A Prytian's Pride

It took much longer to get back to Grysn's home after the hearing. The mostly straight path we had taken before was exchanged for a long, roundabout route, twisting back on itself and encircling blocks of buildings at random. I had a feeling it had to do with the entourage that accompanied us after the spectacle we, or I, was made out to be.

The further we went, the fewer our followers became. Trickling off us like ripples left in a pond. By the time we were turning back onto a familiar block, we no longer resembled a walking exhibit.

Relaxed by the surroundings of his building, Grysn slowed while I continued up the stairs at full force, desperate to be inside, alone -mostly, at least- and off my aching feet.

Before my foot even landed on the top step, my eyes locked with that of a grayskin's that happened to be lounging against Grysn's door.

I froze as he held my gaze, yellow eyes as wide as mine must've been.

"You really brought one home?" he said, finally breaking contact to look behind me to Grysn, who gently pushed me forward.

I glanced up to Grysn as he brushed past me and the drygson in front of us to unlock his door. He seemed unphased by this intruder, so I calmed myself down and kept close to Grysn. "Did father send you to scold me?" he asked with a laugh, opening the door.

As I watched the stranger waltz into the flat ahead of us, I looked up cautiously at Grysn for any signs of betrayal, but was met with only a relaxed smile. He had mentioned a brother, I remembered that much. And it had sounded like he was very fond of him.

My worry came less from his behavior and more from experience of being alone with multiple men. And that damned dream, still fresh in my mind.

A shiver ran through me as I followed Grysn into the sitting room where our guest was already seated comfortably, staring at me the moment I was in view.

He smiled, playfully, though I wasn't immediately concerned by it like I am with most smiles of that nature. "Dad is pissed." His eyes moved to Grysn as his grin widened.

Grysn motioned for me to sit down next to him on the sofa, and I did so slowly. After glancing between the two, I decided to focus on my hands, clenching and unclenching rhythmically.

"He refused to stay for the verdict," Grysn said, and they both laughed, as though that wasn't a punishable offense. Although, maybe that sort of thing wasn't here. As the laugh subsided, Grysn turned to me. "This is my brother Kron."

I looked up at that smile, so similar to Grysn's and yet not. They did seem alike. The pale patterning on their face was similar in shape and color. His brother was clearly younger and leaner, though. But if I'm being honest, if you had sat down any drygson in that chair I'd probably see a resemblance. Most of them looked the same.

Kron looked at me, and his eyes were so soft, so bright and earnest, I almost didn't realize he was speaking. "What's your name?"

My mouth opened to answer, but I was caught so off guard by the friendliness he portrayed after sitting through the humiliation the guard people had put me through. I blinked and shut my mouth, restarting. "Nal."

One side of his mouth upturned, revealing a fanged tooth as he eyed Grysn with a quirked brow. "Did you really name her after Naldioshta?" That was the second time I'd heard that now. Before I could ask who or what that was, he scoffed and shook his head. "What was your original name then, Nal."

Glancing at Grysn for permission, I answered softly. "Rueg."

Kron flinched back, his brows knitting together as he lost his joyful disposition. "Rueg?" He repeated, putting an emphasis on the last letter in a way I'd never heard before, changing the sound of the word to something you might spit at a beggar on the street. "The Valley of the Damned, that Rueg?"

I clenched my jaw. Apparently they did steal our religion. Or at least knew some of it.

"I see why you changed it," he mumbled to Grysn.

"Was there something you came for," Grysn asked, rather politely. "Or did you just come to spite father?"

The smile returned as though it had never left as he gave a lighthearted shrug. "When I heard Jingry complain about you having caught a Pryktian, well I had to see it for myself." He turned to me, addressing me as though I was anyone else he would normally talk to. "Grysn's been obsessed with your kind since he was a kid. Refuses to speak about much else. Dad absolutely hates it."

Grysn rolled his eyes. "Are you just going to berate me about my passions or was there a matter of actual importance?" He smirked. "Or maybe you only came because father's worried and needs a report."

The edge of Kron's smile dipped as he shifted to prop his left leg up on the other. "You know how he is. Always thinking I can talk sense into you." He shook his head. "Was it really wise of you to bring her here? It is no small thing you are attempting. It could easily end badly, for both of you."

"Is that his message, or yours?"

"Mine, brother." Kron relaxed his smile more to reflect his serious tone. "You need to be careful with father right now. He feels you are disgracing mother's memory by sympathizing with the tians, and in his eyes, you may as well have-" Kron cut himself off with a shake of the head and a small exhale. "Nothing different, except now you have brought a tian home, bringing all of his fears and insecurities to the forefront."

Grysn was quiet, his eyes downcast, nodding gently in thought.

"But, please, don't you worry," Kron said turning to me. "Things always seem to turn in Grysn's favor." He winked as Grysn groaned dramatically.

"Oh, spare me."

I was lost going back and forth as one after the other spoke. Even though I wasn't speaking much, Grysn's brother was including me in their conversation. It had been a very long time since I'd been a part of a group conversation like this. Included and spoken to just like the others.

"I'm glad you stopped by, Kron, but we have much to attend to still, " Grysn said, rising with emphasis. When his brother rose also, Grysn grasped his brothers forearm. A long, intense gaze passed between the two before Grysn pulled him close into a hug. "Thank you for coming, brother. I've missed you greatly."

"As have I, Grysn."

With a hefty pat on both backs, they pulled apart and started toward the door as I waited to see if I was meant to follow.

"If it weren't for your new house guest, I would tell you it's never too late to come back home."

Grysn laughed quietly in the hall. "You know that place is no longer my home. And, besides, I much prefer it here."

The door opened with a creak before the sounds of parting footsteps faded through it. As Grysn returned, I caught an unfamiliar, darker smile and immediately stood, hoping I'd not done something wrong.

Seeing my expression, he laughed softly once again. "No, Naldi, you are fine." He moved to the kitchen pulling out a pair of thick glasses. "Seeing my brother is always bitter sweet these days."

I nodded, busying my hands in my skirt as I sat back down. "He seems... unusually nice."

A brief nod was his only response. He sighed, and then his distant gaze was replaced by a new brightness. "Enough of that, it's time to celebrate." He took a large bottle from a high shelf. It gave a startling 'pop' as he removed the cork. The dark green of it glittered as he poured a golden liquid into the two cups.

"They didn't say I could stay, though," I said, as I hesitantly accepted the glass. From how he had reacted to the hearing's outcome, I expected more negativity from him. "Why are we celebrating?"

He clinked his glass gently to mine before answering. "There are many things to celebrate, including the positive reception the Council had with you."

I swallowed nervously as he took a sip of his drink. Looking down, I swirled the liquid and inhaled the soft, floral scent. "What else are you celebrating?"

He waited to answer, staring at me expectantly. So I took a sample, and then, pleasantly surprised by the taste, took another. "Our safe return home, a successful hunt, and the start of a fruitful year." He paused, then softly added, "Finding you."

I looked up from a nearly empty glass to see Grysn already moving on from a rather foreboding statement.

"I also have a couple of promises to make good on today." He stood, taking my glass with him to the counter to top us both off.

"What promises?" I took the glass back and immediately began draining it.

"Whoa!" He swiftly intervened, pulling the cup away from my lips. "You'll make yourself sick going that fast."

My brows knit angrily together as I looked up at him. "What is it?"

He returned the glass to me, though I was now much less eager to drink any more. "Mead. And not the weak kind."

"Mead?" I repeated, my mouth staying open as I held the glass to the light. "Like... like the alcohol kind?"

He nodded, all but biting back a laugh.

I glanced to his amused smile before returning the drink to my lips. I wasn't sure if he realized this was the first time I'd ever tasted real alcohol, but I wasn't about to tell him that what little, bitter smelling alcohol we had in town was strictly forbidden for women to consume. I was not in the mood to deal with that pitiful look he gave me every time I spoke of my home.

As I finished the last of it, he took the glass from me, setting it down on a side table, and held out his hand, inviting me to take it. "Ready?"

No, but I took it. Standing seemed fine, though a warmness I could not remember ever feeling before was spreading through my stomach that I could only guess was the beginning effects of the alcohol.

He led me only a few paces across his home to a closed door at the opposite side of the hall from his room. After opening the room and switching on a dim lantern on the other side, he stepped aside for me.

A threadbare blanket was folded neatly on what seemed to be a child's old, wooden bed. In the corner sat a small, empty desk accompanied by a chair that needed a block under one leg to stand upright. There was barely enough room between the desk and the bed to pull the chair out to sit down.

Standing just inside the doorway, I took up half of the empty space left in the area. "What is this?"

He cleared his throat, a moment of uncharacteristic insecurity. "I understand that it is not much, I will be going to the market tomorrow for additions. But I thought you may feel more comfortable with a space of your own."

My own?

I blinked. My lips parted as my feet guided me in closer to the bed. The dust in the air swirled around my body, highlighting my movements. I touched the coarse fibers of the folded blanket.

"I have only one rule. If there are others present in my home, you must come out when called." I turned back to him with blurry vision. "There is a lock also. I hope that will give you a sense of safety and privacy here. Go ahead," he nodded, sensing my desire.

My hands were heavy as I pushed the door closed, leaving him outside the room. I turned the tiny bolt on the handle, listening intently to the click of the lock sliding into place. The tears fell down my cheeks before I could realize what I was feeling.

The muted tick of the clock through the wall was the only noise I could hear. Sitting down on the bed with a wince inducing creak, I allowed myself a few silent tears, reveling in the four walls closed around me.

After my cheeks were wiped dry, I opened the door to Grysn with his back against the wall. He looked at me, not surprised, not expecting a thank you, nothing but kindness in his face. I looked down at my too small shoes, humbled by yet another gift. "Is that why you made your brother leave, to show me my room?"

His lips curled into a slightly mischievous smirk as he shook his head. "You will be needing another glass before we get to that."

He led me back to the couch and took a moment to replenish our cups.

"You didn't need to lie about celebrating." I nursed my newly filled glass, trying to mitigate the fuzzy feeling slowly enveloping my body.

Grysn sat next to me, sipping a cup of water. "Why do you assume I lied?"

I took another taste. "You're just trying to get me drunk so it'll be easier to use me."

His shoulders rose and fell dramatically with a sigh, though his smile remained gentle. "I don't need you to be drunk. You have already proven to be quite obedient. The drink will help soothe you, and perhaps allow you to more openly enjoy yourself."

I gritted my teeth and tried to hold my words. "That's stupid."

He chuckled but remained quiet.

After another taste, I turned back to him and asked about how his stove worked. Then I asked about how long he had lived in this place and why he didn't have a house like Lyn if he was a hunter of some renown.

I'd seen liquor make large men cry and young men stupid. But it seemed like all it was doing to me was reducing the space between my thoughts and words until the words were out of my mouth before I'd fully produced the thought behind them. If his smile was any indication, he didn't mind one bit.

I asked him why everyone so rudely referred to us as 'tians,' I asked if he had ever been with a tian before. Then I immediately told him I definitely did not want to know that. I asked him if he had been in the war, then upon seeing his confusion defensively apologized for forgetting how long ago that was. I asked about appliances. I asked about his family. About the lights and the fireplace.

I couldn't say if he was even answering my questions before I started a new one. I was acting like an inquisitive child. Question after unnecessary question, wanting to be heard and not even bothering to hear the answer. My face was heating with embarrassment as the words tumbled out of my mouth, despite desperately wanting to sit in silence.

A hand on my thigh stopped me mid-question. I stared at it heavily, my hot frustration suddenly cooled to ice. "What?" he said coyly.

I shook my head quickly.

He smiled, patted my thigh, and took my glass, finally empty of its contents, and set it aside. "Are you ready?" he asked quietly.

Again, I shook my head but stood, then quickly sank back down to the seat as my balance betrayed me.

Grysn took my hand and helped me to my feet.

"I don't need your-"

And then I was silent as he lifted me, one arm under my legs and the other behind my back. I had seen an illustration in one of the children's stories of a princess being carried in such a manner. Whether it was caused by the alcohol or my sudden weightlessness, or perhaps the strange delicacy he used with me, my head spun as he carried me into his bedroom. His arms and hands radiated around me through the fabric of my clothes.

My lips trembled as I urged my thoughts to maintain some semblance of order.

I was fine with this. I've done it so many times before, there was absolutely no reason to worry. And yet I felt nothing but terror. I knew he wouldn't hurt me, I knew that deep in my bones. And I knew there was no threat of creating a child with him. So why was I so scared?

"Would you prefer your clothes to remain on or be taken off?" he said, softly, as he set me down on the edge of his bed.

I shook my head not knowing which answer I meant.

He nodded and began to delicately disrobe me, taking his time to neatly fold my dress and set it on the other side of the bed. "You've become rather quiet," he said as he continued on with the remaining articles.

I gave no response.

He sighed but my silence continued. I couldn't speak for fear of what words might leave my mouth.

Sitting there, once again naked in front of him my mind was blank. This was his home, and I suppose mine now also. And this was my job inside of it.

A black cloud covered my vision. This is what the rest of my life will be like.

Soft lips pressed to my knee brought me back and I blinked at him, kneeling on the ground in front of me. "This is how it will go," he said, steadfast and confident but not loud or demanding. "I want you to focus on me, and if I think I'm losing you, then I will bring you back. Do you understand?"

My lips parted but no response came.

He nodded. "Lay back." After moving my body to the very edge of the bed leaving my legs to dangle over the side, he began to spread my legs open. Still kneeling, his face came closer.

I panicked and sat up. "I'm already prepared," I said quickly. "I don't need any assistance."

His hands on my thighs did not allow my legs to close completely as he tilted his head. "Prepared for what? What do you mean?"

I brought my elbows in toward my stomach trying to hide and be strong at the same time. "For sex. I don't need any help."

He shook his head almost sadly. "This is all we will be doing. There will be no intercourse tonight."

My legs twisted in a vane attempt to close as panic overtook me. "What are you talking about? Are we not having sex?"

"Sex is more than a means of insemination, Nal."

"But- there's no chance of pregnancy without insemination?"

He smiled as he rested his head on my knee. "It is a mighty good thing that pregnancy is not our goal then."

I shut my mouth before asking the next question that came to mind. I didn't need to ask what the goal was. That's when I understood what this promise he kept referring to was.

Pleasure.

My pleasure.

The memory of that first and second night with him filled my head as vivid and colorful as a fresh painting. It happened only days ago, but it felt like years had passed since then.

I trembled with every breath as he once again spread my legs. And I- once again- fought to close them, and with a huff he turned his attention back to me, waiting for my next complaint. "Can we please just have normal sex?"

He waited a moment. "Why."

My eyes darted around the room, trying to come up with a decent explanation. The only thing that had ever stopped him before was...

"I-I don't like it."

"What is it you don't like?" His vibrant eyes made it clear that he didn't believe me but would give me the benefit of another try.

I swallowed, frowning. "It's humiliating. I don't want your face that close to my... private areas." And it was true. True and didn't mention the fact that I didn't want him to bring me any pleasure if it could be helped. "This is unfulfilling for you anyway."

"I will not simply stop because of your self-consciousness, though I assure you there is nothing for you to be embarrassed over." With force enough to not mind my struggles, he finally splayed my legs fully open, despite my efforts to the contrary. "And I promise you this will bring me a great deal of enjoyment. If I were a better man, perhaps your pleas and struggles would not add to that enjoyment, but I'm afraid that's simply not the case."

Fear filled my expression easily, the mead making masking my expressions all but impossible. He didn't say it like it was a joke. He said it like it was a serious problem he wished he did not have. It gave his gentle touch a sinister edge.

His warm breath stung my wet folds. How I was already so wet, I suppose, must be due to the alcohol as well. He... this certainly wasn't the cause of it, right?

"If you still don't enjoy it after today, we will not revisit this activity, and that will be fine. But it is important for me to know what your body enjoys. And what it doesn't." He spread my lips open with his fingers, keeping his elbows firmly on my legs to keep them spread. "Whether you admit to it or not."

My back arched as his words pushed his breath onto my exposed wetness. It was impossible that he didn't know all of the things he did. How much experience did he have to make me react so easily to every little thing?

"Now, grab a pillow and lay back on it so you can maintain focus on me. I would bind you if I didn't think it would further distract you. So instead, put your hands above you head and keep them there. Do you have any questions? Any other complaints."