“Somewhat exposed is an understatement,” Em said, blushing as she covered herself. Yes, she knew he had seen her naked the night before—hell, they’d slept naked in each others’ arms! But she still couldn’t help feeling shy about exposing herself in front of the big Monstrum.
“Well, perhaps the second choice I brought will be more to your liking,” Elfa offered. “It won’t match Commander Rarev’s clothing, but it does not have any holes cut in it.”
“Thank you—I’ll try it,” Em said.
She shimmied out of the holey black dress and put on the other garment, which appeared to be a kind of wrap dress. The material was a shimmering, translucent-looking silver with just a hint of bluish-green. When Em turned one way and the light from the crystal walls around her was reflected in a certain direction, the gown had an emerald sheen and when she turned another way, it was a deep indigo shade.
True, it was a bit see-through, Em acknowledged, but it was still much better than the dress with the holes cut in it. Plus, its cut flattered her, showing just a hint of cleavage and coming down just to her knees.
“Do you like it?” Elfa asked hopefully.
“Actually yes, I do—it’s lovely,” Em said honestly. She turned from side to side, looking down at the dress in admiration. She loved the way the soft fabric draped itself on her curves and shimmered in the light.
“It makes your silver mane look even more beautiful—if that’s possible,” Rarev said. Coming over to her, he took her by the arms and looked her up and down. “Of course, you’d be beautiful in anything,” he rumbled. “But I really do love the look of this on you.” And leaning down, he kissed her gently on the lips.
The kiss left Em quite breathless and she could only stammer her thanks as the big Monstrum pulled back from her.
“I’m so glad I brought a garment you approve of.” Elfa beamed at them. “And now that you’re both ready to go, shall we get to the dining area? I know you must be hungry,” she added, speaking to Em. “As you didn’t get much to eat last night.”
“She barely got anything because that fool, Om’bobla, made a dangerous sea creature with the rest of the making-clay,” Rarev growled.
“Please be assured that’s not going to be a problem again,” Elfa said quickly. “Mr. Om’bobla has been warned that he must not make any other living creatures for First Meal.”
“Thank you,” Em said, nodding. “That’s certainly a relief.”
“I’m sure it is. Shall we go?” Elfa asked.
“I suppose so.” Em nodded.
Rarev offered her his arm.
“Shall we walk together, my l’eeja?” he rumbled with a hint of a purr in his voice.
Em was tempted to refuse. They really ought to start making some distance between them—after all, they’d already agreed they couldn’t be together and there mustn’t be a repeat of last night’s activities.
But there was something about the way the big Monstrum was looking at her that made her weak in the knees. There was a connection between them—she felt it, like a string tugging at her heart. She couldn’t refuse to take his offered arm.
“Yes, let’s walk together,” she said, sliding her arm through his and noticing both the hard muscle of his biceps and the silky-soft fur at the same time. It was a lovely combination.
“Right this way,” Elfa said and they left the bed chamber behind and stepped out into the glass corridor beyond.
31
“Just to let you know, all the couples have been spaced out around the table,” Elfa added, as they walked down the long glass corridor. “So that people can, er, save their ardor for the Third Trial.”
Em wanted to ask what exactly the third Trial—wasn’t it called the Trial of Taking or some such thing?—was all about, but just then they entered the dining area and she saw that everyone else was already seated at the table. This time, however, the couples had been broken up—which was something of a relief. Maybe they could get through this meal without having to watch Lord Torrid fondle his wife or Lady Tabuu squirt purple breast juice or hear Om’bobla and Channa argue.
Her relief was short-lived, however. For when they approached the table, Em saw that to her dismay she was once again seated beside Om’bobla. On the other side of the squid man was Lady Tabuu and beside her was where Rarev was meant to sit. Beside him was Channa—the mermaid girl was resting in her crystal water tank chair. And beside her, Lord Torrid was poking listlessly at the clay on the plate in front of him. He would be on Em’s left when she was seated.
“I don’t like these seating arrangements,” Rarev growled to Elfa, frowning when he saw that Em was seated between Torrid and Om’bobla. “I don’t trust that Emilia will be safe sitting where you have placed her.”