Free A Lost Kitten by Jessica Kong

and at Jasira’s hohm?”
    “Yes.” John sneezed. “Great.” He shivered. “I need to get warm before I get sick.”
    “I see.” Yudit stared at his plate.
    Since John’s arrival he had been searching for a way to get John and Jasira together without giving John more cause for suspicions. It was why he had made certain no one gave John work, leaving John available for Jasira to earn his trust. This was the perfect opportunity for Jasira to be alone with her kindred spirit—the chance to begin earning John’s trust and love in earnest.
    “My lord?” John called his attention back to his pleading features.
    “I do not think Jasira would mind at all.”
    John slouched in his seat in relief.
    “I will have someone aid you in carrying your things to Jasira’s hohm.”
    “No need,” John said. “I’m wearing them all.”
    The king held John’s serious gaze for a moment, then joined him in laughing.
    The king swallowed another forkful of food. “I do believe Jasira has nothing edible in her hohm.”
    “Why is that?” John asked, sipping his hot tea.
    “She is rarely hohm.”
    John nodded.
    “I will expect you to endure the cold to come here for your meals. However, I will have my men take some firewood and other items to Jasira’s hohm to make your stay more comfortable. I will also send edibles to sustain you between meals.”
    John sneezed. “Thank you, sire.” He reached for his mug and noticed his tea was gone. He motioned for the maid to refill his mug.
    King Yudit genuinely smiled. “There is a well behind her houz.”
    “I’ll remember that.” John acknowledged the maid. “Thank you.” He sipped the hot liquid. “Is Jasira married?” His question seemed to take the king off guard.
    “What makes you think she is?”
    “Nothing. I was hoping she didn’t have a jealous husband I needed to be aware of. I don’t want him coming home unexpectedly and finding me in her bed.”
    The king smiled. “I think the only person you need to worry about is Jasira.”
    “Is she going to be angry?”
    “Normally, without her consent, yes.” Yudit drank more wine. “But considering the situation, I know she will be fine with this.”
    “How can you be so sure?”
    “Let’s just say…I know things. Jasira would be honored to have a Seacat in her hohm.” Yudit filled his mouth with food.
    “I’ll make sure everything stays the same. I won’t touch anything unless I have to. And if I do, I’ll make sure nothing happens to it.”
    Yudit nodded. “Jasira would be pleased and grateful to you. I gave her that houz when she took on the position of headmistress. Her pairunts gave her all her possessions. Her fahder put his heart and soul into making furniture for his only dawder. Her muhder placed her undying love into every stitch of material you find in Jasira’s hohm. It was difficult for them both, but they were determined to give their dawder all the materials she would need to start her life’s journey.”
    This insight moved John. It was the same with his family. They were extremely tight, which was why he wanted to go home. He needed to find them and help them with the war. He also wanted to repay Daehog for the death of so many innocent lives on Sea Base Ten.
    John scooped up some more food. “I must have missed her. There was a vanilla-scented candle burning on her kitchen table.”
    “Her favorite fragrance.”
    John swallowed. “Mine, too.”
    “Really?”
    John nodded. “She must have forgotten she left it burning.”
    “Jasira forgets nothing.” Yudit regarded John intently. “One always know when Jasira is close. Her scent announces her presence.”
    John considered his words. “Was Jasira at the dinner feast?”
    “Yes.”
    “Are you aware if someone else wears that scent?”
    Yudit shook his head no. “That is one of the many things that make Jasira unique. During Jasira’s youth, her muhder gave her a gift that contained that fragrance. Jasira fell in love with it.