Ten minutes passed while I paced the main room of the suite, alternating between wanting to go find Rowan, tell him I was sorry, then seduce him like he’d never been seduced before, or standing guard at Mrs. P’s door to make sure that no one tried to get to her. Not that I thought that the priestesses would let anyone in, but I felt obligated to do what I could to protect her.
Just as I was at the end of my wits with the thoughts that kept squirreling around and around, there was a tap at the cabin door.
“Rowan,” I said hopefully, my heart singing a happy little song about nipples and manly chests and other masculine parts.
“Hi! It’s us, Ken and Barbie,” Ken said, now dressed in a mauve linen pantsuit. Barbie stood behind her, holding a small overnight bag. “We heard all about what happened at your hotel. I can’t believe someone shredded all your clothes! That was just spiteful, if you ask me.”
“Spiteful,” Barbie agreed, shoving the overnight bag at me. “We brought you and your employer some clothing.”
“We just couldn’t live with ourselves knowing that you and your boss were here without anything to wear but those ghastly costumes.” Ken smiled sympathetically at me. I eyed first her rotund shape, then Barbie’s slim, tall form, and decided not to point out that neither Mrs. P nor I had body types similar to theirs.
“Thank you, that’s very thoughtful of you. Um. How is it you found out about the attack on our things?”
“The captain, of course. He was most interested in your experience,” Barbie said, trying to nonchalantly peer over my shoulder into the cabin.
I could hear faint noises of chatter coming from Mrs. P’s room, but figured it was better to let go the explanation of why there were seven women stuffed into a single bedroom. I had a horrible feeling the captain wouldn’t allow it. I shifted slightly to the side to block the view of Mrs. P’s door, and said in a carefully neutral tone, “That’s awfully sweet of you to think of us.”
“Sweet is what we do best,” Ken said, beaming at me. “Isn’t it, Barbs? It comes with the territory.”
Barbie looked less than thrilled, but summoned up a weak smile.
“Territory?”
“Yes, you know.” Ken waved a hand in a vague gesture.
“No, I’m afraid I don’t know,” I said, more confused than ever.
Her eyes opened wide in surprise. “Oh, didn’t we tell you? Barbs, can you believe it? We didn’t tell Sophea who we are when we met her earlier.”
“Who are you?” I asked, suddenly worried.
“We’re cherubs. From the Court of Divine Blood, you know? And so of course we’re here to help you and your employer. We know all about her and what you’re both doing here.”
If I hadn’t been startled by the news that the two older women standing before me were cherubs, I was by what Ken was hinting. “The court of what, now?”
Ken giggled while Barbie tsked, and said, “The Court is what mortals think of as heaven. It’s not, of course, but it’s what they based the idea on centuries ago.”
“And you’re the little winged fat babies who float around ceiling decorations in cathedrals and rococo buildings?” I asked, my skepticism obviously showing, because Ken laughed.
“No, of course not. That’s the mortal conception of us. We are as we appear, of course,” Barbie said gruffly.
I had the feeling I’d insulted her, but I was still trying to cope with the idea that these ladies thought they were cherubs. “I’m… to be honest, I’m not quite sure what to say to that. I guess I’ll just go with thank you for your concern. I’ll show Mrs. P what you brought us, and if there’s anything we can’t use, we’ll send it back.” I edged the door closed a few inches.
“If you need any help, any help at all, feel free to call on us,” Ken said with a glance over my shoulder. “We will be happy to do whatever you need. Isn’t that right, Barbie?”
“Whatever you need,” Barbie agreed.
Ken beamed at me and patted me on the arm braced against the door. “Any time of night or day. We don’t mind being disturbed at all.”
“Gotcha. Thank you,” I said simply.
“Even something minor, like taking your friend to lunch for a bit so you can be with your boyfriend. Oh yes, we know about him, too!” Ken giggled. “He’s so very rugged and handsome, isn’t he? You’re a lucky girl. I just wish I had a man half so attractive.”
“He is handsome, isn’t—”
“I haven’t had a partner in ever so long,” Ken interrupted me, a wistful expression wiping out her sunny smile.
I shot a startled look at Barbie, wondering what their status was.
“Oh, Barbs and I aren’t partners,” Ken said, rightly interpreting that look. “I mean, we are, but Barbie is—I would never consider myself—”