Scorched Fury: A SkinWalker Novel #5 (DarkWorld: SkinWalker) (27 page)

Sienna's cheeks bloomed with red, clearly she wasn't used to receiving compliments. She whispered a quick thank you and walked to the inner door, as if she knew I was about to launch into dream-related questions.

At the door she paused and put a finger to her lips, a clear instruction not to talk about sensitive matters. "There is a bell-pull above the mantelpiece if you require anything." Then she threw the door open and waved me inside.

A gigantic four-poster bed sat in the middle of the room. The wall on the right, like the one in the grand dining room, was a giant floor-to-ceiling window that looked out over the expanse of the city.

On the bed was an array of gowns.

"I took the liberty of having some garments sent up. I wasn't sure if you had anything to wear. It's not often that Queen Lyra throws formal events for visiting representatives of the Elders. I hope you will not take offense."

I smiled and shook my head. "Of course not. I more than appreciate it. All I have are furs and thermal undies. Not to mention clunky shoes. I'd expected the place to be cold. The palace is certainly
not
."

Sienna laughed. "The palace is built along the side of a volcano. Lava heats the crystal, and a system beneath the city uses the lava to heat the buildings. A natural underfloor heating, if you know what I mean."

"You know about underfloor heating?" I said with a laugh.

She walked towards the bed and picked up a deep red dress. "I'm well educated in the ways of your world. Part of my tuition was to study the technology there, so I am well familiar with everything, including your mobile devices." Her eyes were wide open with excitement and curiosity, and I lifted a finger.
 

"Stay right there."

I hurried back out into the main room and dug around in my satchel, retrieving my tablet. When I returned to the room Sienna was sitting on the bed holding the deep red dress in her hand, a faraway expression in her eyes.

I held out the tablet and said, "There are a few things that I need to do with it while I'm here, but you're welcome to have it when I leave."

Her eyes widened and her smile too. "I could not ask you to do such a thing for me."

I waved my hand at her. "Absolutely no problem at all. I have plenty more where that came from. Consider it a gift from the Elders."

She took the tablet and began swiping from screen to screen. For someone who didn't have that kind of technology in this country, she seemed to be quite adept. Then I was reminded that she did manage a visit or two to Sand Beach.

After a few minutes she got to her feet and passed it back to me. "Thank you so much for the offer. I won't abuse your time with it while you are here but if you really do think you could leave it when you go home, I would be most appreciative. Our country would benefit greatly from such technology."

"Well, once we're trading again, you'll have the funds to bring such technology in. I don't see why you couldn't buy tablets like these for everyone on the council, or even for the students in the school. Maybe even your general?"

She snorted. "General Vyrian is old school. Such frivolities would be a waste of his precious time." She spoke tenderly, as if she had a history with the general. Something I'd have to ask her about at another time. Then she smiled.

I was tired, drained from months of emotional stress, and in that moment I was content. I very much enjoyed her company.

Sienna nodded, her face serious now that she thought about the possibilities of such devices. Then she took a deep breath. "Well, enough about state business. You can choose from these, but I think this one is the perfect one for you." She thrust the dress at me, looking so enthusiastic that I could hardly turn her down.

Red was so not my color, but it wasn't a blood red. Rather, the red of the sun, tinged in orange, which complemented my green eyes. That much I knew from my days as a teenager when I'd played around with dozens and dozens of different colored clothing. It was probably all those colors that made me give up in the end and choose neutral black-and-white.

Siena walked towards me and held the dress up against me, pushing me towards a full-length mirror that was edged in a gilded frame.

"There you go," she said with a big grin. She stared at my reflection and actually laughed out loud, enjoying how right she'd been.

I literally was a vision. The dress was stunning. Made of red scales, it clung to my hips beginning in a corset just under my bust, hugging my figure all the way to my knees where it spread out before touching the ground. If it weren't for the skirt it would look very comfortable on the battlefield.

I smiled at her. "It's beautiful. But I'm certainly not going topless."

Sienna giggled and hurried to a wardrobe in the corner. She opened the door, wincing as it creaked, and muttering about getting the servants to oil it.

From inside she withdrew a black silk blouse studded with red gems. It was a stunning combination. I took a breath and sighed. "I'm taking you back with me and you can be my personal wardrobe manager?"

She laughed. "I've always been good with colors. And this matches your eyes and skin perfectly." Then she gave a satisfied nod and hurried towards the door. "I have to go now. I have to bathe and dress and be done before anyone else enters the dining hall. So much to do." She gave a quirky smile and hurried off before I could ask any more questions.

Sinking onto the bed, holding the dress and the shirt in my lap, I stared at the closed door. So much had happened, since I'd arrived in this land, and I prayed that everything would go according to plan. I was determined to ensure that the Elder's treaty would be accepted. This land was seriously in need of a boost in the economy, and deserved to have the advantages of modern technology.

If the Fae could partake of modern tech, then so could the Dragons.

I made a mental note to request a visit to the mine, to see for myself what technology was used and how efficiently. I suspected that if we did end up agreeing to lease their land for mining, we may need to use more advanced machinery.

Heading to the bathing room, I was pleasantly surprised to see functioning plumbing. And more than happy to see the gigantic bathtub that sat in the middle of the room.

I couldn't think of anything beyond just having a good soak for now. Business would come later.

CHAPTER 38

I
WAS
DRESSED
AND
READY
WHEN
Sienna knocked on the door and called out my name. Hurrying towards the door, I flung it open, frustrated and annoyed. "What's the matter?" she asked.

"It's this damned hair," I said, pointing at the mess.

I'd washed it and had no way to dry it, or comb it, without a damned hairbrush. Naturally, I'd forgotten it.

"And these." I stuck my bare feet out from underneath the skirt. "My boots won't look good with the dress. Unless I want to start a new trend."

Sienna stared at the offending boots, and seemed to be considering my proposition. "We could provide you with shoes at short notice; our shoemakers are quite capable. But use your boots, and I will join you in that fashion statement. I will be right back."

And then she was gone, leaving me staring at the open door. I sat on the sofa to put the boots on. A few minutes later, after I'd managed to drag my fingers through my hair, Sienna returned, wearing a pair of gorgeous leather boots that looked like dragonskin. Which of course it wouldn't be. Not here in the land of the dragons.

I hid a smile as she handed me a brush and helped me tame my hair. She'd brought pins and styled it in a puffy bun arrangement that I wanted to comb out immediately. Except she wouldn't let me.

Ten minutes later Sienna and I made our way back to the Grand dining room, which had been transformed in the last few hours, as if for a wedding. More than a dozen six foot vases spewed forth bouquets of flowers of every color imaginable. The enormous table was set with a gold and obsidian place settings, and goblets and drinking glasses of glinting crystal. Half a dozen flower arrangements dotted the length of the table.

At each corner of the room and along the walls, twelve footmen waited, ready to serve in severe black suits.

Guests walked the room, mingling here and there, pairs and threes and fives. All looked up when Sienna and I entered. For a moment I wondered why I'd gained that much attention, but they weren't looking at me. All eyes were on Sienna for some reason. Many adoring, and just as many admiring.
 

Some glances were resentful, not so well-hidden behind the admiration.

Sienna had enemies within the court, and I made a note of each and every face that bore a negative expression. Among them was the all too good-looking Andyr.

He stood at the queen's side, no more than an inch from her, his bearing that of a guard. Or a jailer. The man had a strong hold over her and I had to find out who he was and where he'd come from.

As we walked closer, I slowed my steps and Sienna, looked over at me. She was stunning in a gown of white dragon scales, each connecting stitch adorned with gleaming crystals. The shocking white blouse was also fitted with silver thread and beaded with crystal. I could understand why she'd received the room's attention when she entered. She was a particularly stunning woman.

The beauty of it was that she had no idea.

She gave me an enquiring look, probably worried that I was uncomfortable. So I went with it. Without looking at her I said, "Your solicitor . . . Andyr. He makes me feel a little uncomfortable."

She laughed softly. "He tends to make a lot of people feel that way." Then she rolled her eyes. "At least those people don't have to worry about having to live with him the rest of their lives."

My mouth dropped open. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

She shook her head, amused at my anger. Sorrow bloomed in her eyes. "We marry on my 21st birthday."

"Why?"

"Because it has been decreed by the queen that we join the experience of the law of the country and the technology of the country. My knowledge has turned out to be quite a curse."

"But why him? What's so great about him that they have to force you to marry him?"

"He's rich and powerful. He chose me."

"Does that happen often here?"

"Kai, here in Dracys, you will find that women are no longer treated with respect, the way they are in your land. Here, the men prefer a patriarchal way now. Historically, all queens were seen as the mother of the land. Despite the queen being a woman, her right to rule was never questioned. More because she bore the burden of queen along with her brother. Thus the land was ruled by an equal pair. One closer than that of a mated couple.

"Since the death of Queen Shrya, much of the traditional ways have been put aside. The new queen tries, an example being me, a female tactician, in her court. But forces have worked around her, around us, every step of the way."

"I just can't fathom . . ."

She nodded. "Perhaps after two decades of having a Regent in control, one who isn't as powerful as a true queen, one who isn't as respected, the Senate have become used to finding ways to manipulate things to their own liking."

"That makes me think of someone else I met recently."

"Who?" she asked with a smile.

"Prince Elan of the Winter Court."

"You met a fae prince?" she asked, her eyes wide and sparkling with excitement.

I nodded. "Definitely destroys the stars in one's eyes when one meets a hot-as-sin,
sexist
fae prince."

She snorted and her excitement dissipated.

"Anyway, why can't you just refuse?"

"Because I am nothing. I'm a mere human servant. I bring nothing to the table beyond my knowledge and experience. I'm sure my brain is the only reason I am still alive."

"You trying to tell me that the queen will have you killed if you don't do as you're told?" I stared at her, aghast.

"Not the queen."

I knew what she was saying. The queen was a mere pawn. My gaze drifted around the room, pausing for a moment on a flash of white before I looked back at her. "And I'd bet every cent of that dowry I'll never have, that a certain influential solicitor is the one moving the chess pieces."

Her eyebrows rose. "You catch on fast."

"It's a privilege of being a woman. It's called instinct."

Sienna giggled and slipped her hand into the crook of my elbow. "Come. Before people start talking, let me take you to the Queen. He's been glaring at me."

"Yeah, I saw that. Let's go." I walked with her, then out of the side of my mouth, I asked, "You think it would cause an inter-realm incident if I were to punch him in the face?"

Her laughter turned into a choke, which she suppressed as fast as she could. She was good, because within seconds she'd removed all trace of amusement from her face. She drew me towards the queen and bowed before leaving us alone.

If one can be alone with having your every step dogged by the beautiful Andyr.

He took my hand and bowed low over it. "I believe compliments are in order, Kailin Odel, Emissary of the Elders. Your beauty is almost incomparable. You have turned a few heads and surprised many. The Elders have chosen wisely in sending you to us."