Page 43 of Me and My Christmas Familiar
Kit padded along behind Lachlan. And when Lachlan placed the basket onto the table, Kit rubbed against his ankles, circling them. Everyone brought trays, plates, and bowls of food and placed them on the table.
Kit sprang up onto the table, staring at all the plates laden with food. The vegetables did not interest him at all. Nor did the rolls. It was the sight and smell of all the different meats that made his mouth water. But what really stole his attention was the glistening roasted chicken closest to him.
Kit stepped one paw forward, gaze locked on his prey.
“Patience, Kit.” Lachlan placed a hand on Kit’s back. “We have to wait for lunch to start.”
Kit stopped moving. But his muscles tensed. Not taking his eyes from the chicken, he lowered his body to the table, tail swishing from side to side.
“Kit,” Lachlan warned. “Wait.”
The urge to rush forward and sink his teeth into the juicy flesh filled him. But he held still.
I’m a good cat. I’m a good familiar. Lachlan will be upset with me if I pounce on the chicken.
A few days ago, he’d gotten into trouble for stealing some sausage that had been meant for dinner. Luckily, it had still been enough. But it had just been lying on the counter. What was he meant to do?
Kit licked his lips as the light from the candles reflected on the chicken.
“Come on, everyone,” Grady yelled. “Food is ready!”
“Are you going to be a cat or a human for lunch?” Lachlan asked.
Kit tore his gaze from the tempting chicken and looked at his witch.
Lachlan glanced around the room. “It might be a bit tight around the table. But we can fit you if you’d like to be in your human form.”
Kit jumped down onto Lachlan’s lap.
Lachlan stroked his hands along Kit’s black fur, smiling down at him. “I see. You want me to feed you by hand, give you scratches, and then you can curl up and sleep on my lap. Is that how it is?”
“Meow.”
Lachlan understood Kit perfectly. Kit sat on Lachlan’s lap, paws on the table, facing everyone. And more importantly, the chicken.
“Wait just a little longer,” Lachlan whispered.
“Meow,” Kit meowed woefully.
How long until he could eat? How long was he meant to suffer? He’d already waited forever!
People spoke. Kit didn’t listen. Kit didn’t care. Glasses of wine were lifted into the air.
Kit’s stomach grumbled as he imagined his teeth sinking into the white meat and tearing it apart. This waiting was torture!
Thankfully, as soon as everyone began reaching for food, Lachlan turned to Graal. “Can you pass the chicken?” Lachlan asked as if knowing Kit couldn’t and wouldn’t wait much longer.
Lachlan fed Kit chunks of chicken. Then Kit licked the meat juices that clung to Lachlan’s fingers.
Sometimes, Lachlan fed Kit by giving him a plate with food on it. Kit did not like that nearly so much as when he sat on Lachlan’s lap and Lachlan fed him from his hand. That was the best way to eat.
Lachlan scratched behind his ears once Kit had eaten his fill.
Kit purred, curled up on Lachlan’s lap. He closed his eyes.
The sounds of the siblings and their partners floated around him. He could hear Leo and Jasper bickering, Cas yelling at Lacy, Graal’s deep laughter, and Briar explaining something.
But the only voice he truly paid attention to was Lachlan’s as he cooed over Kit.
“You’re so good,” Lachlan whispered, stroking Kit’s fur. “Such a good kitty. Such a good familiar. I’m so glad I found you.”
Kit closed his eyes, continuing to purr softly. As sleep began to take him, he thought back to the cold, lonely nights, living on the streets, searching for scraps of food in the snow.
Then like a vision, there had been Lachlan, standing in the doorway. And Lachlan had offered to look after Kit, keep him warm, and keep him safe.
Kit truly was the luckiest cat in the world.
I’m so glad I found you too.
It was the last thought Kit had before drifting off to sleep in the safety of his witch’s lap.