Tate’s unmade bed sat at the end of the room. Next to it was a chair with clothes casually strewn across it. On second thought, maybe she should have asked Roslyn and Ashwin for time to straighten and clean her room.
“Sorry about the mess. I didn’t expect company.”
Her apology was nothing more than lip service. It was something she thought a normal person would say rather than what she actually felt. Society might consider this a severe breach of conduct, but Tate had never been able to bring herself to care about such arbitrary rules.
Ilith bared her teeth.I’d like to hear them insult our territory.
Tate hid her grimace. That was something she hadn’t considered. Dragon-ridden were exceptionally territorial. Ilith considered this room sacrosanct. Completely and utterly hers. That possessiveness extended to the house and, to a lesser extent, the entire empire of Aurelia.
In this space, Ilith was queen. Insulting the queen’s things was considered blasphemy of the highest order.
Already Ilith’s emotions were stained with agitation.
“I like it.” Roslyn studied her surroundings with a soft smile that held no hint of subterfuge or disapproval. “It suits you. I can’t imagine you in any other setting.”
Ashwin had stopped in a patch of sun coming in through the windows. She tilted her face up and closed her eyes, basking in the light.
Pleasure was written on her face.
Slowly her eyes opened. “I can’t think of a better sanctuary. It must be glorious on rainy days too. Watching rain drops hit the glass, listening to their soft lullaby as you fall asleep.”
Ilith calmed.They have good taste. They can stay.
So glad you approve, your majesty,Tate thought wryly.
Ilith conscious started to fade.We must be understanding of those who aren’t as fortunate.
A huff of laughter escaped Tate. Roslyn and Ashwin looked over at her with curiosity.
She waved a hand in dismissal. “Private joke. Don’t mind me.”
Ashwin set down the large bag she’d been carrying and started rummaging through it. “If you could disrobe, we will begin.”
With a sense of resignation, Tate moved to the rarely used small screen in the corner of the room. Meant for privacy, Tate usually didn’t bother with it. No one except the twins bothered her up here. Their usual shenanigans involved lying in wait for her unsuspecting ankles and viciously attacking them while using her bed as cover.
On occasion, they used other places in the room to stage their ambush, but it was rare. As a result, she only really needed to worry when she first entered the room.
Presently, they and Dewdrop were engaged in a protracted campaign, leaving Tate to a little peace and quiet. That would end, no doubt, but for now, Tate didn’t have to worry.
A part of her was sad that the twins might one day grow out of their antics. As much of a menace as they were, they kept everyone on their toes and made life more interesting.
Moving behind the protection of the screen, Tate took off her boots. “Tell me about court. Who’s going to be there?”
She pulled her top over her head as fabric rustled on the other side.
“You can expect to see any nobles who are currently in residence,” Roslyn said.
Tate may have gotten lucky there. It was tradition for the wealthier of the city to spend the first two months either in the south where it was warmer or checking on their territories.
Tate was betting many of them hadn’t returned quite yet with spring only just setting in.
“Any I should watch out for?”
Tate took the garments Ashwin passed her.
“All of them.”
Tate paused in the act of examining the clothes. “That’s reassuring.”
