Chapter Text
The morning after a wedding night was supposed to be a good one. The families would be helping the new couple move into their own home, or at least into their own bedrooms. The original plan for Persis and Leto was for Persis to move into Leto’s parent’s home, in a divided suite for the couple. Persis’ brothers would likely joke about the wedding consummation, Leto’s female relatives would talk about babies.
There was none of that this morning.
Persis stirred as he felt the bed dip on his side. He murmured a ‘hmm?’ and his eyes flickered open to see an ugly orc’s face looking down at him.
“GAH!”
Persis jolted back and bumped into the still slumbering Leto. She murmured quietly before she went back to sleep.
Memories of the previous night flashed through Persis’ head and he swallowed. His muscles and some more tender areas ached, but at least he hadn’t been broken. Still, as Tazrukk stared down at him, Persis was starting to wonder what the orc was considering now.
Tazrukk patted Persis’ head and gently ruffled his hair, saying something in Orcish that might’ve either been affectionate or insulting- without Leto to translate, Persis was completely oblivious.
“I don’t know what you’re saying, but be quiet. You’ll wake her up,” he whispered, gesturing to Leto. Those love nibbles had darkened into a row of purple bruises down her neck and chest, but she seemed to be at ease.
It seemed Tazrukk understood what Persis meant at least, as he nodded and pressed a finger to his lips in a silencing gesture. Of course, this didn’t stop Tazrukk from immediately plucking Persis up and placing him on his lap.
“Hey!” Persis hissed as Tazrukk rested his head on Persis’ shoulder. “What are you doing!?”
Tazrukk shushed Persis and wrapped his arms around Persis’ waist. Persis had never felt so small before, curled up naked on Tazrukk’s lap. At least the orc was dressed.
Persis craned his neck around to look at Tazrukk, half expecting to see that lustful look he caught a glimpse of last night. Although the orc’s face wasn’t pleasant to look at, it wasn’t lust in his eyes. Dare he say it, Tazrukk almost looked… loving.
Was it even possible? Orcs were warmongers, bloodthirsty. Last night he’d taken Persis like an animal, and now he was being affectionate. It felt nice, having Tazrukk nuzzle his neck and murmur what was possibly sweet nothings into his ear… it still felt all wrong.
After a few minutes of this awkward cuddling, Tazrukk finally got up, cradling Persis in his arms before he walked into the wash room. Sometime before he’d run the bath and it was now full of steaming water.
With another gentle pet to the head, Tazrukk rested Persis in the bath and left.
Persis took a deep breath as he sunk mostly below the water. It was nice and hot, easing his sore muscles from the previous night. At least he could be clean now. Persis plucked up a cloth and started washing himself off, scrubbing away dried sweat and… other unpleasant things. At least there wasn’t any blood.
The door opened and Persis looked up to see Tazrukk carrying Leto with a similar tenderness. She was still obviously waking up, blinking the sleep out of her eyes. Tazrukk placed her in the bath right next to Persis, kissed her forehead, and left the room.
“How are you feeling?” Persis asked once they were alone.
“Better than I was last night. Was a bit frightened when I didn’t see you once I was awake though.” Leto yawned before she took a cloth and wiped off her face. “He ran a bath for us?”
“Looks like it.”
Persis took the cloth from Leto. “Can I help?” He asked.
“… I’d appreciate that.”
Persis slowly wiped down Leto’s body, taking special care around any bruising or any place that looked tender. He did grimace when he looked at the cloth after he wiped it between her thighs and saw a streak of blood. Not a lot, but there was some. “Does it hurt?” he asked.
“There is some soreness,” Leto admitted, “Having… two men inside of me in one night… it was a lot to ask.”
“And one of those men puts stallions to shame,” Persis pointed out.
Leto laughed quietly. “That’s not wrong,” she said. “Don’t just worry about me, Persis. Are you okay?”
Was he okay? Persis swallowed as he thought about it. He didn’t want to acknowledge that twisted lump of anxiety in his chest. “I’m… I don’t know,” he admitted.
“That’s okay.”
Leto rested herself against Persis’ shoulder, those pale green eyes looking up at him with such warmth and earnestness that Persis already felt a little better. “You don’t need to know how you feel right now. I’m here for you, as your wife.”
“Thank you, Leto.” Persis tucked a wet lock of hair behind Leto’s ear. “I’d like to get to know you better… and if you could teach me about orcs and their culture, I’d appreciate it. If we’re stuck with Tazrukk, I need to understand him.”
“I’ll do the best I can,” Leto picked up the cloth that Persis used to clean himself earlier. “Let me help you now though. I think I scratched your back a bit hard.”
Oh, right. Persis forgot about that. He turned around to let Leto wash his back. “Okay, one question for you first- what do you do for fun?”
Leto hummed as she gently wiped the cloth down his shoulder blades. “Well. I like reading. Especially history and culture books. I’ve never been outside of Sciani. I’d love to go though. I’ve been so curious about the coast, I want to see the ocean. And the elven forests of Edria! I’ve heard the trees there are so tall, they make the king’s palaces seem tiny!”
“I’ve seen the palace, once.” Persis had only been a boy, but he remembered that day well. “I’ve been curious about travel. I’m- I… I was going to be a diplomat, after all. I was expected to travel.” Would that be an option now?
Leto was quiet for a moment as she considered this. “… Well, we’ll see if that can still be done,” she decided as she smoothed Persis’ hair back, scratching his scalp carefully with her fingers. Persis’ eyes nearly flickered shut at the soothing gesture. “I think we’ll be safe from the other orcs at least- since Tazrukk is the current warlord, no one would dare touch us without facing his wrath. Who knows how long he’ll choose to stay, anyway. Likely he’ll leave us behind once he’s figured my family’s debt is paid.”
The idea that there could be an ending to whatever Tazrukk was planning on doing to them was a relief to hear, but it was likely a far off fantasy at this point. Persis had a feeling Tazrukk wouldn’t be inclined to give them up so easily.
“I hope you’re right,” he said as he rested his head on Leto’s chest.
They stayed in the bath until it was cold, and by that point Persis was feeling much better about his marriage to Leto. If the orcs hadn’t showed up last night, their marriage likely would’ve been an actually happy one. She was sweet, naturally curious about all things unknown. She liked the same books that Persis enjoyed, and she had the cutest little snort laugh whenever Persis got her laughing.
Persis hauled himself out of the bath first, helping Leto out after him and handing her a towel. “Once we’re dressed, we can see the damage from last night,” he said.
Leto nodded as she eyed the wash room door. “… You think he’s still out there?” she asked quietly.
Persis shrugged. “Let’s go see. You can stay behind me,” he offered.
“Thank you.”
His stomach knotted up again as Persis slowly opened the door. He sighed with relief once he realized that the bedroom was empty. “We’re fine, he’s not here. Let’s hurry up and dress,” he said as he opened the door the rest of the way.
Luckily there was nothing fancy for their post wedding celebration. Just a red tunic and black leggings for Persis and a pale blue gown for Leto. She fluffed her hair out after she squeezed all the water she could out of her curls. Persis watched her paint her lips a pale pink and add some color to her cheeks with some powder.
When she finished getting ready, she eyed the broken door that was still jammed in the doorway. “So… how are we supposed to get out?” She said with a nervous laugh.
Persis walked up to the door, twisting his mouth before he shoved it as hard as he could. The door creaked before cracking right down the middle- the repeated shoving it around had weakened it and it fell to the floor in pieces. “… Well, I guess that works,” he decided before he took a hesitant step out, Leto right on his heels.
The des Vaux vacation home had been trashed. Paintings had been ripped off the walls, vases and statues smashed on the ground until they were little more than shards. Several windows had been broken, Persis careful to step around the glass that was scattered across the torn rugs. Leto froze as she saw that the family portraits had been soaked in blood and a knife taken to the painted faces of her father and mother, scratching them out. “… So much violence,” she murmured.
“Why destroy so much?” Persis wiped some of the sticky red off of a golden frame. “It would be more worth it if they sold it.”
“It’s not about the money for orcs. It’s about pride.” Leto swallowed as she rested her hand on one of the torn portraits. “In their culture, to break a vow is one of the biggest insults one can give. He practically spat in their faces. I believe he expected for the giants to wipe the Blackflayers out while having their own numbers lowered enough so that they wouldn’t be a bother to my father’s lands anymore. Two birds, one stone. But he underestimated them- clearly.”
“And we’re the ones paying the brunt of it,” Persis grumbled. He’d never really had an opinion on Lord des Vaux, but he decided he hated him now.
Leto intertwined her fingers with Persis’. “We are,” she agreed. “Come on, let’s go outside. I think the guests are still out there… if they’re still alive, anyway.”
Persis nodded and the pair walked to the door, Persis trying not to notice the spray of blood across the foyer. Whoever had been the victim, if they’d not had a healer by their side, they were most likely dead.
Are my parents okay? Are my brothers?
The outside was just as trashed as the indoors, but Persis breathed a sigh of relief as he saw that most of the guests had been herded into a group in the center of the lawn. Orcs were strolling around, a few clearly having stolen jewelry from the nobility as it now adorned their fingers and necks.
A woman craned her neck towards Persis’ direction and gasped. “Lord Persis and Lady Leto! They’re alive!” She proclaimed. Immediately the entire group’s heads whipped over and Persis had to fight the urge to immediately run back inside. The excited chatter of the abducted guests only intensified as he got closer.
That urge to run away popped when Persis’ mother, Lady Garnier, pushed herself to the front of the crowd. “Persis!” she cried out, about to run right at him when an orc threw his arm out in front of her and growled something, likely to remain still. Lady Garnier glowered at the orc and proceeded to stomp on his foot, but she didn’t leave the group.
Instead Persis bolted towards her, dragging Leto behind him as he rushed into his mother’s arms. He’d never been so relieved to be overwhelmed by her rose perfume before in his life. “Mother, are you all right? Are you hurt? Is father okay? Where are my brothers?” he asked.
Lady Garnier pulled back and stroked Persis’ face. “When those brutes entered the Manor, I was sure I would’ve lost you.” She wiped away the tears from her eyes. “Your father is fine, he was injured in the initial clash but once it was clear we were overwhelmed he gave the order to surrender. He’ll just need to rest his sword arm for a bit. Vitigis and Gil are also all right, if not a bit bruised up.”
Any relief Persis had from that statement was immediately taken away with the next one.
“… We can’t find Caine. He ran into the forest last night, chased by some of those barbarous orcs. None of them have returned yet… we don’t know if he’s still alive.”
No. Not Caine. Persis’ legs nearly gave out from under him, and they likely would’ve if Leto hadn’t wrapped her arm around him. Caine could be a real horse’s ass at times, but he was still his brother, and the one closest to him in age. If something had happened to him… if he was hurt, bleeding out in the trees, all alone…
“I need to go look for him,” Persis blurted out, pulling away from his mother.
Lady Garnier shook her head. “I wouldn’t recommend it. We’re all forced to stay here until each of the houses in attendance returns with a payment of gold. So far only the Glass and Festa families have been released. We don’t understand- why did they choose to attack?”
“My father attempted to take advantage of them.” Leto glanced around the crowd. “Where is he?”
Lady Garnier’s gaze dropped. “… He’s been put in stocks in the front lawn of the manor. The orcs have spent their time throwing rotten fruit at him and mocking him. We can’t get to him, they won’t let us help,” she said.
Leto pressed her lips together in a firm line, and in the coldest voice Persis had ever heard, she replied, “Good. He has not only affected his family, but he’s affected yours and all the others who have attended last night. Let him stay there, for all I care.”
Persis gaped at the anger in Leto’s voice. There was clearly much more than sweetness under that soft exterior. Lady Garnier was clearly just as surprised, but she pulled herself together to gently pet Leto’s hair. “I can’t blame you for your anger, you must have been terrible frightened last night. What happened, did they lock you in the room?” she asked.
That lump on Persis’ stomach knotted over again and somehow made its way to his throat. He couldn’t look his mother in the eye. How could he explain what had happened? Leto was in a similar away, her eyes fluttering shut as she turned her face away.
Lady Garnier’s eyes widened. “Oh gods, what did they do?” she asked. Persis couldn’t speak. The humiliation was overwhelming. He didn’t need his mother pitying him after what happened.
Leto finally broke the silence. “… Your son and I are part of Warlord Tazrukk’s payment,” she said, voice barely above a whisper as she pulled down her dress enough to reveal the bruising from Tazrukk’s teeth.
Lady Garnier gasped as her eyes flicked between both Persis and Leto. Persis felt tears well up in his eyes but he forced them down. “I’m so sorry, mother-”
He was interruptedby Lady Garnier hiking her skirts up past her knees and bolting. The orc that had tried to stop her earlier made that mistake again, only for his foot to be stomped on again.
Shit.
“Mother!”
Persis took off after her, unfortunately leaving Leto in the dust as he gave chase. His mother had run to the front lawn, and sure enough, Lord des Vaux was slumped in some makeshift stocks. There were a few orcs clearly mocking the man, who didn’t seem to respond. They only noticed Lady Garnier when she shoved past them, scooping a rock off the ground.
Shit.
“MOTHER! NO!”
The words left Persis’ mouth a moment too soon, the rock flying from Lady Garnier’s hand and smashing into Lord des Vaux’s face.
“YOU BASTARD! YOU CRUEL, HEARTLESS, SHAME OF A MAN!”
Lady Garnier scooped up another stone and hurled it at the lord’s face, screaming more insults in such colorful language that Persis thought his mother had never even heard before. This stone definitely broke Lord des Vaux’s nose, blood gushing down over his lips. He said something Persis couldn’t hear, but clearly Lady Garnier didn’t give a damn. She shoved her sleeves up and scooped up another stone, this one knocking out a few of the unfortunate lord’s teeth.
She would’ve thrown another if Persis didn’t grab her and pull her back. “Mother, please, stop! This isn’t going to help anything!” he pleaded.
“It is certainly helping me feel better!” Lady Garnier snapped, her eyes alight with such fury that she hardly looked like the gentle woman that Persis knew.
There was a bark of laughter and Persis looked behind to see a familiar orc’s face. Tazrukk was standing a few yards away, Leto beside him and keeping her head bowed. He asked something and Leto sighed.
“He asks if you take more after your father then, and if that’s the case, meek men are clearly a trend in your family.”
Persis groaned as he finally released his mother. “I do, actually. Tazrukk, you really don’t want to pick this fight,” he said.
Leto translated and Tazrukk cocked his head to the side, asking another question of Leto. Before she could, Persis heard Lord dex Vaux screech in pain and he turned to see that his mother had hurled another large stone at the bound man. “Mother!” he scolded.
Lady Garnier took a deep breath before turning around. There was still a fire in her eyes, but she seemed to have exhausted it for now. “Is that him? Was he one of the ones who… who hurt you and your wife?” she asked, pointing at Tazrukk.
“He was the only one who… hurt me.” Persis didn’t want to say anything more specific. “He barred the door. Leto agreed to pay her part of the price, and I wasn’t- I might have just met her, Mother, but she’s already dear to me. I wasn’t going to let her pay it alone.”
This took the rest of the rage from Lady Garnier, who stumbled forward before collapsing against Persis. “If we’d known that the des Vaux family had such a debt, Persis, we never would have approved this marriage. We’d never let them sell you like cattle,” she said.
“I know.”
Tazrukk looked down at Leto, who summed up the conversation with her translation. Tazrukk nodded before he pounded a fist to his chest and asked something.
“He wants to know if you’re a berserker, Lady Garnier,” Leto said, giving an odd look to Tazrukk.
Lady Garnier stood as tall as she could, even if her face was pale with exhaustion. “Aye. I was… but perhaps those days aren’t far behind. Tell him if my child comes to me broken, he will pay for it with his blood,” she said.
Leto blanched at that, but she did translate. Tazrukk nodded slowly before he grinned and said something.
“He compliments you on your strength and boldness. When your servants come to pay, he will take only half. You may keep the rest.”
Lady Garnier nodded coldly. “Fine. I will now return with the rest of the captives, I need to check on my husband. Let Warlord Tazrukk know that my son Caine is missing, and I expect I will be told immediately upon finding him.” With that, the lady marched to the back lawn, not acknowleding the impressed looks shot her way by the orc warriors she passed.
Tazrukk gestured Persis forward, and with some light hesitation, Persis went to his side. He got a pat on the head and Tazrukk said something, looking at Leto for her translation.
“He’s going to take us back to the manor. We’re not captives, so we won’t have to stay outside.” Leto glanced over at her bloody mess of a father and her lip curled briefly in disgust. “When the debts are paid, we’ll return to the des Vaux home, which he says now belongs to him.”
Persis nodded, finding it hard to speak again. Tazrukk grinned before he scooped Persis up with one arm, balancing the teenage boy on his hip. Persis yelped at suddenly being carried like this, gripping onto Tazrukk for dear life. Tazrukk picked up Leto in the other arm, giving her a kiss on the top of her head before he carried them back towards the house. Thank the gods he chose not to leave the back way, but he didn’t miss the leers and smirks from the orcs ambling about the lawn still.
Tazrukk carried them back to the honeymoon suite. The door had been mostly repaired at least, but Persis didn’t miss that there was a lock on it now. The bed had been remade with clean sheets, the candles replaced with more effective lamps. Both Persis and Leto were laid down on the bed beside each other before Tazrukk clambered onto the bed as well, taking off his boots and throwing them to a corner before his arms wrapped around Leto, pulling her onto his chest.
Leto squirmed for a moment but managed to regain control of herself as Tazrukk softly stroked her hair. She glanced down at Persis and a blush darkened her face. “Um… I think orcs spend a lot more time in bed when they’re newlyweds,” she explained.
Oh great. Persis instinctively scooted back, immediately kicking himself when he saw the dejected look on Leto’s face. “Sorry,” he mumbled before he inched back forward, ignoring that instinct to just run out of the room.
“You’re fine,” Leto reassured him before she forced herself to sit up, now straddling Tazrukk’s lap. Tazrukk growled pleasantly, resting his hands on Leto’s hips and slowly pushing her skirts up.
Persis wanted to stop staring, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away as Leto’s dress was pushed up to her waist. Tazrukk licked his lips as he stared at her womanhood with a similar look he had the night before. He said something and gestured his head forward.
Leto hid her face behind her hand, whatever he’d said must have been dirty, but she shuffled forward until she was kneeling over the orc’s face.
The skirts dropped down so Persis couldn’t see what he was doing down there, but Leto’s eyes widened and she gasped as Persis heard what he was doing down there. Leto whimpered, grabbing onto the headboard to keep herself still as Tazrukk licked inside of her.
Her breath came in sharp pants and her whole face was now flushed as her hips jerked forward. Persis could feel how hard he was, his cock straining against his britches as he continued to watch Tazrukk pleasure his wife. This had to be some form of perversion to enjoy watching this, but he didn’t stop. Instead, his hand traveled down to his pants and he rubbed at his arousal.
I’m sick. I’m sick. This is so wrong…
A soft moan left his lips and Leto’s head spun to look at Persis. Persis froze as he realized what he’d been doing. He opened his mouth to apologize, maybe try to excuse his way out of this, when Leto’s eyes rolled back and she shuddered, crying out in the way she did when she reached her peak of pleasure.
Tazrukk gripped onto Leto’s thighs and didn’t let her move until she nearly collapsed. Then he released her, helping her lay down as she caught her breath. The orc licked his lips, clearly pleased with how much of a wreck she was now.
His eyes flicked over to Persis, who was back to rubbing himself. Tazrukk said something before he pounced. Suddenly Persis was pinned down to the bed with Tazrukk’s hulking form above him.
It was one thing when Tazrukk had him on all fours, at least then he could bury his head in the pillows and not have to see much of anything. Now he could actually see Tazrukk looking at him… staring at him. The orc hastily undressed him, Persis not bothering to fight as his tunic was pulled up over his head and his leggings pulled off. Tazrukk didn’t bother to undress, he only tucked his kilt up by his waist so it was out of the way.
In the full light his erection somehow managed to look even larger, how was that possible!? How did that even fit in him last night? Persis realized he was gawking at the orc’s cock and he turned his head away, only for Tazrukk to cup his jaw and turn his face back forward.
Tazrukk looked, dare Persis say, affectionate. He nuzzled up against the crook of Persis’ neck, gently murmuring something that Persis assumed was meant to be reassuring. Tazrukk pulled Persis’ legs apart and settled between them, taking his monstrous erection and rubbing it up against Persis’ own. The sensation initially repulsed him and he jerked back, only for that disturbing pleasure to creep back up his spine. Persis dug his fingers into the bedspread beneath him and gasped as Tazrukk rutted up against him, like a beast trying to mount its mate.
It was a mild relief when Tazrukk finally backed up, but it was only for a moment for the orc snatched up the oil bottle that was on the side table. He didn’t waste time lubing up his length, Persis swallowed a lump in his throat as he watched precum bead off the wide tip. Once he finished slicking his length, he set the bottle next to Leto and took Persis by the thighs, lifting his body up to give him access to his hole.
It was still loose enough from last night for Tazrukk to slowly press his way inside, even if the slight stretch had Persis gripping desperately at the sheets as Tazrukk’s cock entered him inch by inch. It wasn’t painful, it still just felt so strange. He’d never imagined putting anything up there, let alone how… good it might feel.
Tazrukk’s hips bumped into Persis as he bottomed out and the orc sighed pleasantly. He tossed his braid over his shoulder before he leaned down over Persis. Persis closed his eyes, fearing Tazrukk was about to bite him, but he felt Tazrukk’s stubbled cheek brush against his own before a pair of rough lips press against his own.
He’s kissing me?
It was a bit awkward with his tusks brushing up against Persis’ face, but Tazrukk was kissing him. Persis reached up, to push the orc off he told himself, but instead he ran his fingers over Tazrukk’s braid. Tazrukk murmured something in an affectionate tone as he broke the kiss, his thumb running over his cheek.
Could an orc be kind?
Tazrukk’s hips rocked back and forth, an easy enough pace to get started with, but once Persis’ body relaxed a little the orc picked up the pace. He thrusted deeply into Persis, and Persis heard moaning that couldn’t possibly be from him. But it was, each desperate keen leaving his lips every time Tazrukk bottomed out.
Was Leto watching him with the same lust in her eyes he’d had when he watched Tazrukk pleasure her? Or was she turned away? Persis couldn’t bring himself to look, not that he had much of the capacity to at the moment. He desperately rolled his hips back up against Tazrukk, wrapping his arms around the orc’s neck to bring him closer, press himself up against the orc’s firm body. Persis’ cock kept brushing up against Tazrukk’s body and each slight touch filled him with heat and a strange new desperation.
Perversion or not, this felt good.
“Taz… Tazrukk,” Persis swallowed as he reached for his own cock to stroke himself, “I’m… close…”
Apparently the tone of voice was easily translated into any language, as Tazrukk grabbed Persis’ manhood instead and jerked him off. Persis shouted wordlessly and his back arched, Tazrukk’s grip was almost too tight, and the calluses almost hurt…
And then Persis’ vision whited out with his climax, his whole body shaking as he dragged his fingers down Tazrukk’s shoulders, almost drawing blood with the force. Tazrukk growled as he plunged inside of Persis one final time, filling the younger male’s body with heat as he stilled.
Persis went limp as Tazrukk slowly pulled out. His head lolled to the side as he finally looked over at Leto, expecting shame or at least shock.
But it was not a dissimilar situation with him earlier after all- Leto had her fingers deep into her cunt as she stared at both her husband and the orc who had just fucked him. Her chest heaved and her cheeks turned a deeper red as she realized she’d been caught. She pulled her fingers out of herself and wiped them off on the bedspread.
At least he wasn’t alone in the enjoyment of watching.
Tazrukk patted Persis’ thigh before he got up, straightening his kilt before he strode into the bathroom. He came out a moment later with towels. A kind gesture, no doubt, but what surprised Persis was that he didn’t just leave them like he did last night.
He first took care of Leto, gently wiping down her thighs and sex with a damp cloth. Leto looked a bit confused but clearly she rather liked the care as she leaned up against Tazrukk’s shoulder while he cleaned her. Then he went to Persis, and with the same amount of care cleaned him up. It was almost like the orc was taking care of his lovers, rather than his payment for a debt.
Persis swallowed. “Why… why are you…” His voice trailed off. Should he ask?
He had to. He had to know why.
“Why are you being so kind?”
He didn’t have to be. So why was he?
Tazrukk glanced over at Leto, who translated. Tazrukk cocked his head to the side before he leaned down and nuzzled Persis’ neck again. He said something before playfully nipping Persis’ neck and sitting back up.
“… He said there’s no reason to be cruel. He likes you.”
Strange. But a smile played on Persis’ lips and he rolled over to snuggle up with Leto. “Tell him thank you,” he said.
“You can tell him. T’ank lot, that’s how you say it.”
All right then. Persis nodded before glancing up at Tazrukk. “Um… t’ank lot,” he said, cringing at his pronunciation.
Tazrukk beamed at Persis’ horrible attempt to speak his language, and he laid down at Persis’ other side, curling up around his humans as he would pet both Persis and Leto in turns.
Perhaps, Persis reasoned, this could be a lot worse.