Beside him sat a creature that should not exist outside royal crests and nightmares.
A snow-white tiger with purple eyes.
It blinked at him.
Christopher blinked back.
There was a quiet, exquisitely uncomfortable pause in which both of them processed each other's existence.
"Dax," Christopher said softly, his tone far too calm to be safe, "why is there an apex predator in my living space?"
Dax didn't even attempt to look apologetic. That should have alarmed him more than the tiger.
"It's a gift," Dax replied, as though he had been given a tasteful plant or a commemorative mug. "From Draxil. A symbol of protection, blessing… strength."
Christopher absorbed that.
Silence expanded.
The tiger leaned forward slightly and purred.
Of course it purred.
