“Do you get your…spunkier traits from your father, then?” I ask, chewing the tender bite.
“My father was a tyrant.” He shrugs. “Let’s just say…I’m unique.”
“Yes, you’re very special,” I tease, plucking a grape free from its stem. Now, this does surprise me. How did someone resist being tainted by wickedness? How did Felix end up the way he is?
Felix laughs. “You as—”
A large crash cuts him off.
Ollie materializes in the center of the table, sending two fully plated dishes flying to the floor with a spectacular smash.
“HAHA. Whoa!” Ollie snorts, wiggling his long nose before scratching his ear with a hind leg like a dog.
Servants gasp and begin whispering at the sight of him.
“Ollie!” Felix grins, “I see you’ve joined us again.” He snaps his fingers. “Another cup of wine for our blue friend here.”
Ollie spins to face him. “Very good!”
He patters across the table, stepping in food and swiping a sausage mid-waddle. Plopping down beside Felix, he chomps happily, grease smearing across his body.
“No hello to me?” I call out, not truly bothered. He adores Felix, and I consider this enrichment time for them both.
“Me Misses, I am with youallthe time!” He says, snorting between bites.
He reaches up with a stubby arm, hand opening and closing toward Felix in a cleargive memotion.
Felix grins all too happily and obliges him without hesitation. He removes his crown and places it on Ollie’s head.
It’s far too large. His ears flatten, and it slips over his eyes, preparing to tumble past his chin.
A shimmer of iridescent lights twinkles around him. The crown morphs, resizing perfectly to fit.
“Perfect, your Highness!” Felix salutes.
Ollie wiggles his toes in delight and lets out a delighted chitter. “All willbowbefore me! I shall feast on their flesh and take of their blood! They will all knowmy name!”
Ollie raises his half-eaten sausage like a war banner.
Felix casts me a glance. “Your son is just like you.”
I smile, warmth blooming in my chest. “He’s perfect.”
Joy rushes through our bond like a strong wave. Olliefeelsmy pride and basks in the compliment.
Despite the comfort, my restlessness stirs. As much as I want to stay with them, I finish the last bite of my food, dab my mouth, and rise. “I’m off to find Kalix.”
Felix waves without looking up at me, already deep in conversation with Ollie.
“You see, Oliver, Lady Annabeth is just adreadfulwife selection. She talks more thanIdo!”
“Does she havebig breasts?Oh! Does she havethree?Ollie likes three.”
“In hell, are there three-breasted women? What do you even do with the third—”
“Ha HA. OH! You see, Ollie stands on one and then I—”
“Bye. I’m leaving!” I exit quickly, dodging what I know is about to be one of thoseOliver sexy-party story times.
