" She held up a metallic pan with a lid." She held up a metallic pan with a lid. "These put out heat that flows up into the metal, and then into our bodies, so we stay warm." I did not understand. "Does the heat know where the metal is?" "I don't know," Myr said. "It's magic to me." I nodded. "Come, let's put the wooden slats away and get two more coal pans for you. One for your legs and one for your shoulders. That's about where they should go. There are traps in the floor for you to put them down. See?" She pointed. I did. We gathered the slats and put them away. By the time we were completing our duties, Cyl'Dia returned. "I see you two are almost done. Good. Myr, take one of the chests for Beth." She sat down on the steps of the bedroom. "I have good news, Beth. It is the opinion of our Captain that you may stay here as long as you desire, but it is also her opinion that that will not be forever. As long as you provide your fair share of work, however, you are welcome here in whatever position you wish to fulfill." I nodded, unsure of what to say or do next. Cyl answered that for me by holding her arms out. "Come and hug me." Which I did, gratefully, throwing myself against her and feeling those protective arms wrap around me. I was still frightened, Aimee', still scared of a future without my family, a future I did not know. And one that hardly seemed to lead to here. That night, as I settled down to sleep, I was to get my initiation in another woman's arms. I had anticipated Cyl'Dia being the one. Yes, I think anticipated was the correct term. I wanted to make love with her, truly. I know that I was misunderstanding my need for protection, my joy at being saved, with the painful sensuality Stuyr had awakened within me, and I wanted to share myself with Cyl the only way I had known how for month. But no, it was Myr who started that. That first night as I lay in my bed I was haunted by memories of the dead Stuyr, fearing his return from the grave, the touch of his ghost, come searching for the girl who stole his sex. I must have made noise because I remember fighting a hand on my shoulder only to wake up and find Myr kneeling by my bedside in only her nightclothes. |