My heart had jumped into my throat when she walked up carrying her tail. I know she has given me no reason to doubt her love for me, but the scars from both of my ex-wives betraying me were hard to get past. Her smirk at my relief when Katherine explained made it clear she knew what I was thinking, but it did not make me feel any better about the pain I had to be causing her.
"You need to stop worrying about her leaving you," Julien said as we watched the girls get set up for their yoga class. I saw his faint grin as I turned to him in shock. "I have a lot of practice reading people. It is almost a requirement for training new pets, but the looks you both have are easy. My stepmother used to get the same look you do whenever father was around the pets. She always worried he would get tired of her and want to start playing with the pets again."
"The look in her eyes when she sees you is even clearer. Addison looked at me the same way before asking my father to make her my pet," he told me. "Your kitten would do anything you asked, just to stay by your side. She enjoys her other playmates, but she would never consider leaving you."
"I am aware of that on one level, but my doubts still crop up sometimes. I don't exactly have the greatest track record with women wanting to stick around," I replied. "She is slowly getting me past it, mostly by always being there when I start to worry, but it has been hard. I am also a bit worried about being able to spend enough time with her, with the way she is basically throwing the other pets at me."
"I would not worry about that either. Your kitten has no problem letting someone know when she wants attention. From the sound of it, she has been enjoying herself more than you have so far. Just relax and enjoy yourself, I am sure she will let you know if she is feeling neglected," he chuckled. "I would be more concerned about my other pets wearing her out. They all seem quite eager to spend time with your girls."
"Felicia was a bit eager herself," I laughed in reply. "We should get back to Marta's schedule for school though. As much as I enjoy listening to music, I know very little about making it."
Our conversation drifted through the pros and cons of the different classes available for Marta at the conservatory. I was surprised at how much information he had, even when he admitted that Anna had found it for him. We had worked up a viable schedule for her degree program that would have her finished with it in two years, unless class availability was changed, and were working on possible postgraduate options when our conversation was interrupted.
"Excuse me Master, but Paige said I would find you here. You told me to come find you after I got back to discuss what I would be doing."
I turned to see Marta standing behind us, and I could tell she was a bit anxious. She was looking at Julien, but her eyes kept sliding to me and I could see the hope there.
"Of course my pet, we were just talking about your future," Julien told her. "Come have a seat and we will discuss what I expect of you, then I will leave it to your new Master to go over his expectations. Alonso has agreed to claim you, so you will be returning to Italy with him to continue your schooling."
Marta's eyes lit up and she threw herself into my arms. "Thank you so much, I promise I will try to be a good pet for you. I know I should not be asking for favors, but would it be possible to see my family occasionally?"
"We will discuss that possibility later," I told her. "I imagine we can arrange for your family to visit if you do well, but we still have some other things to go over."
She looked back at Julien and blushed before dropping to her knees between us. "Sorry Master, I got a little excited when I found out Alonso would be claiming me."
We were interrupted again as Elizabeth knelt down in front of Marta. "I don't mean to interrupt Master, but we have finished our workout and I know Felicia would probably like a shower now. With you being busy, I was hoping I could get permission to wash her for you."
"I think she would enjoy that," I replied. "I will have to ask you to see if someone can wash Kiera as well, as she is not allowed to bathe herself either."
"Of course Master, I would take care of her myself, but I am sure someone will volunteer to bathe her while I take care of Felicia," she said as she got up and walked back to the yard.
I turned back to see Julien's smirk. "What can I say; I enjoy playing with my pets while I wash them."
"I completely understand, as I regularly enjoy showering with the pets. I just don't get to do it every day or I would never get any work done," he replied as he looked over to Marta. "I only have two rules for you honestly. You are going to have a lot more freedom than most of my new pets, but you chose to become a pet so I doubt you will have any issues following your Master's directions. Alonso does not particularly like the idea, but he has agreed to punish you if you make it necessary."
"The main reason I am sending you with Alonso is so you can continue your schooling. I had intended for you to do that here, but it's not possible at this point," he explained. "With you being sent out to school, I have high expectations on your performance. We received updates on your marks, and you have been an exceptional student, so keeping your marks above ninety percent should present no difficulty for you. Anything below that will result in a punishment. Do you have any questions about my expectations?"
"No Master, I will do my best to meet your expectations," Marta replied. "I am looking forward to being Master Alonso's pet, so he should have no reason to punish me for not behaving. I cannot promise to keep my grades that high, but I will do my best."