Nononononono…. This can't be happening!
In her utter mortification Aly concentrated for a moment to ensure she was at least partially hidden by a little sand.
"If you don't mind?" she snapped, only a tiny part of her feeling remorse at her angry tone. The rest of her wanted to run away and hide.
This was like some horrid story- surely this couldn't be happening in the real world.
"Not at all my dear. I don't mind at all."
She resisted the urge to blush, or to look to see if he was joking.
"Kyprioth. You hate me. You really do."
Not at all Darling. You keep forgetting I am god… I don't hate mere mortals.
Kyprioths voice boomed over the beach. Taybur's face registered surprise before being quickly wiped clean. Aly envied his control.
"I don't suppose that seeing as how I helped you with your little rebellion that you could help me out a bit?"
Taybur quirked an eyebrow at her request. "Familiar with this god are you?"
Too familiar for her own good. But it makes a refreshing change.
His laugh rolled over the two mortals and Aly found herself covered in a sheer gold sarong. She groaned. So much for the help of the gods. Trick came to her rescue. The darking spread itself over her, giving her enough cover to protect her modesty. Once again grateful that she didn't blush like her mother, Aly used the opportunity to reach for her clothes.
Taybur noticed the darking and he squatted down to take a look.
"Hello there. Been playing in anymore bedrooms lately?"
By this stage Aly had managed to cover herself up to a degree so Trick rolled up her arm to perch on her shoulder.
"No. That was Secret. I'm Trick. And you're Taybur Sibigat."
The look of shock on Taybur's face was priceless and Aly silently cheered the darking.
"There's more than one of you?"
Aly volunteered an answer. "There are lots. The darkings are my friends and allies."
The look he gave her made her squirm. It was so considering yet there was something lurking just behind the surface that she wasn't sure she was ready to see. "I see there is still much to learn about you, Aly Homewood." He stressed the last word and Aly knew he still didn't believe her lie. "Who are you?"
Aly fluttered her eyelashes at him. This was a question she knew how to answer. "My Lord. I'm just a loyal servant of…" she paused flirtatiously, "the queen." Lowering her eyes she looked demurely at him from under her lashes. She could see him grow angry at her answer and mannerisms but something occurred to him and his face became blank.
"Dove will be setting up her court soon. What place will you have?"
The sudden change of conversation didn't shock Aly as much as the mans interest in her answer.
"I won't have one. I'm going home." The words stuck in her throat and she swallowed before continuing. "I've done my job. There is nothing left here for me now."
It was Taybur's turn to blush. Something he did quite well for a man, Aly noticed.
"Do you really believe that?"
The raw hope in his voice dragged a truthful answer from her.
"No." Abrubtly she turned away, managing to walk well out of sight before she broke into a run. She didn't look back and therefore didn't notice that he stayed sitting on the beach with Trick bouncing on his knee.