Free Demon Lost by Connie Suttle Page B

well?" The Prince lifted an eyebrow at Aris.
    "Of course not. They were hit by flying glass when a window was shot out. Nothing serious; a few cuts with a little blood and fainting." Aris didn't add that if it hadn't been for Reah's actions and quick thinking, those women could very well be dead.
    "Speaking of women, I saw a girl with two of yours at the baths last evening," the Prince lifted a tiny cake and bit into it. Aris knew the Prince had done everything possible to discover who the men were—he shouldn't have recognized Bel or Delvin for any reason. Reah wouldn't have any records—except at the outpost.
    "If it's the two I'm thinking of, I'm not surprised they brought a young woman with them to the baths."
    "Yes, but this one was delectable. Beautiful. Fragile. Long, white-blonde hair. You don't see that often, do you? I might be persuaded to pay for information on her." Aris wanted to reach across the table and strangle the Prince as he spoke. He held himself back.
    "None of you will come looking for her," he said, power thick in his voice. "You will forget about her and not trouble me about it again. Do you understand?" The Prince and his High Commander nodded their heads like puppets at Aris' command.
    * * *
    "We're having dinner with Commander Aris tonight. You're invited," Bel informed me after we'd seen more of the city on our second day. At times, I saw the Prince lurking around every corner, but eventually pushed those thoughts aside—they were foolish. They only served to frighten me and make me jumpy when I should be enjoying myself.
    "Where are we going?" I asked.
    "The nicest restaurant in Crown City," Delvin teased. His words made me sigh. If things were different, I might have taken him to the best restaurant on all of Tulgalan. That option was now closed forever.
    "What's their specialty?" I asked instead.
    "They serve a great lamb rack with a fruit sauce," Bel replied. "Look, there's an outfit you'd look nice in." He steered me toward another clothing store.
    * * *
    "Little cook, do you think you might do something like this if we obtained the proper ingredients?" Aris was enjoying the lamb, as were the rest of us. If I had the proper ingredients I could do better, but I didn't say that.
    "I think so," I replied. He, Bel, Delvin and I sat around a small, square table at Rodu's of Crown City. Aris wore his dress uniform, as did Bel and Delvin. I'd unwrapped my new blue outfit and worn it, braiding my hair more intricately than I normally did. I had no jewelry or I'd have worn that, too.
    "Did you enjoy your trip, Reah?" Aris went on, smiling at me.
    "Yes. I saw too many things I wanted to buy. I'll save more for next time."
    "Next time will be in six moon-turns. Just so you'll be warned," Bel reached over and lifted the roll I hadn't eaten. He was welcome to it. The bread wasn't very good, in my opinion. The cheeses they'd brought out at the end of the meal made up for it, however. I was wishing we could get cheeses like that at the outpost. I could prepare all sorts of dishes with those, not least of which was serving them as an appetizer with fresh-cut fruit. We walked out of the restaurant later, and even I couldn't help but notice that Aris, Bel and Delvin formed a ring around me as we walked toward the public transport to return to the military station and our beds.
    That night I dreamed. The dream was a good one—a comforting one. I was held against a broad chest while gentle fingers stroked hair back from my forehead. My love, they cannot take you away. Not ever. Do not fear, my pretty one. You are safe . I slept a dreamless sleep after that.
    The women who'd come with us were laughing, talking and stowing away many bags of purchases as they boarded the transports to return to the outpost. When all passengers were settled in, Delvin right next to me just as before, we drove away from Crown City, heading toward the desert.
    Perhaps we'd traveled for two clicks, more or less, while the sun beat