Chapter 13

As I walked over to the men, I did my best to look graceful, smiling at anyone who caught my eye, but I still felt strange. How had I gone from lifeless on a bed to strolling through a room full of people, wearing almost nothing but a form of advanced body paint?

“Oh my, that’s an interesting look. Perhaps we could find somewhere a little more secluded and I could get a closer look at your flowers,” a man said, blindsiding me as he stepped out in front. My jaw dropped as he reached out a hand, ready to slip it around my waist. I couldn’t check my momentum in time, getting far closer than I wanted before I could stop.

His fingers reached lower while my brain tried to catch up.

“I’m sorry,” I said, sounding far smaller and more timid than I wanted. “I’m still veiled.”

“Oh.” It was as if I’d slapped him. He recoiled, withdrawing his arms and putting distance between us. “I thought you were fair game. I apologise.”

“That’s okay,” I replied, feeling my cheeks flush. This seemed to relax him