Nassir could not believe how her life had done a complete one-eighty. How had she gone from scrounging through a dumpster to find some food scraps to eat for breakfast, to sitting at a heavily laden table in a truly opulently decorated dining room, with servants waiting on her hand and foot?

A plate of food was placed gently in front of her and it was all she could do not to inhale it. Her stomach gurgled and she nearly gasped, looking around in the hope that no one had heard the noise.

To her right sat Zoey. She was engaged in an animated conversation with King Rohan who did not seem overly upset by the incident earlier. On her other side, sat Boris. She had seen his surprise when he was included at the dining table, could feel his discomfit with the situation. He obviously was not a person who was used to formal dining.

Her stomach gurgled again, the scent of the food making her mouth salivate to the point she felt a little nauseous. He frowned down at her. Oh Gods, had he heard the noise? Was he horrified by her poor control over her body? That the horrid noise had come from her?

Then he gestured his head down to her food. An obvious order to eat. She leaned into him, careful not to touch him, not after the way her body reacted to him upstairs. She couldn’t believe she had allowed him to kiss her.

Oh, who was she kidding? That wasn’t just a kiss. She’d been kissed before by that idiot, Flencix, who her parents had hoped she would marry. She shuddered at the memory. His lips had been soft and wet, his hands clumsy, and his breath…it had nearly made her gag. Anyone who ate raw onions should carry around a mouth spray and apply it liberally.

“Nobody eats before the King,” she whispered to him. Although she really wished King Rohan would hurry up. He seemed like a good man. He was quick to smile and he had given her a warm greeting. But she was not fooled. There was an intelligent man behind the smile and easy-going appearance. And she had lived on the streets of Maalika for a while now. While the people liked their King, they also spoke of his fierce temper and his low tolerance for those who broke his laws.

She would not wish to get on his bad side.

Suddenly, he boomed with laughter and she jumped, placing her hand on Boris’s thigh instinctively. She snatched it back almost immediately, feeling herself blush.

Pull yourself together, Nassir.

She drew in on herself, pushing her real thoughts deep.

A princess did not show what she was truly thinking.

A princess did not display too much emotion. That was considered unseemly.

Boris touched her thigh, startling her for a moment and drawing her out of her thoughts.

“Yes?” she asked, turning slightly, thinking he wanted to ask her something. And she realized the absurdity of that thought as soon as she thought it. It wasn’t as though he could ask her anything. Although, despite his vow of silence, he did not seem to have trouble communicating his wants.

But instead of removing his hand, he moved it higher up her thigh. Her breath caught, her whole body growing stiff. Thankfully, the table cloth hid what he was doing, but she still turned to check Zoey hadn’t noticed. She was waving her hands around as she spoke animatedly to the King, completely oblivious. Nassir had to duck back slightly so she wouldn’t be accidentally smacked in the face. Boris took advantage of her inattention to move his hand even higher. She reached down and clasped her small hand around his wrist. She was under no illusion that she could physically stop him, but she had to try.

“Stop,” she hissed at him quietly, trying to keep herself composed.

If she didn’t know better she would swear he was trying to make her lose her control. But that couldn’t be right…could it?

His fingertips brushed against her mound and she gasped, her whole body jolting as though she’d been shocked.

“Nassir? Are you okay?” Zoey turned to her, picking up her fork.

“I’m fine.” Nassir gave her a tight smile as Boris thankfully withdrew his hand. And if she felt the tiniest bit of disappointment then she pushed that to one side to be examined later…much later.

She placed her hand on Zoey’s when she went to pick up a piece of potato with her fork, looking around to make certain no one else had seen. Why didn’t the King start eating? She had never known someone to take so long to eat…unless this was some sort of punishment? Put the food in front of them then not allow them to eat?

No, he would not do that. He was a friend of the Emperor’s was he not? Besides, one would not make an Emperor wait out of spite. That was not done.

Nassir leaned in close to Zoey. “Forgive me, but you should wait until the King has started eating before you begin.”

“Really?” Zoey gave her startled look then she sighed, looking forlorn. “It looks so good, it’s going to get cold before he stops talking and starts. I’m guessing this is one of those empress lessons I should have paid more attention to.” Zoey placed her fork down, looking a little lost. “No wonder Dex doesn’t want to take me anywhere. I’m an embarrassment.”

“It is an easy mistake to make. Besides, he is being rude by not starting immediately, when he knows his guests must wait for him.”

“He is? Think he’s doing it on purpose?”

Nassir shrugged. She had not thought so, but as she watched King Rohan look around with satisfaction, she wondered. Then he picked up his fork and started to eat.

She breathed a silent sigh of relief, trying to still the shaking in her hand as she speared some sort of meat. And although it was a little cold as she placed it in her mouth, it was cooked to perfection, practically falling apart in her mouth. Her taste buds danced in joy and she had to force herself to eat slowly, savoring each bite. Between each bite, she placed her fork down.

“Hmm, I’ve never seen someone eat with such control and precision. Well, my mother-in-law does, although I try to avoid eating with her as much as I can. Nothing like eating with the old bat to make you lose your appetite. Last time I had indigestion for three days.”

It was really not the done thing for an empress to speak of indigestion, especially in such a formal dining setting. Nor to call her mate’s mother an old bat, which she assumed was an insult of some sort. But instead of being horrified or feeling like she should correct Zoey, Nassir felt her lips turn up in a smile.

“You know a bit about this sort of stuff, don’t you?” Zoey asked.

“Stuff?”

“Yeah, all the rules around what an empress should and shouldn’t do. Personally, it all bores me to death and because the old bat is the one trying to teach me I try as often as possible to do the opposite. That’s okay on Zerconia; people there know me and those that don’t like me, well…” Zoey shrugged, trying to appear unaffected but Nassir could sense her hurt. Did these people insult Zoey? Who could not like someone as kind and caring as Zoey?

“But this stuff, it’s important to Dex. Especially when he has to meet with other big wigs.”

Big wigs? Did she mean the King? Did she believe his hair was a wig? It seemed very real to Nassir.

“I’m kind of wondering how you know all this stuff, but I’m guessing that’s not something you’re willing to share?”

Nassir shook her head. The temptation was high. She longed to share everything. Zoey knew some of it but she didn’t know who Nassir truly was.

“Hmm, that’s what I thought. But just so you know, I’m really good at keeping secrets. Well, I can give it a shot anyway. For instance, you don’t have to worry about me telling anyone about what happened upstairs just before.”

She tapped her nose and smiled.

Nassir frowned. It had not occurred to her that Zoey would tell anyone. Not that it really mattered. Nassir leaned close. “Is there something wrong with your nose?”

“What?” Zoey looked startled then sighed. “I’ve got to learn to stop using Earther gestures with you guys. After all, it’s not nearly as satisfying to give the finger to someone who doesn’t understand the gesture. Takes all the fun out of it.”  

Nassir looked at her in alarm. “Do they grow back?”

“Huh? What?”

“Your fingers? If you give someone one does it grow back?”

Zoey looked at her for a long moment then she burst into laughter. “Oh, Nassir. You might have a few things to teach me, but I think it’s going to go both ways.”

Yes, that was what Nassir feared.

“Perhaps we should all retire into the other room for a drink,” King Rohan suggested suddenly, making Nassir start. How had she forgotten where she was? For a moment, she had let down her guard and that could be fatal in her situation.

She couldn’t trust. She couldn’t relax. It made her a little sad because she longed to trust Zoey, to tell her everything. But even if Zoey was completely genuine, she couldn’t let down her guard. She planned to stay for a meal and bath then leave as soon as it was possible. Nobody would care about her. She was a nobody.

She almost laughed. My, how the mighty had fallen.

Now, she watched the King warily, noting that his smile did not reach his eyes and that his movements seemed a little stiff and jerky. It was becoming increasingly obvious how angry he was.

His deep green eyes settled on hers and she shivered.

All right, not angry. Furious.

Zoey walked next to her as they followed him through into the attached sitting room. “Why do I feel like we’re being pulled into the principal’s office to explain our actions? Only this time, I haven’t just been caught smoking behind the bike sheds, I’ve lit the whole science lab on fire.”

While Nassir didn’t understand what Zoey was saying, she was glad that Zoey seemed to understand the seriousness of what was happening. She was certain the other woman would react appropriately.

“So,” Zoey said with a bright smile. “Anyone for a game of Twister?”

Everyone looked puzzled except for her mate, who shook his head at her with a glare, and Boris, who just looked the same as he always did. How did he do that?

He stood with his back to a large hearth, a place where he could watch both the door and King Rohan. She could learn a lot from him. She decided to stand a few feet behind Zoey, who had taken a seat on the sofa. The King stood across from her, while the Emperor took a seat in a chair to her left.

“Twister?” King Rohan looked over at the Emperor in confusion. “What is that?”

“It’s a game. There are colored dots on the floor. You spin a wheel and when it lands on a certain color and body part, you have to move that body part to a dot of that color.”

The King was looking more and more confused.

“Why would we do this?”

Zoey shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s a good ice-breaker. Boris and I can show you how it works if you have a projector, I can go get my handheld and…”

“Zoey, stay,” the Emperor barked out at her. “You’re not going anywhere until Rohan has answers to his questions.”

Zoey sat back with a sigh. “Wonderful. It’s the bike sheds all over again.”

“What?” the King barked making Nassir jump.

“I warned you that humans can be difficult to understand,” the Emperor said apologetically.

Nassir frowned. Should he not have more concern for his mate? Be defending her? After all, she did nothing wrong.

“Then perhaps I am asking the wrong person.” The King’s glance moved over her then dismissed her, moving to Boris. “I have little liking for questioning females, anyway. I find their minds tend to be unfocused and scattered.”

Nassir’s frown deepened. She was liking this King less and less.

“You, what is your name?” he demanded of Boris.

The King had been introduced to all of them before dining, so either he had a terrible memory or he was being deliberately rude. She tensed and took a step towards Boris. But when she saw the dark one’s face, she stopped herself. Who was she kidding? That was a man who did not need her help. Besides, Zoey had already stood.

“That’s Boris,” Zoey said in a cool voice. “He is my bodyguard.”

The King turned to the Emperor of Zerconia, a look of disbelief on his face. “This is your mate’s bodyguard? A male with one working arm?”

“Boris is an excellent bodyguard.” Zoey looked as serious as Nassir had ever seen her. She stepped in front of Boris.

“I wish to hear his recounting.”

“Boris doesn’t speak,” the Emperor explained.

King Rohan started to laugh then trailed off as he obviously caught sight of their serious faces. “Really? He does not speak?” He rattled something off to the Emperor in Maalikan. She knew bits and pieces of the language but not enough to understand what they were saying. The Emperor, a scowl on his face, spoke back.

“Um, you do know it’s rude to talk in another language in front of people who don’t understand it, right?” Zoey placed her hands on her hips, giving her mate a disgruntled look. The King looked startled, as though he wasn’t used to being chastised. Nassir had to turn away to hide a smile. As she turned, her gaze met Boris’s. Was that a twinkle of amusement in his eyes? He looked away so quickly that she couldn’t tell.

No, she must have imagined it. He was so serious all the time.

“Zoey.” Her mate sighed and shook his head then turned to King Rohan. “She’s right.”

Nassir stared at him in surprise and then quickly glanced at Zoey who was gaping at her mate, her mouth slightly open. Nassir winced. That was not the way a proper empress should conduct herself.

Quiet, mother, she whispered to the voice in her head.

Ooh, that actually felt quite good. Even if she did wonder whether she was growing insane.

“She is?” Rohan asked.

“I am?”

“Rohan, perhaps it would be best if Zoey and Nassir rested. I can answer your questions.”

Rohan slammed his fist down onto the small table beside him, cracking the top of it in an impressive show of temper. “My jail was in an uproar! I have eight injured guardsmen! And seventeen missing prisoners. And I wish to have answers! I wish to know who to blame.”

Nassir had jumped when he smashed the table and now stood frozen, as though she thought that any movement might bring his wrath down on her. When she finally remembered how to breathe, she turned to check on Zoey. And couldn’t see her. Panic filled her for a moment until she realized that Boris was now standing in front of Zoey. She saw Zoey attempt to step around him. He pushed her back.

Her breath came easier, even as she felt a stab of loneliness. She knew that was his job, but their relationship was more than guard and Empress. They were friends. He cared for Zoey.

What would it be like if he cared for her?

Stop that thought now, Nassir. You can never have him. You can never have anyone.

At least, not until she was out of danger.

The Emperor had jumped to his feet as well.

“Rohan! You will not act threateningly in front of my mate! We are all friends, but I will tolerate no violence or slight to Zoey.”

Nassir held her breath, but King Rohan turned away for a moment.

“I knew the giant teddy bear thing was an act,” Zoey whispered rather loudly.

What was a teddy bear?

The King turned back and Nassir tensed, ready for another display of temper, but he seemed to have himself under control. He nodded stiffly. “You are right. I apologize. That was no way to act in front of females.”

Zoey snorted.

“I think it would be best if we left,” the Emperor said stiffly.

“No.” Rohan shook his head. “Please. You are all my guests and I have allowed my temper to affect my actions. You are welcome to stay. And I think it would be best were your mate under my care while we attend that other matter.”

“What other matter?” Zoey asked, peering around Boris’s wide shoulders. “Is it the reason we’re really here? Because I know it has nothing to do with our anniversary.”

“Anniversary?” the King questioned.

“It’s a celebration of our mating. Basically, it’s an excuse to hole up in a hotel room, eat, drink, and fuck like bunnies.”

“Zoey!” the Emperor snapped. “You are an Empress! You cannot say fuck like bunnies.”

Zoey gave her mate an affronted stare. “But it’s all right to go around smashing things and yelling at people? Seems like a double standard.”

King Rohan raised his hand. “Dex, please, she is right. And we are all friends here.”

Friends? Really?

From the look on Zoey’s face she was feeling the same level of skepticism.

“Well, I hope we will be. I apologize again. It is just that today’s issues have the council of elders in an uproar and demanding an account from me and I still seem to be unclear how this all started.”

“Let me clear that up,” Zoey said. “It all started with this pompous jerk and his pig-like pet…”

Nassir remained still and silent as Zoey recounted what happened. Other than a few strange words thrown in, what she recited was basically what occurred.

“And then I woke up, Nassir was lying over me to protect me and all hell had broken loose. So if you’re looking for someone to blame, I’d start with that little jerk who got Nassir arrested. Oh, and that guard that hit me. After all, Boris was just protecting me. It’s his job. And he loves me.”

Boris loved her? But she was mated. How could he love her? Horror filled her as she remembered the fantasies she’d had about the dark one, as she recalled the passionate kiss they’d shared.

King Rohan appeared shocked as well.

The Emperor ran his hand over his face. “Love takes on different meanings for humans. They love their mates, their families, their friends, their pets.”

“Chocolate, pop-tarts, any movie starring Rebel Wilson,” Zoey added. Then she grimaced. “And, eww, I love Boris like a brother. We are not now nor will we ever be bumping uglies together.”

Rohan looked confused. Nassir knew the feeling.

“It does not matter,” Dex told them. “Rohan, I am going to need to see that guard.” The Emperor’s expression had changed and a shiver of apprehension went down Nassir’s spine.

He looked positively glacial.

“Now, Dex…” Zoey said uneasily.

Dex pinned her with a glare, his eyes flashing red. Oh, that could not be a good sign.

“He touched you. Hurt you. He must pay.”

“I agree,” Rohan said in an equally dark voice. “However, not by your hand, Dex.”

The Emperor turned, swinging that gaze towards Rohan. Nassir sucked in a breath, her stomach tightening into a knot. What would happen if they started fighting?

“She is my mate.”

“And it was my guardsman,” Rohan did not seem worried by Dex’s red glare. “I will see him properly punished. We do not hit females here, not even prisoners.”

“I would like to add that I hadn’t even done anything wrong. Just asked him a simple question.”

“As to Ernstn,” Rohan said, ignoring Zoey. “He will also be dealt with.”

“He is a personal friend?” Nassir asked quietly. Then, as everyone turned to look at her, she wished she hadn’t. The last thing she needed was to bring attention to herself. Fool.

“No, he is not. He is the distant cousin of my head Royal Guardsman. He seems to believe they are his personal guardians whom he can call upon whenever he wishes to distribute justice. This will stop. I apologize for any fear or pain you were caused, my lady.” He bowed his head slightly and she gave a regal nod.

When she looked back up, he was giving her a thoughtful look.

“Boris, could you take Zoey and Nassir to their rooms, I wish to speak to Rohan,” Dex asked tiredly.

Boris nodded.

As Zoey passed Rohan, he reached out and grasped hold of her hand, pulling it to his lips. A practiced move, Nassir thought with a skeptical eye. She was not sure she entirely trusted this King. Although he did seem sincere in desire to punish those involved in today’s events.

“We did not have the best start, my lady. Please, forgive me my show of temper.”

Zoey eyed him over for a moment. Then waved her free hand. “It’s the red-head in you. Makes you hot-headed.”

The King reached up to touch his auburn locks, looking confused. “My hair has something to do with my temper?”

“Yep,” Zoey said with confidence. “You know, you really would have made an excellent highland warrior.”

“What?”

Zoey took a step back to demonstrate. “A long time ago, in Scotland, which is a country on Earth, there were these warriors called highlanders.”

The King’s chest seemed to puff out. “Really? I remind you of these warriors.”

“Stick a kilt on you and I reckon you would blend right in.”

“A kilt?” he queried.

“It’s a skirt with pleats that has a tartan pattern.”

“You wish me to dress as a female? Is this the price you demand as compensation?” The King looked offended. Uh-oh. What was Zoey thinking? Boris stepped closer and grabbed hold of Zoey’s arm, gently pulling her back.

“What? No. Of course not. It’s what Scotsmen on Earth used to wear a long time ago. They were warriors. Sexy as hell. At least in the movies. You would have made an excellent Braveheart.” She raised her fist into the air as Boris tugged her away, Nassir quickly following them.

As Nassir walked out she heard Rohan say to the Emperor, “I do not know if that was a compliment or an insult.”

“This is my life, my friend.”

“Hmm, I think I almost envy you. Life would never be boring, no?”

“No. But you may wish to pull your hair out on an hourly basis.”

Nassir shut the door behind her. She hurried forward, not wanting to be left behind, only to find Zoey and Boris waiting for her. She stopped suddenly, then Zoey smiled and held out a hand. “Come on, that was exhausting. Although not nearly as bad as trying to explain why my clothing smelled like weed to Principal McKillen. That woman was a real bitch.”

 

***

 

A hand twisted gently in her hair, pulling her head back for a kiss that started gentle before growing increasingly more forceful. Her stomach clenched, warmth filling her from the inside out as he conquered her mouth. His tongue slipped into her mouth, playing with her, teasing her until she couldn’t stand it any longer.

She needed more. Craved it. Longed for it.

With a whimper, she ran her hands through his dark hair, marvelling at its silkiness. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer, his firm cock pressing against the softness of her stomach.

Cream coated her folds and her passage throbbed, feeling empty. She needed him.

Drawing back, she panted as she stared up into his face.

We shouldn’t.

Oh, we definitely should. There was a wicked grin on his face and her breath caught. Had she ever seen him smile? No, she wouldn’t have forgotten that. His face changed, becoming even more gorgeous. She couldn’t imagine how beautiful he would have looked before his cheek had been scarred.

Maybe too beautiful.

He pressed her back on the bed and loomed over her. Then he reached for the top of her dress, releasing her breast. Her nipple, already hard and sensitive, ached. Leaning down, he licked his tongue over the tight red bud.

Nassir cried out, arching up.

More…more…

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

She frowned, irritated. What was that? Boris started to fade.

No! No, come back!

 

Nassir sat up with a frown, her heart racing. Where was she? As her surroundings became clearer, she realized she must have fallen asleep. Stars! She’d only intended to lie down for a minute. Just long enough for Zoey to settle in her bedroom before she snuck away.

And now, judging from the darkness of her room, several hours must have passed.

The buzzer sounded again and she stared at the door cautiously. Who could that be? What could they want?

At one time, she wouldn’t have hesitated to fling open the door. It would not have occurred to her that someone might hurt her, threaten her.

She had been so naïve.

Whoever was on the other side of the door was growing impatient, they’d given up pressing the buzzer and were now banging on the door. Nassir was thankful she had remembered to set the manual lock, not trusting the automatic one. Being safe was something she would never take for granted again. As she made her way to the door, she picked up a hefty lamp, holding it out to one side as she pressed on the communicator.

“Yes?”

“Nassir, it’s Zoey. Let me in, will you?”

Nassir breathed a sigh of relief, her hand shaking as she set the lamp down on the side table. She had to quickly grab it as it wobbled. She hated to think how much it cost. More than she could afford to repay if she accidentally broke it.

Quickly, she unlocked the door, opening it.

“What were you doing?” Zoey asked stepping inside. Nassir carefully closed the door and locked it behind her, but not before looking around to see if Boris accompanied Zoey. Disappointment filled her.

Foolish. She could not afford to be interested in any male. And especially not that male. He was entirely too observant, too intriguing, just entirely too much. Like being tempted by a rich dessert when she was restricted to bread and water.

“You are alone?” she asked.

“Dex is busy with Rohan. Boris has gone out and Giz is sleeping like the dead.”

“Oh. He is all right, though?”

“Hmm, oh he’s fine. Today was a bit much excitement for the wee fella. It took you ages to get to the door.”

Nassir was slightly taken aback. “My apologies, I fell asleep.”

Zoey sighed then waved her hand dismissively before sitting on the bed, her shoulders slumped. “No, I’m the one who should apologize. I had no right to speak to you like that. In fact, I should just go. You’re obviously exhausted. I just thought you might want some dinner or something.”

“Zoey, wait,” Nassir said as the other woman stood to leave.

Zoey turned to her and the misery in her eyes made Nassir’s stomach clench.

Be brave. You can do this.

“I have little understanding of friendship,” she began. “In fact, I have no friends.”

Two lines formed in Zoey’s forehead as she studied Nassir. “None at all?”

Her cheek grew red, even as she attempted to school her reaction. “No. I don’t.”

“But that’s crazy.” Zoey looked dumbfounded and Nassir understood why. Someone as warm and gregarious as Zoey probably made friends easily. She probably had hundreds of people she could call on, who would all understand this friendship dynamic thing better than Nassir. She had no idea what the rules were or how to even recognize when she had a friend, which is what made it so hard for her to say what she had to. Because if Zoey rejected her…

“I would like to be your friend,” she blurted out.

Zoey shook her head and her heart stopped, her stomach dropping. Oh no, she had misread the situation. Zoey was only being kind. She did not wish to be her friend.

Then Zoey smiled. “Dude, we already are friends.”

“We-we are?” Her heart started beating again.

Zoey moved forward and clasped her hand in hers. Nassir had to force herself not to flinch away. Zoey’s touch was very different from having Boris touch her. Zoey’s hand was warm and smooth, her touch light. Boris’s hands bore calluses and his touch was anything but gentle.

Hard. Hot.

But even though Nassir had to force herself not to move away as Zoey continued to touch her, her body began to relax.

“Of course, we are. I have this rule. Once I get arrested with someone then we’re automatically friends for life.”

That seemed an odd rule.

“So you are now friends with Zillion?”

Zoey frowned. “When hell freezes over. Okay, scrap that rule. But we’re friends, Nassir.”

“Even though you do not know everything about me?” she asked hesitantly. She had told Zoey about her uncle and the evil one when they first met back on Ulrika, but she didn’t know exactly who Nassir was. Or how much trouble she was still in. Trouble she could bring to Zoey.

Would she wish to be her friend then?

“I don’t have to know everything. I know that you draped yourself over me to keep me safe. Not everyone would do that for someone they barely know.”

“You got yourself arrested trying to help me.”

Zoey grinned. “Good, then we’re even.”

Even? No, Nassir thought that she owed Zoey far more than Zoey owed her.

“Hey, Nassir, don’t worry about it so much. There is no score kept in a friendship, okay?”

“There’s not?”

“No.” Zoey gave her a curious look. “You really haven’t had a friend before?”

Nassir shook her head, feeling slightly ashamed. “No. When I was growing up, there was no one where we lived who my parents saw as being a suitable playmate for me. And as I grew older, well, I did not travel that often and when I did, I found it hard to relate to people my own age. I did not seem to share the same interests or say the right thing.”

“Hmm, well, you don’t have to worry about that with me.” Zoey grinned. “I never say the right thing.”

“I am afraid I do not know how to be a good friend.”

“You just be yourself.”

Easier said than done, when she was not even sure who she was anymore. Princess Nassir was gone. Homeless, scared Nassir was not who she wanted to be. So what did that leave? Who was she?

“Perhaps you could give me a list of criteria.”

Zoey blinked then grinned. “All right. Yeah, you seem like a list sort of person.”

What was a list sort of person like?

“Is that bad or good?”

“It’s neither. I just mean you seem like the type of person who likes to be organized, who is always five minutes early to meetings, who doesn’t leave their laundry so long that they have to wear their undies inside-out or go commando.”

“Go commando?”

“Yeah, you know, pantyless. Do you wear panties?”

“Umm…” This was unlike any conversation she had had before.

“Most Zerconians don’t, that’s why I ask. Jaxan threw Alice’s panties out over the balcony. I have to admit that I laughed until I nearly peed when a pair of white panties landed on Dex’s face. He wasn’t so amused. Luckily Dex prefers when I go commando. Not that I have to do my own laundry anymore.”

“I do not.”

“Huh?”

Nassir’s cheeks reddened. “I do not wear these things called panties.”

“You’ll fit right in on Zerconia then.”

If only she was going to Zerconia. But she couldn’t. Not and risk leading Tazan and his men there. Or bring the wrath of her uncle down on her friend, Zoey. That sounded good. Her friend.

She was getting ahead of herself, anyway. She had not even been asked to accompany Zoey to Zerconia.

Although it was going to be even harder to return to the streets after experiencing a bath and good meal, not to mention a few hours’ sleep on a real bed. She sighed. That had been a true pleasure she would never take for granted again.

Being a princess held some positives too. Like a bed, clean sheets, running water, bathing facilities…yes, the list went on and on.

“Okay, let me help you out.” Zoey tapped a finger to her chin, looking thoughtful. “I think a good friend is someone who listens when I want to bitch, but who doesn’t let me wallow for too long in self-pity. I tend to do that.”

Nassir nodded, mentally taking notes.

“Someone who is loyal. I’m fiercely loyal to those I care about.”

Loyalty was not a problem.

“Kindness. Not just to me, but to others. Honesty, I guess. I want a friend, who when I knock on her room at eight at night and ask her to come for a drink with me, she says yes?”

It seemed to be an odd requirement in a friend and such a specific time as well. Why eight…then it clicked.

“Oh.” Her eyes widened. She was asking her out. Nassir did not drink, though. She could too easily lose control. But that was the old Nassir, besides, she did not have to drink alcohol, she just had to be there. Listen, but not let Zoey wallow in self-pity.

She could do that. She thought.

She threw back her shoulders. Her first task as a friend would be a success.

“Yes, I will do that.”

Zoey’s eyes twinkled. “Well, good, because I didn’t want to go alone. But I’m not leading you to your death, you don’t need to look so serious. I just don’t want to sit in my room, twiddling my thumbs.”

“No, that sounds tedious.”

“Why not have some fun, right?”

Zoey’s smile seemed forced, but she turned away before Nassir could figure out what was going on. “So, one of King Rohan’s servants knocked on my door before and said the King suggested that we might like to eat dinner at his favorite restaurant, that he had booked us a table and arranged everything. What do you say?”

Nassir nodded her head. Actually, that sounded like it could be quite fun.