What the Mystical said made sense, but it was easier said than done. Still, Viève vowed to take the advice to heart. She would try to think better of herself and would not accept the criticisms of others. Not anymore. Not from Felix, not from any Wraith. She was special. She had done extraordinary things these past two days. If she could do so much in just two days, imagine what she could do here in the future.

“Paulette, are you going to bring any other Mysticals here?”

“I have already sent for some dragons. They are the most powerful and nothing beats their size in a battle. They should be here soon. Grey has cast magic on this house expanding the inside of it to twice the rooms as before, although it will look no different on the outside. It will allow us to house many more people. It will provide an extra kitchen and more bathrooms as well.”

“I didn’t know he could do that!”

“Djynn are used to making the most of cramped or confined spaces. It was an easy bit of magic for him. In fact, he should be here shortly. He does not leave me for long, but as Felix was outside on the grounds he felt it was all right to leave me for a brief moment to take care of a personal matter. He has asked more Djynn to come. I think he is looking for a response. SingSing has arrived as well and is residing in a canteen, I believe. It’s hanging on the door over there.”

She pointed to a door which did indeed have a canteen hanging from the doorknob.

“She’s inside?”

“I told you: Djynn can make the most of cramped places. In fact, they prefer them. Lamps, bottles, canteens, and other such strong but hollowed-out containers. If she brought you inside the canteen, however, it would probably be like walking into a mansion, depending on the Djynn’s power. Weaker Djynn cannot cast and maintain such powerful magic. But for Djynn like Grey, there are almost no limits to what they can do.”

The Mystical’s eyes were a little dreamy as she said this. It led Viève to wonder if there was more to Grey and Paulette’s relationship than she had thought. But she wasn’t about to ask. It was really none of her business. Still, it would be such a sweet story. Powerful Djynn rescues captive Mystical Empress from the clutches of a vile enemy and love blossoms between them as she recovers from her ordeal.

Viève sighed. It sounded so lovely. She actually hoped it was true. Paulette deserved something nice after all she had been through. She certainly didn’t deserve to be pawed or leered at by a Wraith.

Then Grey appeared in a blink of an eye. His appearance at Paulette’s back was so sudden that Viève gasped in surprise. Paulette chuckled.

“You get used to it eventually. He is so quiet. Like a little church mouse.”

“I have been known to be quite loud,” Grey said, his rich voice flowing smoothly into the room. There was no mistaking the suggestiveness of his statement and Paulette clicked her tongue at him and gave him an admonishing swat. Grey’s grin was unrepentant. “Are you okay?” he asked of Paulette. Her smile faltered.

“Yes, but do not leave me unless you must. I fear there are more of them coming. I heard mention of Kamen going to retrieve two others.”

Grey frowned. “I do not like the idea of you being here any longer. The others will act just as Felix did, gawking at you, trying to touch you.”

“The dragons are coming. I have come to see that Mystical presence is sorely needed here. Once they are here I will leave. The dragons can take care of themselves against the Wraiths, unlike me. I will send others as well. Griffins, maybe. Or centaurs. More soldiers for our little army.”

“This is all good,” Grey said. “But it can all take place without you.”

“No. I will stay and make proper introductions for the dragons. We will lose much in this coming battle. Hopefully manners and politeness will not be the first to go.”

Grey smiled at her and pressed a kiss to the hair at her temple. It was such an easy sign of affection. Kamen gave her such indications of affection in the privacy of their rooms. They were hers to hold on to, not to share with others, and she liked it that way.

As if her thoughts had conjured him, Kamen entered the kitchen. When his gaze rested on her his lips tipped upward into a small smile, but the expression did not reach his eyes. She knew instantly something was wrong.

Chapter 20

“Viève, could you come with me please?”

Viève nodded and hopped down off the barstool. She fell into step beside Kamen, and she felt his hand settle at the base of her spine. He led her out of the front door and into the cool, crisp night. There were people sitting on the porch and some gathered on the front lawn, but Kamen steered her away from them, taking her for a walk down the drive.

“Felix has asked me to fetch two more of the Wraiths to come and stay here.”

A cold sensation settled in the pit of her stomach, but she tried to smile her way through it. She had made a promise to herself that she would not let the Wraiths get to her and she was determined to follow through.

“When will you go?”

That gave him pause. “You do not mind them coming? They are bound to be as bad as Felix is toward you.”

“I realize that. And I am used to it, actually. The difference is I no longer feel it is my due to be treated in such a way. Yesterday I was shocked into awareness again of how the Wraiths treated me. I didn’t know what to say or do other than to just accept it. But now, after spending the day in your arms, learning what it means to have value in the eyes of another, it has changed me. All of this has changed me. I want to deserve to be here. That means making myself as strong as everyone else here.”

This time, when he smiled, the light of it warmed his eyes. He pulled her to a stop and very publicly took her into his arms. He held her close, touched his forehead to hers in affection. Then he pulled back and looked into her eyes.

“I am really quite proud of you,” he said fondly.

She smiled back at him as a warm, bright sensation filled her chest. “Are you?” she breathed.

“Very much so. I was worried. I was worried they would beat you down with their words until you felt like you deserved it.”

“I don’t deserve it. I’ve done nothing wrong. All I did was be born. If they don’t like my being here…well they can leave!” She lifted her chin strongly and nodded her head. “So there you have it.”