“Anytime, and I meananytime you are in Bardot, ask for me and I will gladly host you.”
“You are very kind,” she replies, a small smile hidden behind her lips, “is there anything else?”
“No, thank you,” I reply and walk her to the door, “truly Gail, thank you for this. And for last night.”
“If its what makes you happy...”
“It is,” I grin.
I wave goodbye and then walk back to the mirror again to literally just stare. The shimmering gold of the fabric is winking back at me and covering the full front of my body from head to toe, the fabric itself made of golden sparkles across the entirety of it, every single glimmer dancing with the firelight in the room. The neckline is high and moves tightly down to my chest, keeping its tight embrace over my waist, hips and rear and hugging every single curve of my body before it loosens in a flow to the ground.
My full arms are also covered, the long sleeves jutting all the way down to my wrists where they’re also tightened in a delicate embrace. I look like a proper Lady of Knowledge from the front with my full body covered, though I doubt anyone from Bardot would ever dare to wear something as tight as this.
But it’s not the front of the dress that has me once again praising Gail’s work, and as beautiful as it is, it’s also not what has my heart kicking in my chest…
I turn my shoulder to the mirror with a foolish grin, staring at the piece that just screams my approval of Warrior fashion. The full of my back, from my open shoulders down to the tip of my ass, is completely bare for all to see. My shoulder blades and small back muscles are accentuated before they lead down to the bare curve of my hips, the fabric sweeping just above the arc of my ass in a near cover and hugging my cheeks. The entirety of it is excessively daring and bold, showing more skin than I ever thought appropriate, but even still, I feel more sexy and confident than I have in a long time.
I leave my hair straight and down again, letting it fall in front of my face before landing on the tips of my breasts.
“Alex, you ready?” Cal’s voice booms from the door just as I’m putting on my new earrings.
I smile at the boldness of their color and yell back, “yes! Give me a small moment.”
I turn to look at the room and double check everything around me. I packed earlier when I got back to the castle and now have all my gear sitting next to the door. I held tight to my promise that I would be camping under the Shadow Oak tonight, and readied myself to spend the full night under its dark limbs.
Golem and I step out of the room and greet Cal, Holis and Mana, each of them wearing various shades of green with gold stitching. They give me a small bow that I return with a smile, the collective sight of us representing Knowledge so perfectly warming my heart.
“We’re going to stick out like a sore thumb again,” I smile to no one in particular.
All three men grin in agreement, as does Golem.
“I enjoyed your singing last night, Cal,” I tease our big friend once we’re walking through the twisting halls.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” he shakes his head in denial.
“No, I think I heard it too,” Holis adds with a wink in my direction.
“You could have heard anything,” Cal grumbles, “everyone was singing last night.”
“Mhmm,” I hold back a laugh, “they were. But it was your distinct baritone that I truly enjoyed.”
“How did the song go again?” Holis asks just as we reach the double doors of court.
The laughter and voices coming from within are already boisterous and noisy, the smoke of the room rising to the dark open sky above. Cal leads the way forward with the three of us and Golem beside him, his quick steps trying best to ignore the conversation.
My eyes immediately find the Prince as we make our way forward. He’s already seated at the head table and speaking to Desmond on his right, his brother turning his head in our direction when he notices our arrival. Keane moves his own brown gaze to look over the heavy green and gold of our group, and I swear I see a slight grimace touch his lips at the sight.
“I remember some of the lyrics,” I whisper in our walk, “something about men being greeted with crabs after lying with ladies…”
The moment the words leave my lips, the Prince’s gaze finds mine.
Cal blushes in embarrassment as Holis gives a throaty chuckle next to him. We continue in our walk towards the head table, the Warriors of the court instantly quieting as Keane stands from his chair.
“You have a beautiful voice,” I laugh softly at Cal and stop before the Prince, “perhaps made more beautiful with how familiar you are with what you were singing.”
Holis visibly tries to contain his laughter as we all slowly bow to Keane. The Prince stands in front of his chair with narrowed eyes, observing our hidden grins with Discerni indifference.
“Our modest guests from the Court of Knowledge,” Keane gives a cool smile, “it will please me greatly if you all join my court again tonight.”
