“Impossible.They have already been destroyed with a disintegration lightning.”
“What!”I pressed my lips into a thin line beforeunintentionally teaching him a new curse word.Those clothes were the only ones I had!
“My lady can walk wherever she wishes,” Samuin kindly informed me, “with the robe my liege has provided for her.”
I gaped.Xaniban, you son of a… gargoyle!He had Samuin in on his stupid plot to get me into that fishnet.I was sure of it.
I might have looked murderous, because Samuin eyed me cautiously.“My lady?”
“If I’m wearing properattire,” I grumbled, “will I be able to go wherever I please?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Will I be able to walk freely, or will you be shadowing me?”
“I shall be your shadow only if you wish it so.”He nodded respectfully.
“No guards?”
“My lady does not need guards where she is perfectly safe.”
I sighed, then went back into the bedchamber and shut the door behind me.Time to face the music, aka embrace the local culture and put diamonds on my nipples.
It took some wiggling around and stretching to tie the laces at my back, but I got into the skimpy outfit.To my chagrin, I found it quite comfortable.I could move freely, and the integrated panties ensured I wouldn’t be flashing anyone in the process.The precious stones actually provided good coverage, and if anyone stared at my chest inappropriately, they risked going blind from how much I sparkled in the sunlight.
I opened the door and stepped outside with as much dignity as I could muster.
Samuin bowed deeply.“My Queen.”
I nearly burst into hysterical laughter.“Okay, uhh… I want to visit the city.”
“I am afraid you cannot do that.”
I narrowed my eyes.“You said I could go wherever.”
“Wherever within the palace walls,” he explained with as much calmness as ever.
Murderous mode: reactivated.“Why the hell can’t I go beyond?”
“For your own safety.My liege has not announced his mating yet, and if you just appear among my brethren in his color, the joy will be uncontrolled.Discipline must be maintained.”
Seriously?I was in danger of overjoyed gargoyles?I thought Xaniban didn’t want me in the city out of suspicion I would find someone there willing to fly me home.Or because the king’s opposition might attack me, or take me hostage as a bargaining chip… Guess his subjects loved him–most of all the women, I bet.
How many had Xaniban slept with?Given their small number, probably all of them?My blood began to boil at the mere thought–
“My Queen?”
I pushed down the sudden fit of jealousy and refocused on the conversation.“Fine, no leaving the palace.What can I do inside?”
“I would suggest visiting the library.TheMate Bond Scrollcould be of interest.”To my confused look, Samuin added, “I have heard the stories of how hard it is for some humans to accept the existence of the bond.I was told by my liege you are one of the skeptical females.The scroll can help you believe.”
Not this again.Still, the library sounded like the perfect place to learn more about Gargoyles and other beings that went bump in the night.I just had to make sure my curiosity didn’t get the best of me.I had to be out of the library and back into my wrap dress before Xaniban’s return.
“Lead the way, Samuin.”
“It would be my honor.”
Once I left the heavy sword and stifling boots behind on his advice, Samuin led me down a wide, brightly-lit corridor.The cloudy floor was warm under my bare feet.Tapestries of famous sites aroundthe globe decorated the walls.I wished I could stop and take in each one.
