“As long as you wear that form strictly in private,” said Tony. “For the admiration of nobody but Nasim, and as long as you keep Nasim from bothering me, it’s all right. Why don’t you get married tonight?”
“To hear is to obey, Majesty!”
“You can use the palace I won’t be sleeping in, for a honeymoon cottage,” said Tony enthusiastically. “If you like, I’ll bring the Queen and her court out for the wedding!”
“Your Majesty is too good!” protested Abdul ecstatically.
“Then it’s settled—” Tony paused apprehensively. “You’ll see that Nasim wears clothes while she’s in human form?”
“Yes, Majesty,” Abdul beamed. “May I ask about your Majesty’s plans for this evening?”
“There’s a banquet,” said Tony, frowning, “and your wedding. And—the negotiations. If the negotiations are successful, I shall be engaged to be married and my plans are none of your business.”
“It is unthinkable,” Abdul assured him, “that your Majesty’s desires should be opposed by any creature under the sky! But in such an impossible event—”
“Music—” said Tony glumly. “And in that case my plans are even less of your business! But remember, Barkut is off-limits for djinns!”
Abdul bowed to the ground.