His Majesty needs a can-I girl anyway. And I'm not it."
"A can-I girl?" Andrea frowned.
I leaned back. "'Can I fetch your food, Your Majesty? Can I tell you how strong and mighty you are, Your Majesty? Can I pick your fleas, Your Majesty? Can I kiss your ass, Your Majesty? Can I..."
It dawned on me that Raphael was sitting very still. Frozen, like a statue, his gaze fixed on the point above my head. "He's standing behind me, isn't he?"
Andrea nodded slowly.
"Technically it should be 'may I'," Curran said, his voice deeper than I remembered. "Since you're asking for permission."
Why me?
"To answer your question, yes, you may kiss my ass. Normally I prefer maintain my personal space, but you're a Friend of the Pack and your services have proven useful once or twice. I strive to accommodate the wishes of persons friendly to my people. My only question is, would kissing my ass be obeisance, grooming, or foreplay?
She sighed, annoyed at her restlessness. “So,†she said, disrupting Wolf in another backward glance.
“Who would win in a fight—you or a pack of wolves?â€
He frowned at her, all seriousness. “Depends,†he said, slowly, like he was trying to figure out her motive for asking. “How big is the pack?â€
“I don’t know, what’s normal? Six?â€
“I could win against six,†he said. “Any more than that and it could be a close call.â€
Scarlet smirked. “You’re not in danger of low self-esteem, at least.â€
“What do you mean?â€
“Nothing at all.†She kicked a stone from their path. “How about you and … a lion?â€
“A cat? Don’t insult me.â€
She laughed, the sound sharp and surprising. “How about a bear?â€
“Why, do you see one out there?â€
“Not yet, but I want to be prepared in case I have to rescue you.â€
The smile she’d been waiting for warmed his face, a glint of white teeth flashing. “I’m not sure. I’ve never had to fight a bear before.