“Slumming it above Drinker’s Row,” my big friend smiles, “we’ve always been near, Alex.”
My heart sinks as I look at all three men. They’vealways been near. Just above me. Ready for the next notice of travel so that they can escort me to the library entrances. They’ve always remained close, even when we weren’t traveling.
I sit down with a small nod and turn to hide my face, pretending to look at Stormfall sleeping on my shoulder as I hold back the tears that threaten to fall from my eyes.
We spend all of late breakfast and into midday on top of the veranda overlooking the Southern Park. My heart is full. Sera and Mana are so obviously in love. There’s no denying the affection shared between them. Their stolen glances and small touches below the table make my heart sing, their interactions reminding me so much of the King and Queen.
Eventually, both Cal and Alanna announce that they need an ale, and I promptly agree with the statement. Sera takes no affront and laughs as she clears our plates.
I stand with her, remembering something she said from the first time we had a conversation, and grab a few more plates before following her back inside.
“Sera,” I walk at her side, “did you notice the Discerni man following me that day? The last time we saw eachother?”
Sera peers over my shoulder and looks at Mana, urging me behind the counter as she drops her plates down.
“I just wanted to put him on your notice,” she nods quietly, “I didn’t know his intentions, only saw the way he was looking at you too often.”
“Your gut told you well,” I reply, my voice just as quiet as our group begins walking towards us, “he is no longer of this Old World. The Ancient has him.”
I hold her eyes in genuine appreciation, “thank you,Sera. He was not a good man.”
The Discerni woman smiles and takes the dishes from my hands.
“I know you’re in the safety of the castle below, but just know that you can call on me,us, if you ever need anything.”
I nod in agreement and smile at the rest of the group when they catch up to us. Mana decides to stick behind with his wife, no doubt wanting to spend as much time with her as possible, but affirms that we’ll see them both later tonight for court. Cal, Holis, Alanna, Golem and I all walk back down the stairs and onto the main road, letting Cal lead our small group to whatever tavern he often frequents.
“Actually,” I pause in our walk and turn to Alanna, “what are you wearing tonight?”
The blonde Discerni shrugs with a smirk, “something black. Something to make your Knowledge Court uncomfortable.”
Cal grins down at Alanna in desire and approval.
“Of course,” I smile, turning to my big friend, “where are you headed, Cal?”
“Marv’s,” he looks at me in question.
“I know of it,” I nod, “I’ll meet you there shortly.”
“I’ll stay back with you,” he frowns.
I shake my head and smile at all three of them, “no need. Just going to find a new dress for tonight. I’ll be right behind you all.”
The three nod and head down the road as I stop in front of a dressmaker’s shop. There’s a beautiful green dress hanging in the window that catches my eye, so I immediately walk inside and let the human woman behind the counter know that I want to try it on. She smiles and takes the dress off its display, then shuffles me behind a small privacy curtain so I can try it on.
The dress reminds me of Princess Clair’s from our night in her court. It leaves the full of my chest and arms bared completely, the fabric curving over my breasts before it tightens along my body and flows down to the ground. It’s green in its entirety, but there’s hundreds of different dark emerald roses that are sewn into the full of the fabric. I love it, but there’s a few alterations that need to be made.
I walk back to the woman at the counter and explain the full slit I want added up my right leg. Her eyes widen in disbelief when I tell her to have it reach my hip, then widen even more when I ask for the cut between my breasts to dip all the way down to the top of my naval.
“But can it be done?” I ask again, a little more forceful this time.
“Yes, Lady,” she blanches, “but why would you want that?”
“Why not?” I shrug with a grin, dropping a few extra cinerin on the counter for her, “I’ll need the alterations soon. Two turns before sundown.”
The woman nods and eyes the coins, “come back then. I’ll have it ready for you.”
Golem and I head back to the main road and walk towards the Western Palisades. We head into Marv’s Tavern and greet my friends at their table, Holis smiling as he pulls out the chair next to him.
