Claimed & Seduced by Shelley Munro Page B

his onyx cat pendant. He stuffed his weapon and clothes out of sight beneath a tree and removed his pendant, placing it carefully in his trews pocket.
    His change was quick and efficient, Ellard’s black leopard a powerful and beautiful creature.
    Jarlath yowled and Ellard barked in return. In unison, they bolted across the clear ground and burst into a copse of tall, straight trees.
    The freedom, the breeze rippling across his fur exhilarated Jarlath, and he savored the pumping of his muscles and the rich world of sensory details. He’d told himself he hadn’t missed his feline. He’d told himself many others in the kingdom suffered the same fate. He’d told himself it didn’t matter.
    He’d lied.
    He ran and ran and ran until his sides heaved with exertion.
    The scent of a small animal distracted him and he slowed to stalk the trail. A deer mouse shot from beneath a purple flowering plant. He pounced and missed. Behind him, a hoarse bark of amusement rasped from Ellard. His friend nudged his shoulder, and Jarlath heaved a sigh.
    Time to return to his duty and the wretched list.
    Sighing again, he retraced his steps back to where Ellard had left his clothes. Jarlath pictured his humanoid form and shifted back, chest pulsating in exhaustion yet invigorated.
    “Hey, your bruising has faded. At least on your shoulder. Your eye looks much better too. Do you want to borrow my tunic in case we run into the queen?”
    “A benefit of the shifting. Grata , I’d missed it so much!”
    “The tunic?”
    “No, you keep your tunic,” Jarlath said, heading in the direction of their rooms. “It will be too big for me anyway. Mother is already angry because I didn’t follow orders.”
    They entered Jarlath’s rooms, sighting only a sentry and a cleaning droid on the way.
    Ellard closed the door behind him. “Did the run feel good?”
    “The best. Grata , I’ve missed this part of me. You’re lucky your feline didn’t go into slumber.”
    “Yeah. I wish the scientists could discover the cause. Rumors of the problem will spread soon. Someone will talk and the Cawdor will use the knowledge to their advantage.”
    “The knowledge is a ticking timepiece,” Jarlath said. “Want to have a drink?”
    “Sure.”
    “I have pie.” Exhilaration pushed the unguarded words from his mouth. Grata! Too late now.
    “Pie?” Ellard smacked his lips. “Who did you sweet talk in the kitchen to give you pie? Not the little blonde kitten? The new one?”
    Mentally apologizing to Keira, Jarlath nodded. “Ya got me.”
    “Are you sleeping with her?”
    “No, you go ahead if you’re interested.” Only one woman dominated his thoughts. She’d burrowed under his skin so damn quickly, he was still confused about how she’d managed the feat. He pressed his palm to his door, and stepped inside.
    “Thanks, but I’ll pass. I have a lady in my sights.”
    How had he missed that? “Yeah? She gonna let you catch her?”
    Ellard winked. “Already caught her.”
    “Well. We should celebrate.” Jarlath strode to his chefmate and programmed two hot toddies. He handed a steaming tankard to Ellard. “I’ll get the pie.” Secs later, he was back, and he grabbed a knife to cut a large wedge. He arched a brow at his friend. “Do you need a plate?”
    “Nope,” Ellard said. “Gimme. I’m starving.” He took a huge bite, chewed and swallowed. “Damn, that’s good. Did the blonde bake it or is there a new cook in the kitchens?”
    “Didn’t ask,” Jarlath said. “I took the pie and ran.” Nothing less than the truth. He took a bite and almost echoed his friend’s moan of pleasure. The tart flavor of the berries and the crisp rich pastry was better than anything he’d tasted before. With every bite he thought of Keira, the urge to visit her so strong he had to force himself not to stride from his rooms. “You better not let your girl hear you drooling about pies.”
    “Not likely. What did the queen want?”
    “She gave me a