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“Do you feel affection for Grixis?”
I almost laugh because talking with Ramsey is almost like gossiping with my friend Larissa.
“I feel a lot of things for Grixis, but everything is happening so quickly, it’s hard to sort out. Why? Do your people have affection for each other?”
“The men are incredibly affectionate, doing anything to bring their mates pleasure. The women are…cold.”
“Oh…does that bother you?”
Ramsey glares at me. “Why would that bother me?”
“No particular reason. Just curious.”
He sneers, then walks ahead, leading the way to the shore.
I should have known that our gab session wouldn’t go well and that he’d take offense to something so small, but a part of me liked that the man who so hated me was actually talking to me as though I were somehow worthy of their respect.
Or perhaps I should stop being so gullible.
14
GRIXIS
Two women appear at the tree line, one with a pike, the other with a bow. I approach and ask, “How was the hunt?”
The one with the pike smiles and says, “We took down a beast!”
“And Elena?” I ask impatiently.
“Ramsey kept her behind.”
I hadn’t realized they’d gone off, and when it was brought to my attention, I wanted to dash through the forest, worried that something would happen to the girl I seek to claim.
But I can hardly let my men see me like that.
It bothers me that Ramsey kept her behind, but I know he wouldn’t hurt her. He’s probably digging for weaknesses, unable to let the prospect of happiness disrupt his storm.
As I suspected, the longer we’re with the women, the more interested my men become, asking them questions, showing them their weapons to see their reactions.
Most of the women stand boldly, but a few still cower, which won’t bode well for them. One female seeks to claim me, pressing me with questions and telling me about her family lineage, which I care little about.
One can be bred from the hardest man and sturdiest woman and still be weak, which is why almost no value comes from your birth. Honor must be earned by all.
Including these small, weak things.
I ignore the attention-seeking girl and focus on the interactions between our people. A girl named Meg is proving herself to be resourceful and intelligent. Shorter than the others with thick hips and a mess of dark hair, she cuts through the confusion, snapping out orders the others follow without question. She will no doubt make a valued council member to Elena.
Not only that, but I’m sure she’ll be a prize to one of my men.
The woman who seeks to claim me leaves and issues orders to a few of the women huddled on a fur. The women get up, moving slow and sluggish as they head toward the tree line.
“Can’t have them sitting around doing nothing, so I sent them to get fruit,” she says upon her return. “Ever since I was a child, I led others. No one dares question me.”
“Perhaps they should,” I reply.
Her face grows confused. “Huh?”
“You’re having them bring fruit back, but what reason would they have to do that? We already have fruit enough for days. It’s wasted effort.”
