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"Do youwishto wear nothing? I’m told humans are deeply uncomfortable being naked.”
"I wish to be dressed accordingly, like everyone else. If that means no clothes, then so be it."
It comes out a lot braver than I feel. I'm absurdly grateful to Olivia for making me undress in front of her so much. It got to where being naked didn't feel so...naked. I guess I got more comfortable in my own skin.
But more than anything, I don't want to be an outsider. If I'm the only one wearing clothes, the others will think I'm weak. If I can earn some of their respect and trust, then I want to do it.
Let them know I don't need to be coddled. That I'm strong enough to be like them.
Now I just have to put my money where my mouth is.
I pull my nightgown off and toss it into a nearby chair. The panties are a little tougher, but with a few deep breaths, I peel them off.
I feel the heat flushing over my skin, and when I look down, my body is rosy pink with embarrassment. Who knew I blushedeverywhere? Even my chest is pink, right to the edges of my nipples.
Gabrielle nods approvingly, but her smile is still slightly mischievous. As if she hasn't told me something. She makes a littlehmmmsound.
“What is it?”
“Oh, it’s just that I’ve never understoodbutt cheeks.”
“What?”
Gabrielle gestures at her lower half.
“Serpent,” she says. “I have no cheeks back there, you see. I’d ask what yours are for, but we haven’t the time. Let us depart, young human. Your ceremony with the mountain god begins tonight.”
"So...are you going to tell me what's happening? This whole thing is shrouded in mystery. Fabien hasn't told me a thing."
"As well he could not! The ceremony is a secret. Only those who have seen it with their own eyes know, and they’re forbidden to speak. The mountain god's blessing on our family is contingent on this. If we break the rule, he’ll know. And that’d be...bad for us."
I sigh. It doesn't sound good.
"How would he know? Does he read minds or something?"
"Why? Are you afraid he’d see something he shouldn’t?"
Like, I'm undercover looking for evidence to put your family behind bars? Yeah, that’d be arealproblem.
"Iamin the mafia, you know. I haven't exactly led a good life. I've done things. Is it like confession or whatever? Is he going to count my sins?"
Her smile turns quickly to a frown.
"I’d be careful using that tongue aroundhim. The mountain god is eons old and lacks a sense of humor. Now, come."
Apparently, Gabrielle is just going to order me around like a dog. But I don't have a choice except to follow, grudgingly. As I walk down the hall behind her, I learn, to my chagrin, that it's not possible to angrily follow someone while completely naked.
At least, it's not possiblefor me.
I feel things jiggling as I walk, and I feel the cool air of the hallway breezing across my bare skin. The eyes of the servants find their way to my body. Some, like the butler, Carter, are mere glances at my lady bits. But others, like the maid, Rin, are long stares. It's like she's trying to memorize my freckles or something. At least they're all naked, too, so it's not just me.
As we walk, everyone joins in behind us. Only Gabrielle is in front. It's a kind of procession, except one where I keep thinking a lot of people are checking out my butt.
I desperately want to look over my shoulder, but my neck stays frozen like it is.
The most surprising addition is the latest one.
A wild cry startles me.
