247 Test of Strength (19)

Reduced to her fennec form, Iris had spent the rest of the day just exploring the mansion. After the search, she didn't dare to turn back, especially since Kyro's parents were back home.

By the evening, she was bored out of her mind, but it was to be expected. She had already gotten back to her human habits and suddenly turning into a fox wasn't that exciting. The novelty of it had disappeared somewhere around the first month.

Around six, there was the sound of the car outside, and Iris jumped on the windowsill to check it out. She recognized Kyro's car. His mother ran out to welcome him, so Iris just stayed by the window, watching.

Kyro seemed to be in a good mood. There was a smile playing on his lips, and he even spared his mother a few words which didn't seem to be some biting remarks. At least based on the way she lit up from them.

Happy that he'd had a good day, Iris jumped on the ground then got up to the table. It wasn't that she thought her fennec form wasn't good enough, but she really wanted to talk with Kyro, exchange at least a few words.

Thus, she got a horror movie clip and watched it while paying more attention to herself than what was on the screen. Still, the moment the jumpscare happened, she felt her heart flutter. There was little reaction within her, but she instantly recognized a small spark.

It was too small to cause any change, but she grabbed onto it and embraced with all her being. The next moment, she stood in her human form. "So easy," she muttered while grabbing a shirt to cover herself. 'If only I knew how to bring that spark to life…'

By the time Kyro got to the second floor, Iris was already somewhat presentable. Dressed in a too-large shirt and a bathrobe, she felt quite decent, for someone who would be returning to her fox form in an hour at most.

When Kyro opened the door, his eyes went wide. He pulled back a little, then swiftly glanced around and threw the door closed. "What are you doing?" he whisper-shouted. "What if my parents had come with me?"

"They wouldn't dare." Iris grinned at him. "So how did your day go?"

Kyro didn't look happy with her explanation, but he didn't scold her. Instead, he gave a quick overview of his conversation with Mark and what it would mean to Dioscuri if the alliance went through.

"But how are you going to convince Gale? He doesn't seem like someone easily influenced by things like the power of friendship."

"I'll think of something. What about you, though? Did anything interesting?" Kyro asked, sitting near her on the bed.

For a moment, Iris wanted to say that nothing happened, but then remembered one thing that might be important. "Homeland Security came again. For some reason they were certain that they'd find me here."

She said it in a lighthearted manner, but Kyro's face paled, then flushed with color. He rose to his feet, hands balled into fists. "Again? They actually chased you even here?"

'Yeah' was at the tip of Iris' tongue, but she suddenly realized that it wouldn't be the best reply. Standing up as well, she came to stand by Kyro's side. When he didn't look at her, fuming by himself while preparing to leave, she caught him by the arm.

When he turned around, she put her hands on the sides of his face and rose on the heels of her feet for a quick kiss. "I'm fine," she whispered. "They won't find me as long as I can change shape."

Kyro stood frozen for a moment, just staring at her, then pulled her into hug. "What if one day I won't see you when I return home?" he asked in a soft voice, no more than a whisper. "If they take you, I might never even find out what happened to you."

Iris wrapped her hands around him as well, listening to the quick beat of his heart. "It won't happen. The universe knew that an airhead like me would need help to survive, so it gave me the ability to become a fox," she said with a light smile. "It's all so I would get to stay by your side."

With a somewhat forced chuckle, Kyro pulled her away a bit so he could look into her eyes. "Have you been reading too many fairy tales lately?"

"I was bored…"

Iris looked up at him with innocent eyes. She hadn't read even one, but it was nice to imagine they were in such a story. If that was true, nothing would ever happen to them. Whatever trials and obstacles appeared in their path, they would only be there to make their happy ever after more satisfying.

Besides, she wasn't any good with the serious topics. It was better to just change them into something simpler.

"I don't know if that should worry me less, or more," Kyro said, slowly letting her go.

She took a step back and plopped back on the bed. "Of course more. I'll soon want a castle."

"Can it wait till I stabilize my company?"

Iris pretended to think, even putting her finger to her mouth while frowning in deep thought. "I don't know… A prince without a castle… Somehow that's just not good enough…"

"You little..."

Feeling the malicious intent, Iris quickly rolled over to the other side of the bed. It barely saved her from the grab, and she jumped to her feet. Safe, she smirked at Kyro, but her self-satisfied expression faltered a little when she saw his grin that didn't promise anything good.

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