Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“Don’t worry about that—they almost never get out of their cages,” was the reply. “And they don’t start shrieking unless you forget to feed them.”
“Almost never?” Addison asked, her eyebrows raising. “And did you say they start shrieking?”
“Only if you forget to feed them. And since Peeza just fed yours, you should have no trouble for a good long time,” the shortest lady-in-waiting told her. “Now come on—let’s find you a feasting dress!”
“And while you two look at dresses, we’ll take Drago here to his room,” Peeza purred, reaching up to put a hand possessively on his arm.
“Yes, we’ll show him all the amenities,” either Teeza or Leeza—Drago couldn’t tell them apart—added, giving him a wink.
But he wasn’t about to be led away from his charge.
“Sorry, ladies, but I’m staying with Dr. Hollister,” he said firmly, folding his arms over his chest. “And I won’t be staying in a separate room, either,” he added.
“What? But we were under the impression that the two of you weren’t a couple,” Peeza protested.
“We’re not,” Drago admitted. “But I’m her Protector—I can’t keep her safe from halfway across the palace!”
“But it’s scandalous for the two of you to stay in the same room if you’re not in a bonded relationship,” either Leeza or Teeza proclaimed, her large, dark eyes going wide.
“Well, we don’t want to cause a scandal or offend anyone…” Addison began doubtfully.
“What if we put him in this suit’s servant’s room?” the shortest lady-in-waiting asked. “It’s not a very big accommodation, but it does have a bed and it’s directly connected to the suite. Not that we’re saying you’re a servant,” she said, turning to Drago. “But to save face—”
“That’s fine as long as I have easy access to this room in case Dr. Hollister needs me,” he said firmly. He raised his eyebrows at Addison. “Does that work for you?”
She nodded and he thought he saw a look of relief pass over her lovely face.
“Yes, that would be fine. Thank you, Drago.”
A small surge of triumph ran through him. Ha—so even though she pretended otherwise, she didn’t want to be alone in a strange place without him to protect her! That was good to know—especially after the way she’d been falling all over herself to get close to that slimy Lx Sambla.
“We’ll stay here and try on dresses,” the shortest lady-in-waiting said. “You three show Lssa Addison’s bodyguard the servant’s room.”
“We will!” the three skinny ladies exclaimed. They crowded around Drago again but he didn’t leave until he had caught Addison’s eyes and raised his eyebrows in a silent question.
You’re all right with me leaving you for a moment? the look asked.
She nodded briefly, though her eyes cut to the silky cage for a moment and then came back.
Drago got the message—she didn’t mind him leaving but also didn’t want him to stay away for too long. He supposed he would be on spider-killing duty if that fucking silky got out. He didn’t relish the idea, but he did like the idea of Addison clinging to him and pressing her soft, curvy body against his. So he nodded back and reluctantly allowed the other three Ladies-in-waiting to lead him away.
5
ADDIE
“Now this one is just lovely—only the finest silk was used in making it,” Sparki said, pulling yet another black dress from the tall, white wardrobe.
"Oh, really?" Addie tried to look at the dress but she couldn't help it—her eyes kept getting drawn back to the silky cage and its horrible inhabitant. She'd watched a documentary once with her nephew, who was fascinated by dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. In it, the narrator claimed that there was once a time on Prehistoric Earth when spiders got as large as cats, dragonflies were bigger than squirrels, and centipedes were longer than your leg.
According to the documentary, this was because there was much more oxygen in the air back then, allowing insects and arachnids to grow to massive sizes. It sounded like a terrible time to Addie—she hated bugs of all kinds—but her nephew had loved it.
I never thought I’d have to share my room with a giant spider, she thought, looking into the shadowy corner where the silky was now feasting on the poor little squeaker. It had wrapped the fuzzy little animal up in a silk cocoon and was currently sucking it dry. The sight was equal parts revolting and terrifying, as far as Addie was concerned.
“Hey, don’t you want to look good for the feast tonight?” Sparki demanded, sounding slightly impatient. “The Choosing Ceremony to pick the Queen of Night is a big deal, you know.”
“Er, sorry! Yes. Yes, of course,” Addie said quickly, dragging her eyes away from the gruesome sight of the spider having dinner. “It’s just that all these dresses you’re showing me look kind of alike,” she added apologetically. “I mean, they’re all black and they all have long sleeves and deep necklines…”