I told them I'd fly up to Chickasaw to get them the following day, a Saturday. I warned them that it would just be me for awhile, and that they'd find...me changed as well. I promised I'd try to be my real self with them, and let them see for themselves what that meant.I had to reschedule some earlier plans to clear my weekend. One of those things had been an invitation from Gene to come to his home for another discussion about the job I'd earlier offered to him. Over the months, Gene and I had. It was a close call, but her bikini top didn't slip off either nipple.At that point he said calmly, "As far as I'm concerned, none of those things you mentioned are punishments, and here's why. They're not punishments, because you get off on them. No, wait, let me finish."He paused until he was certain she wasn't going to interrupt. "Yes, it's true that I enjoy embarrassing you, and humiliating you, and all the rest, make no mistake. In fact, I have a great big boner in my shorts even as we. " Of course. I should have thought of that."We got Dryer situated in the back of the truck while he ate. He seemed to be someone you could take at face value, but then, most people seemed that way. It was how they reacted in a crisis that would tell me what I really needed to know about my travelling companions, but by then, it might be too late. As I started to climb back into the cab, Ruth pulled me aside."Look, Gavin, I know you don't want to disclose your destination, but it's pretty clear. "While I have always had the kingdom's best interests at heart," Kalliste had a small smile on her face, "I may not have held those of the Most Blessed Mother in the same manner."She went on to explain that she was more loyal to Queen Ariel than to the Most Blessed Mother. She occasionally provided the Queen with information not normally found outside of the temple, such as information concerning Rachel's activities if Kalliste felt that they ran counter to the Queen's. She went further and.