The King's Captive (Gate of Myth and Power, #1)

by K.M. Shea

And there was something about this cat. In holding her…I couldn’t identify the feeling, except that it was peaceful. As a Mors elf, peace wasn’t something I often experienced. Couldn’t I—for once—allow myself this instance of impulsiveness? There’s no reason to do it, though. She’s a cat. Aristide, Charon, and Ker have been with me through darkness and back. Why bend this rule for a cat? I could use magic as an excuse, of course. But in reality, I was considering this only because a cat—even one as intelligent as this one—was the sole safe possibility for me. She didn’t know I was a king. She couldn’t comprehend my power, or ever understand the dark and terrible things I’d done. She was a cat. She purred when I petted her, and she slept in my bathroom sink. My mind made up, I strode toward the door. I’d need to go far away to perform the spell, or Charon would realize what I was doing. It’s safe enough, and magic approves. Peace is special and sacred. It should be acceptable that I protect her to give myself even this momentary illusion. I knew the reality: peace was something I could never have.

oO