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species. If they didn’t drive her to attack, she wouldn’t. Same rules as the prison. If they didn’t start with her, she wouldn’t start with them.
    She nodded to those assembled. “I am new to this world and finding my way, so please direct me if I stumble across your social mores. Our social mores. I am learning, and after I take your measure, you may know mine.”
    The crowd didn’t know what to make of that.
    “Oh, and I gladly accept Gyrion as my consort.” She winced at the cheer that rose up.
    Gyrion grinned and turned her to him, lifting her chin up and feathering his lips across hers. There was another cheer, and Gyrion lifted his head. “And now, you can get some rest.”
    She nearly passed out at the joy of the thought of getting off her aching legs.
    He led her up, off the low wall. They crossed a stone bridge and walked into a long, wide hall. All of the citizens could easily be fed in the huge space.
    Men and women moved around, performing menial tasks in equal representation.
    Gyrion led her through the hall, didn’t introduce her but took her up another set of steps to a door that opened onto a hall. At the end of the hall, there was a spacious room with a wide bed.
    “Is this where you entertained the ladies?”
    He shook his head. “No, it is the queen’s chamber. Mine is down the hall.”
    She nodded and released his hand, going exploring. The technology wasn’t hidden; it was simply in the places where it would do the most good. The bathroom was equipped with all of the comforts of the spaceship in orbit, plus a tub for a hot bath.
    The wardrobe was full of the highly adaptive gowns in dozens of shades. The bed was covered with pristine sheets, and it called to her.
    Gyrion was folding back the sheets for her, and he looked at her in surprise. “I thought you would take a hot bath.”
    “I will take a shower. I am just surprised that you are still here.”
    He chuckled. “I will remain at your side until our bond has been formalized. After that, I will come and go at your discretion.”
    “Wait, it is up to me?”
    “It is. It must be. If Artruo wasn’t exaggerating, you are a very powerful woman.”
    She nodded. “It comes and goes. I will be back for a nap as soon as I finish a hot shower. I haven’t had a soak in nearly a year.”
    “I will be here.”
    Amylia headed to the bathroom and let the hot water work the knots out of her legs and back. It was less painful than learning with Yimtoa.
    She finished her shower and towelled her hair dry. She was debating whether or not to put her dress on again when she heard voices.
    The words pasty cow came through the door, and Amylia’s senses picked up on a flaring talent.
    She opened the bathroom door and walked up to the woman who was trying to crawl up Gyrion’s chest. “He is not yours, Lady.”
    Amylia threaded her hand in the woman’s hair and used the grip to throw her across the chamber.
    The woman slid and got up, screeching and lighting her hands aflame.
    Amylia turned and lazily lifted one hand, knocking the woman out by shutting off her powers and then her mind.
    Amylia walked over to the unconscious woman, and she picked her up by the hair, dragging her past the astonished Gyrion and out into the hall where some of the locals were attending their duties.
    Amylia stood, naked and damp, looking at the astonished folk who looked to her as queen. “The Lady attempted to seduce my consort in my own bedroom. That infringement on my territory will not be tolerated.” She smiled tightly. “Her talent will come back on in a few days if she apologises.”
    She left the woman on the ground outside the doors. She walked back down the hall and past Gyrion. “I am going for a nap, Consort. You can come or stay there and catch insects in that open mouth of yours.”
    He laughed. “Yes, my Queen.”
    She ignored his mirth and climbed into bed, pulling the sheets up around her shoulders after she pulled her damp hair up and splayed