Thoroughly Kissed by Kristine Grayson Page A

world. People did not have conversations while naked. At least, not four people. Maybe two. And certainly not her.
    â€œSo, child,” Clotho said. “Why did you disturb our daily swim?”
    Emma glanced at all three of them. They looked like mermaids—beautiful, slender, and powerful all at the same time.
    â€œAre you uncomfortable, my dear?” the redhead asked. “You could join us.”
    She waved a hand and another rock appeared.
    Emma’s dress felt like a wet blanket, and she had never been so hot in her life. But she had no swimming suit, and she couldn’t imagine getting in that water, naked or otherwise. She threaded her hands in front of herself, swallowed, and tried to sound calm.
    â€œI came into my magic,” she said.
    â€œWell, it’s about time.” The brunette leaned forward, held out her hand, and a pair of scissors grew out of the air. She used the scissors to trim a strand of her hair, and then the scissors disappeared.
    The brunette, then, was Atropos.
    Emma took a deep breath. “No,” she said. “I’ve still got twenty years.”
    â€œTwenty years of what?” Lachesis, the redhead, frowned at her.
    â€œFreedom,” Emma said. “I don’t know if you know who I am.”
    Clotho rolled her eyes. “My child, you have been the topic of debate in the august body for a thousand years. Believe me, we were more relieved than you were when Aethelstan finally found a solution to his problem.”
    â€œAnd understood what we told him all along.”
    Emma had no idea what they were talking about. “What did you tell him?”
    â€œThat you would lead him to his one true love. For some reason, he thought you were his one true love.”
    â€œUntil he met her, of course.”
    â€œAnd then that certainly confused him.”
    The Fates laughed.
    Emma didn’t think this amusing at all. That misunderstanding had cost her a thousand years of her life. And, if the truth be told, that first kiss with Aethelstan—the one that sent her into the magical coma—was nice, but it wasn’t great. No hearts and flowers and bells and whistles and fireworks like she saw in all the movies. Just a pressing of the lips and then a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach before everything went black.
    â€œPlease,” she said. “I’m here about the magic.”
    â€œOh, yes.” Lachesis waved a hand over her hair. It dried instantly into a flowing, waving black cap, shorter than it had been a moment before. “You said something about freedom.”
    â€œYou are quite free,” Clotho said. “No one has interfered in your life in ten years.”
    â€œI know,” Emma said quietly. “But I would like you to.”
    The Fates were silent for a moment, and then Atropos sighed. “We cannot adjudicate like this.”
    â€œWhy not?” Lachesis said. “We have done so before.”
    â€œIt makes the girl uncomfortable,” Clotho said. “She has adopted her new century, society, and culture beautifully.”
    â€œWell, not beautifully enough,” Atropos said. “There are places where nudity—”
    â€œPlease,” Emma said. “Can we talk about my magic?”
    Lachesis snapped her fingers, and the grotto disappeared. It became a courtroom made of mahogany. The air was cool, and Emma’s wet dress gave her a chill. She shivered.
    The Fates sat behind a large judge’s bench, their names before them. Instead of holding a gavel, they each held small symbols of their duties: Clotho a spool of thread, Atropos a pair of scissors, and Lachesis a ruler. They wore long black robes and all three had their hair piled on top of their heads. Lachesis wore a pair of glasses at the edge of her nose, making her look both beautiful and wise.
    â€œAll right,” Atropos said. “This is better.”
    â€œNo,” Clotho said. “The child is freezing.