Mermaids are Menacing (Book 2) Complete

68.) Dolled Up

Jen munched loudly, despite her small size she ate well.i felt a special sort of pride seeing her put on weight after she came to live with me. She was so satisfied with the tray she fell asleep with food in her hand. I could still hear the maids down stairs moving things around but I had no desire to try and befriend them as I had last time. I knew better.

They were eyes and ears, not friends. At best they would report everything i did, and at worst i might end up deep in the earth surrounded by sharply weilded weapons.

I lay on the bed looking at the ceiling. It sparkled faintly, like crushed gems mixed into the rock. I could feel the air flow gently circulating through the room. The air fresh and crisp. Small snores from the girls were always a pleasant sound, their chests rising and falling relaxed me. The day had barely begun but it had already been to long.

How am I going to survive here, again?

The twins will likely be loved and doted on but as for Jen and I this place will be a battlefield. Her small mouth had the remnents of grease. The meat was still clutched loosly in her hand. She was entirely adorable but incredibly fragile.

If someone tried to hurt my girls.. Id eat the beast who tried, I thought to myself. My eyes were glued to a single spot, unblinking as i imagined myself ferociously tearing arms limb from limb with my teeth.

Another maid came up with a load of fabrics and filled the dresser. The movement brought me out of the day dream but did not pull my eyes from my girls. I watched her with my periferal vision. She did not greet me but quietly did her work. I sat still as a statue. Not out of fear but i was to comfortable to move. I heard her heart beating in her chest, she was nervous. Her footsteps were relatively quiet, more so than Jens clumsy ones. Every action she made was done to make as little noise as possible. When she wasnt facing me i turned my head to inspecter her. Her hair was light brown tied in the high bun on top of her head, she had an average build. Clay colored skin and she smelled vaguely of soap.

She turned around and placed more clothes on the bed before walking out.

"Thank you." I told her as she went. Still not looking at her. The sound made her shiver and she walked out at a faster pace. That one was more jumpy than the maid who brought the tray.

Clothes. I assumed thats what they had to be. This collar part was definitly the neck, i could see where it tied but from there It was like a long cooking apron with lots of extra fabric at the base.

I looked at what i was wearing still dirty and a little damp. I guess ill figure it out. I took of what i was wearing and threw it in a pile in the corner. In my hand i held the seed container for grandpa tree and the pouch i had made that held Vees hair.

The items I made or took with my own ability made a pile in the corner but Vee and grandpas things were tucked under the pillow.

Taking off the clothes i made, to wear the softer fabric that these people gave me felt like giving up in a way. A step in the wrong direction.it felt as if the high lord was saying, Let me provide for you so that everything you are and have is a product of what I gave you. I clenched the fabric in my hands without clawing holes in it. Things will be different this time, Ill make it that way.

I tied the neck into place with strings at the back of my neck. Then bent down and picked up the stings at the end of the apron. There was so much fabric acros the waist and down that it might as well be a horizontal blanket. From there it was just wrapping it around a few times and tying the end piece strings together. But the size was to large. Despite my growth I wasnt the same height as an actual born dragon. The skirt dragged on the floor and since it was backless there was alot of side boob showing.  The tied piece sat across my hips threatening to expose the base of my tail and rear.

I untied the strings and started over again. This time i brought the long waist piece up. Folding it below my breast and began wrapping it around there and tying it tightly. There was still side boob but at least it didnt drag and expose as much.

The fabric was a pale pink with yellow clouds stitched in. There was the light smell of soap and a thinness to the texture telling me it was an oldder garment. This wasnt something that had been created for me to wear but something that had been on hand. From the ones i had seen at Vees party and Arany, dragon women dont have breasts, they were all suprised when Vee was breast fed. It explained why there wasnt much space for mine in the outfit. I sincerly hoped they didnt give me clothes that Arany had left behind.

I walked around barefoot in the outfit testing if it would stay on. Squating low, doing a little jump. It stayed in place but this flimsy thing would rip if I tried to sprint in it and would definitly not stay together in a fight. I would have to be extra careful.

The lights in the room began flashing colorfull lights. Brightening and dulling. Summoning in the high lords guest room was much prettier than the lower levels. I turned to the bed to wake up the girls.

"Babies.babies.babies." I said gently nudging them. "Time to wake up."

The quick steps of human feet were coming up the stone steps.

The twins were still wearing clothes from the outside but i doubted the highlord would care even if they flapped around naked.

"That wont be necessary, miss."  Maid said. "The summon is only for you, the butler is waiting at the front door to escort you to the dinning hall."

"And my children?" I asked.

"They will be safe under our care. The high lord has selected three maids each to be assigned to the young ladys."

"How generous." I replied sarcastically.

"We will take their measurments while you are away and prepare new clothes for them, another room is currently being filled with trinkets as their nursery."

I looked between the group of maids and the sleeping girls. If they wake up and im gone they might panic but if i go quickly i might be back before they wake up. I trusted them to care for the girls but Im sure given the chance they might bully Jen. At the same time I have to go to the High Lords summons. The punishment for not going, im sure would be monsterous. I've seen how he treats his sons when hes mad, being an outsider who was once human. My punishment would be unimaginably worse. Thinking about it was making me itchy again.

Making my decision i hastly woke up the girls. Idelia blinked at me slowly while Aelia rolled away in protest. Jen yawned loudly smacking her lips.

"Im going to meet the High Lord for a little, but ill be right back."

"I want to go!" Jen said, perking up out of her stupor. Aelia peeked over to watch.

"No." I cut her off. This might be for the best. I didnt want to leave her with the maids but it was better that she be around the high lord as little as posssible. I had left them alone to do tasks before but this was a new place, with new people. They would undoubtably be anxious.

"These are the maids. They are here to take care of you while im gone. They'll be around alot more from now on, you will have to get used to them. Ill be back as quick as I can." The girls inspected the newcomers in the room. Seeing them for the first time. They seemed curious of the women.

"This smaller one is Idelia, that one is Aelia, and this one is Jen." I said introducing the girls to the maids. "They are ALL my children so take proper care of them while im gone." 

"Aelia, Idelia." I spoke sternly.  "If they are mean to sister Jen, bite them." I said, visibly gnashing my teeth to expose the sharp ones on the sides. Aelia and Idelias curious gazes towards the women immediatly became a glare. They adored their Jen but were also very aware from the constant warnings they received that Jen was weaker than them.

Seeing their serious faces i felt confident that they would all be ok without for an short while. At least it would be harder for the maids to seperate them from Jen, or fill their heads with their nonsense beliefs. I kissed each of my girls heads and squeezed them before I got up from the bed and walked to the front door.
My heart spead up, as I was sure that i was heading towards to battle in the flimsiest armor any fighter has ever worn.