We regained the path just as Mari stomped out of the lake, trailing various aquatic flora. She spotted us and diverted to intercept. “That damned fish tried to eat me again,” she said indignantly when she got close enough. She held up an elbow that showed clear indentations.
I called Trix away from the lake.
“Well, we warned you,” Matt pointed out.
“I poked him with my knife, and he skedaddled.”
“You use skedaddled?” Matt questioned.
She frowned at him. “Yes. Don’t you?”
“Not if I can help it.”
The ogress rolled her eyes and then sniffed the air. “I would ask if you guys enjoyed your walk, but I think that is a stupid question.”
Dammit. She wasn’t even a shifter. I figured my face was never going to regain its normal skin tone...
42
Anna
The forest had diminished to smaller patches of trees as we reached the far side of the lake. I noticed that the gate now had guards—two more enormous Dragons.
They both drew their swords as the gate fluoresced. And through it stepped Emmanuel. He carried a wrapped package in his substantial arms. The Dragons clearly knew him, sheathing their swords and conversing.
Matt perked right up. “That’s probably your armor,” he said.
The Centaur’s size stood out. He was taller and broader than even the Dragons. He glanced toward us, then raised a big hand and trotted our way.
“Seems things are progressing,” he rumbled. “You might need this armor.”
“We’re sidelined for this battle.” I winced at the frustration in my voice.
“I see,” the Centaur said. “Well, I am certain Fate will dictate that, one way or the other.” He walked to a boulder near the lake and set the bundle down to unwrap it.
“This is the bodysuit,” he said. “I made it as one piece, so that it does not move during battle.” His gaze slipped to my pelvis, and then rose again. “I believe I got the zipper properly placed, but it is trickier for humanoid females.”
“I’m sure it will be perfect,” I said as I accepted the suit. It surprised me just how light it actually was. I’d expected anything made of hide to be quite heavy.
He looked at me. I looked at him. He pointed to a patch of bush off the trail.
“I need to see it on.” His lips twitched.
“Oh.” I smiled uncertainly and headed into the bushes.
The hide hugged my every contour. I put the sword harness back on over top, picked up the pack with the horn, and stepped out.
Mari’s comment was simply, “Wow.”
Matt’s eyes glowed when he looked at me. “You look seriously kickass.”His gaze froze on my breasts, hugged by the gleaming scales and outlined by the sword harness.
“Even in stocking feet?”I was joking, but Emmanuel held up a set of boots. I took them from him and slipped them on. They fit perfectly.
“Is the zipper in the right place?” the Centaur asked. “I would check, but your mate might object.”
I blushed. “Yes, it will be fine. It’s—wonderful, Emmanuel.”
“Not done yet,” he said, lifting two long, slim pieces. “For flexibility, these lace up the old-style way, but there is a piece that hooks over top to protect the laces, and the ends also tie into hooks so they can be put on and taken off in a hurry.”
