Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
I fake sneezed just to turn my face away. I hated lying to her, but this was for the best. If the beta could practice that level of unbelievable self-control and refrain from claiming his true mate, I could keep my lips shut. “Definitely. He probably won’t be fit for public. Much too possessive.”
Leala quirked an eyebrow at me, and I bared my teeth in response. Yes, it was a stupid fucking lie, but Aurelia didn’t know any better. Her gaping lack of knowledge about shifter life was a travesty, but for the present, I’d use it to my advantage.
“You made a big stink about getting her up here, but you don’t have everything ready?” Leala tsked at Cecil, crossing her arms over her chest as she strolled along the windows, looking out.
I didn’t know what she was looking for. Only fliers could get Aurelia out, and no dragon would be stupid enough to betray Nyfain and Finley.
Cecil ignored her, finally pulling out a monstrous pile of clothes, all in browns and beiges with one article of cream clothing.
“Ugh,” I said, the pile stealing my focus. “That is your inspiration? The most boring, drabbest colors you could possibly find?”
He turned to me and held up a finger in warning. “You shut mouth, or I stick dick in it.”
Leala spat out laughter.
“Chew bark,” I told her.
She batted her eyelashes at me. “Swallow a thumbtack.”
“You think this is boring, yes?” Cecil spread his arms for Aurelia. She looked between us all, wary. She didn’t know what to say.
“That means yes,” I helped absently.
Leala glanced back at the door before continuing her perusal. I kicked another pile of fabric or dresses or whatever it was. I had to say, I wasn’t seeing anything.
“So boring I almost fall asleep making it.” Cecil shook his hands at the sky. “But you were a captive, and now we want you to stay, but the kingdom hates you. What do we do?”
“Certainly not break it to me gently,” Aurelia muttered.
He wanted her to stay?
Leala turned toward him slowly, her expression quizzical.
“You can’t have nice things. You cannot do flashy. No. So we do boring, fine. Look the other way, people, don’t notice me. That’s what we do.”
I couldn’t fault his logic, but I could tell from his tone he wasn’t done.
“But . . .” Cecil lifted one of the garments and held it closer to her.
But what?
Cecil’s eyes sparkled. “If you look . . .”
She bent closer. “Are those . . .?” She started laughing. “You put dicks with wings on it.”
“Drab chic, yes? That is what the little pencil-dicked critter calls it?”
Leala straight-up cackled. “He called you a critter!”
“Drab chic,” Cecil reaffirmed. “Drab with dicks. Yes? This is what works.”
“Do they all have dicks?” Aurelia gingerly leafed through the contents of his pile.
“Not all.” Cecil shook his head, showing some with other patterns, most fairly hideous, though I didn’t totally hate the polka dots.
“Wait. Wait a minute.” I tilted my head as I desperately tried to process this new turn of events. “First, I think I speak for all of us when I say that no, this is not what works. But . . .” I puckered my lips, looking around, wondering what sort of ass-backward situation I was in. “Did you practically drag her into this room to show her a bunch of heinous clothes with dicks in your haste to . . . help absolve her of her crimes in the eyes of the people?” I widened my eyes incredulously. “So you not only want to clear her name, but your plan to do so is to dress her in drab clothes with dicks on them? Am I getting that right?”
Cecil gestured at the clothes, his tone full of righteous indignation when he said confidently, “This is what will work for now. I do other stuff for later.”
I lifted my eyebrows at Leala. Since when had Cecil given two shits about anyone? He’d never helped a soul in his life. Back in the day it had been because he was too busy surviving. Since the curse lifted, he’d been more focused on his job. Sure, he liked Finley and had made some great clothes for her, but he’d never practically dragged her up here by her hair with a half-baked plan to help her find her way.
Then again, Finley hadn’t needed it as badly as Aurelia did.
“Just . . . so I’m absolutely clear.” I chewed my nail, watching his every movement. “You are trying to help her by making her look ridiculous?”
He scoffed at me, his bushy eyebrows forming a V. “This is why you should stay to the chicken coops, yes? No vision. Useless. She is captive, okay? She has to fit in with the people. Be one of them. She’s not royal, no. She just trying to get by, like them. Like us. These clothes, they will work.”