Anxious from her dream and irritated over her current predicament, she stomped across the room, naked as the day she was born, and disappeared into the closet to find the least restrictive dress possible.

Reniya was going to kill her for not showing up for training today, but she couldn’t. She needed to figure out what the truth was behind these gods damn dreams before she got stuck in another one she couldn’t get out of.

She’d figure out a reasonable excuse to give her between now and when Reniya showed up later. Because if the last few days were anything to go by, Vera would find her stationed outside her room, standing guard. Even Jaren hadn’t been able to convince her to stop.

The female was adamant about being her personal guard until King Vesstan said otherwise, and after the second day, Vera had given up. What was one more demanding Magyki to follow her around?

“Where are you going?” Jaren asked, his voice moving as he wandered the room to find his own clothing.

Finding the stack of underclothes neatly placed in a short dresser, she yanked them on and snagged the first lightweight, plain dress she could find. The fabric was deep green and flowy, with a wide, belted-looking leather corset. It’d have to do.

She worked herself into the garment, shouting behind her, “To the library. I’m assuming they exist here, do they not?”

A pause. “And what exactly do you plan on doing there?”

“Oh, you know,” she said, frowning down at the corset-like contraption in her hand, “Find a good chair to curl up in and peruse all the books I can’t read. It’ll be fun.”

Hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against a taut body as lips brushed across her neck. She shuddered, automatically arching to give him better access.

He nipped her earlobe. “If you’re intent on avoiding training with Virnorin, I can think of several other activities I’d rather spend the day doing than staring at dusty books.”

Heat flared to life in her middle when she felt his hard length press flush against her back, but she pushed it down, determined not to let his touch and smell distract her.

“I want to read up on the history of the crystal and Queen Alean. I’m hoping maybe a scribe will translate some for me.” She shrugged. “Or, I suppose, my doting mate who has nothing else better to do could translate for me.”

He released her, shifting back with a sigh, and she looked behind her in time to catch sight of the bulge fighting against his trousers. He ran a palm down it, readjusting himself.

“Naris’s main library is located clear across the city, and you, Veralie Arenaris, are not supposed to leave the palace.”

She sucked on her front teeth and tilted her head, placing her free hand on her hip. “I also don’t listen, so are you coming with me, or shall I bring Reniya? Something tells me she’d be up for sneaking out.”