I ran a single finger across the red scales on top of her head, down her back, and over the spot where her spine split into four thin tails. “Forgive me?” I asked softly.
She gave a little wiggle and one of the tails reached back and wrapped around my pinky. The swell of joy in my heart at that tiny motion bordered on painful, and I imagined this was what people felt when a newborn baby held onto their finger.
“Can you tell me why I’m special?” I asked slowly, enunciating my words for her.
“Crescia know Rain. Inside. Rain is home.”
I sighed and leaned back against the bed. I didn’t think I was going to get any kind of straight answer out of her. Maybe her eloquence would improve as she got older.
I wondered if I should tell anyone about her ability to speak with me. I had no clue how they might react. In my world, if a human was able to talk to animals, they would likely end up in a government lab getting their brain sliced open, but how would Rivellans respond? Sin had seemed in awe of my unique fire ability, so maybe he'd feel the same about this. Although, he also had love coloring his response.
Love.
I still didn’t know what to do about that. I needed to tell him that I knew, but that would lead to a conversation I was terrified to have. Sin had known me for ten years, but I had only known him for a week. There was an undeniable connection between us, and when I was in his arms everything just felt… right.
But love? What did I even know about love.
A soft knock saved me from ruminating on those depressing thoughts. The door creaked open an inch, banging into the dresser.
“Just a second,” I called as I jumped to my feet, cupped Jenni in my hand, and rushed over to the tall wardrobe. Yanking it open, I set her on the bottom, then plucked Opal from my hair as well.
“You have to be quiet,” I said in a desperate yet hushed tone. Jenni gave a single dip of her head, and I shut them in.
I pushed my dresser away from the door and cracked it open slightly.
Dey eyed me curiously through the gap. “Is everything okay, Princess? Why is your door blocked?”
I clenched my fists at my side, summoning every ounce of willpower I had to not punch him in the face. Instead, I feigned a hint of embarrassment and said, “Sorry. I wanted to take a nap without being bothered. I don’t have a lock on my door so…”
Dey nodded in understanding. “Yes, apologies for that, but this was the only available room befitting a princess.”
“Perhaps a lock could be installed?” I asked, my face a picture of innocence.
“Yes, perhaps,” Dey replied flippantly. “The sisters are here to get you ready for dinner. Would you let them in?”
Shit. I had forgotten about dinner.
“Actually,” I said, fanning a hand in front of my face, “it was kind of warm in my room this afternoon, so I’m feeling a little sweaty. I’d like to take another shower first. Can you ask them to come back in a little bit?” I gave him my best doe-eyed princess look and prayed that he didn’t know me well enough to recognize the deception.
He smiled. “Of course. Enjoy your shower.” He turned to speak with the sisters, and I promptly shut the door.
Dashing over to the wardrobe, I pulled it open and knelt down to where Jenni and Opal were curled up together in the back corner.
“You guys were great, but I need to find a spot to hide you for the rest of the evening.” Jenni unfurled her body and gave a tiny squawk. “I know, I don’t like it either, but no one can know about our bond yet.” I searched around frantically, then scooped them both up, crossed the room, and set them on the long marble counter that comprised the back wall of the oversized bathroom. “You can stay in here, but if anyone comes in, I need you to hide in the pockets of my robe. Can you do that?” I tugged on the luxurious fabric to show them the spacious gaps.
“Jenni Opal secret. We hide.”
I gave them both a quick stroke and hurried back over to the wardrobe to rummage through the assortment of dresses.
Shit. They were all short-sleeved.
A panic attack began percolating inside me, but it faded when I found my salvation tucked in the very back. A silken, long-sleeved half jacket of a bright crimson hue.
I snagged the first gown that might match the color, then rushed into the bathroom. Pulling the dress on, I secured the jacket’s jeweled clasp across my chest. I glimpsed myself in the mirror and fought the urge to cringe. The shades of red were just different enough to look tacky together, and the diamond encrusted bolero did not match the wispy lacey vibe of the dress at all.
I was past the point of caring, though. Maybe they’d chalk it up to horrible human fashion sense.
After all, we were barely better than animals.
