Crimson Coils (The Snake Men Book 2)

Chapter 14

"So you haven't told him?"

At Ziva's questioning, Mari stood on shaky legs as she addressed the large snake-woman. After speaking with Madame Savari and her dark memory resurfacing again, she took it upon herself to ask her for help in self-defense training. Ziva was more than happy to accept her as her pupil. Mari just didn't know how tough she was when she was training.

So far, the only weapon Mari could hold without completely falling over face-first was a dagger. She had been disappointed with it, only to find that the little weapon was quite versatile, and full of surprises. She had no idea, however, about the training involved with using a weapon. Ziva had told her it was integral to any use of weapon - even her fists.

"Madame Savari said I should, but I feel like if I do, he'll go berserk." Mari huffed, lifting the practice dagger once more to Ziva, who held no weapon. "I don't see why he would care that much anyway. We've only just met. Sure, he's saved my life," at Ziva's beckoning, she lunged as she had instructed. "And he's been a big tease but means well-" she gasped as Ziva grabbed her wrist, and in one quick movement, took the knife out of her hands and disarmed her. Mari blinked, standing still as Ziva still held her wrist. "-I just don't get it."

Ziva laughed, letting her go and handing her dagger back. "Like this," Slowly, she had Mari hold the knife, and began to show her how to move her opponents' fingers in order to grab the knife successfully. "You're a quick learner, but you'll need to learn to move faster." she said. "In regards to Rezran..." She let her go and leaned back a bit, her tail coiling around her. This was the sign she used to tell Mari to relax. They had been training for about three hours anyway, and they were due for a break. "...I say you should tell him." she said with a shrug.

Mari leaned against the wall on the side of the training pit. "And if he goes nuts?" she asked, throwing her arms out a little bit and then letting them hang at her sides. The response she got from Ziva was a shrug. Mari frowned. "Again, why would he care that much?"

Ziva gave a slow smile. "Because he likes you, obviously." She chuckled. "You don't get it do you? He wants to court you. Possibly take you as a mate."

She said it so bluntly that Mari's jaw dropped. For a few moments she couldn't speak, her mouth opening and closing yet no words came out. Shaking herself out of her stupor, she finally managed to get a few words out. "Me? As a mate? No, no. I'm nothing to be desired. Definitely not." she huffed, though felt her cheeks heat up. Did he seriously want her? This broken, human...he found desirable? 

Ziva's chuckle snapped her out of it. "Tell you what: I'll talk to him after our session." she began. Before Mari could interject, she continued, "I'll have him meet you by the northern tunnel. You guys can go somewhere private, somewhere nice, and just...relax." she finished. "You can tell him, he is definitely one to be trusted." She leaned forward, uncoiling herself and moving towards Mari. She placed her hand over her heart. "You know this in here."

Mari gulped, meeting the woman's crimson gaze. She had to admit, every time Rezran was around her, either teasing her or just...talking with her, she felt warm. She felt safe and at peace. He seemed to have some sort of way to bring her out of her shell. She couldn't compare every man to Kavash, Rezran was not at all like him. Comparing the two would be like comparing lava to water. Mari glanced away. "Yeah...it couldn't hurt to tell him. Besides, if he's interested in me or not, I don't want to keep secrets from those I care about." she gave a small smile as she looked back to Ziva.

Ziva, seeming pleased with this answer, moved her hand away from her and gave her a very rough bump on her shoulder. "Excellent!" she declared loudly as Mari's shoulder bones screamed in agony. "Now that it's settled, let's finish our training for today." She quickly backed away, placing herself into a stance. "This time, I'm going to come at you, and you're going to get the dagger out of my hands."

"Wait, what-"

Ziva gave her no chance to respond as she lunged at the girl in front of her.

~/~

Mari nearly crawled out of the bath, her limbs feeling like jelly. She wanted to continue crawling into her bed and fall asleep, but Ziva had already set her up to speak with Rezran. Giving a groan, she slowly walked over to her dresser, and pulled out a set of pants that puffed out towards the ankles and curled inwards. They were a crimson red that faded and swirled into a combination of gray and black towards the ends, as if to blend in with the ash itself. Ziva had given her a "sari" to go with it. It was a beautiful fabric that had colors that matched the pants but had golden embroidery on it. The embroidery looked like golden flowers and leaves, and she found it beautiful. She wrapped it around her waist as Ziva had instructed, and then brought it over her left shoulder before tying it off. Mari hadn't been one to wear dresses before, but she determined they were alright for special occasions. 

Once she was all dressed and her hair was brushed, Mari left her home and made her way to the northern tunnel. The Naga's went about their daily lives, some even stopping to wave and say hello or good evening. She was starting to feel more at home here. Despite their large and intimidating appearances, Naga's were fairly nice. She enjoyed their company.

In little time, she arrived at the tunnel to see Rezran and Ziva waiting there. Once Ziva spotted her, she grinned at both of them. "Well, now that you're both here, I have to go. Have fun you two!" she called cheekily before slithering off.

Rezran had also seemed to have gotten dressed for the occasion. His chest was bare, save for a red and gold vest he wore. Around his waist was a golden chain with some ruby pendants dangling from it. There were golden ear cuffs on his ears as well. What really caught Mari's attention however, was the tattoos that covered his body. When they had first met, she had seen them slightly peeking out from under his armor near his neck. Now she could see them fully.

Swirling patterns of dragons breathing fire covered his arms up to his shoulders. Their wings were unfurled across his chest, their wing tips reaching up towards his neck, while their lower bodies and tails swept down his sides and wrapped around his waist. It was as if he had a story inked onto his body.

And Mari definitely wouldn't deny that it just made him more attractive.

Rezran didn't seem to mind her staring, and he grinned. "Well, shall we go?" he asked, starting to move towards the tunnel entrance.

Shaking herself out of her reverie, she quickly followed him. "Go where?" she asked.

"To my favorite place beneath the earth."