Excerpt
Hunter had never anticipated how hard it was to separate two people in love. In the end, Felicitas only left because he told her that he intended to introduce Alexander to his prospective father-in-law the next day. When she had left, his master had built up another fire and fried the mushrooms Hunter had brought him on a pan the princess had given him. Silently he shared the food equally even though it was barely enough for one. Only when Alexander had cleaned the dishes and watched the fire die down to embers did he talk again.
"Hunter?" He didn't look up, so the cat acknowledged him with a grunt. "I just wanted to thank you."
"What for?" Once more Hunter was taken by surprise.
"For trying. These have been the most wonderful days of my life. I know that whatever trick you've got up your sleeve might backfire, but I don't care." Alexander wrapped himself into his blanket. "Whatever the king will do, whether I end up dangling from a rope or forced from the kingdom, I wanted you to know that I truly appreciate what you're trying to achieve. You're my best friend."
"Nonsense." Hunter cleared his throat. Why did he feel like he'd swallowed a frog? "The king will take you in with open arms."
"If you say so." Alexander smiled at him, and all of a sudden Hunter felt warm from the inside out. Unblinking, he watched the human curl up beside the dying fire. Friend … The word echoed through his mind. He'd never had a friend. Was the strange fuzzy feeling part of the deal? Would it stop if Alexander found out that he intended him to play the role of the goat meant to lure the tiger?