I sighed and took a step closer to him. His breathing faltered and for a moment that was all I could think about. And then his fresh, slightly citrusy scent seeped into my senses like a slow burning fire. That was something that always surprised me about him. Even when we spent days without bathing, he always smelled nice. More than nice. No wonder he was so popular with women.
I wrapped my fingers around his wrist, forcing myself not to make it more awkward than it already was.
“What are you doing?” he asked, and his voice plainly showed that he was not as calm as he wanted to appear.
“I’m claiming you.” I responded.
His mouth hung open.
“Careful, or you’ll catch a fly.” I threw his own joke at him.
With difficulty, I tied the piece of fabric around his wrist the best I could. He had the most beautiful hands I had ever seenon anyone, with long fingers and narrow wrists. They appeared rough to the touch and I could plainly see the scar just below his thumb. I could even remember how he got it. He tried to cut a branch, but the knife slipped and opened him up pretty good. There was so much blood, I worried that he would bleed out. I remembered stitching it for him later, and he did everything he could not to show how painful it was.
“There. No one will bother you now,” I said, looking up at him.
He just stared at me, still lost for words.
“Please say something. You’re freaking me out.”
“What is it?” He swallowed and looked at his wrist.
“It’s a charm. Men are considered property here.”
“I died and awakened in the darkest pit for all my sins,” he muttered.
“I’m sure there are worse things than belonging to someone like me.” I walked past him into the room.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Don’t worry. I get it.” I moved around the room.
There was some simple furniture. Low chairs made out of something that resembled young shoots of trees and small tables set close to the floor. There was a thick colorful fabric that covered what looked like a window. Somewhere in the distance I could hear the sound of running water. It was incredibly humid and warm underground. But the temperature here was quite comfortable. I wanted to peel off my suit and take a bath. As if answering to my wishes, I found a pool of water that was stationed in an opening in the floor right in the next room.
“What is this place?” I breathed in the lightly fragranced air. It smelled like the faintest and the purest of flowers, maybe orange blossom.
“I’m going to bathe, if you don’t mind.” I raised my voice, stepping into the room and closing the thick curtain behind me.
“Are you hungry?” Victor asked.
“I already ate.” I peeled off my suit.
Just then I raised my eyes noticing a tall mirror that was stationed on the floor, leaning against the wall. The girl that looked back at me seemed only vaguely familiar. I touched the side of my cheek, noticing a smudge on my face. My silk top was cropped and ended just below my breasts. No wonder he did not want to be associated with me, I looked nothing like the women he dated. I had thick thighs, broad shoulders, and a moderate chest. I was as far from being feminine and graceful as could be.
What would the others say if I started dating Victor? Would they laugh at us for being together?
I was pretty sure I was taller than him too. If only I could be smaller, more petite, with tiny wrists and a narrow waist. My waist was strong and muscular, the waist of someone who could drag a man on her back for two days straight, but not the kind that could wear a corset. I clenched my teeth, hating everything about the way I looked. What would he say if he ever saw me naked? Alina said that in their visions, we were together, but even I could not imagine it.
“I was a fool. I wanted to ask you . . . out . . . I went to your room, but . . . you were with someone. I could . . . not . . . bare it.”
“I better ask you now.”
I exhaled and tore the ribbons out of my hair, letting it fall loosely over my shoulders. He did not mean it. He was delirious with fever and pain.
It wasn’t serious, he wasn’t serious.
How could he be?
I lowered myself into the pool and closed my eyes.
