A friendship grew and our lack of real space forced us to to have conversations I had never dared to fear having. When she called me over to the privy she was using and quietly asked for monthly linens. I happy hand over the needed items hoping that was the end of it. for it  to be brought back up as soon as she returned to crafting with me.

“how have I been here Months and you have never had monthlies, It’s not fair you don’t cramp or cry, you are always so level and calm, composed even in this insanity. How is that possible!”

I kept my attention on the stitching I was working on “I have never had monthlies Martha told me I never would because I’m not … fully… female…”  I desperately wanted to look at her reaction but couldn’t bear to see her disgust at my truth.

Her voice was not one of shocked but of sudden realization. “oh, oh I see, it make so much more sense now. I am sorry if I made you uncountable” after I didn’t respond for a long time she tried again “we have people, like you at home, there is even a temple were they have a community and are revered by the stranding area for the good that they do.  It is a safe place for them to be their selfs… if their families are not okay with it.”

I wasn’t sure if she was making it up but never having had a real discussion about such things all I knew was “we don’t have anything like that here most children are given up at birth.”

“It would happen like that back home but often the parent will make the trip to the temple and donate the child there.” there was an odd noir of tender honesty in her voice.

“I think that is what James and Martha were for me, a safe place for me to live.” I put down my project a new undergarments that were made of nicer fabric. “I wish we could go for a walk, heavy things like this should not be discussed were you can’t leave them on the path behind you.”

This surprised Lynda “ I, I thank that is the first time you have ever said you wan to leave here.” she stared at me in disbelief.

“oh, I just don’t feel like talking about something I cant do anything about, as long as I don’t think about it I don’t have to feel bad about it.” resined acceptance was the only safe haven of the torrent of emotions I had experienced when I arrived. so I stayed there with force and determination. 

She set down her work got up and hugged my arm to her and we walked around the cell over and over till I started to feel better. for now at least I had her, my queen my companion the only flower in this darkness. 

when our amorous soldier made his next appearance we were like giggling teenagers leaning on the window frame. This time though Lynda explained what was happening.

“I think our recurring solders name is Marten when you are doing your exercises he was called out of line to help the one that always faints.”

“Marten is getting his partner excited by kissing and rubbing the parters pants. to get him fully ready for sex. the man the other night was quite large and needed more enragement to get ready, there are as many ways before, during and after sex. So if ever having problems one should never feel discouraged their is always another way to find delight and enjoyment as long as life is still giving us breath. Well that is what my grandmother would say and she had twelve children.”

“your family really spoke of such things so publicly?” my voice drifted off as the newly name Marten worked at removing his partners pants. The new man caught on and enthusiastically  started to help remove Martens pants then his shirt. he also kissed each part of Marten that came remotely close to his mouth.

“no, not publicly but in places divided of the sexes there were many discussions of the best ways or news discoveries in bedroom activities. some intimate gatherings even had masked entertainers come and perform the most impressive acrobatic of arousal.” 

she was telling me that she was accustom to watching such acts and there was little taboo in voyeurism in her country as long as proper protocols were fallowed “why dose he focus so much there?”

“our new man wishes to excite Marten as well and seems to have a interest in nipples, though your culture focuses entirely on the appeal of women’s beasts, men can be just as aroused by their sensitivity with proper attention given no mater the sex.”

Was Lynda implying something what did she mean no matter the sex?  “what, what is it they are doing now?”

there was a smile in her whisper “It seems our new man is more experienced and willing then the last. he lifts up Marten by the thighs so to get a better angle for joining. He really is doing his fair share to to equal Martens effort.”

“with both of them men why is Marten never the one to well do the other part?” a question I had wondered for years!

“oh that is a matter of preference. Just as some fawn over a certain eye or hair color, so too some prefer men, women  or both.  So to do we all have preferences in our lovemaking, some giving and receiving each have there own pleasures.” she always got a smug mischievous tone to her voice any time I as about things like she really wanted to talk about them but I was much more reserved.

she knew of a world beyond my comprehension but with the show now vigorously in motion, our conversation fell away. we just stood closely pressed to the window frame entranced by the show of passion. Once the act dew to is spectacular concussion both men leaned on the cool wall panting and laughing quietly still holding hands in no hurry to dress and part. they sweetly embraced and helped sort out their cloth before one more passionate kiss and they parted light in step and joy in heart.

Lynda gave deep sigh a mix of contentment and frustration  she was so good at having a mix of emotions all at once “I like the new man I hope he makes a repeat appearance they have good chemistry.”

I always surprised by how brazen her speech became at night questioned “how is it that you are so commutable speaking so educated on such things but as a queen turned away at first meeting you should be as inexperienced as new woven cloth. should you not be worried how your education would put in question your validity as queen?”  

“hah I was raised to be a queen and to know all the ways needed to fulfill my roll in making an heir. I was strictly held to your country’s moral standard till I was locked in this room I have never been with out attendants and guards. I have had more of an education the most as the fables of your lines inability to have many children. It was such a concern for my well being that I more then most am well versed in many things.”

we crawled back in bed I sat up looking her way in the dark “I had no idea others outside our kingdom were so affected by the illness that curses my line.”

“It was a discovery to me that not all the little girls in my group learned the same things I did but the marriage contracts were signed before my birth so I’ve been basically part of your kingdom sense then.”

“how is it you were married with out actual being here?”

“Its a formal wedding of state, the legal paperwork was long overdue so all we had to do was be old enough then stand before a high cleric and say our vows nowhere in the rules dose it say that we needed to be at the same place. so the king said his vows then sent the high cleric to go gather me, my family had me say my vows in-front of them so we were legally married. So I would have the full protection of both counties before sending me with an army to join your kingdom.” 

“well that is a rather cold way for a union most of my friends really looked forward to their weddings even if the men were not good. You seem to really have missed the best parts of our kingdom… I’m sorry for that.” I wished to show her all the many wonderful things about our country.

“do you want to kiss?” she was all mischief at night!

“What!”

“Why not what else is their to do in this awful place? one can not make children with kissing and you keep saying you couldn’t make children anyhow so what harm is kissing. The soldiers made it look so good.” she was so sure of herself and what she said.

“wouldn’t it brake your marriage to be with another person?” I really didn’t want to compromise her in any way. I had worked hard to keep what distance I could.

“Actually my grandmother was quit claver and put in the marriage contact that on my choosing I could have as many sterile lovers as I wish, if the king was kept satisfied… It was the kings very order that put me here and as he wants nothing to do with me. to top that I am imprisoned with only you. having a lover is of no consequence to me…. Again in my county lovemaking is as part of life as breath. I have yet to breath and I want what those men had out there.”

My excitement at the show had not left yet so I was more interested then I wanted to let on. “I suppose as you say no real mischief may be made by a kiss but I will disappoint you if ever your urges go further.” over the yeas in this cell I had herd all manor of the solders talk of what a woman found attractive from their large muscles and scars to feats of strength that got women to bed them in various inappropriate places. I was as poorly equipped as a man as I had ever been as a woman.

she giggled again “did you not know that two women may also enjoy each other company and find not just pleasure but delight in the act?” 

I blushed so strong I thought the whole room had gotten hotter “I have never known such things… but best we stay above clothing…”

Lynda took this a permission and moving to sit closer brushed my bed tussled hair from my face then moved her face so close I could just see her in the light. I took no initiative thinking that she had the education and if what Marten had displayed with some of his engagements things could go painfully wrong!   

I felt her breath before her lips. 

lips I had noticed over the months with deep envy.  Even with out a queens balms and paints, they stayed peachy pink shade of my favorite flowers back home. her lips were like flowers always abloom in our dark cell. her lips were as soft as any rose petal I had touched with bare skin in my youth. however her lips soft warm and gently pulling my breath away. I become so dizzy with the excitement that when she bulled away a bit she had to command “ you must breath. you will get faint if you hold your breath… Did you find it disagreeable? you were quite stiff…”

I took sharp breath in “no it was exquisite!” I almost panted try to catch my breath but just as air was finally making its way to my head she put her hand on chest to feel my breath witch stoped at once. “I had no idea that contact was so arresting.”

“you must breath slow, in and out. There that is better, not so stilted.” she gently rolled the flat of her hand to caress with the back of her elegant fingers, my breath stoped again.  “you are very unaccustomed to touch did you not have any closeness in you life?”

“closeness in not a thing we encourage here. Other then the occasional slip by my maid, I have been gowned, gloved or kept very distant from all manor of persons lest by some slip my secret be reviled. living here with you is the most open I have ever had the option.”  her touch was so electric it coursed though my whole body.