Page 22 of Last Resort

“Yes. I know. My compliments to the seamstress. I am a difficult fit.”

“I will pass it along.”

Breen and Myro were waiting.

She asked, “Don’t you need water or anything?”

They shrugged, and Myro said, “Nope. We are good.”

She sighed and set her glass down. “Are we going then?”

Deno grinned. “Follow me.”

She nodded and thumbed a drop of water from her lower lip. She heard a hiss and ignored it.

She followed Deno up the hill and toward the palace, another understated building with two stories. Myro and Breen were walking behind her on either side. It felt weirdly formal.

Deno was quiet and only glanced back at her a few times, grinning as he did.

She knew what he was going to say before he said it. “You guys look like a cookie.”

She made a face, and the other two snickered.

They walked through the village, and folks wore a variety of clothing, but most were loose and let the breezes through.

The people of the village stopped and stared as they passed. Some kids were playing ball, and they froze when the elves walked by.

The ball rolled toward Myro, and he kicked it gently back to the kids with a grin.

Deno chuckled and walked them to the palace door where a light was visible. Deno said softly, “Wow, that guy is good with kids.”

“Shut up, and these big pointy ears are exceedingly functional, butthead.”

There was silent snickering behind her.

They walked into the shade of the reception hall, and the royal assembly was waiting for them, with Serin and another woman.

Kekoa stood up and walked over to them again. “Well, dressed like this, you are even more impressive. I feel I should be bowing.”

“Interesting impulse.” She smiled. “Your Majesty.”

He chuckled. “Please call me Kekoa.”

“Certainly. So, why have we been summoned?”

The woman with Serin got to her feet. “Oh, that would be because of me. Hello, I am Estrya.”

Myro and Breen made sounds of recognition.

The woman was wearing loose, comfortable clothing, which was good because when she came around and shook Poppy’s hand, she went from five six to six four.

Estrya grinned. Her body was covered in white-pearl scales. “Boo.”

Poppy laughed at Kekoa’s expression. “You didn’t tell him?”

“Nope. Serin knew. My presence is a request from the queen to gather some of the scattered dark Elite. You don’t have mates yet, but those with you are remarkably compatible with you. Just mentioning it.”

“You have scales.”

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