Page 40 of Pet: Torment

I hear her following me as we move deeper into the town. I know she doesn’t trust my intentions at the moment. Only a few days ago did I reveal the truth about her situation in a fit of anger, followed by us fighting with one another shortly before I professed my feelings for her both verbally and through the bond.

But I don’t have time to remain angry or indulge her. I don’t know what will happen once I leave, or how long I will be gone. For now, I just want to enjoy her presence, regardless of her resentment of me.

I smile as I hear the quick footsteps of Iris catching up to me. She remains silent as she walks next to me, continuing to take in the small town, and I know without asking that she wants to ask me questions about it.

“This town is calledMallora. It is one of the places with the fewest changes since my mother’s reign. The Leviathan here tend to keep to themselves,” I say, explaining what I know she is too proud to ask about.

She shifts her attention to me for a second before speaking.

“Is that why you’re dressed in disguise?” she asks, gesturing to my hair. I revealed this ability to her on Earth and haven’t used it since. I still remember the shock on her expression as she realized how much more there was to learn about me. There’s so much more I’m keeping from her in terms of my abilities, but once we become more comfortable around one another, I plan on revealing it all to her.

I laugh, nodding.

“The Leviathan here don’t need to be alerted of my presence. It’s normal for me to be seen in the more densely populated cities. But here, it’s unnecessary,” I say.

Now Iris laughs, grumbling to herself but I hear her. “How noble of you.”

We finally reach the stall I’ve been heading for, and I let Iris step in front of me to take in the sweet treats. They are similar to what is known on Earth as shaved ice. Except the flavors consist of naturally sweetened syrups from flowers and fruits native toXyrannis.

The Leviathan working the stall sees us through the glass, coming out with a beaming smile as she speaks to us in the language.

“Komen, su trapta chave?”1 she asks.

I shift my attention to Iris, letting her try and decipher the language for herself. She’s been adamant on continuing her education without me. I don’t know if it’s because of her desire to occupy her mind or sate her curiosity. But I enjoy seeing the excitement on her face when she realizes she can understand bits and pieces.

After a moment, she looks at me.

“Chave?” she asks. Of course she wouldn’t know what it means.

I smile, quickly responding to the woman, choosing a flavor I think Iris will like. And as she moves to make them, I explain.

“Chaveis like a snow cone. Except it isn’t drenched in sugar water and the ice is imported,” I say.

Iris shakes her head in disbelief as she looks back to the Leviathan woman making the treat. Her eyes widen as she hands us two delightful looking snow cones, and I take them from her before we move to a bench.

“You got one?” Iris asks as I hand her the cup made from the wood that grows here with shaved ice in it.

“Of course,” I say.

I note that she is watching me intensely as I bring the spoon to my mouth. I enjoy the chill and lightly sweetened flavor as it melts on my tongue, and as I look at Iris, she is watching me in utter disbelief.

“Is something wrong?” I ask.

She blinks, bringing herself back to the present as she looks back at her cup.

“No…I’ve never seen you eat before. I didn’t know you could,” she says.

I immediately laugh from her words mingled with the expression on her face. And as I do, I feel a sense of warmth wash over me, and I know it’s from her end of the bond. It feels pleasant, making me want to lose myself in the feeling.

“Of course I can. I have all the faculties for it, I just choose not to when the result is unnecessary,” I say.

“So you can…taste?” she asks, once again earning a chuckle from me.

“Yes, Iris. I can taste,” I say, looking at her.

I make sure to keep my expression neutral as I take in her features. Her cheeks have a warm glow to them as she watches me, her curiosity rising without her ever realizing it. I lean into her, enjoying her scent as I speak in her ear.

“As a matter of fact, one thing I enjoy tasting is a snow cone…almost as much as I enjoy tasting you,” I say.