Heart Choice by Robin D. Owens Page A

relationship.”
    Drina was walking instead of riding on his shoulder, and she stopped in midstep and looked up at him with cold, blue eyes. She hissed. She snarled.
    Straif suppressed a grin. “Not to mention the gilt I’m spending on a room especially decorated just for you.”
    She sat. Her whiskers twitched. She lifted her nose in the air. I am helping Mitchella Clover restore the Residence for Our status and comfort.
    He noticed comfort came secondary to the cat. He thought Mitchella already knew it was his first priority. Straif rocked back on his heels.
    â€œAll you did today was bully me into giving you a room and bully the Residence into cleaning it.”
    Drina hissed again. I accompanied you and Mitchella on the tour. I examined the rooms by Scent and know which ones are Not Good for Us.
    Straif scowled. “Do you?”
    You smelled different at different doors , she ended with excruciating honesty.
    He shifted his shoulders. “I see.”
    Straif said, “You also raucously interrupted a private moment between Mitchella and me. If you want your jeweled collar and your pretty room, you’ll be more discreet and better behaved.”
    Mating. Boring, Drina huffed, rising and turning onto the street to T’Ash Residence.
    Straif caught up with her easily. “Your word that you won’t deliberately disturb me when I am—taking pleasure—with Mitchella Clover again. Or you’ll have a plain collar.”
    Drina stopped, flattened her ears, glared at him from the corner of her eyes. Her tail lashed. Straif kept quiet.
    With a final hissed breath, Drina turned and trotted to T’Ash’s greeniron gates. I agree.
    Straif positioned himself in front of the scrystone set in the wall next to the gate and flicked a fingernail against it to activate the viz.
    â€œName?” asked a smooth, rich voice. The man looking out from the stone was older and distinguished with features far different than T’Ash’s own. A hired man, just as Straif would have to hire someone who would have no blood in common with his Family.
    â€œT’Blackthorn,” Straif replied. He stooped to lift Drina to his shoulder. “With my Fam, Drina.”
    The man flushed slightly, then said in dour tones, “Drina.”
    â€œAnother admirer?” asked Straif.
    Drina sniffed, lifted a paw, and licked it. Nice trick since she was balanced on his shoulder. He is nobody. Everyone who is Anyone adores Me.
    â€œThe shieldspell on the gates is now modified to admit you two,” the butler said.
    â€œRight,” Straif said. No one seemed to like Drina. Fancy that. For a small cat, she sure had made her presence felt.
    One-half of the gate swung open.
    Drina rubbed her head against his cheek and purred.
    Well, maybe he liked her. Most of the time.
    It is Midweek evening, she sent mentally.
    â€œThat’s right.” Straif stopped and watched the gate close securely behind him, then started up the long drive to T’Ash’s modern Residence made of security armourcrete.
    Mitchella Clover eats with Danith on Midweek evening.
    Straif paused, stroked Drina’s head. She butted against his palm. He grinned. So much for Mitchella’s “nonfraternization” policy, and he was completely innocent of ulterior motives. Up to this point. His pulse quickened.
    I can provide information, Drina said delicately.
    â€œHmm,” Straif said.
    I can also help you be private with her .
    â€œOh?” He wouldn’t need Drina’s help in any way, but it might be interesting to see the cat’s maneuvers.
    I am a wonderful FamCat for You. She licked his cheek.
    He jerked away. “You don’t need to do that.” He’d much rather have Mitchella nibble on him.
    Drina sniffed, then purred. Do I get My collar?
    They’d reached the huge, rounded-topped doors of the main entrance to T’Ash’s Residence. It was a beautiful house, but it had