“I think they ran into something much more creepy.”
Bethany frowned. “What?”
“Lord Rez. He feels he owes you. Why would that be?”
“Uh, he turned my first time into a bloodbath. Not unexpected for a kijin but not pleasant. I just didn’t stick around for a repeat performance.”
Delphine stared. “What happened?”
“Apparently, my dancing made him think I had more experience than I actually did. He was mistaken. I didn’t care. The spell was set, and I was out of there.”
Ambera asked, “Spell?”
“To remove my name from memory. If someone knew me before the spell, they would know me as Bethany.”
Delphine smiled. “That explains it. You changed in a thunderclap.”
“Yeah, that would have been when I punched Lord Rez and knocked him out. He had rolled off and was staring at me. He tried to grab me, and I decked him.” She finished her coffee.
“Oh, that is ogre foreplay.” Delphine snickered.
“He’s not an ogre. I mean, he lives with the ogres, but he distinctly said he was a kijin.”
“That’s like the difference between human and elf.”
“Oh. Oh no.” Bethany put a hand to her mouth. “Oh dear. I hope I didn’t hurt his feelings.”
Delphine chuckled. “Before you punched him or after?”
“Before.”
“Ah. Well, I have to get on with my morning stuff. Bethany, I want you to not go anywhere without my mother or Tyler. The driver. He will drop you off and pick you up. We only have a few days to go, so it won’t be too bad. Tyler is a giant, so he’s up for just about anything that will come after you, and he’s impervious to magic.”
Ambera grinned. “And he’s waiting, so come on, and let’s get started. I love doing makeovers, and as stated, Delphine rarely plays anymore.”
“Um, okay. As long as I am at the new retreat by one.”
Bethany made sure she had her phone, wallet, and ID, and then she walked out with Ambera to a car guarded by a man of indeterminate age wearing reflective sunglasses.
“Tyler, this is Bethany. You are not to let her out of your sight unless she is at work or with me or Delphine. She’s a highly respected performer, and we need to protect her.”
Tyler nodded. “Of course, miss.”
He opened the car door for Ambera, and when Bethany would have gone around, Tyler shook his head slightly. She sighed and got in behind her host.
Ambera smiled. “You get used to it. You never step out into the traffic side of things. Always out to the sidewalk.”
“Okay. I missed that notification.”
“The guards and drivers drum it into us.” Ambera chuckled. “So, I have contacted Cale for the clothing. There is a nearby spa that will help with your hair and nails. Light makeup if you want it.”
“Um. Okay, but why?”
“Delphine is my blessing, my daughter, and my treasure. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I have that damned dismissal contract laminated and copied in nineteen places. He’s tried to get her a few times, but the first thing she did was build up ourfinances to the point where I was able to fight back. He did not see my lawyer coming.”
“How did you become the registered mistress of an elf?”
“Oh, there was a party; I was dancing. He was charming, and then he started buying me things, swept me off my feet and out of university. I became his professional mistress, and when he was done with me, I signed the severance and left, with a bonus he never intended.”
