I find his snow eyes on me the minute I wake 

And then his brother’s ice white ones

Get up. Your presence is required at the fast breaking.

How long?

A ten minute glass appears on my bed

Then.

He makes no move to depart

But what’s there to hide when I’ve been bare before him twice 

No

He wants me to hide 

To give a reason to enter my space 

touch me

Mock my

Stupidity 

For thinking I was someone worth 

Respecting 

He wanted me to know my place 

But I already did

I drop my dress without preamble 

My footstep sure as I turn to Elu

He held what appeared to me as a emerald green set 

I keep my eyes down as I tie the skirt

The beaded corset folded within comes as a surprise 

Though it makes no difference to my beauty

I’m given rings and bracelets to match 

Now that I’m mated 

I’m to style my hair against my back

But 

much to everyone’s pleasure 

I now get to wear a veil too

The sand is two minutes from the time when I finish 

I’m ready.

—

Breaking the nights fast was painful 

Daggers thrown my way 

Ill wishing 

The hissing 

pissing contests to see how they could 

cower me

My mate’s is throughly amused at my battle to be polite 

but not lose face 

leaving me 

Without an ally

I can tell who are or were his lovers. 

They poison the air with their attitude and words. Zubair basking in the drama, indulges whoever at the time pleases him enough with praise and attention. Interanlly I cringe as the war finally narrowed to three parties.

I am the common enemy, but they selfishly took any chance they could to stab each other in the back. 

I also am struggle to contain my reactions to the new...culture I am confonted with. Couples and groups throughout the hall touch each other intimately. Lips swallowing moans as causally as they as they sip wine. No one bats an eye their way and I struggle to do the same. 

To keep my mind off the strangeness of my new people, I focus on replenishing my body. Not having a meal all of yesterday, it took majority of my concentration to eat with the manners my nana taught me. I guess my unfazed appearance bothered my mate...

Are you enjoying your first meal here, kitten?

The three growl at the pet name

It is always an honor to be in your presence. The food only highlights such a fact.

I go to eat when he dives to lick the mating bite 

Playing off my sharp inhale by leaning into him as mates should; not too much to piss off his lovers, but enough to come off as shy submission. My neck is exposed to him and only him.

The rumbling behind me tells me of his satisfaction as he nuzzles the mark. Or at least I fooled myself into assuming that.

Rena, what do you think of her?

I have to purse my lips to hold my food back 

'She seemed quiet yesterday and today. I thought you liked your lovers more talkative.'

There’s perks to both. 

His teeth slide over my neck

I shudder as memories rush by

His hand is making its way to my nipple 

You could do a lot if you’re quiet enough. 

Spit flying stopped him before he could go any further

'As if she could compare.'

Oh dear, I never said anything like that. 

I tilt my head enough to see them out of the veil

My black eyes sucking them in 

Drawing breath from their body 

I don’t mean to cause a rift. If it would please you, I’ll excuse myself from the table.

Lips curled in amusement leave more of an imprint on my neck 

than his bite 

You’re excused, mate. 

—

I wander 

The hall twisting into a unwanted exploration 

An empty room is all I search for 

I still commit my walking to memory 

What I thought was the door to a room 

Opened to a 

Forest

Flowers on the mend 

The stench of taunting freedo- 

I slam it shut before my feet could get the better of me

Pine and fir 

Wet dew 

Rich soil

The fragrance of wild plants

Invade my senses 

No no no no

No

Turning I find myself facing Mehrdad and Elu

And here I thought you’d take the first chance of freedom available.

I would never jeopardize the agreement.

Not after yesterday

Do you have need of me?

No, just making sure you aren't completely stupid. Even after this, I still can’t tell.

A chill goes down my body as he squints at me

You deal with her, Zubair wants me. 

-Do you wish to go outside?-

Why ask a question you know the answer to?

-To understand why.-

It is not to escape, but rather I spent most of my life in the wood. I fed the tribe. Got the herbs from the dangerous nests and cliff. Cauht and took down game to keep the stores up...

-You were their Huntress?-

A nod is all I can do

Can you lead me back to the room? I’m tired.

—

I lied

I’m not tired

I am bone deep weary 

Broken fury

Bleary visions of running into the woods 

have crossed my mind even now 

Fogging my eyes as 

They give me fresh water for my bath 

I wait as the door closes 

Then I sink

I sink to the bottom and let the tears and water mix 

I can’t do this 

I thought I was empty but 

there’s still something 

Stupidly hoping for a better outcome 

I curl into myself as my lungs scream for air 

Voices invade my mind 

Stupidstupidstupid

This is why no one wants you 

You’re own mate doesn’t want you 

What you expect

You stupid child

Stop acting ungrateful 

This is your duty

This is you responsibility 

This is the way you pay back for all the suffering 

you caused 

I faintly hear the door knob twist as I back from the edge

I calmly unfurl myself 

Rubbing soap into my hair as Elu walks in 

-Everything okay?-

Yes. I'm fine.