Lilah did as instructed and squeezed a chunk in her hand, picturing in her mind’s eye the stone breaking into pieces and turning to dust. As she gripped, the hard resistance gave, and the rock disintegrated in her hand.
“Cool,” Daphne replied to Lilah’s accomplishment.
Valori nodded to the other piece of stone. “Change that into a solid piece of metal.” This time, all the women stopped and stared at the elder. Valori's eyes never wavered from hers. Heads swiveled in her direction. Why were the ladies freaking out?
Having no idea how to transform rock to metal, she picked up the second chunk. Just like she had with the previous slab, she imagined what she wanted to happen. The room was so silent, she heard water trickling somewhere in the distance. The happy, smiling faces were frozen with gaping jaws and bugged-out eyes.
Her heart pounded against her chest hard enough to almost hurt. She didn’t know how long this process would take if she could do it. She felt a vibration under her feet just before a rumbling of voices reached her. That snapped everyone from their stupor in an instant, and controlled chaos broke out.
Women rushed around, grabbing bowls and dishes and jugs. Someone scooted a bowl across the stone toward her. She released the rock to see it was the same color as the men’s swords, then grabbed the bowl.
“Wait,” Farra handed the brown sheet to her, “you must put this on.”
“I don’t need it,” Lilah replied. “I’m not cold anymore.”
“No,” the young lady said, “you have to wear it.”
Lilah propped a hand on her hip. “Why do I have to wear it if I don’t want to?”
Valori appeared at her side, taking the cover-up and slipping it over Lilah’s head. “Because it is safer for females to have it on.”
That made no sense. “How does this flimsy material protect me from anything except a cool breeze?”
The elder’s red-tinted face darkened along her cheeks. “If the males see any skin of a female, except their face, they might not be able to control themselves.” The voices became louder and clearer. It sounded like a large herd of elephants were nearby.
Lilah waited for the rest of the explanation as she slipped her arms through the garment’s holes. When she didn’t get it, she asked. “Control themselves how?”
The woman shoved the bowl of sliced potato-like food into her hands. Daphne had disappeared. “Come with me,” Valori directed. They left the room, stepping into a hallway with a score of other women dashing in and out of an archway at the other end.
Then the purpose of a cover-up rang in her head. “Do men hit women or abuse them?” Instant fury ignited in her stomach.
“No,” Valori’s demeanor turned defensive, “of course not. Touching is not allowed. For the most part.” Lilah drew her brows down, not understanding what the woman was trying to say. “Control themselves from becoming overly excited by the sight of flesh.”
The meaning clicked. “Wait,” Lilah came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the passage, “are you saying that because the men can’t keep it in their pants, we are subjected to wearing this even when we don’t want to?” Each word got higher in pitch ‘till she was nearly screeching. “You have got to be fucking kidding me.”
Valori shushed her and dragged her through the arch into a large cavern with stone tables and chairs. Dishes and bowls of food sat on the tables, the others filling each stone plate and cup. Oh, they were eating. She was getting a bit hungry as breakfast was a while ago. The elder took the container from her and put it on a table. “Not now. Be quiet.”
Valori pulled her against the wall as the soldiers came in and took seats. The tables filled quickly. She wondered where the women were going to sit. Slowly, it dawned on her.
The women weren’t supposed to sit. They were there to serve. Oh, fuck no! This was not happening. She was an American and would not stand for shit like this.
Chapter Seven
Ferrus hurried from the dungeon to the main cavern. Not seeing the woman he desired, he headed toward his sister’s room. Hopefully, they were there. If not, he would have to go up to the food area. He had not been there since he was a child.
He followed the tunnel to the royal rooms, to find them deserted. Irritated, he started the climb to the top of the mountain. Ferrus imagined seeing his mate again, taking her into his arms and feeling her skin against his.
As he reached the upper levels, he noticed the tunnel had more light than those below. How was that happening?
The floor vibrated, and it sounded like a herd of hornbill was bolting up the tunnels. What the demon’s hell? In the hall between the food prep and eating cave, females dashed back and forth. The light was so bright that he stayed around the corner of the passage. That is when he heard her voice. And it did not sound pleased.
Not only was the sound unhappy, but it was also angry. He wanted to know what made her that way and crush it. Nothing in this world would upset her. He would keep her safe and happy.
When he heard his soldier’s voices, he realized what the hornbill herd was. Dragon balls! Did they always sound like that? The females moving from the prep room to the eatery had stopped. He hurried along the aisle, shielding his eyes, to the darker tunnel the males emerged from and followed them into the room.
Searching the space, he saw her on the far side with one of the elders beside her. Dragon dung! The fire in her eyes set him ablaze. She was so sexy with the red tint on her cheeks. He sat at his place at one of the many square tables and tried not to stare. But his eyes kept migrating to her beauty.
He wanted to see her again without the cover-up. But that would have to wait until tonight. No fae would lay his eyes or hands on her and live.
When he peeked up at her again, she was staring at him. He couldn’t move his eyes from hers. When the corners of her mouth turned up, his heart flipped in his chest. Was that normal? He’d been experiencing such strange things since she walked in. Could she have been a witch and put a spell on him?
His mate—what was her name? Lilah?—lifted a water jug and walked around the room toward him. Was she coming to see him? His dragon wanted out to taste her, but despite being in the eating room, there would be no eating of their mate right now. Though the thought made his dick hard. Thank the Mother of the Mountain, they were seated at a table.
She floated to his side and held up the jug. He lifted his cup and turned in his chair, so they faced away from his men. This would be an excellent time to see if she had dark magic clinging to her.
He narrowed his eyes and spoke first. “I saw you earlier.” He didn’t see any shadows around her hands or head.
She poured water into his cup. “I am not supposed to talk with men, right?”
“I disagree with that law. How are we to get things done if I cannot tell you what I want.” Her brow raised and lips puckered. How he wanted to kiss them.
“What you want?” she whispered. “Of course.” She bowed. “I am your humble servant, master.” Her actions surprised him. He didn’t think she knew he was the prince. He did not want her to know yet. He wanted her real reaction to him, not his place in the hierarchy.
He replied. “I am just a humble warrior here among the males.” He flashed her his best smile. Her eyes dropped to his mouth, and she licked her lips. He barely suppressed the groan that escaped his throat—Goddess, how he wanted to touch her.