Page 251 of Of Dusk and Daybreak

Heart pounding, Brand mimicked its bated breath, waiting…

It pounced, snatching the morsel and scurrying a few feet away to hunker down.

“Go on, then,” he rasped, his voice rusty from a combination of screams and disuse.

Though he preferred not to think about those less dignified moments.

The fox narrowed its eyes, got a better hold on the strip of beef, and was gone.

Still, it was progress. He’d try again tomorrow.

For some reason, Brand was convinced that if the fox decided to let him touch it, he was worthy. Ready.

He wasn’t sure when feeding changed to ingratiating, but here they were. And exactly why the antics and opinions of such a small creature had become paramount to his success was beyond him. Luna would probably tell him he needed to be ready for himself, because he decided it was so. He knew that, too. Truly.

There was just something about the fox.

It had been two days since it first accepted a treat from Brand, and yesterday it deigned to eat in front of him. Twice, both in the morning and afternoon. Today, Brand held the morsel closer to himself, hoping to get a feel of its silken fur. His hand was practically itching for it, like healing might come through the softness of that single, innocent contact.

Shite, maybe he was trying to replace Pet. The wolf had once been his only source of solace, his golden fur anchoring Brand to the world as it spun out of control. Seeing as Pet was actually a grown Wolflord, his own damned brother, and not, in fact, a pet of any kind, it was probably time for Brand to put that reliance to rest.

Still, there was a lot to be said about animals and the healing they offered.

This animal in particular.

Maybe Brand should give it a name. Unless it already had a name.

The fox eased out of the brush, glowing eyes more curious than careful this time. It seemed relaxed in general, actually, the tension of before missing from its shoulders and haunches.

“Hello, chap,” he murmured, marveling at the way Nachthelliae’s luminescence reflected off of its fur, like molten metal. “Lovely day, wouldn’t you agree?”

Brand was barely sure he agreed, but that was beside the point.

Its long, pointed ears twitched, turning this way and that, and Brand stifled a laugh. They were almost ridiculous in size, each nearly as big as his head.

“I don’t suppose you speak and want to tell me what to call you.”

He wouldn’t be in the least surprised. If snails were able to be as high and mighty as the most self-possessed Imperials, so obviously looking down their nonexistent noses at him when he made an arse out of himself, a fox could mutter a few words.