“Me, Miss.” A beautiful woman stepped out of the shadows. She had wavy brown hair to her waist and was wearing a simple blue dress. Her plain attire was starkly contrasted by an intricate gold choker across her neck.
She approached the bed and picked up a small oil lamp on the stand beside it. The light threw a forest of shadows across the bedroom. As it illuminated the woman’s face, Lucy realized she was actually more of a girl. She couldn’t be more than fifteen or sixteen.
“My name is Zara,” she said and perched on the edge of the bed.
“I’m Lucy.”
“Yes,” Zara said with a small smile. “I know all about you.”
“I thought I was supposed to be a big secret.”
“Oh you are! But not from the wives. We’ve been informed of your importance.”
Lucy had a sick feeling in her stomach. “Wives?”
“Yes,” Zara nodded and nervously played with her choker. “I’m one of the King’s three wives. Well, four now, if you count.”
“I don’t count,” Lucy said firmly. And then, because she couldn’t help herself, “How could you possibly be taken for a wife at your age. You’re a child!”
Zara blushed and let her hair fall across her face. “I’ve been a wife to the King since I was born. But we haven’t consummated yet. Dragon shifters can’t conceive until they are at least twenty years of age. I’m only sixteen. My body won’t accept him.”
Lucy wasn’t entirely sure what that meant but she was deeply relieved to hear it. “Thank god.”
Zara nodded, but quickly stopped herself, as if she were embarrassed by her behavior.
Lucy glanced around the room again. “Uh, do you know where… Muscle Man is?”
Zara laughed in surprise. “You mean Amos? Your bodyguard?”
Amos. The name fit him. Lucy nodded.
“He’s outside your door, Miss.” She cleared her throat. “Guarding you.”
So. He made her come so hard she met god. And then he went back to work. Interesting. Very interesting. Lucy wondered what he’d be like when she saw him next. Whether or not he was going to act like the whole thing hadn’t happened. She decided not to dwell on it. She turned back to the girl.
“Zara, you’ve seen me naked. You can call me Lucy.”
Zara laughed again and it was an unpracticed sound, almost like she wasn’t used to feeling joy. Well, Lucy considered, if she’d been King Dalyer’s wife since she was born, she probably hadn’t led a very joyful life.
“It’s time to get you ready to meet with the King, Mi- Lucy,” Zara said and moved to the big wardrobe on one side of the room.
“I didn’t realize I was meeting with the King today.” Lucy’s head hurt just thinking about it.
“Yes,” Zara said as she perused through the many hanging gowns in the wardrobe. “He likes to see his wives every day. We’ll all be there.”
She pulled a simple green gown off the hanger and held it up, seeking Lucy’s approval.
Lucy shrugged a yes at the dress. Foregoing modesty she tossed back the covers. “I’m gonna take a shower real quick.”
“Okay,” Zara said timidly.
Lucy stepped in to the wrought iron tub and fiddled with the taps. Liquid heaven poured out of a shower head shaped like a dragon’s mouth. There was no curtain and looking up from the spray, she realized Zara was standing awkwardly in the middle of the bathroom
“You’re not gonna, like, try to bathe me are you?” Lucy asked the girl.
“No! I’m not your servant, Miss. Lucy,” she amended. “I’m your…”
“Friend?” Lucy said.
Zara blushed deeply and a pleased look came over her face.
She was a little awkward, but Lucy realized that she’d probably been deprived of affection for her whole life.
“Hand me that shampoo, will you?” Lucy asked and Zara brought some over to the shower. “Zara, if we’re friends then can I ask you a question?”
Zara nodded and sat down on a small bench, listening so intently it kind of broke Lucy’s heart. Poor lonely girl.
“When you saw Amos this morning, how’d he look?”
Zara looked a little confused by the question but she answered anyway. “The same as always. Serious. Well, maybe he was a little angrier than usual?”
“Angry how?”
“Well, he scowled at me. Usually he smiles.”
Angry. Hmmm. Not quite sure what to make of that, Lucy finished washing her hair. She supposed she’d find out herself when they left her chambers to see the King.
Zara handed a towel to her and waited in the bedroom while Lucy dried off and studied herself in the mirror. For what a shitty day yesterday was, Lucy had to admit she looked pretty good. Glowy actually. A heart stopping, mind blowing orgasm would do that for a girl.