Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“You have a lot to learn about life in this city. You go to the wrong places, annoy the wrong people, you end up in the river.”
“What? Swimming?”
“With the fishes,” he says, as if that’s a threat.
“Maybe I like fish,” I say, confused as to how to continue the argument, but very much wanting to win it. “Maybe I’ll cook some fish. Too late for you, though, mister. Your goose is already cooked. I’m married to…”
At that point, Lydia suddenly appears, claps her hand around my mouth, and bodily hauls me out of the store.
“Don’t throw the Archon-General’s name around casually,” she says. “Especially when arguing with filth-mongers.”
“Are you here to protect me, or to protect his reputation?” I hiss the question once the shock wears off. “You let me go in there, and you didn’t intervene even when he said terrible things to me. He was talking to me like I am a…” I lower my voice, but my scandalized whisper carries anyway. “A prostitute!”
“That will serve as a lesson not to run off without me. I cannot protect you if you make stupid decisions. Besides, it is a good idea for you to learn that this city is not here to cater to you personally. This is a living, breathing entity, and it does not care about you.”
I stare at her, shocked and annoyed. “I want to go home,” I announce.
“We’re not going back until you have something to wear,” she says. “So stop pouting and follow me.”
I know I have no choice. I cannot imagine wearing this dress for a third day, let alone going back to Arthur empty-handed. So I give into Lydia’s demands, and I let her lead me about the town.
I am surprised to discover that I am pleased and nervous to see Arthur again. He emerges from his office as we return. There are two soldiers commandeered by Lydia carrying all the bags. I ended up getting a complete wardrobe.
“Did you girls have fun shopping today?” Arthur asks the question with a knowing, indulgent smile much like the one my father used to wear when my mother and sister would return from the markets. If there is one thing men like to think they know about women, it is that they allegedly like shopping.
“I hope you like what I bought,” I tell him, sidestepping his question.
“Mhm, I am sure I will,” he says. He then looks over my head, his gray gaze finding my bodyguard.
“Why was my innocent bride in a brothel supply shop today, Lydia?”
“She ran into it before I could stop her, sir.”
Arthur gives me a look. I know Lydia is not going to lift a finger to get me out of trouble—if I am in trouble. I’m not sure which one of us is in his bad books, as it were. Then he looks back at Lydia.
“You know that I know there is nothing she could possibly do that you could not stop her from doing,” he says. “I am sure you thought it was very amusing, but you are to guard her mind and her propriety as much as her body. I don’t want to hear about any incidents like that again, do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir, of course, sir,” Lydia demurs immediately. She doesn’t argue with my husband. She submits immediately and completely to him. She doesn’t argue with him the way she argued with me, and she certainly doesn’t talk down to him.
He had people watching us the entire time, I realize. Lydia might be my bodyguard, but I doubt there is anywhere in the city I can go that he would not see me.
“Go and get ready, Mila,” he tells me. “We will be departing shortly.”
CHAPTER 4
Mila
As I do as I am told, I wonder what would happen if I were to tell on Lydia. He might know where I was, but I doubt he knows she called me a bitch.
I did end up with what I consider to be a very nice black dress. It has a certain sparkle in the fabric so I shimmer when I move. It clings to my body in what I am told are all of the right places. I think it transforms me. With my curves on display, I no longer look quite as young. I have also chosen to wear a very red lipstick as well as eyeshadow. It is too heavy and dramatic a look for the countryside, but it feels appropriate for this city.
“Look at you,” Arthur compliments me when I emerge from the bedroom. “You did well today, Mila. That is a lovely dress.”
“Thank you,” I smile, very pleased to have pleased him. I feel very sexy in this garment. I feel ten years older and endlessly more sophisticated. In this outfit, nobody can tell me anything. I don’t think I’ll ever take it off.