The Taming

She Doesn't Know

Her response would be the last he expected.

He'd anticipated either more sobbing or a fierce rejection of her vulnerability.

She did neither.

"I don't know how." She cried brokenly.

She doesn't know how to ask for my comfort?

Why? I'd never reject her.

"If you come to me. I'll hold you. Whenever you've a need."

"Swear?" She lifted teary blue eyes up to him. And he sensed the gravity of the question.

"With every fiber of my soul."

She gave a single nod and her body calmed against him. Eventually her shaking subsided. And the groaning of the castle waters receded.

It was blissful to hold her. She smelled of wildflowers. Her hair was silk over his forearm. Her body so feminine and delicate. Perfect in his lap.

For once, he was pleased to not be wrapped up in thinking of her lovely curves. Absorbed in enjoying the moment with her. Noticing she was wonderfully warm.

Warm? He so rarely felt heat that it was a sacred sensation.

"You need only ask..." He held her until she was quiet and still in his arms. Once certain she was asleep, he tenderly laid her down. Tucking her under the coverlet.

He watched over her while she slept. To ensure she'd no more nightmares.

He crept out just before daylight in-case she was ashamed of her weakness, I'll not be a reminder of it.

***

LandingTown, Igonox

MATTHEW MURDOCH

Old Matthew Murdoch bit the ring he wore on his index finger several times as he made his way to the docks. He knew plenty of men aboard the bigger ships that'd pay a pretty coin for such a precious bauble.

In his mind's eye he saw the man in the dark alley shifting from human to beast in the midnight hour. Leaving behind only this wealthy little treasure.

Matthew wandered from ship to ship until he came across one, he recognized. Matthew knew the man that usually stood the helm of this masterpiece. Matthew glanced at the heavy sack of nuts he gripped.

This Alpha known as a brutal sea lord, had a soft spot for fine things. Matthew climbed the docking ramp and was quickly greeted by The Alpha, a tawny man with sharp eyes, Matthew simply called 'Cap'n'.

The Alpha of the ship greeted Matthew with a hearty slap on the back. Thumbing him some coins as he took the sack.

"Matthew! What a fine day for a visit! I was just preparing to pull up anchor. I'm Isle bound, my friend. Care to come with me this time? Man's got a lot more chance of finding work there." The Alpha gave Matthew the invitation often. And always with such a friendly grin, Matthew found himself sorely tempted more than once.

"I 'ave a lo'ely lil trinket I migh' sell ye for real reas'able, Cap'n."

The Alpha gave him an encouraging look and Matthew slowly uncurled his fingers, looking furtively about. Worried someone might snatch it from his palm. The Alpha gasped and gave Matthew a strange look. Snagging the gem from the poor beggar man, ignoring the outraged shout Matthew gave.

"Where'd you get this?" He demanded. Holding the ring to the light to examine it. Brow furrowed.

"Bloke gave it me, fair an' right." Matthew said indignantly. Reaching for the ring, but The Alpha of the Firestar was a full head taller than Matthew and easily kept the ring from the beggar's short reach.

"Why?" The Alpha asked. When he turned and looked intently at Matthew, the poor man was forced to take a step back. The Alpha's eyes were strange now. More yellow and illuminated like a torch burned from within.

"What?" Matthew blinked.

"What'd he give it to you for?"

"He-he wanted my silence, Cap'n." Matthew stuttered out.

"Silence from saying what?" The Alpha snapped.

Matthew would've sworn the man's black pupils thinned to slits. Like cat eyes.

"I-I don' know, Cap'n. I naught but a foo' an' my eyes 'ceive me as oft as not an'more."

The Alpha closed his eyes and when he opened them, they appeared harmless. As though Old Matthew had merely imagined the eerie change.

The ship captain reached into his satchel and pulled out a good amount of coin. Slapping it into Matthew Murdoch's palm with a grin. The cold demeanor was gone as quickly as it'd come. The Alpha stepped from Matthew's path back down the ramp.

Matthew scurried down, able to see an old man, tall and frail with a long gray beard, watching the exchange curiously from the dock, still assessing the FireStar Alpha's broad back, all he'd been able to see from his view.

Matthew's attention averted to the withered stranger in the gray robe. He made his way down the ramp numbly, coin in hand. He jingled it noisily. Stunned at the amount. He pocketed the coin and turned to shout his thanks for The Alpha's generosity but the stranger in the gray robe stepped before him, silencing his words.

"What a fine gem you sold there, Matthew." His voice hissed. He watched Matthew with beady black eyes.

"Do I know ye?" Matthew asked, baffled.

"Would you like the chance to earn many fine things?" The stranger asked.

"Wha' odd day this comin' ta be." Matthew's eyes lit. "More coin?"

The stranger put an arm across Matthew's slim shoulders. Together they turned and began the walk down the dock. Matthew nodding eagerly.

"I know that lovely ruby ring and how you may get many more like it. Just tell me where you got the ring."

Matthew looked back at The Alpha aboard his ship tying off the sails with his crew. Noticing now, that The Alpha watched him raptly. Shrewd eyes unblinking.

"Matthew. Matthew!" The man in gray robes shook him. "Have you been listening?" A dangerous note entered his voice.

As Matthew Murdoch disappeared down the dock with the strange old man he glanced down and saw the gray cloak was trimmed with tattered white fur. Looking as decrepit as the man wearing it.

The Alpha watched with interest.