Page 20 of Accounting for Drakes

“My imperial chambers. Those ladies there are drawing you a bath and getting ready to tend you.”

She glanced at the ladies in question, and one of them looked at her and gave her a slow wink.

Abil stared and held the sheet to her chest. “Oh. Yes, that would be a good idea.”

He looked between her and the woman who was suddenly busy hanging a gown. “Are you well?”

“I am. Very well. Hungry, I suppose. I have eaten nothing but asteroids recently.” She shrugged.

The familiar-eyed woman came toward her with a robe. “This way, Your Highness. We will send for a meal while you bathe.”

Abil put her arms in the sleeves, and the strange woman helped her stand. She glanced at Yorath at his desk, and he was fully scowling. She sent happy laughter to him through a small tendril of a link.

He smiled, and the strange maid helped her over to the area that was hidden by a pulled-out screen. The moment they were behind it, Abil threw her arms around her guardian and smiled brightly.

“You are looking well, Your Highness.” Her guardian slid the robe off her shoulders and hung it up nearby before helping her into the deep pool in the floor.

Yorath was bustling around on the other side of the room, and then, it was quiet. Her guardian cleaned her back and then set her back for a shoulder massage. She asked, “Ladies, please go to the kitchen and arrange some food and some tea for our lady.”

The other two women nodded and left.

The guardian peeped around the divider, and then, she came back. “You are all grown up, Abil.”

“Nanny! I can’t believe you are here.”

“I told you I would dance at your wedding. That is scheduled a few days from now, so I should have enough time.”

“Wait. I am getting married? When?”

Nanny rubbed her shoulders. “In three days to Yorath. He’s been planning this event since he got home.”

“Do mates get married? If we are drakes, why do we have wings?”

Nanny laughed. “We are drakes, but a dragon got in a few thousand years ago. It built in the automatic wings, so most of us use them for energy collection so we can fly right away. It is easier than simple propulsion for new drakes.”

“What about old drakes? What about Yorath? I just realized he flies without wings.”

Nanny gathered her hair and helped her wash it. By the time the ladies had come back with the tea, Abil was sitting on a stool, wrapped in a warm robe, with Nanny pulling a comb through her hair until it gleamed.

Yorath returned and smiled. “Care to share your snacks?”

Nanny moved a table from the side and continued working on her hair. One of the other women brought a chair for the emperor.

Nanny brushed the hair until it was smooth, and then, she twisted jewelled pins into it.

Nanny poured the tea and set the tray of snacks close to the edge of the table. “Please excuse me.”

She bowed, and Abil didn’t want her to go, but it was Yorath who said, “Remain, Nanitha. I was expecting to see you sooner. I never thought you would make your way into my household.”

Nanny paused. “How long have you known?”

“Since you winked at my mate, she lit up, and joy spilled through her. I haven’t felt anything like it.”

Abil wrinkled her nose. “I am sorry, Nanny. I was just happy to recognize you. You look different.”

Nanny sighed and flicked her fingers, and a chair flew over to her. Her clothes turned into court daywear, and she had a seat.

Abil gasped. “Can you teach me to do that?”

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