Rajah

“Aaah, prince Hashim, what a pleasure, what a pleasure!” I threw a quick glance up to my master, seeing the very pleased smile on his face as he accepted the profuse greetings of the little old man we had been brought before. Well, a pleased master definitely seemed like a good thing so far. My ears had been flicking nervously ever since that other man, the dark one with the golden staff, had welcomed us earlier, giving my master a strangely amused look, his polite manners barely concealing the haughty disdain directed at us.
Thankfully, the sultan himself seemed very nice and as I sensed him approach, I respectfully remained in my crouched position next to my master, just raising my head slightly, letting out a rumbling purr to show affection our kind host some well deserved affection.
“Oh, and what a beautiful leopard you have with you!” He let out a delighted sound as his fingers began to trail through my darker, half long head fur, starting to scritch me gently, to which I responded with rubbing my head against the creme colored robes to show my gratitude. Yes, he definitely was a nice man.
“He is indeed a dear and priceless companion, whom I greatly treasure. Having heard that your daughter, too, has such a great fondness for big cats, I had no doubt that, indeed, the two of us must already be sharing a veritable bond of souls. A bond that certainly, time and your approval permitting, would blossom into more...”, my master spoke, his voice thick and smooth like honey.
My tail twitched nervously at the, let us say, florid embellishment of the truth, but I nevertheless did my best to look up to him with grateful affection. He responded by absently patting my shoulder, before returning his full focus on the sultan, who still had his fingers trailing through my fur
“My, what a nice boy you are, yes you’re a good cat. You might be a nice playmate for my daughter’s Rajah...”, he gave me a quite friendly smile as he stroked me behind the ears.
Small as the sultan was, his head was just barely above mine, even when I was down on hands and feet – the expected pose for a pet like me. I had already decided that I rather liked him. Not only was he quite gentle when he petted me, he also gave me the impression of looking at someone of my kind more like an actual person, not just a slightly more exotic animal that just happened to talk and walk on two legs...
“Now, what is your name boy?”, he asked while looking down into my face with gentle curiosity.
I held my breath for a moment feeling a bit uncertain, but the direct question seemed a clear permission to speak.
“Jameel, your majesty...” I responded with a bit of a rasp in my voice. I was rather nervous, hoping my master was not displeased with me for talking to the sultan – given that he rarely if ever invited me to do so with him...
“Aah, that is pretty indeed. And such pretty green eyes...” 
I made another rumbling purring sound as the sultan’s hand kept scritching me, aware that he was now focusing again on my master, whose slight impatience I felt like I could almost taste in the air.
“Well, my daughter sure shall be delighted”, the old man said, before adding half under his breath: “...at least I really hope she will...” 
Whether my master had heard that last remark or not, he cleared his throat audibly.
“Then I hope I may pay my respects to the princess and hopefully make her favorably regard my proposal for her hand in marriage?” The sweet honey was still thick in his voice and even though I could not see it, I was sure his face would show that practiced smile he would have on in public.
“Oh, of course, of course, you shall find my daughter in the palace gardens, I shall send for a servant immediately to show you the way, or, show you your quarters first, should you wish for it?” The sultan had stopped petting me for now, but if anything, that meant I was now in the perfect position to observe his eagerness. An eagerness which appeared to be mixed with a peculiar apprehension. Neither seemed to deter my master in the slightest though, as he made a big, florid gesture, while emphatically shaking his head.
“Your majesty, I shall need no servant to guide me, your daughter’s radiant beauty alone shall be my guiding light.”
I could see the sultan’s face turn from slightly puzzled to a hopeful, yet still a little tense expression.
“Oh, how lovely, how lovely. My, you are quite the charmer, dear prince. Well, in that case, I shall not keep you any longer!”
My master made a small bow, before confidently striding towards one of the doors which led to the inner courtyards. I quickly jumped to my feet, making a bow of my own towards the old sultan before hastening to follow my master.
As we stepped into the half open corridor, my nose began to twitch slightly as I breathed in the scent of plants and flowers that was greeting us. It certainly seemed that my master had been correct in his confidence to find the princess: even to a human nose and ears, the scent as well as the gentle sound of running water should prove quite easy to follow. I myself was for now following a step behind him, feeling the cool, smooth stone on my paw pads. It was rather a contrast to the softness of the carpets, but not an unwelcome one. I felt my heart beating a little faster, my tail twitching with a bit of nervousness.
I knew that all of this was the reason my master had bought me in the first place. I was as much a part of his effort to woe the princess as his expensive wardrobe, just that unlike it, I had to act my part to please him...
I still remembered quite well how he had come to the house of the merchant who had raised me, with me the sole cub from my litter that had remained unsold. When I was a cub, I had been rather sickly and often in need of the skilled care of one of the veterinarian doctors my previous master would call to tend to his cats. Sometimes that had made me be afraid that I would be thrown out eventually, once I was deemed too costly to keep and impossible to be sold off as I was…
But the merchant had often told me that as I had a very gentle temperament, he had not spared the effort to nurse me to health, certain that I would fetch a good price from someone who did not have the patience to have a cub trained. Someone who wanted a pet that was gentle and easy to handle. Someone like my new master...
The prince suddenly halted in his step raising his hand and motioning me to stop. I immediately fell into the respectful crouched position, looking up at him expectantly.
“Now listen Jameel, when we meet the princess, you are to be on your very best behavior. Both towards her, and towards that tiger of hers. I bought you for this, so don’t mess it up. You are my loyal and adoring pet, understood? So do your part to ensure that she will have the very best impression of me.”
My tail was twitching slightly, my ears drooping a bit. I knew that for my master, I was a mean to an end, nothing more, but it still sometimes hurt a little when I felt that cool indifference in his voice. He did not really like me, he did not enjoy my company and after having been raised for as long as I could remember to try my best to please my master, I could not help but feel like I was completely worthless in the end, no good as a pet...
“Yes, master. I shall do everything I can so you will be pleased with me.” I looked up at him, trying to give him my best wide eyed look, the way a kitten would to an older leopard it wanted to endear itself to. But unlike with the Sultan, there was no expression of delight, no hand reaching out for me, just a very faint twitch at the corner of his mouth, as he straightened his collar, examining his reflection in a small mirror, his hand flicking about, brushing off some specs of dust, fidgeting with his thin mustache.
“Good, make sure you do.” His voice was sharp and he quickly turned around, continuing at a brisk pace. I hastened to follow behind, jumping to my feet and making sure to keep at arm’s distance behind him, hoping I would succeed in presenting as a well trained and proper pet.
The garden was lush and green, stretching to our left, with only a stone balustrade separating us from the rustling leaves and emerald shimmering grass. I already longed to feel it under my paws, but tried my best to quiet my own excitement, just as I did my best to keep my pace. Birds were singing and a female voice was sounding over the soft gurgle of water, seemingly talking to someone, or maybe just lost in a singsong. I furtively tried to make out its owner, but only once we had arrived at the archway, stairs leading down to the garden, did I see the princess herself.
She was sitting at the edge of the basin of a large fountain, slowly turning her head as we approached. 
I was curious how she might have spotted us with the gurgling water masking our steps, but as her eyes fell upon us, my master immediately made a florid little bow, making me follow suit and fall to my knees, my head lowered as I waited for my master to introduce himself.
My heart was beating faster as I did my best to observe her reaction to his words, tried to sense whether her formal reply showed any signs of genuine interest, or whether she was hiding any trace of annoyance or disdain. So far, I could not quite tell, but I had certainly heard the rumors of how critical the princess was of any suitor that would present himself to her.
So far, she seemed friendly enough, her invitation to step closer accompanied by a gesture of her slender hand. Even though I had always favored males, starting with silly crushes on older playmates from the house I had been raised in, I had to admit that she was quite beautiful, with silky dark hair falling over her shoulder and perfect, smooth olive skin. 
“Your visit may be a rather unexpected pleasure, Prince Hashim, but I am certain this conversation shall be much less bothersome if you come closer, so be my guest. And let me have a look at that pet of yours, he looks rather sweet.” 
I did not risk a glance at my master, not to break from my deferential crouch, but my ears perked up a bit. Even though her expression and tone of voice seemed to carry a note of censure, if I did my part right, then maybe she would be pleased with my master and everything would go well. 
I gazed up at him with a questioning expression and he reached down for a brief pat.
“Oh, it shall be my pleasure, oh radiant beauty. Jameel, do pay your respect to the princess.”
His gaze seemed to harden for a mere fraction as he looked me in the eyes. His message was more than clear: Don’t mess this up.
“Yes, master.” I lowered my head rising to a crouched walk, head lowered in respect, letting my chest reverberate with a soft, purring sound as I went to kneel down in front of her, rubbing my head against the outstretched hand. She did smell rather nicely of flowers and like her father, she was very gentle when she moved her hand to trail it through my head fur.
“Your highness, please accept my most humble gratitude for the hospitality you have shown to my beloved master and me. As long as I am allowed to dwell beneath your roof, I shall serve at your every command.” 
I heard a bright laugh coming from the princess as she scritched behind my ears, giving me a soft pat on my head.
“Oh, how well mannered and polite. You must have had him trained quite thoroughly, prince Hashim.”
My tail twitched instinctively as I heard a sudden movement, a shadow falling upon me.
“...but be assured, kitten, that my princess is already amply served...” I looked up, finding myself suddenly face to face with a large tiger, staring right into his golden eyes, only inches away from my face. His warm breath tickled my cheeks as he leaned closer to sniff me, while I tried my best to stay calm, even as my heart was beating with a frantic staccato pace. The princess’s hand had withdrawn as she spoke, with hardly concealed amusement in her voice.
“Ah, and this is of course my dear, dear Rajah...” 
I saw her hand trail through his fur now as he inched closer, making me instinctively lean back a little, still trying my best to keep my expression as friendly and submissive as I could, trying to hide the mix of apprehension and flustered confusion as he came ever closer.
“Umh, h, hello...”, I stammered, painfully aware of the complete lack of proper decorum, starting to tremble a bit as I felt myself now backed against the large fountain, the tiger’s chest vibrating with a soft growl that almost made my heart stop. 
He was almost pressing against me now and his scent, a mix of some exotic fragrance I could not name and the very masculine smell of a large, dominant tiger, was making me feel a mix of panic and also, as I had to admit, arousal... He was imposing, but also undeniably attractive, more than just that, he practically oozed out a primal, masculine dominance that touched something very deep within me, making me want to submit, and not just out of fear. I could not help staring into those fierce, golden eyes, instinctively letting out a soft, whimpering mewl like I would back when I was a cub…
“Hello, kitten...”, he spoke in a deep growl that seemed to border on a chuckle, huffing softly and showing his rather impressive fangs.
“Oh, Rajah, don’t be a bully, you are scaring the poor little thing”, the princess chided, even though her voice seemed to betray the same amusement that I had sensed in the tiger, Rajah…
He grinned at me, before slowly withdrawing, kneeling next to the princess and bumping his head against her leg in a very familiar gesture, which she rewarded by another bright laugh and a gentle scritch behind his ears.
“Oh, I am just being friendly with our guest...” He turned his gaze, apparently looking over to my master, who had not spoken a word and only know raised his voice.
“Princess, I am sure Jameel was just overcome with delight to make the acquaintance of your quite majestic companion. No, let me express in his stead and for myself what a marvelous specimen he is, embodying both the grace and the fierceness that is, yes, the very embodiment of what such a beautiful and breathtaking princess’s tiger should be. For no less than him would befit you, oh rarest flower of this beautiful oasis.” 
I tried my best to furtively observe how the princess was taking the extravagant flattery, though the smile on her face seemed well crafted to conceal her emotions. Her reply though at least seemed to indicate that my master might not be winning her over quite yet…
“Oh, my prince, I have to rebuke such praise. For would it not imply that by your reasoning, nothing but the most tame and compliant of cats would befit you? Though, I shall for sure have to extend my compliments to you for finding such am exquisite handler to train your pet...” 
My master did not reply for a moment, making my tail flick as I resisted the urge to turn over to look at him. Aside from how it might have looked, I, umh... was still in a bit of a predicament from my earlier close encounter with the princess’s tiger which made me rather glad my current position was hiding my groin from view…
“Ah, your wit, princess, is as cutting as your beauty is captivating. Though I assure you that Jameel has been as sweet as he is ever since he was a cub. I would say, is not their difference in temperament and what it tells of their owners as a reflection of the balancing qualities that would make for the most fruitful and delightful of unions?”
My master had by now circled the fountain, standing closer to the princess, making another of his short, florid bows, his voice oozing with every bit of charm he could muster. 
Rajah, still close to the princess, was making a sort, huffing sound as his gaze briefly turned to me in a piercing expression. He at least was not impressed with my master’s silver tongue. And I had the feeling that he was probing me, trying to read my own reaction to my master’s embellishments.
I tried my best to smile at him without betraying any of my own mixed emotions. I did want to try to make friends with the tiger, but I also felt a very nervous mix of emotions. I was a little bit scared of him still and, well, I also knew I definitely felt attracted to this large, imposing cat – and had no doubts my master would find any display of that disgusting and an embarrassment to him…
Thus I kept the smile until he just grinned and returned his attention to the princess and my master, while I let my gaze wander through the garden around us, trying to distract myself from my flustered emotions, so I would hopefully be more presentable again…
And the garden undoubtedly was beautiful, with large verdant trees. Even if the fountain with the floating lotus blossoms was the center piece, everything was quite breathtaking. The cool air from the fountain, the chirping of the birds…
My gaze followed the latter sound, coming to rest on a beautifully crafted aviary in which a small flock of white songbirds were hoping and flattering about. I rather felt like walking closer to observe them, but I was afraid that even though they might be used to Rajah, my approach would possibly scare them. So I just watched them playing and chirping, as my master and the princess were still talking. With my attention diverted, I admittedly was only half listening to their exchange over the soft gurgle of the fountain. Well, focusing on cool water and the silly song of chirping birds should after all be a good remedy against flustered thoughts about handsome tigers…
My ears only perked up when I suddenly heard my master’s voice raised in agitation: “My dear princess, I resent such an insinuation! How, how can you even, even suggest that I would...” 
I could sense the sudden tension, my body almost instinctively starting to move, only to be suddenly blocked by the tiger, staring me down with his golden eyes. I had not heard what had been said before, so when the princess made her reply, I stopped, focused on her words, even though I might have quickly changed course and moved to my master’s side by circling around the fountain.
“Oh, please do not misunderstand me, I do not mean any rebuke. I am simply stating that prince Hashim must indeed count himself lucky to have a companion at his sight who both seems pleasing to the eye and so devoted he would never rebuff your advances. As I am very much afraid I, for my part, have to.”
Her voice was sweet, but unmistakably sharp. I could see how my master’s face was frozen in a grimace, his composure fighting with the boiling rage that seemed to seethe beneath the surface. I made a quick leap to the left, around the tiger, wanting to get to my master and try to placate him before things would spin completely out of control. Though, given what the princess had said, he might not take kindly to my presence right now…
“Princess, my master would never...”, I tried to speak up, trying to defend my master, even though that would mean speaking out exactly the underlying truth that felt so hurtful: that my master saw me as little more than a dirty beast, at best tolerated for its usefulness…
But my words came too late anyway, for my prince was already shouting curses, pointing at the princess with rage in his eyes, his mustache twisting as his mouth contorted to an expression of sheer rage.
“If you think you can make a fool out of me, then be assured, my deer princess, that I am more than willing to pay you back in kind! Oh, have no doubts, even your own people shall be only to willing to believe the tales of a princess, defying Allah and her father and spurning the hand of a man in marriage to debase herself in godless depravity!” He angrily shook his fist, moving just close enough to her for the princess to make a step back, her face shifting from amused disdain to disgust.
I heard the loud, menacing growl, just as I was trying to get between them, but Rajah was faster than me. Claws were slashing through the air and I heard my master let out a high pitched scream. My heart was pumping as I leapt in the middle of the fray, everything seeming to slow down as I just managed to get between my master and Rajah, feeling the sudden impact of the large body slamming into me – but it was me luckily and not my master!
I looked up into the burning gold eyes, seeing the teeth bared in a roar, hearing my master still screaming as the tiger was pinning me down.
Everything had happened in mere heartbeats and my mind was still reeling with confusion, anticipating the scent of blood, shock fighting with dread.
“Oh, please stop screaming my dear prince, it is just your trousers that are torn. I am certain that, should your wardrobe be unequipped to cover this, well, little embarrassment, the palace tailors certainly will.”
The princess was laughing, apparently quite amused, while my master seemed to still be fighting for his composure. I could hear the scrape of his shoes as he was struggling to his feet, then his swift steps followed by a final stream of invective.
“You misbegotten daughter of a she-dog, I shall not forget this insult! May the Efreetim drag you to the lowest bowels of hell itself!”
Rajah let out a final roaring growl, that was followed by the quickening sound of hasty footsteps and more laughter from the princess.
I let out a distressed call, tying as best as I could to squirm free from under the tiger. But his grip only seemed to tighten as he was looking down at me again, his growl returning, with a fiercely dominant note.
“Rajah, I think I told you though not to be a bully. You surely can see for yourself that he is already cowed enough.” The princess’s voice sounded closer and I saw Rajah turning his head as an olive skinned hand came to rest on his shoulder. The tiger let out a huff, seeming unwilling at first before his hands left my wrists where he had been pinning me down.
“I am just trying to do the boy a favor here...” 
His words made no sense to me at all, but I was glad for his grip to relent. He was still on top of me, but I would now be able to squirm free, if I tried. Even if my instinct might be telling me rather emphatically not to move, not to defy a dominant male.
“Let him go, Rajah.”
The princess’s voice was stern, but still quite affectionate, pulling playfully on his ears, making the tiger yowl with a matching note of mock affront as he climbed up, looking down at me a last time, fixing me with his gaze before he abruptly turned away.
I still felt quite flustered, my heart beating fast as I jumped to my feet.
Both the princess and her tiger were looking at me with expressions I did not quite know what to make of. But I had to try to somehow make up for this disaster, if, if at all possible...
“I, I want to apologize on my master’s behalf, princess. Please, if you can find it in your heart, do not think ill of him. It, it is just, I fear implying that he would debase himself with such as me has caused him to act in this reprehensible manner, so, please, let me try to alleviate his anger so that you shall be able to part on more amenable terms. If, if you permit!”
I bowed, as deep as I could trying to avoid their gaze as I quickly stepped back.
“Please excuse me!”
I was running, already out of the gardens, hearing an angry voice from up ahead, causing me to increase my pace. I just saw my master turning away with an indignant expression, leaving the small sultan behind who was staring after him with an expression of chagrin on his face. I tried my best to bow as respectfully to him as I, hurrying past him, just as he himself was moving towards the gardens with big strides, muttering beneath his breath.
I reached the prince mere moments later, calling out to him, but not getting any response.
“Master, please, wait...” 
I tried to reach for his sleeve, desperate to stop him and maybe, hopefully help him calm down.
Only as I saw him suddenly stop, spinning around to face me, did I realize my mistake.
His face was contorted with anger as he slapped my hand away, staring at me with an expression full of pure loathing.
“Don’t, touch, me!” 
I yelped, falling to my knees, trying to placate him with the gesture of respect.
“I, I am sorry, master...”
He scowled. One of his hand was clutching the front of his garments, making me realize what the princess’s tiger had done. Without my master’s efforts, the slashing cut of the claws would have left my master exposed, right down to his, no, not just down to his underwear…
He noticed where my gaze was wandering and his expression grew even more furious. I yowled as I felt his right shoe come down on my hand, making my eyes tear with the sudden pain.
“You have been completely useless, just like this whole journey, just one big waste of time and money!”
I was trying to fight back the hurt that was welling up from inside at the words, at his expression. It f like a numbing cold ache spreading form inside, make my body tremble, as I tried to fight it down.
“Master, please, I tried, all that you asked of me...” 
I looked up at him pleadingly, hoping that maybe he would calm down, maybe. After all, I had been there to shield him when the tiger had lunged, had I not? So would he not be happy with me for that?
...but I had not been able to spare him the indignity, not the princess’s laughter. And as his courtship of her had now gone up in flames, then…
“I have no use for you anymore. Out of my eyes!”
I flinched, looking up at him wordlessly, trying to plead with him as I met his gaze.
“Now!” He was shouting, his leg drawing back, as if to kick me, just as I finally rose up and ran, trying to fight down the stinging sensation at the corners of my eyes. The corridor was like a blur around me and I would not stop running until I was far away...

I let out a sigh, looking down at the city, stretched out on my perch, up on the walls, my tail flicking listlessly as I tried to think of what to do next. Having come up here on my own after my mad dash had at least helped me get my head clear. Helped to stop me being a silly crybaby...
It really was pretty dumb to get all worked up about this…
I had always known that the prince was only having me with him for this. I had known that he had not bought me because he wanted to have a pet…
And it was not like he had been a cruel master despite all that, he in fact had made sure I was treated well, had servants brush me, fed me good food and put a rather beautiful collar around my neck... 
I traced my fingers over the gilded bronze, the sparkling peridot set in the middle. I had rather liked it actually, given that it matched my eyes rather well, had been staring at my own reflection in the mirror to see how it caught the light. I had thought that maybe he would grow to like me as a companion. But, well, it was alas rather the opposite actually…
He would pet me in public and I could tell that he was pleased when I was complimented for being handsome, or when others wanted to touch me. So he did seem to enjoy the idea of having me as a pet at least...
Just, well, while he had been looking at me in the beginning, sometimes even touched my fur, he must have tired of it very quickly, like of some ornament that eventually just became another part of his wardrobe.
And he did not want me to touch him…
When I had rubbed my head against his leg and purred to ask for attention, he ad scolded me, warning me that I would risk ruining his clothes. It was like to him, I was something dirty and increasingly bothersome...
I sighed. The thing was, I did not know what else to do, where else to go…
Having been sick for so long when I was young, I had not even done much of the rough play my siblings and other cats had engaged in, so I did not know how to hunt at all – and I knew that I did not really have the stomach for it to begin with…
I was not sure if I was able to fend for myself – and after how things had gone with the prince, part of me was afraid that maybe no one else would want someone like me either…
Maybe that was silly, I knew very well that cats like me fetched a high price, but it wasn’t quite that easy to convince myself of it right now…
But… maybe if I waited for my master to calm down, he would reconsider? After all, he had paid money for me, so, if he thought about it, he might see that I still could be useful? Sure, now that he had no reason to pretend that he fancied me as a pet to ingratiate himself to the princess, he hardly would want to keep me by his side, but, I could do other things for him, or?
Admittedly, I had only ever really learned how to be a pet…
Maybe he would still like to show me off, as long as I would be good for that?
I shook my head. Either way, I belonged to him and I had a duty to him. He had not formally dismissed me, so surely once he had time to calm down, he would change his mind, if only not to waste the money he had paid for me.
I tried to force a smile, taking a deep breath as I started to groom my face, making sure I would look nice and presentable again.
Just feeling sorry for myself would not do any good after all.
I stretched slowly, flexing the muscles in my body as I eyed the lower perch from where I had climbed up. A quick leap brought me back to the ground, landing on my hands and feet before I got up again, making my way back to the corridor I had come from.
As I strode down the ornate hallways, feeling the cool marble and the thick, luxurious carpets beneath my paw pads, I quickly realized however that there was one major problem: I had no idea where my master could have gone…
My tail flicked nervously as I tried to think. Would my master be with the sultan, talking to him again? It seemed likely, but if so, I should not intrude, not when my master was already in a foul mood…
Or maybe he was in the guest quarters the sultan had talked about before? It was where my master’s servants and luggage, including spare clothes, would be – and where I should be as well…
And I could wait for him there, even if he was somewhere else.
Admittedly, I did feel a bit afraid thinking of facing him again. My best hope really was that he would just act as if nothing had happened. But I could not help thinking that he might still be displeased with me, still look at me with that contempt in his eyes…
I shook my head. I had to do it. I had to try. Had to pull myself together.
I took a deep breath and perked my ears, listening for any sound that would indicate a passing servant, someone I could ask for directions.
Luckily, I did not have to wait long for a servant boy to pass by, carrying a large basket of linen.
He was dark skinned, close to my age and not that different in built, slender but with a rather defined muscle tone. He did not seem startled at all when I approached him and even smiled at me as I asked him first for my master’s whereabouts and then as to where the guest quarters were situated.
“I do not know for sure, but I do think I heard that the prince went to the guest quarters earlier. You can find them if you head down this corridor here. Do not stop until you reach another gallery. You just have to keep right from there, the rooms look out unto one of the smaller gardens. There is a relief of dancing monkeys over the door. Don’t worry, you really can’t miss it.” 
I felt relief wash over me as I thanked the boy, trying my best to show my gratitude and push away the nagging worry. He grinned broadly before he hurried away with his laundry basket and I made my way down the corridor he had indicated to me, my thoughts busy trying to think how I could best approach the prince.
My heart was still thumping heavily as I stood before the door, trying to calm myself, taking a deep breath as I walked into the room…

*******************************************************************************

The first thing I noticed was the scent. A blend of some exotic spice and the raw, masculine smell of male cat, of male tiger…
I let out a startled little sound, looking at the large, luxurious bedstead that dominated the room, covered by a deep red fabric, with colorful cushions and blankets draped over the sheets. And of course, stretched out right in the middle of it, the large tiger, with his mouth twisted into a lazy smile, golden eyes fixed on me, as he let out a soft, rumbling sound. It was not a purr, but it had the same effect, making me feel as if the vibration was directly transmitted through the air, hitting my trembling body.
I had not expected him, not expected the princess’s tiger and least of all like this!
He was stretching languidly, his tail raised, his butt in the air, arms and paws folded for his head to rest on. Back in the garden, I had been rather taken by surprise, but this time, I had the chance to actually look at him properly. The golden eyes that had stared me down with such intimidating force seemed softer, the pose so obviously relaxed, harmless, more like a cat inviting a caress…
I had noticed Rajah’s collar in the earlier, even if I had not paid much attention to it. Two segmented bands of gold around his muscular neck, thick and solid, rather befitting his toned body. What I had not fully noticed though were the contrasting thin chains of gold, wrapped around one of his biceps, running down his spine to form a loop around the base of his tail to finally loosely slung around one of his muscular thighs. A single gemstone dangled from them, now hanging from his neck and falling over one arm which was lazily propping up his large head.
“W, what are you doing here..?”, I stammered, feeling my heart beat quickly, still confused and, admittedly, quite flustered. Why was he here? Was I in the right room? Did I accidentally intrude, had I just…
“Waiting for you, kitten...” He seemed amused, letting out another one of those deep sounds, his tail moving slowly, swishing slightly from side to side.
My eyes were following the motion, almost as if hypnotized by it. And truth be told, I rather felt like I was…
“I mean, no, I, I was looking for my master...”, I got out, not even really knowing what I was saying.
Rajah let out a snorting huff, his whiskers trembling as his face took on a fiercer expression.
“That slimy snake… I could still hear most of what he was screaming at you when you had to go and run after him. I heard you crying out...”
There was a note of anger, but also compassion in his voice, something fiercely protective that seemed to hit my like soft, warm breath. His face became gentle again and the rumbling sound returned as he slowly shifted and stretched, looking right at me with warm, golden eyes.
“Come here, kitten…”
I felt a shudder running through my body, feeling the emotions from earlier welling up. It felt comforting hearing that someone was worked up on my behalf, even though…
“He has the right to do what he wants to me, say what he wants, I mean, I do belong to him after all. I thought, maybe if he had a chance to calm down, I could appease him and things would be all right...” 
I felt the need to explain, felt like I had to at least say something to defend my master, even if it made me really happy that Rajah seemed to be taking my side... 
I could feel the smooth marble and the soft carpet under my paws as I slowly stepped closer, feeling a bit hesitant to follow the invitation.
But he was part of our hosts household, so, I should obey him, right? Especially if I actually really wanted to…
“Umh, why did you wait for me here…?” I was only a few steps away now, pausing, not quite sure what to do exactly, even though I really, really wanted to run my fingers through the striped fur, feel the muscular body vibrating when he made one of those rumbling sounds.
“...because I thought my princess had been right earlier. I really should not be a bully...”
I looked at him, not quite understanding his meaning, making a questioning sound, which only caused him to let out an amused but rather gentle huff.
“… not just pin or pounce whatever, or whomever, I like just because I want them for myself...”
He looked at me, fixing me with his golden eyes, making it impossible to misunderstand.
I felt my heart thumping, a tingling, burning sensation spreading through my body, making me breathe heavily. 
“So, umh, you… want me…?”, I asked, hesitantly, my thoughts racing, one hand tentatively reaching out, only for him to softly take it into his and place it right on his body, making a rush of warmth and the wonderful sensation of tickling fur against my paw pads flood me. It felt, felt quite good, just...
“But, I mean, the princess, what about her…?”, I stammered, feeling the rumbling vibration that came from his chest spreading through his rib cage, through my hand, through my whole body…
“What about her?”, he half purred, looking at me, slightly arching his body to encourage my touch, until I could not help but trail my fingers through his fur, stroking, feeling the soft, if slightly rough texture, feeling his masculine scent slowly flooding my nostrils as I was drawn ever closer...
“I mean, umh, you and her, is she, I mean, won’t she…?” I trailed off, feeling a hot flush spread through my cheeks, both embarrassed and confused.
He just huffed, seeming rather amused as he let me continue to stroke and pet him, to feel the firm muscles under the golden fur.
“You thought because she teased that puffed up prince about taking you to bed that she and I would be doing that, hmmmh? No, kitten, as much as I love her dearly, I am not really interested in princesses that way.,.” He grinned and I lowered my gaze, my hand withdrawing, before he took it again and put it back right where it had been.
“I, umh, I did not mean to, I just...”
He let out another rumbling sound, half a growl, but all playfulness.
“You did not pick up on the fact that I rather enjoyed having you pinned beneath me then? I thought I was being rather obvious about having taken a liking to you. But I guess you were focusing all of your attention on that good for nothing fop...” 
I felt weirdly drawn between trying to defend my master again and just burning up from the mix of embarrassment and the swelling in my groin. I was really starting to feel hot…
And I could smell that he was getting aroused as well…
I could even see it when he shifted slightly, the glistening tip of his cock emerging from his sheath. And my heart was thumping heavier than ever.
“Hnnnh, I, I am sorry, I thought it was just me getting all worked up...”
I was whimpering, feeling my ears flatten, before I let out a startled sound as he pulled me closer, on the bed, shifting his pose until he was lying on his back, with me resting on his muscular body, my head on his chest, against the powerful muscles. 
It felt, really great…
I could hear the thumping beat of his heart, feel the warmth he was radiating. And my own cock was stirring, poking out, already starting to leak…
He made a soft sound. Now it was him stroking my back with soft gentle strokes as he gave my ear a little lick, making me let out another whimper.
“Then I guess you don’t mind me getting you up here on the bed with me...”, he rumbled, grasping my ass with one powerful hand and just lifting me up until I was lying fully on top of him, nestled against his chest, with my leaking cock rubbing against his fur…
“I, I am getting you all dirty...”, I gasped, feeling a bit ashamed, especially since we were on the guest bed, on the bed for my master…
“Ssssh, you are not dirty…”, he said in a low voice, one muscular arm wrapping around me, pulling me tight against his chest, as he adjusted his position, moving so that my cock was now rubbing right against his. He slowly began to lick my face, his warm breath tickling my nose...
“You are a very sweet kitten. And you smell really nice...” 
I felt a jolt going through my body, my stiff cock pressed against his, hot and slick…
This was really amazing. Rajah’s strong body felt like a solid rock to cling to, the rough tickle of his tongue bringing back warm memories of the past, about playing, wrestling and cuddling with other cats, about the times when we had reached adolescence, when we had first…
I let out a gasp and suddenly, his mouth was pressing against mine, the rough tongue pushing in, muffling the moan that was escaping me. My cock was throbbing against his as I jerked and bucked against him, unable to keep myself still under the insistent push of his tongue. Our bodies pressing more tightly against each other as he drew me close, I felt my pert nipples brush against his fur, against his own, firm and big. The touch of sensitive flesh against sensitive flesh was maddeningly arousing and I was making whimpering, helpless sounds, muffled moans of arousal as my cock throbbed with every bit of skin contact, as I began to eagerly and more boldly return his kiss.
“Hnnnh, hmmmff, ahnn!” I gasped, holding tight to him, just as I felt his thick, engorged cock pushing up against me, leaking precum, his heavy balls rubbing against mine. I closed my eyes, just letting him hold me, feeling his tail playfully curl with mine as the agonizingly intense sensation flooded my body, every time our nipples rubbed against each other, each time the sensitive tip of my cock pushed against his, each time his invading tongue made me struggle to breathe..
I was so close…
He let out a gasping breath, breaking the kiss, making me open my eyes again, staring into his golden gaze.
“You sound way to cute for me not to hear you beg. I really wanted to take you properly, but, hnnnh….” He growled, grinding his body against me, making me whimper and cry out as I felt the swelling heat, the heavy thump of our heartbeats, the teasing rub of fur against fur, skin against skin. That touch of nipple against nipple alone, I never had known how incredibly hot that felt. And I could very much tell he enjoyed it, too. I could sense his reaction, how his breath went heavier, how is cock throbbed…
“P, please… I want more, of this...” I clung to him, rubbing myself against him, feeling his body grind back, feeling his teeth teasing my ear, his chest resonating with a growling rumble that was all dominant and possessive as I went pliant, whimpering with submission, my body shaking with a violent surge of heat as his hot breath washed over my face, my tail trapped by his.
“Haaah, such a good, little kitten...” He was gasping, moaning lustfully, making me sense his intent. My mouth was opening, meeting his as his tongue pushed in again, muffling another helpless moan as my cock was throbbing violently, drawn to the final peek as he slammed into me, making both of us topple over, plunge down into the suffocating heat as slick spurts of cum shot out from both our over strained cocks, mixing and mingling as we were eagerly rubbing and grinding against each other, wet, hot and sticky until I just collapsed on top of him, moaning, my mouth free to breathe again as I desperately gasped for breath, greedily drawing in the air heavily smelling scent of sex.
I was not a virgin, this was not like it was my first time, but...
I never had done anything like this, not with anyone...
My head resting against his still heaving chest, I let out a soft, mewling sound, licking over his pert, sensitive nipples, loving how they felt beneath my rough tongue.
“Haaah, s, stop, I can’t, can’t take any more of that...” He protested, laughing, stroking my head as I buried my face in his chest fur, inhaling his scent, feeling the heat of his buffed up muscles seeping into me.
“S, sorry..” I got out, feeling so wonderfully exhausted, all secure and happy in his strong embrace.
My tail was still entwined with his, his strong arms holding me in place as I let out a happy, purring sound.
Though, with every little move, I got more and more aware of the sticky mess we were both spreading and smearing into our fur, all over our groins and bellies…
“Hnnnh, I, fear we made a bit of a mess, I got you all dirty…” 
My ears folded, remembering the one time my master had found me, just as I had been in the grip of a vivid, lewd dream, in the morning, close to waking…
He had been scolding me harshly, ordering me to clean myself up, staring indignantly at the white spurts, the sticky residue of a now forgotten pleasant fantasy...
I would have to ask the servants for a fresh sheet before he got to see this. He would be livid if he found out I had done, done that, on his very own bed…
Still, I felt too exhausted, too content being pressed against the tiger to feel much more than a twinge of guilt right now…
The soft whimper I made was cut off as a rough tongue tickled my ear.
“Sssh, I told you, you aren’t dirty...”
I looked into his face, seeing the teasing grin that was spreading there.
“...but if you feel so stressed over it, we can always fix that...”
I didn’t catch on fast enough to do anything but make a startled sound as he grasped my hips with both his hands and began to move me. But I was so pleasantly exhausted, pliant and relaxed, like a boneless mass of fur and overly sensitive flesh, that I just let him manhandle me, my body only growing tense as I suddenly was pressed face first against his still semi erect cock – and feeling my own being tickled by hot tiger breath.
Oh, I got it now…
My tongue lapped out, touching his pink, glistening tip. The strong, salty aroma flooded my mouth, mostly his seed, but also a bit of mine. I felt him shudder, felt his tongue combing through my fur, making me mimic his movement, licking the mix of sweat and cum from where it had splattered over our chests and bellies. It was a ticklish, teasing sensation, my body moving on top of his as I worked my way around, over the soft, creamy fur, up, or rather down, his chest until we both got to the position to lick at each other’s nipples, almost face to face.
It was really a good thing that the bed was huge and both of us rather nimble, because once he started to tease my nipples with tongue and teeth, I was starting to buck uncontrollably and he was not doing much better. Both of us were moaning and my cock was pretty quickly getting rock hard again. I raised my head, looking over the now cleaned up stretch of chest and abdomen, all the way to the slick, glistening shaft that was standing proud and stiff…
He was so big…
I felt my heart thumping as I crawled towards it, until my nose was bumping into the thick, pinkish erection, smearing me with the oozing precum that had already gathered.
I heard a rumbling moan from beneath me as my tongue lapped out, licking up and down his shaft. I had already enjoyed the taste of his sweat and semen, the thick, salty, masculine aroma coating my tongue, but this was so much better. I could not resist for long until I was greedily trying to swallow as much as I could, my head bobbing up and down, quickly, with hungry abandon as I felt the swelling throb of his arousal in my mouth.
And right as I was about to try to push myself to take in even more, something wet and warm engulfed my own stiff cock.
I let out a whimper, feeling heat rush to my face. I felt self conscious, nervous, inadequate, for him to lick on my stiff, throbbing erection. But Rajah’s steady, eager licks, the teasing of my delicate flesh as he swallowed me up made it clear that he was into this as much as I was. And that did make me shiver with an entirely different kind of warmth. 
With my size, he had it quite easy and I felt my whole body jerk with the intense stimulus as my whole length just vanished into his mouth, swallowed up as if he was a greedy hunter and I his morsel. I gasped, trying to keep my focus steady as I did my best to match his feat, fighting my gag reflex to get more of the wonderfully big, throbbing heat of his cock into my mouth.
His shuddering jerks, the sudden stream of hot breath against my balls made me feel like I was not doing too badly, but, that was not enough, I wanted to, wanted to…
I let out a startled whimper, my tongue just licking up a thick drop of pre oozing out as a reward for my efforts, as my own cock was suddenly let go, his hands grasping me, pulling me off.
I made a protesting sound, but relented, letting myself be moved, lifted up until I found myself in a quite peculiar position, my head between his calves, my own legs parted and my groin and ass cradled in his lap.
“Haaah, that, that is enough, kitten”, he huffed, his voice shaky, but filled with a giddy, happy note that made me feel wonderfully warm inside.
“I said I wanted to take you properly. And as nice as your mouth feels down there, I want to save my seed for this here...”, his voice went soft, filled with a low growl as one of his fingers pushed right against my anus, teasing the ring of muscle and making me whimper as I felt my entrance flutter, clenching and unclenching.
“Hnnnh, I, oooh, I, aaaah!” I felt my cock starting to throb with an intense jolt as his finger teased me even further. He was taking his time though, his finger pushing in slowly, withdrawing for a moment as I felt him move, only to return with a warm, slick coating. I could smell a pleasant scent in the air, whimpering as my entrance began to relax, slacken under the patient but steady invasion. I felt my face burn as I realized that I was smearing even more precum right on the sheets. Unlike most times, when my cock would start to soften under the too sudden intrusion, he was being really nice, working me so slowly and carefully that it was me jerking impatiently, trying to impale myself on his finger, causing him to chuckle and playfully squeeze my ass cheeks.
God, I wanted him to take me so badly…
I was whimpering and meowing, begging for more, but he just carefully added another finger, slowly scissoring, stretching me, making soft, cooing sounds.
“Yeah, that is right, good kitten...”
The fingers finally withdrew and I felt the gaping emptiness, felt how the ring of muscle was slick and slack, ready to be taken.
I turned my head, looking up at him over my shoulder, feeling my heart thumping in my chest and my cock agonizingly hard and sensitive against the soft, silky sheets.
“Rajah? Umh, do you think, umh could you, could you pin me down again…?”
I met his eyes, pleading, thinking of what he had said before, thinking of how flustered and confused I had felt with his big body on top of me – and how just the memory of it made my heart skip a beat.
“I, don’t mind, if I get bullied a bit, please…. I, hnnnh, really want this...”
He looked at me with a meltingly soft expression, stroking my back, grasping my shoulders possessively as he moved me back to the center of the bed.
“Kitten, if you let me do this to you, I better warn you now...”, he rumbled, teasing my back with half exposed claws, grazing my skin ever so lightly.
“If you give yourself to me like that, there is no way out, not until I am done with you, understood?” 
I could already feel him hovering above me, but I was still free to wriggle out, still free to escape, if I wanted to…
“I don’t want out. I want this. Please...”
I was panting, feeling that slick, aching emptiness, matched by the aching stiffness in my cock, throbbing with anticipation. 
Finally, I felt his hot breath tickling my neck as he settled down on top of me, his thick, throbbing cock pushing against my spread cheeks, sliding into the cleft between, rubbing teasingly against my entrance.
“Hnnnh, please!” I moaned, shivering as I felt the thick tip push against me, warm and slippery with precum, mixing with the scented oil he had used to spread me open, searching for the right angle as the tiger’s rasping breath sounded in my ear. I let myself be pinned down, my tail brushing against his legs as I braced myself for the impact.
“Hnnnaaah, nyyaaah, oooh, haaah, aaah!”
I felt my body jerk violently as the entrance to my body was pushed open, the loosened up muscle submitting to the thick, swelling pressure, settling as Rajah let out a shuddering groan. His tip had just barely passed into the warm, pliant inside, his shaft retracting slightly, only to push in with another slick, powerful thrust.
I gasped. He was inside. And he was pushing deeper. My whole body was flooded with the overwhelming sensation: helplessness, dizzy ecstasy and a feeling of being utterly laid bare, shivering like a kitten, cock throbbing, wanting more…
“Hnnnh, good boy...” 
He growled, pushing me down into the soft mattress, his throbbing cock penetrating me ever deeper, with steady, relentless thrusts. It only had hurt a little so far and the more I got used to it, the better it felt. I was whimpering with pleasure, my own cock jolting as I felt the pressure against my most sensitive spot, the relentless teasing push coming down on me with the weight of a big, muscular tiger. He could do whatever he wanted to me. And I so desperately wanted him to do it, no mater what it was.
I felt his hot breath tickling my neck as his teeth suddenly grazed my skin, closing down, not yet biting me, but making a clear statement. A claim of possession. I grew stiff, trembling, feeling a mix of panic and a deep, eager submission as I made a feeble, pleading sound, feeling the corners of my eyes welling up with tears. He held me in his grip, his hard body on top of me as he continued to thrust hard and deep into me, until finally, his heavy balls were pushing against my fur.
He was all the way in. I was completely claimed. I belonged to him now…
My cock was searing hot as his teeth clamped down on me, a high pitched scream of pure need escaping my mouth as I clenched around him, tight, hot and helplessly needy for more. 
But truth was, neither of us had any endurance left, not when the hot, stifling sensation of ecstatic arousal was so overwhelming, not when we both were so desperate for this. His whole body was shuddering, his hips bucking as he let out a ragged, growling sound, biting almost hard enough to pierce my skin as he slammed into me, only letting go when I started to buck wildly, my painfully hard arousal erupting in a sudden hot spurt of semen. He was roaring with ecstasy, pushing down harder his whole body shaking as I felt the slick heat flood me, pumped into me by his relentless thrusts, filling me up, spread all over my inside, gushing out with lewd, wet sounds.
It had gone so quickly this time, no slow buildup, no teasing push, just an intense rush of frantic needed, ending only once he had collapsed on top of me, still shaking, just like I was, still balls deep inside of me, hot and hard and, rubbing against my sensitive insides.
I was making weak, whimpering moans, feeling utterly drained, utterly exhausted, my shaking limbs too weak to even squirm beneath him.
His rough tongue was licking my neck, licking me gently where he had bitten me.
The sudden roughness had scared me, overwhelmed me, but now, I just felt happy, proud to have taken it all, grateful…
Rajah shifted position, rolling on his side, wrapping his arms around my chest, holding me in his embrace, my sgoulders rubbing against his muscular pecs..
“Hnnnnnh… Thank you...”, I sighed, feeling content just to lie in his arms, sweaty and sticky with cum as we both were. Every little movement just served to make his hard shaft rub teasingly against my sensitive innards and even spent as I was, it felt just amazing, hot, intimate and strangely soothing, reassuring me of his presence…
“Kitten, you hardly need to thank me for letting me have my way with you...”, he rumbled, licking one of my ears gently, causing me to let out another soft, happy whimper.
“I never had anyone so sweet and eager. And so completely trusting…”
His grip tightened, drawing me even closer against his chest as if he was unwilling to let me go.
“Anyone who doesn’t cherish that is a bloody fool...”
I shivered, feeling all warm from the fierce note in his voice, the tight grip, the soft, caressing licks.
But his words reminded me of why I had come here, brought back the thoughts I had allowed to slip  aside as I had let the handsome tiger seduce me, draw me into his strong arms, made love to me like no one ever had before…
I knew I should go and look for my master, but…
I really, really wanted to stay here…
I did not want to try wriggling out of the tiger’s arms, did not want him to let go of me…
What I wanted was exactly this…
So I just purred softly, rubbing my head against his chest, cuddling into his embrace, closing my eyes, wanting to loose myself in his heat, the sound of his still ragged breaths and the thumping beat of his heart…
“Umh, can you stay with me like this, just a bit longer then…?” I asked, shyly, hoping he would say yes, hoping he would not have anywhere else to go, not just yet…
I did not want this to end, even if I knew that it would eventually have to…
“As long as you want me to...”, he spoke softly, his strong hand stroking gently over my chest, his tail finding mine again, tangling like vines.
“Thanks...” I purred, feeling his warmth envelope me, his chest rumbling as he rubbed his chin over my tousled head. 
My mouth twisted into a smile as I felt his heartbeat slowing down, a steady, strong thump that slowly seemed to consume all of my mind. My master, the palace, everything seemed to slowly fade, my eyelids growing heavier as I slowly drifted off, wrapped into a cocoon of fur, muscle and heat and the soothing scent of male tiger…

When I woke up, I felt wonderfully soft. All tension seemed to have drained from my body and the air was soothing and cool, a pleasant contrast against the sleepy warmth I was still wrapped up in.
It took a moment for my memories to come flooding back.
No room in an inn, no noisy bustle from outside…
Silken sheets, the soft light of dusk and the scent of flowers and spices…
I let out a soft moan, stretching sleepily on the soft bed.
No sticky fur…
No heavy smell of sex…
Instead, I felt clean, refreshed, as if someone had given me a bath with tongue or washcloth…
Someone…
No tiger next to me…
No muscular body pressing against mine.
I felt my ears starting to droop as I blinked, looking around.
“Ah, finally awake, kitten?” The deep, rumbling voice made me rise up in one swift motion, my face breaking into a smile as I looked at him.
He was no longer wearing the fine metal chains, just his collar and a very smug expression.
“Rajah!” I rolled to the side, making room for him as he sat down next to me, tousling my hair and scritching me behind my ears.
“Missed me?”, he asked teasingly, stroking down my back.
“I, umh, was a bit worried, I mean, it must be close to nightfall and, well...” I paused, looking around, noticing that if there had been any of my master’s things before – I had been a bit too distracted to check – they certainly did not seem to be here anymore…
The warm, happy afterglow from before was still too strong for me to feel the full, cold impact of the realization, but nevertheless, my shoulders drooped as I looked up at him hesitantly.
“...Rajah, say, where is the Prince? My master, I mean?” 
He looked at me, seeming to wrestle with conflicting emotions as he finally spoke: “He has gone. You know, he had already made his leave when you came to this room...” 
I felt his hand on my shoulder holding me, as if he was afraid I might suddenly run off…
I felt numb. It was not like it really came as a surpirse, just, just…
I knew I had mostly just tried to convince myself earlier that he would not simply abandon me, that I had been trying to rationalize away what I had seen plainly in his face, in his eyes…
“So, he left me then…?” 
I still felt hollow inside, even with all the warm happiness, even with the strong arm drawing me close against the muscular chest…
“I, umh, I guess I should not be surprised, it is just...” I tried to take a breath, not wanting to cry, not over this, not when Rajah had already done so much to comfort me...
He squeezed me to his chest, his voice rough, but also kind. I could sense his anger, bu also feel that it was not directed at me, but rather at my master, my former master now, I guessed...
“He had been here, in this room, ordering his servants to pack his things, acting like the rotten spawn of a hyena he is. I made sure the puffed up little prick understood what I would do with him, if he should even think about trying to stir up some petty vendetta against my princess. And I also told him that if he laid one more finger on you, I would not stop at his clothes next time...” 
I felt his breath grow heavy, his voice a growl as he stroked through my fur, maybe a bit more forcefully this time, as if he had to quell his outrage
“It made me feel sick that this rat would make you bow and beg and look up to him as if he was anything but a piece of shit. That a little leopard like you would throw himself in front of a charging tiger just for that guy...”
I felt the mad urge to laugh, pressing my head against the firm chest, my body shaking, thinking with a mix of shock and also, admittedly, amusement at how that scene must have played out.
Finally, I managed to calm myself, looking up at him, feeling uncertain despite all of it. As much as I felt happy about how he had stood up for me, there was one problem, the same thing that had weighed on me before, when I had sat up on the walls…
“Rajah, I, umh, I know the prince, I mean, I know what kind of man he is, but...” I took a deep breath, hugging the tiger tightly, as if clinging to him for support.
“I, I do not have anywhere else to go. I mean, I have been a pet, all my life. I would not know how to get by in the wild and I do not know if anyone would want to take me in when I still technically belong to the prince… Not that I was much use to him...”
I tried to smile, say it jokingly, not like the whining kitten I had once been, pestering his mother when all my siblings had already started to become independent…
But Rajah just drew me closer, speaking softly into my ear, stroking me gently.
“Sssshhh. Kitten, do you really think we would just throw you out?” 
I looked up at him, not quite comprehending, not quite daring to…
“I had more than enough time to talk to my princess while you were all soundly asleep and she to talk with the sultan, her father. Even if it was quite a challenge to pry myself off you when you were cuddling against me all sweet and innocent and purring in your sleep. But...”
He chuckled, giving me another long lick over my cheek.
“...they both said they would be more than happy to take in a brave, sweet leopard with so much better manners than this big, misbehaving tiger...” 
He grinned mischievously at me as I looked up to him, still feeling like I could not quite allow myself to hope, to believe…
“You, you mean, I mean, they really, really would want me…?” I felt a shiver running down my spine, feeling drawn between clinging tighter to him and getting on my feet, going to them, the sultan, the princess, asking them, thanking them, promising to them…
Rajah’s chest was rumbling deeply as he held me, giving me a soft nudge against my shoulder.
“I may be wild, overbearing and a bit too prone to chase off good for nothing princes, but I can assure you, I always mean what I say...” 
He chuckled, taking one of my ears between his teeth with a playful growl, making me yelp until I could not help giggling, burying my face in his chest fur.
When I finally looked up, I could not help the smile, feeling relief wash over me, tentatively lapping against the lump of anxiety and doubt stuck in my chest.
“So, what do you say, want to be a pet here? With me? For me maybe?” 
He said the last part with a teasing wink, his muzzle forming the same playful grin he had had when I had found him here, lying on the bed, waiting for me…
I looked into his golden eyes, feeling the tension melt inside of me as I hugged his muscular body tightly, letting his comforting warmth flood me, wash away the frivolous, stupid worries I had carried around with me all the time.
“Yes, I would like that, very much...”
His mouth slowly opened, the grin spreading as he drew me in for a sweet, if clearly dominating kiss.