Soon after Lilith visited, I had another meeting in the receiving parlor.
"Basil!" I hugged him and noted how he didn"t repel me like Lilith had.
He squeezed back, then held me at arm"s length and frowned. "Reine, how are you settling in? You look…subdued."
I"d again braided my hair, and this time I wore a dusty blue gown. "It"s standard dress for royal guests here, I"ve come to find. My clothes disappeared after I took them off, and no one can tell me where they went."
A blush bloomed and faded on his cheeks, and he cleared his throat. "Well, ah, that"s no good. I"ll see if I can get some regular clothing brought to you."
I rubbed my eyes. "No, no, that"s all right. I"m trying to make this experience as frictionless as possible, at least for now." I sat on the couch, and he took the
