Don't Catch Me!

Chapter 25 - What's Latin for See You Later?

Chapter 25  - What's Latin for See You Later?

Although we had been shackled both at the wrist and the ankle, I still managed to snuggle into Joel’s chest as we waited in the room under the stadium.  Joel’s kisses were so perfect I just dissolved into him.  But I desperately wanted to run my fingers through his hair and pull him closer still.

“How did you do that?” he mumbled as he pulled against the chains attempting to get closer.

“The Dojo I trained in offered Aikido as well.  So I learnt to deal with multiple attackers and use the staff and some other weapons.  Ohh, and those men weren’t very good really.” I shrugged not wanting to make a big deal out of it.  “Now about this promise?” I asked again as he kissed down my neck.

His kisses stopped and he brought his eyes to mine.  They were heavy with something.   I could feel the great burden that Joel believed he carried.

“Promise me you will forgive me Cissy?”

“Forgive you for what?”

“For everything Cissy, promise me you will love me enough to forgive me.”

“I do love you Joel and part of being in love is forgiving each other.  Love is all about trust too Joel.   You need to talk to me about this.   You need to trust me enough to tell me what is wrong.”

“I know, but first do you promise to forgive me?”

“Of course Joel, I would forgive you anything.”

His face relaxed into the most devastating smile and I couldn’t help but grin back

The door at the other end of the room flung open hitting the wall. “Looky here, you no have her.  You cheated you did.”

“Bear, my friend, I did not cheat.  How could I cheat?  You picked which one I was to get as part of the bet.  Is it my fault that the male turned out to be hopeless?”

Joel’s body tightened against me and he glared at Gavin.

“Look at him! What a waste! They’re all saying it,” Gavin made theatrical gestures dismissing Joel as something inferior and not worth Gavin’s attention.  “Rumour is spreading that the reason that she is without child is because he is lacking the working parts.   Some are saying that he can’t lift the sword, let alone weld it.” Gavin dropped his eyes while looking at Joel.  I whispered assurances to Joel as he pulled against the chains. 

“After all, what male lets his female defend him?”  Gavin continued with no regard to Joel’s indignation, “It’s not natural.  Good luck selling him. He has no value.  You will be stuck feeding his useless mouth for years to come Bear.  Well, I will take the female now and leave.”

“I sell him to you. I give you good price.”

“Why would I want him?  Come on Bear, you can’t even give him away.”

“You need him, she will do much for you if you have a knife resting against his skin.”

“I don’t know Bear.  He’s pretty love sick.  He’ll only get in the way of what I really want to do with the female.”

“C’mon he still got some value.  He strong.  He will work fields and harvest crops.  So he no good with the weapon but then you won’t be looking for your wives in his bed.  He will do the heavy work so that you can do what he is unable to do, Yes?”

“Maybe, I will tell you what – I will take him off your hands for three pieces of paper.”

“Three?  He’s worth at least eight!”