Page 10 of Roar Letter Word

Ollie stopped chopping, staring at the phosphorescent plum glow of the forest grapes that stained his cutting board. After a moment, he gazed up at the king, looking a little hesitant to speak his truth.

“A human?” he inquired.

“Yes. I fear her human belly and palate may not be up to snuff. You must get some Earth food as soon as possible. Research the most popular human cuisine. This week has to go as smoothly as possible. Actually, no, it must be unmarked by failure.”

Ollie straightened from his slumped position, looking as shocked as Ruzyll had a few minutes before. It made the king grimace. Had he truly been that ghastly and cruel to the women he had shared a bed with previously?

“I must confess that I am not certain where to obtain such human delicacies,” Ollie said, looking rather lost.

Mahes waved his hands in the air, not budging an inch.

“You must find a way. Even if you need to contact Alyx and request the meals that his Queen Bella consumes. Do it.”

He turned away, then spun back around with a single finger raised.

“Let’s start by having a spread ready for her by the pool. Make it quick.”

Ollie nodded, looking just as dumbstruck as Ruzyll. It was not of the king’s concern. They had to get it done, or it meant the destruction of his future.

As he was leaving the kitchen, the king ran into Pritesh, who looked lost in thought. He stopped her with a touch on the shoulder just under the threshold of the kitchen and living space.

“How is she?” he demanded.

“She seems intrigued. That’s a good start.”

She smiled at him. The woman had a way of looking through him like his skull was made of glass.

“What am I missing, Pritesh? I have spoken to the chef and Ruzyll. Everything must be perfect. All of her comforts, her needs, and her desires must be met.”

Pritesh wrinkled her nose and began to chuckle. The king tilted his head, more curious than angry.

“What is it?”

“Do you think that creature comforts are what is going to win her over?”

He squinted, giving his housekeeper a thoughtful glare. He had no clue what direction she was heading.

“Elaborate,” he said.

“Addie could love the food, the comfort of the silken Nova Aurora bedsheets, and the star-laden sky. But none of that is going to matter if you don’t impress her with yourself.”

The king was even more confused. He let his hand linger on Pritesh's shoulder, the wheels of his mind turning at the speed of lightning.

“And why won't she be impressed by those things? Aren’t they enough to keep a human mate interested?”

Pritesh shook her head. She had some folded bed sheets in her arms and began to walk toward the laundry.

“I would suggest that you learn what human women require before you rely solely on tangible experiences. You have to impress her, My King. You on a personal level.”

The king’s mind rattled. He knew human women were different, but really, how different? A single tour around his estate would land most shifters into his bed in a single snap. Why wouldn’t his status as the King of the Tellahn lion pride, his exorbitant wealth, and every pleasure at her fingertips not be enough?

“Are you going to help me then, Pritesh?” he asked as she continued down the hall.

She snickered, shaking her head, and kept on going.

The king had a soft spot for Pritesh. Maybe because she had been serving him for the majority of his kinghood. Maybe because she was a sweet, elderly woman. She had lived a long life of service and had a lot of wisdom to give. He knew he should probably take that into account.

He stood in the hallway for a moment, considering his housekeeper's words, then strode down the hallway. He went looking for Ruzyll, who was fluttering around the estate, making sure everything was in pristine order.

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