love that binds me

chapter 8

"So what exactly will we be doing?" Tali asked. Excitement written over her face.

"My brother needs to get married one of these days...i was hoping he'd take interest in one of you." she talked nervously with her head down and playing with her hands.

Tali could fall for it if she wished. Ariel wasn't human and i didn't trust anything with fangs.

They were superb actors. They could pretend to do human things but that's exactly what it was..."pretending".

"But first i wanted to teach you to be princesses." she smiled showing dimples.

"what if i don't want to be a princess ?" i cocked a eyebrow at her. At home i would have been whipped. Here who knew what could happen? i was her property.

"I would hope you'd want to be. I mean you two practically came from nothing." she shook her head. A few golden locks came free.

"What do you get in return ?" i questioned. No ones just nice. Especially them.

"Nothing. A happy brother i suppose." she shrugged meakly.

"Jothi!" Tali gasped. "Ariel she's still a little shocked." She apologized for me.

i shook my head.

The limo stopped infront of the largest most enchanted castle you could ever imagine. The long drive up the mountain was worth it.

Pictures in magazines I've read couldn't compare. I'll have to write Maggie and tell her about it. Or maybe Madame would allow her to use a phone so i can describe how truly beautiful it is.

"Its gorgeous. " Tali said in awe.

"eh. Its home." Ariel shrugged and model walked up the stair case to the entrance.

Tali, excited about it all, tried to mimick how graceful Ariel did it. She stumbled a bit and i couldn't help but giggle.

i perfected the swaying of my hips before i even had em. The gift of being my mother's daughter.

"Come quick! I don't want my brother to see his birthday presents yet! I still have to perfect you two!" she giggled and ran down a hall slow enough for us to keep up.

After so many twists and turns i couldn't imagine living in such a large place.

Ariel ran in to another girl.

"Oh Amber!" she smiled gleefully.

Amber was tall with the blackest hair that fell like water. Dark blue eyes along with tanned skin. Thank goodness she wasn't a vampire.

"Ariel, is this them?" She smiled at us.

"This is Tali and Jothi. Aren't they pretty ?" she clasped both hands looking for approval.

Amber nodded. "pretty." she confirmed.

"But they need better attire. Something eye catching. " Ariel tapped her chin.

"come Tali you have a different lady in waiting. " she grabbed Tali who looked at me nervously.

"It'll be ok. you'll see each other again for dinner." she confirmed. Then she dragged Tali away.

Amber smiled politely.

"If you don't mine. I'd like to get you fitted for your ball gown."

i reluctantly followed.

After she fitted me she tried comparing various colors to me and decided teal blue was made for me.

"I bet your use to this kind of treatment. " she said as she ran my bath water and filled it with lavendar scented bubbles.

"Excuse me?" i pulled the towel closer to.my naked body.

"I'm sorry-" she started to apologize and cringed away as if i'd hit her.

me? hit someone.

"No i haven't, its ok."

"i didn't mean to pry." she finished the water and then arranged things such as nice brushes, tweezers, some kind of green stuff, clippers, scissors, and nail polish.

"You weren't. You were just asking. I don't come from the greatest up bringing." i admitted.

"Neither did i." she was lost in thought for a while as i bathed and she washed my hair.

"was it a broken home?" she finally asked.

"kinda." i responded.

"i never knew my mother." she said hesitantly.

"I'm so sorry."

i thought of my own mom then. How everyone loved her accept me.

"that's fine. I didn't know her anyway. i grew up on a feeding camp."

my breath caught. I shouldn't have been surprised. many girls grew up and died that way. Although Amber was just so...delicate...how'd she even survive on one was beyond me.

"you should just enjoy your bath." she shook her head. "You don't wanna here my story and ruin your day."

"No please. if you don't mind. please continue." i begged.

i just wanted to know. Did anyone else have a situation like my own? were other feeding camps better? Was the system different ?

"well...where do i begin? My father owned my camp. A big one too. We started work at 4."

I should have been horrified. I couldn't picture a four year old Amber in bed with any man. Or any four year old in that matter!

"When i was 13 i was raped." she paused.

i froze. I felt hurt. I braced myself for her next words. If she fell pregnant i wouldn't want to hear anymore. i couldn't. Tears forced their way forward. but i held them back.

i smelt smoke and heard screaming and crying all over again.

i was brought back to the present with Amber helping me out and wrapping me in a towel.

"I didn't get pregnant or anything. My father was a strong believer in abortion for his young girls." she sighed.

"he beat me for letting it happen."

"Oh amber." i covered my eyes to stop the tears.

"how about we do your hair? That's a story for another time."

i nodded and proceeded with my make over.