Chapter 42

   The people in the small clothing shop worked miracles for Aurelia. After all, it wasn't every day royalty came to visit. The other attendants kept Zinjo in the main area. In the space of fifteen minutes, Aurelia went from travel-worn adventurer to regal Princess while maintaining her gothic image. The shop owner admired her handiwork. 

   A long flowing black satin dress with a red and black bodice. The dress straps sat on shoulders comfortably, and the princess touched her bare arms. She disliked sleeves and often cut them off her dresses only to have the servants sew them back on. Another attendant teased her hair and styled it, Aurelia couldn't help but giggle to herself, Zinjo wouldn't know what hit him.

  The owner motioned for an employee to come forward with a wooden box, she smiled as she opened it, "I hope you can forgive my employees, they are young and have all the wrong ideas about romance."

  Aurelia waved her hand, "In their defense, I did come armed."

  "Yes, please don't do that again." The owner said with a smile, "I finally have an excuse to fire Anessa. She's always stirring up trouble with married men." She opened the box and drew a ruby choker, the jewel itself had been shaped like a rose in bloom.

   "Why didn't you before?" Aurelia turned around and allowed the shop owner to put the choker on her. The smooth satin glided across her fair skin and caused her to tingle a little. 

   "The young women admire her fashion sense. She is quite gifted at designing clothing and I can't stand to see her waste her talents. She designed the dress you're wearing."

   "Don't fire her. Why not challenge her?"

   The shop owner opened her eyes wide, "What do you suggest?"

   "Tell her she either designs clothing, or she's gone, and give her a raise," Aurelia stared at herself in the mirror, for the first time in her life she believed she was beautiful. "Zinjo is going to lose his mind. It will be like the first day we met," A dreamy expression covered her face, and she blushed. 

   "Get me Anessa, and be snappy," The shop owner balked. A brunette attendant bowed and went to the back. "I wouldn't worry about your man too much. I saw the way he looks at you, and the way you look at him. Now go it's on the house."

   Aurelia stopped, "Do you put sizing enchantments on your dresses?"

***

   "Aurelia...you are...I mean...you've never looked like that..." Zinjo stuttered and stammered. He rose and tripped over his feet. 

    The princess stepped lightly and caught the large man before he fell. She rubbed her nose against his and smiled, "I was looking for that kind of a reaction," their lips meant, and Zinjo's gentle hands Caressed her face, and he looked at her like she was the only woman in the room. 

   "Shall we go to the botanical gardens?" Zinjo hesitated to hold out his hand but found the courage. 

    A small fist playfully punched Zinjo in the shoulder, "Zinjo it's just me."

   "I heard you're conversation with the shop owner. Even though Anessa acted poorly, you tried to save her job. I was speechless because your outer beauty finally matches the beauty within, dark princess. There is no one I'd rather be with."

***

    The entire atmosphere outside the store seemed tenser. The people hurried along the streets, some women lifted their hems and moved at a dead run. Mothers herded their children indoors. Thick steel bars descended over the windows and doors, and the number of guards doubled. 

    A man dressed in ornate steel armor marched back and forth in front of the assembled group of chainmail and pikes, "The time has come to show the people of this fine city how much we care. You have trained until you heaved your guts and then trained some more. All of you are heroes just for showing up. Worry not about your loved ones, I will see to it they are cared for should you fall." He drew his sword, "We shall win the or my name isn't Tiberius Steel," He pumped his fist and the men cheered for their leader. 

  Aurelia looked at Zinjo, "Is wrong I want to put on my armor and help?" She pointed to the guards, "A pair of werelions could help them secure victory with minimal loss."

   "I agree, dark princess. To be honest, I wasn't all that interested in looking at plants," Zinjo smiled weakly. 

   "We're still going, I just think it would be good for Shadowfen's reputation to lend a hand," Aurelia grinned, "Race you to the ship?"

   Zinjo's face went serious, "You're on."

    Fifteen minutes later, Aurelia and Zinjo were dressed in full battle gear. Raced through the streets back to the assembled men who were still waiting for the enemy to arrive. A grunt noticed the young couple and caught the attention of Tiberius.

   He marched with absolute authority up Zinjo and Aurelia, "I must respectfully ask you to take cover. This area is off-limits to civilians."

   Zinjo and Aurelia nodded he encouraged Aurelia to speak, "I am Princess Aurelia, of Shadowfen, and this is my fiance Zinjo, we have come to help."

   Tiberius shot them a sideways glance and stared at Zinjo, and then back to Aurelia, "I have to ask why does a foreign noble offer us, aide when there have been no diplomatic relations before?"

   "Very soon I will ascend the throne, and I want to make my kingdom great again. Part of that is establishing relations with other kingdoms. Don't worry Zinjo and I are more than capable of protecting ourselves," Aurelia spoke with dignity and respect.

   Tiberius looked them over, "You would be the first noble to offer aid in our struggle. Prove your capability and you will get no further argument from me."

   Aurelia and Zinjo smiled at each other and revealed their lion forms. Tiberius fell to the ground in shock, "Something wrong captain Steel?" Zinjo asked with amusement. 

   Tiberius continued to stare with and open mouth and wide eyes, "By the gods, I have never seen the like and probably never will again. Forgive my reaction, your majesty." Tiberius said in an awed tone. 

   "There is nothing to forgive, Captain," She opened the parasol, and drew the blade, "I'd react the same if I were in your position."

   A grin spread across the face of Tiberius,  "Given your situation, I would be a fool to refuse help from such powerful allies. Come, I'll introduce you to my men."

    Aurelia and Zinjo stood in front of the men who acted as someone slapped them with a wet fish, Tiberius stood tall in front of them. "Gentlemen we have received help from Shadowfen. Meet Princess Aurelia and her fiance Zinjo. As you can see they are more than capable of taking care of themselves." He let the silence hang for a few seconds, "Let's show them the might of the Larylian spirit and fight like lions alongside them. What do you say grunts?"

  "Sir, yes sir."

   Zinjo smiled at Aurelia, "Are you ready, dark princess?"

   Aurelia softly kissed him, and giggled, "I was born ready."