Well here's the next installment, guys! I know this chapter and the one before aren't so long, but I've been working on the assumption that little and often is better than big chunks months apart – I shall try to keep it up! Remember, I write faster with the incentive of comments – It really helps to know what you all think! Don't forget to vote and get in touch,
Roses xx
4.
She alternated between pacing like a caged tiger, and sitting and staring at herself in the mirror.
Both were unsettling.
She laughed at herself, slightly hysterically. The girl in the mirror laughed back, all glossy, bouncing black hair, falling in newly cut and brushed waves about her shoulders.
'I'm clearly going mad..' Lux thought. Then she thought again. 'Actually, no. I am sane. This entire situation is what's insane.'
She sighed.
The girl in the mirror sighed alongside her; her face settling back into what Lux realised must be her standard expression. Impenetrable, wild green eyes in a serious pale face; wary and over-alert.
So many things still to learn, to become acclimatised to, if she wanted to make this work.
It had been just over a week since she entered Pantheon, but to Lux, it felt like an age. Outside, wild on the islands, her concept of time had blurred and she knew years only by the seasons. She had carved a mark for every winter into a tree, determined not to lose them.
In the past week, she had learnt the sheer scale of the Panthera tribe. She had learnt yet more history, pre Final War and post, and suddenly all of her fathers early teaching – in one ear and out the other in her pre-teen years, was coming back to her, hard.
She had re-learnt the little things.
It had been at least five years since Lux spoke to someone who was not a threat – in fact, in the last decade, every new person she met she had potentially had to kill to defend herself – and generally she had. Out on the islands, the only visitors were rogue hunters, passing through – and they usually saw woman as two things; sex, and re-sale value.
So, the sheer quantity of human contact in the last week – both good and bad – had been exhausting, and exhilarating.
She had become more familiar with her own reflection – no longer the wild, tangled mess glimpsed distorted in the sea on calm days, but the crisp, feminine reflection that had emerged. She had yet to get used to being waited on – since the eve of the test with Ethan, a woman from the fourth tier had been helping her to wash, dress, do her hair and apply make-up. It was all utterly alien to Lux, and initially she had objected, until Ethan was called in, and pointed out (with evident amusement and exasperation) that this was 'part of the job description', and Lux 'had better get used to it' as it was the least of challenges of being higher tier.
Hell, she had re-learnt how to use a knife and fork.
So she was trying...and she had to admit, the sleek woman in the mirror looked alien but rather wonderful. The dark red silk clung lightly to her althletic frame, softening it and bringing out alabaster skin and the emerald of her eyes. Her thick black hair, although now glossy and tangle-free, would never quite be tamed – it would always add a feral edge.
Right now, though, Lux was full of pent up energy, most of it nervousness. One problem was that she simply wasn't used to being indoors and sitting – usually, she was always active; training, climbing, running – but mostly, she was just nervous. Tonight was to be her first dinner in the Great Hall
Maybe Ethan had been right, she wondered, and she should have asked for more time...She never had been one to take things slowly once she made up her mind. Like taking the test...
Lux smiled to herself as she re-lived it in her head.
***
She hadn't been remotely nervous, which was odd. She had bathed at leisure, before Luca came to help her dress, and teach her how to perform the odd ritual that was the art of hair dressing and makeup application.
Luca had smiled the whole time, a knowing, mysterious smile.
Lux hadn't understood it at all, and spent half the evening eyeing the woman with suspicion. When she was ready, stood before the mirror as this elegant being she had yet to become acquainted with, she had turned to Luca.
"Luca..." She began, "I don't..."
Luca had put a finger to Lux's painted lips.
"Let me guess," she asked, smiling even more. "You don't understand why I seem so chilled about this. How I can happily prepare you to seduce Ethan."
Lux raised her eyebrows questioningly.
" I guess it is kinda complicated...." Luca began, searching for the explanation. "Well... there's the simple fact of course that I never doubt what Ethan and I have. We are very true to each other, no secrets, just trust."
Lux nodded. She supposed that made sense.
"Its different here, and you'll come to understand that. Sex, seduction, it's a way of life... by no means meaningless, but it's something to be freely enjoyed and shared. Ethan gave up much to be with me alone. To be honoured with the task of testing the royal consorts, that's a big deal, and he deserves it."
Luca stepped towards Lux and laid her hands on the woman's shoulders, smiling.
Lux tentatively smiled back.
She had almost forgotten what the meaning of 'friend' was, and female company itself was so alien to her. Over the past week, however, Luca had been her main human contact – bringing her food, and sometimes just dropping by to talk. Lux was surprised to find herself warming to the woman.
Luca was looking at her appraisingly.
