Ruin (Rhodes #1) by Rina Kent

                             The three black jaguars encircle me and I raise my palm up then lower it. “Sit.”

                             They abide by the command, their tails moving left and right in a happy movement.

                             “Only King is coming with me this time.” I caress Knight and Zen on the head. “He’s less volatile than the two of you.”

                             Knight purrs against my leg, obviously wanting to participate. “Maybe when I plan to kill the little deer instead of scaring her.”

                             “King.” I lift my palm up. “Come.”

                             He gets up and follows me out in his natural feline grace. Zen and Knight’s shiny eyes never leave us until we exit the fortress.

                             King walks by my side as we reach Jet. There’s no animosity whatsoever between my two companions. I spent precious time training them to get along.

                             Jet huffs, and King stops as I mount my horse. I look down at my jaguar and hold my palm sideways then moves it forward. “Run along.”

                             I kick Jet with a ‘go’ and he sprints back to my quarters. King keeps up with Jet’s speed at infinite ease. I look back to see his eyes glinting in enjoyment.

                             We stop at the entrance of my quarters. I hand Jet’s reins to one of the team’s members. “Take him back to the stables.”

                             The guard’s cautious eyes never swing away from King, sitting at my feet. The jaguar gives him a mere glance before going back to licking his paws.

                             “Come meet a little deer, King.” I whistle, and he gets up to follow me inside.

                             I knock on the door to Mae’s room like the gentleman I’m supposed to be.

                             “Come in!” She calls in a bright tone.

                             I open the door and slip inside, King on my trail. She’s lying in bed, her hair falling in silky waves by her side. Clearly washed up, she’s wearing one of the dresses I instructed Kane to provide her. Despite being a simple knee-length knitted dress, it hugs her body to perfection. Its blue brings out the colour of her eyes. Should I rip it and see what’s underneath it? Or plunge a knife in it straight to her heart?

                             “Oh, it’s you.” She sits up, interrupting my musings.

                             “You seem disappointed.”

                             “I thought it was Kane.”

                             Only a day and she’s relating to Kane already?

                             An annoying feeling I can’t identify nags at me.

                             Mae gasps. Her eyes widen to an impossible round shape and she swallows a few times before actual words come out. “I-Is that...a p-panther?!”

                             “A jaguar.” I smile, patting his head. “His name is King.”

                             “H-he’s...y-yours?” She jumps off the bed and glues herself to the wall behind her, stalking sideways.