Thistle sighed, shifting from one foot to the other. "Where is Wish? Maybe we should just leave without her."

Furrowing her eyebrows, Satin glared at her twin. "What's up with you? You've been so testy lately. We didn't specify a time; she'll be down. She knows we're waiting."

Thistle had no idea what was going on with her. Lately, she just felt out of sorts. It felt like the whole world was just in her way.

Artemis wrapped his arm around Thistle's shoulders. "Are you okay?"

Shrugging his arm off, she glowered. "Yeah, I'm fine."

His lips thinned, his gaze penetrating to her soul, making her belly flip. "That means you're not fine. Should we sit and figure out what has you annoyed?"

"No. I'm fine, I guess. I mean, I'm just moody. I don't know."

"Well, girls who can't figure out how to use their manners to behave, typically, are grounded to the house. Does Daddy need to make you stay home?"

"No, Sir." Thistle shook her head. It was the last thing she wanted

"We'll see." He nodded his head slowly, but the tic in his jaw said otherwise.

The women had been stuck in the house and only given permission—if escorted—to go to the barn or the grounds in between, since Gossamer's kidnapping. There was no way in hell Thistle would miss this shopping trip.

"Artemis, maybe you should radio Cloven and see how much longer Wish is going to be." Gossamer had barely gotten the sentence out of her mouth when Wish came running down the stairs.

"Holy shit, I'm sorry. I had to shower, and then someone decided I needed another spanking." Wish glared over her shoulder at her husband slowly following her down to the foyer.

Cloven narrowed his gaze. "It was a reminder—again—that a certain young lady needed to watch her sassy mouth. It appears I've been negligent. Do you need a stiffer 'minder before you go out in public?"

"N-no, Sir. I'll behave. Promise." Wish emphatically shook her head.

Cloven addressed Artemis. "You have free rein to paddle her ass if she gets out of hand." Turning his attention back to Wish, he pointed his finger close to her nose. "You'll mind him as you do me, clear?"

"Yes, Sir." She made eye contact with both the brothers and the threat hung in the air so heavily it was difficult for Thistle to breathe.

Cloven pointed to his sister-in-law, Thistle's twin, Satin. "I heard Drayce give the same warning to this one, so you should be set, my friend. Have fun."

"Yeah, Drayce found me. They'll be perfect little ladies. It's just a shopping trip with a bit of lunch. They're all good girls, and besides, Daddy's wearing his wide belt." He grasped the buckle and hoisted it up a bit, forcing everyone to look at it.

Thistle watched both Wish and Satin swallow, their eyes widening. And Thistle could testify, from personal experience, it wasn't a belt a girl wanted to feel on her bare behind. It was enough of a threat to keep her behaving for the rest of the trip.

Cloven chuckled. "Wow, that was quite a reaction from them.

Artemis winked at his brother. "Belts have that effect, Cloven."

Gossamer came out of the kitchen, coat on, purse in hand. "Are we ready to go now?"

"Yes, everyone is finally ready." Artemis opened the door, and they all walked to the barn.

Drayce and Zorander had saddled all the dragons. Zorander picked his head up. "Thistle, did you put the mist into the atmosphere for galaxy breathing?" As the Trexotera and Quinn Estate Priestess, she made potions and cast spells. With the right chemicals and spell, she emitted a pink cloud into the upper atmosphere. Once this was breathed in by the rider, it gave them the ability to breathe in outer space.

"Yes, sir."

"Good. You women should be all set. Now, Satin, remember if Azure gives you any trouble, you let Artemis know immediately."

"I will. Azure will be a perfectly behaved dragon." She patted her blue dragon and climbed up onto the beast's back with the help of her husband.

"We've decided that it would be a good idea to tether you all to Artemis's dragon, Onyx, until we're sure what is going on. If Azure spooks, it may affect the others, as well."

"We'll look like toddlers," Thistle murmured, rolling her eyes.

"Last chance." Artemis grabbed her chin between his thumb and forefinger.

"Y-yes, Sir."

"It's not to make you look like toddlers, Thistle. It's to keep you safe. The dragons are all acting out of sorts; something is up."

"I'm sorry."

Zorander looked up at Artemis. "Contact us on the comm set if anything goes wrong; we'll send a fleet immediately to assist."

"It's only a day trip."

Zorander spoke to the women next. "Now, remember. You're going to Diviljak. It's a male-dominated planet, and women are to be quiet and subservient. You'll all remain on strict protocol and have Artemis speak for you at all times. Do not address anyone on your own."

"Yes, sir."

"Have fun. Don't buy too many things, and ask the store to deliver the packages to our castle. There's no need to carry all those bags."

"Onyx, up!" The mammoth black dragon snorted and rose to the sky, with the rest of the dragons following.

Everyone waved to Drayce and Zorander before climbing above the clouds. They were free! Finally, off the estate for a full day of Christmas shopping.