CHAPTER 4: Playing the Part

Demeter stepped inside the den and looked around. "Munkustrap?"

Munkustrap emerged from the back part of the den and kissed Demeter on the cheek. "Hello, dear."

For the first time since she and Munkustrap and had become mates, Demeter suddenly felt awkward around the silver tabby.

Munkustrap sensed this and frowned. "Is everything alright?"

Demeter smiled and forced herself to relax. "Of course, darling."

The tom returned her smile. "Good." He kissed her properly on the lips.

Demeter forced herself to act natural, but she couldn't prevent her mind from automatically comparing his kiss with Plato's. Maybe I should just pretend I'm with Plato. That seemed to help a bit.

Munkustrap, without breaking the kiss, scooped his queen up into his arms and laid her across their bed. He paused on his actions long enough to look into Demeter's eyes and emit a lustful growl.

Demeter shifted herself into a more comfortable position and prepared herself for what was to come.

Plato cautiously looked inside the den he shared with his mate, Victoria. There was no sign of her. Plato breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he settled onto the cushion that served as a bed for himself and Victoria, the afore-mentioned queen entered the den.

The white feline, her fur messy in some places, appeared to be quite startled at the sight of her mate.

Plato raised an eyebrow but hid his smirk. It was evident to him that Victoria had been with Mistoffelees and had not counted on Plato being home before she'd had a chance to do something about her appearance. "Hello, darling."

Victoria flushed beneath her fur. "Hi, Plato."

"Have a good day?"

"Y-Yes, I – I did."

"What did you do?" Plato tried to make his questions seem casual, but knew he was causing his so-called mate discomfort.

"Uh, just talked…to…Rumpelteazer. Like I said I was going to. Remember, dear?"

Plato feigned a look of confusion. "Ummm…no…no, I don't recall that…" he replied truthfully. Plato almost laughed out loud at Victoria's panicked expression.

"Well, I did," she said shortly.

"No, I thought you said something about visiting Mistoffelees."

"Maybe I did…I really can't remember. But I didn't end up seeing him, anyway. Rumpelteazer roped me into a debate…with Etcetera. Uh, I think I'll just have a bath," she said quickly. "All that dust…"

Deciding to play the part of the caring mate, despite his own discomfort, just to see her squirm (not that Plato was a sadist or anything), Plato made an offer. Besides, he had to keep up appearances. "I'll wash you."

Victoria's entire body went rigid. They'd only washed each other twice since they had become mates. "What?"

"I'll wash you."

"Well?"

"He suspects nothing."

Plato nodded, pleased. "She doesn't suspect anything, either. Well, nothing other than I suddenly love her even more than I apparently do, that is."

"Cassandra hasn't spoken, then?"

Plato merely slipped a folded piece of paper into Demeter's paw, a grave expression crossing his face.

Demeter quickly scanned the note and handed it back. "You're not going, are you?" She looked up at her lover worriedly.

Plato's expression did not alter in the slightest. "I have to."

"Plato…" She paused. "Please be careful."

The tall tom let a fleeting smile play over his lips. "Ah, those inevitable words." Plato pulled Demeter into his arms, kissed her passionately, and then was gone.