Engines and werewolves

Chapter 74

I look ridiculous,” I say flatly.

“You look ridiculous,” Marvel says. “Because it’s not you. It’s like someone tried to put a fancy ball gown on a … a tiger.”

I raise my eyebrows, then spread my fingers into claws and mouth a roar. Marvel laughs out loud, and after a moment I join her.

“This is what Olite thinks the Council wants to see,” I say, testing my range of motion.

“Rot that,” Marvel says. “We can do better.”

I look up at her. “You think?”

“Trust me.” She grins. “It’s a princess thing.”

“Almost ready,” Marvel says. “Stop squirming.”

I do my best, sitting in our room on a borrowed chair, while her strong, clever fingers work on my hair. She slides in the steel pins, long, dangerous-looking things like miniature stilettos, fixing the carefully crafted braid in place like a bu