let him eat crackers in her bed anytime. As long as she was on his list to eat too.
No, no, no. Those thoughts had to wait until they were out of this mess. This was serious, and they could find themselves locked up here until their bones turned to ash. That did not sound appealing.
Turning another corner, they stopped at a set of double stone doors. Etched into the front of each one was a huge dragon-like creature. Not one with wings, but more Godzilla-ish to move easier across on the ground. Seeing how much she loved dragons, these were stunning. She wondered if there really were dragons here or if they were a myth like on earth.
The translator slipped behind the doors while the guard in the rear of the group stood over them. Lilah glanced over her shoulder and caught him checking her out. His eyes lit up with lust as his look raked down her body again. What the hell? She was covered head to toe in a sheet. What did he see?
Even though she was flattered that he liked her pear form, the creep sent chills down her back. He didn’t compare to her soldier. She gave a polite turn-up of the lips and faced the doors.
The translator came back and whispered, “The prince and king are here for your questioning. I remind you to speak through me.”
“You mean we give you our answers, and you will translate for us, right?” Lilah asked. She understood this process. When in court, the clients talked with her and not the judge directly. There was more order that way.
The doors opened fully this time, allowing them entrance. The throne room was not what Lilah expected. Not that she’d seen a lot of them. Bare stone walls and floors with a shiny, metal, grandiose throne in the center. No other furniture or rugs. Absolutely no female touches. Where was the queen? Surely, they’d let the royalty decorate the place.
She didn’t see the prince either. The corners of the room were pitch black. Anybody or anything could’ve been creeping along the wall back there. Their translator stopped several feet in front of the old man in the gaudy chair. He bowed low. “My King, may I present our guests.”
Lilah let out a snort that echoed in the room. Oops. But saying they were guests was a bunch of BS.
The king looked at the guy standing before her. “Who are these people, and why were they trespassing?”
The magic that interpreted all words into one universal language worked fine. Lilah understood the old guy perfectly. Why did they need a translator?
The translator turned back to her. “Who are you, and why were you trespassing?”
Somewhat confused, Lilah answered to him. “We are passing over to the other side. We were hiding in the cave when your people took us by force.”
Their guide turned to the king. “Sire, they are travelers who took shelter in our cave to conceal themselves.”
The king nodded, his brows drawn down tightly. “I have not seen fae the same color as your skin. What clan are you from?”
Their man turned to her. “The king has not seen fae the same—"
Lilah sighed, rolling her eyes. What was up with this stupid shit? She slid sideways and looked at the ancient dude. “We are—”
“SILENCE!” The king yelled, jumping to his feet. The translator got in front of her, waving his hands before her face, shushing her.
“Stop it,” Lilah told him. “Get out of my face.”
“I said silence!” the king repeated.
“I heard you the first time.” Lilah said but looked at the “decipherer” while she said it.
The translator leaned into her face. “Talk to only me. You are not allowed to speak to His Highness.”
“Why am I not allowed to speak?” Oh right, she’d forgotten he was her lawyer, and she was the client who was supposed to be quiet in front of the judge. But why was he repeating what the king said? She wasn’t deaf.
The translator’s eyes popped wide to her question. He gave her a look like he could not believe she had asked such a question. “For the same reason you must wear the coverings. You are female.”
Whoa. Hold the fucking door. He did not just say what she thought he said! Her eyes narrowed on him. Through clenched teeth, she ground out, “Are you saying I cannot talk to the king because I’m a woman?”
“Correct.”
Her injustice radar kicked into high speed. She heard Daphne chuckling behind her. Her