I watched her read, her legs curled on the settee, pillows propped behind her shoulders. "Do you play chess?"

She gave me another treasure I hoarded-her smile. "I play checkers."

"Humph. Chess is the game of kings. I do not play a child's game."

She innocently gazed around the room not looking at me. "I see no kings here."

That was why I enjoyed her so much. She liked teasing me and keeping me on my toes, or talons depending on my form. "I shall teach you ...