her stomach for now. She’ll need another feeding in about half an hour. I suggest you fill a heated mug.” She handed the syringe to Siobhan.

“Wait, what do you mean?” Aiden said, his voice full of panic. “Aren’tyougoing to take care of her?”

Rhiannon shook her head with a smile and indicated the kitten curled up contentedly in his palm. “She’s imprinted on you. She wouldn’t do as well with me. I’m here if you need help, but she’s yours now.”

“Babe, you’re flaming again,” I said softly, putting a hand on Aiden’s arm. “It’s okay, I’m here for you, too.”

Aiden took a deep breath and got his shifting under control again. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m usually better than this, even when I’m distracted.”

I bit my lip to control my smirk. I could count a handful of times he was so distracted by sex that he didn’t notice his shift. “You’re going to be a wonderful kitten father,” I said, cleaning his shirt for him with a wave of my hand. “Do you want to put this on?” I gathered the leftover fur from the mother and put it in my pocket.

“I don’t want to wake her,” he said, not lifting his gaze from the sleeping kitten.

“Okay. Let’s head to your room then.” I gathered the warm mug of cream and checked the enchantment on it; it would stay warm and unspoiled for a week. At that time, we’d need to make more. The syringe tucked in my other pocket and Aiden’s shirt draped over my arm, I led the way out of the kitchen. “Dinner first?”

“Yeah, okay.”

“I’ll get you settled at the table with our friends before getting your dinner.”

Aiden beamed down at me. “You’re the best kitten mother.”

My heart melted a little.

Rhiannon had just sat down with the others when we arrived. “And here he is with his rescue,” she finished. “You’re doing great.”

“I haven’t done anything since you left us other than walk,” Aiden said with a chuckle.

“Oh my gosh, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a cute little kitten!” squeaked Una. “She’s so precious!”

“I want one,” Lilia said promptly. She brushed her hand by her ear under her hair and her face fell.

“Pinkie’s going to be okay,” I said softly to her. “Professor Wright hasn’t approved the familiars being woken yet?”

Rhiannon shook her head. “The teachers are casting the blanket spell after dinner. They’re going to focus on the dark forest, where the wild animals without us to look after them are located.”

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