Page 3

“Ah, yes. One of my first creations, if I remember correctly. I was barely more than a lad.” He offered his hand and Lew shook. “Isador, right?”

Lew nodded. “Llewellyn. Please allow me to introduce you to our queen. Your Majesty, this is Konstantinos Mythos, proprietor of Ikaros. Kostas, our queen, Shara Isador.”

I jolted a little, surprised he was introducing me so openly to a human outside of an Aima house. The man bowed to me.

“Your Majesty, might I have met your mother all those years ago when I made the gryphon coat for Llewellyn?”

Lew met my gaze, the muscle flexing over his jaw as he gave me a nod. “Yes, that was my mother.”

Straightening with a look of consternation on his face, Kostas’ gaze flickered to Lew and back to me. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I can’t seem to recall her name. I’m usually very good with such things. I pride myself on remembering the pertinent details of all our clients. For instance, I remember making a similar coat for you, sir, only it was all black with Anubis hand beaded on either lapel in jet and gold beads.”

Khalid inclined his head. “You’re correct, though I haven’t seen the coat since I left New York City. Hopefully it’s still in good shape.”

“I’m sure it is, but I’ll ask Magnum,” I assured him. Then I smiled at Kostas. “My mother’s name is very difficult to remember but we’re working on breaking that… restriction.”

His eyebrows arched at the pause, and he clearly picked up my hint that something magical might be interfering with his ability to remember Esetta’s name. “Well, I’m delighted to make your acquaintance, Your Majesty. If you’ll step into the back, I’ll gladly work up an order for your men.”

I wasn’t sure what to expect. Maybe racks of unfinished coats and bolts of fabric. Worktables strewn with patterns and scissors. Instead, the next room looked more like a Grecian patio with a bubbling fountain and flowing stream through the center of the room. Trees, plants, and flowers of all colors cascaded over what looked to be a replica of an ancient ruin, much more elegant than the stoa Rosalind had replicated in her ballroom.

In the center of the room, a domed gazebo was lined with Greek statues as pillars. Comfortable cushioned chairs were loosely arranged in a circle facing each other, all lined in deep blue material. Elegant in their simplicity versus the highly detailed, gilded carvings of Rococo designs.

Gina, Leonie, and I all sat down and I introduced them to Kostas. He remained standing in the center, and of course my Blood spread out through the room. Taking up positions at the doors. Ready to get me out if anything threatened me.

Kostas might be human, but the vibes were definitely higher than I expected. As if he knew exactly what I was. Who I was. Maybe he even knew I’d taken out Rosalind earlier. He had an expectant, knowledgeable air about him and his eyes kept returning to me. Even with so many powerful bodyguards in his shop.

“How may I help you, Your Majesty?”

I reached up and placed my hand over Rik’s on my shoulder. “Anyone in my house is welcome to make a request, but my main concern today is ordering dressy and stylish clothes for Rik.”

Kostas glanced at him, his eyes flickering as if he could measure my alpha’s shoulders’ width by eyesight alone. Then he grinned. “Ah, yes. I love a challenge.”

2

RIK

“Are we looking for formal wear?” Kostas asked. “Or everyday outfits?”

“Both.” Shara tipped her face up to me, her luscious lips quirked. “Show him the problem we seem to have.”

I lifted my right arm to the side and slowly curled my biceps, not even straining hard in the slightest as I flexed. The sound of tearing fabric was loud in silence.

“I see.” The man’s eyes sparkled with mirth though to his credit, he didn’t outright laugh at my predicament. “I take it this an everywhere problem?”

I was standing behind her chair so he couldn’t see all the split seams in my pants. “It’s especially inconvenient when the pants give way.”

His lips quirked even more. “I imagine so.”

“I don’t know exactly how to say this,” Shara began, pulling the man’s attention back to her. “But he needs to be able to… change. His size, I mean. The clothes need to look good and stretch in a variety of ways because he’s sometimes even bigger than now. I want him to be comfortable, whether we’re at home or visiting places like Paris.”

“Or perhaps Rome?” Kostas asked, his voice low and soft.

My alpha senses lasered in on him, seeking any threat to my queen. He smelled like any human and appeared to be exactly what he seemed to be: a tailor. But of all the grand ancient cities in the world, he just happened to mention the city where another old and powerful Aima queen ruled.

Or had. Until today.

:Which Aima family did he have ties to?: I asked Lew.

Outwardly relaxed, Lew’s nostrils flared and his eyes burned with fiery sparks. :To be honest, I don’t know. But Esetta knew him and referred to him fondly. I believe she trusted him, at least as much as she’d trust any human.: