A Discovery of Secrets and Fate (Chronicles of the Stone Veil #2) - Sawyer Bennett Page 0,85

black satin on the bottom, except the front panel of what would be the skirt portion is cut out. Had she not been wearing anything underneath, she’d be naked from the navel downward, but, as it stands, she has on a pair of tight black leather pants that are so painted on, not a crease or fold can be seen anywhere on her long legs.

The top portion of the dress has what looks like black metal feathers sewn on with the tips pointed upward in an alternating pattern so as to resemble wings on her chest. They rise past her shoulders where I assume they are perhaps soldered together so they flare out to either side of her head. The bodice is cut in an extremely low V-shape, and it’s fitted to plump up what are very ample breasts.

Her hair is pulled up into a mass on top of her head in big curls and loose locks, giving her a bit of a romantic edge, but the black leather and thigh-high boots with four-inch heels obliterate that into making her not only beautiful, but also incredibly badass.

For a moment, I want to curtsy as Carrick had teased was required, and I was actually a little fearful of looking her in the eye, knowing how much the fae hate humans, especially since her powers are basically limitless. She could probably kill me with a snap of her fingers, and Carrick couldn’t prevent it.

The queen walks straight to Carrick without glancing at me once. Her expression is stony, her eyes piercing. My heart is in my throat wondering if she’ll just strike him dead for talking about the way she rules behind her back.

Carrick is not cowed. In fact, he stands straight and unyielding with his hands clasped behind his back.

She comes toe to toe with him, and I hold my breath for the possibility of anything.

The queen’s mouth then breaks into a wide smile as she places her hands on Carrick’s shoulders, genuinely pleased to see him.

“Carrick,” she purrs, leaning in to kiss him on one cheek, then the other. “It’s been far too long since you graced us.”

She pulls back, staring at him expectantly.

“My apologies,” he replies with a tip of his head. “You know the gods keep me hopping.”

The queen waves a hand dismissively. “Those boors. You should come to work for me.”

“Why ever would I do that when your realm is in full peace and you are clearly ruling in splendor?” he returns.

“Despite the fact I don’t provide power to my people?” she asks, her eyes flashing with ire.

“Merely stating a truth,” he intones. “I offered no opinion on it.”

“True,” she replies and takes another step back, this time clasping her hands in front of her. “Now, what is it you needed to see me about?”

“Mother,” a female voice exclaims with excitement. I turn toward the doorway to see a woman rushing in that looks almost identical to Queen Nimeyah, except perhaps ten years younger in appearance. I immediately know this must be the daughter, Deandra. “Someone said Carrick was here.”

She is dressed nothing like her mother, and I’m shocked at how revealing her outfit is. It’s a bright orange dress with red swirls. It seems to be made up of nothing but scarves of the thinnest, most see-through silk. They are wrapped horizontally around her chest but only high enough to barely cover her areolas, but that doesn’t really matter as the material is transparent enough to see them anyway, along with budded nipples. A piece comes diagonally across her stomach with more wrapping so low on her hips there’s no doubt she waxes. For the skirt piece, it’s nothing but long swaths of the orange-red material that hangs down over her crotch, the sides of her thighs, and presumably in the back to cover some of her ass. Thankfully, the scarves on the skirt seem to be a little thicker and I can’t see her lady bits.

I am absolutely stunned at the overt sexuality of her outfit, but horrified as she lands eyes on Carrick and they turn predatory. She starts a long stride in high heels toward him, the momentum causing the scarves around her waist to billow back. As she passes me, I can indeed see her ass is bare on the other side when the scarves flutter out.

My face turns red as she steps right into his body, arms curving over his shoulder to loop around his neck, and lays a long kiss