The Inner Kingdom: Quest One (Dragon Quest Book 1) by S.R. Gibbs Page A

his face betray what he was actually thinking. “I take it you slept well, since you did not hear the helpers’ attempts to wake you.”
    Opening the door wider to glance around the corner, I found three ladies standing against the wall whispering to one another, which turned into giggles as they saw me. “What’s wrong with them?”
    Clearing his throat, he said, “It is very improper for a lady to open the door to a person of the opposite sex in her… sleeping attire.”
    “Improper? I look like I am wearing a rug,” I exclaimed as I motioned at the calf-length thick red fabric with wide shoulder straps. “Secondly, I don’t see you as human, let alone a man. You are more like a homicidal invention, of my hormonal teenage nightmare, which I can’t seem to be able to awake from.”
    “I assure you that this is not a dream, and I have no time to confirm or deny your sanity.”
    “Never mind that. Why are you here?”
    “To hurry along the process of getting you ready since Mina will not let anyone break the agreement that was made.”
    “What agreement?”
    Sighing heavily, he said, “The one she made with you and your sisters about boundaries.”
    “Then that must mean you came here to escort us home.”
    “I am here to make sure that you are properly escorted to Nolin whom in return will answer any questions that you may have."
    Crossing my arms over my chest, I asked, “Is that a yes or a no?”
    I could tell he was beginning to lose his composure as he rubbed his temple with his right hand. “Why can’t you just do what you are told?”
    “Do I look like a pet you can boss around?” I countered.
    “A poisonous snake would make a better pet!” Leo shouted, putting his foot in the room before I could slam the door closed all the way.
    “You are now seriously violating the agreement.” I accused, putting all my weight against the door, which did no good as he slid the door open with ease.
    “I have had enough,” he muttered, closing his eyes while cupping his hands out in front of him.
    “Angie, what’s going on?” I heard Ashley’s voice call out.
    Peering back at the bed, I could see that both of my sisters were now wide awake.
    Ignoring her question, I glanced back at Leo to find that there was now a small white orb in his hands. Without opening his eyes, he threw the orb hitting the wall above the dresser, causing it to move and morph into a window that let in a blinding white light.
    “A warning would have been nice,” I muttered while my eyes adjusted to the bright light that now filled the room.
    “You left me with no other options.”
    I swore I saw a grin on his face as he took in my apparent discomfort.
    Paying no attention to the questions my sisters directed my way, I grabbed Leo’s arm before he could fully leave the room.
    I let go of his arm only when he actually stopped. “How did you do that?”
    He leaned down about an inch away from my face. “If you are really curious, be a good girl, and let the helpers do their work.
    After he exited the room, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I found April and Ashley standing behind me with their arms crossed.
    “What was that all about?” Ashley questioned at the same time April gave the okay to the three women peeking in the room to enter.
    “How long were you awake?”
    “I wasn’t sleep when you got out of bed,” Ashley admitted smoothing down her long hair.
    “If you weren’t asleep, why didn’t you say anything?”
    Before Ashley could answer me, April interrupted us. “We are going to have to continue this conversation later. Since the helpers are now behind schedule, they want to assist us quickly."
    “Alright, but there will be a part two to this discussion,” I muttered as the women were already coming toward us.
    A short time later, we stood dressed in plain single strap, light fabric gowns, which were the same color of our dresses the previous night. Our hair this time was brushed and left to hang