“Not surprised by what?” Charlie asked, and Ari turned to look at him only to feel her cheeks redden at his gaze. He was staring at her as if he’d never seen her before, his eyes seeming to penetrate the soft fabric she was wrapped in. Again, Ari fought the urge to cover herself up. Instead she shot an anxious look at Jai who was no longer gazing in boredom out of the window. His vibrant eyes were traveling the length of her, his jaw clenching as they came to rest on her face. He noticed her flush and jerked a swift glance at Charlie, his scowl deepening.
“I didn’t ask to be dressed like this,” Ari hurried to assure him. “Apparently, Azazil insisted on it.”
Jai didn’t appear to be listening. He was stil glowering at Charlie who had finaly realized he’d been caught blatantly checking her out. He shot a wary look at Jai and then gave Ari a careful nod. “You look nice,” he told her hoarsely.
Ari scowled as Jai crossed his arms over his chest, his biceps flexing threateningly. He was wearing a t-shirt. And jeans. So was Charlie. “What the hel?” she grumbled, gesturing to their attire. “Why aren’t you guys in some ridiculous get-up?”
The Red King cleared his throat. “It was not required of them.”
“Just me?” Ari sneered, feeling na**d and picked upon. “Why?”
“Don’t take it as an insult, Ari. It was meant as a compliment. It suggests Azazil thinks of you as one of his own people. It was not meant to insult you. Although,” he cast another look over her appearance and gave a fatherly frown, “On second thought it is a little revealing.”
“A little?” Jai snapped.
At the sound of disgust in his voice Ari shot him a hurt look of angry dismay. “I look that bad?”
His eyes narrowed. “No. That’s the opposite of the problem.”
“Dude, she can wear what she wants,” Charlie interjected, frowning at Jai’s proprietary attitude. “You’re not her keeper.”
The guardian Jinn slanted him a dangerous look. “Just keep your eyes glued in your head, Kid.”
“Kid-”
“Oh dear God,” Ari whisper-shouted at them. “Now is not the time or the place. I am dressed like an extra from Cleopatra and even though I can’t feel the cold, I’m freezing with vulnerability, so can you just be my friends here and shut up, go to dinner and be on your best behavior so we can get the hel out of here and I can get back into my jeans.”
There was stunned silence for a moment and then Red sighed. “Wel said. Let’s do this.”
Jai stepped aside as Red led her past them, coming up the rear and acting guardian as always. Ari shivered, feeling his gaze on her back. Part of her was annoyed at him for acting like an idiot when she already felt so exposed… but she guessed she’d be put out if someone was parading him around shirtless in front of lots of other women.
If it makes you feel any better, I really wish I wasn’t dressed like this too. She telepathed back to him, as her eyes wandered out of the windows they kept passing. Outside, a huge marketplace was lit up in the dark of the lowest level of the outer grounds of the palace. There was hardly anyone there as night had falen on Mount Qaf but Ari could stil see selers wandering around amongst their stals. It was so normal for a place so… weird. And creepy.
She heard Jai sigh in her head and relaxed a little at the sound. I know. That’s partly why I’m pissed off too.
And because of all the leg and cl**vage right?
He grunted. Only because we’re not alone. The dress isn’t really you but…
But?
You look really beautiful.
Ari’s insides melted, her muscles relaxing as they approached a large entranceway and four Shaitan’s guarding the talest double doors she’d ever seen in her life.
Thank you.
You’re welcome. Sorry. About before.
Don’t be. I’d be pissed too if it was the other way around. She gave Jai a soft smile as he came to stand beside her. He eyed her appreciatively, seeming a little surprised by her understanding.
“Ahem,” Red cleared his throat deliberately, drawing their attention back to the doors. Ari avoided Charlie’s quizzical gaze and waited as the double doors swung slowly inwards, the icy confusion of the great hal becoming clearer and more vivid as the entrance widened. Since the last time she’d been there, warm, blood-red tapestries had been thrown up in the middle of each wal, the lighting had dimmed into romantic candlelight, and a long dinner table now sat center of the room, piles of food awaiting them. Ari’s stomach growled a little and she realized she hadn’t eaten al day. Standing beside the head of the massive table was Azazil. With the exception of hundreds of Shaitans who stood guard on either side of the room, the Sultan was alone.
No Asmodeus.
Ari breathed a sigh of relief.
“Welcome, guests,” Azazil’s voice boomed around the room. “Come, be seated. Let us feast in celebration.”