Desert Siren

Eleven

The knock at the door roused Jayza from a deep sleep. Cursing, she pulled the pillow over her head, trying to keep from jerking the tether that bound her to Tavan. The knocking continued and she heard Tavan groan, sitting up and jerking her along with him. Jayza jerked back, causing him to look at her irritably before blinking several times and smiling awkwardly.

"I'm sorry, little one. I forgot you and I were tied together."

"I told you it wasn't necessary, General," she snapped. She had argued with him about the tether. And lost, causing an extremely uncomfortable sleeping arrangement. One that annoyed her mightily even as he seemed amused by it. "I said I wouldn't run."

"Excuse me if I don't completely trust you. I am absolutely certain you would have tried. Not by running, since you promised not to. More likely climbing, then walking." He gestured with his chin towards the terrace. But his smile was wide and Jayza could see he thought he had her figured it out. Which, much to her chagrin, he did. She had planned on climbing over the terrace and dropping to the ground. The tether made that impossible and she had lain awake long after he fell asleep, trying to concoct another plan. Without success. Unable to hide the annoyed flicker in her eyes, she pointedly looked away, crossing her arms over her chest. Tavan watched, his amusement growing, and he debated jerking the tether again, just to see her reaction.

The knock came again, more insistent this time. Tavan sighed heavily, shooting an irritated look at the door. Pulling the small pin from under his pillow, he undid the lock on his wrist and rose. Wrapping a towel around himself, he turned to Jayza, his look stern.

"Don't move, understand? If you do, those," he pointed to the manacles lying on the dresser, "go back on. And you sleep on the floor. I don't want noisy chains in my bed. Nor do I want you killing me with them."

Jayza nodded. She had no desire to sleep on the floor. The bed was like sleeping on a cloud and she decided she would never enjoy sleeping anywhere else again. Instead, she gazed out the now closed terrace doors, taking advantage of the temporary ability to do so. It was still dark and when Tavan returned, she would be forced to face him again. Something she found not unpleasant but definitely uncomfortable. Her current view allowed her to see one of the two waterfalls and in the moonlight, it looked like a river of molten silver. She spent some time gazing at it, letting her mind drift when she realized Tavan was standing by the door and she couldn't hear what he was saying nor determine who he was talking to. She found her mind returning to the previous night and her face colored, still embarrassed at what had transpired.

After finishing their meal, Tavan had announced they would bathe. Jayza was desperate for a bath, but she gazed wildly about, wondering how she was going to hide from him this time. The tub sat in the middle of the room and there were no partitions to hide it from either the bed or the small sitting area. Stricken, she stared at Tavan, her head shaking slightly as she crossed her arms and backed away.

"Jayza, please stop with the modesty. I've seen you naked and near naked enough that it should no longer bother you. We both need to bathe, and I intend on making sure we do. Even if I have to toss you in myself." He moved to the tub, filling it halfway with water and testing it. Crouching down, he lit the brazier underneath, then added more water until the tub was about two thirds full. Gazing around, he discovered a small stool tucked against one wall and carried it over, piling the towels and toiletries on top after placing it near one end of the tub. Testing the water again, he smiled, turning the brazier off.

"In," he ordered, turning to Jayza and pointing to the water. "And no fighting. The water won't stay hot forever."

Jayza hesitated, then defiantly stripped, refusing to let him humiliate her further. She knew if she didn't do as he said, he would make good on his threat. This was much more preferable than the indignity of having him remove her clothing and dump her in. Climbing over the rim, she sunk lower, resting her head on the back and letting the warmth of the water seep into her body. Despite the fact he was in the room, she found the bath unbelievably relaxing, especially after having done without for so long. Closing her eyes, she began humming softly, not noticing nor caring what Tavan was doing. Until he climbed in with her.