..y...yyyyou...yyyyou really...really are an...an Empress?" So my sisters claim, but I assure you both that we are notwitches...not in any way, shape,...or form, girls."Alex, Liz is about to pass out, better go easy." Emily warned."Jamie, they both need to calm down." I said, looking to her."Okay, Alex. Girls," Jamie looked directly at the two quivering teens,"I really need you to calm down. The Empress has no intentions ofharming either one of you!"The fear drained from the two teenaged faces. The only thing she could make out was Sygraid (who looked much taller than Veronyka remembered) and the healer visibly arguing with Svend and another Raider she didn’t know. Wondering where the others were, she found a deserted spot around the corner from their anchorage and had Ream’ch land. She tucked her mount’s miniaturized form into her pouch and trekked along the shore.It was Colonel Mason who found her first. A tossed pebble hit her feet when she failed to hear him calling to her over. She was so humble. "Spaghetti with homemade garlic bread. It's ready whenever you are," Kitten replied sheepishly. Sir stood and followed her to the dinning room. Sitting at the table, he breathed in the aroma. Once again they ate in comfortable silence and, as soon as they had finished, Sir went back to his office to finish the emails. Kitten cleaned up the kitchen and washed all the dishes. Done, she gently knocked on the office door. "Sir, I was going to take a shower before bed, and I was. The two made their way to the bar area. Tom foundan unoccupied table and pulled a chair out for his date. Crystal sat andalmost swooned at the way he was being treated. Tom was acting theperfect gentlemen, despite the lust Crystal detected in his eyes.Tom sat opposite Crystal and ordered two dirty martinis. Waiting for thedrinks to arrive, Tom engaged the hot-looking chick in some small talk.He tried to draw her into the conversation by asking about where shelived, what she did for a.