Kate and Sean

Untitled Part 9

Genie knocked on the door to her secret cottage, she had a new basket of food and some the lovely outfits that Avarr's wife had made for the new human girl. Genie had expected to find Sean in the cottage as well but Kate was alone. She was in tears and Genie left the basket on the stool and swept across the floor to take the young woman in her arms, "What is it?"

Kate wiped her eyes, "I just miss home. I'm not used to this place. It's so rough here and I don't trust anyone."

Exactly as Genie expected and feared. She took Kate's chin in her hand and turned her face up to the sunlight, brushing her tears, "What happened? Please tell me."

She swallowed, "There is a guy from our boat, and he is a total jerk. I was running an errand for a lady from the village and he cornered me."

The queen went rigid on the news, "Do you see what I mean, then? You would be far safer at the palace. My husband would be sure you are wed to someone safe and careful." She watched as Kate stood and crossed the floor, trying to avoid the conversation. "You are not alone in this world, Joutone women go through this every day. You have a friend and shelter in your queen, but you cannot block me out. Not only would you be at risk but you put Sean at risk by running around unwed and with no protection. My husband is very protective and no warrior would dare take him on. You would be safe."

"I can't leave Sean. We came here together, we belong together. He would never leave me and I can't do that to him." Kate quietly waited for Genie to answer.

She never got the chance to, Sean whirled in the door, "Oh hey, good to see you. Look I got some work." He proudly displayed a bag of grain he had earned. His smile washed away when he realized both of the women were in the middle of a deep discussion, "What's up? Everything cool?"

Genevieve cleared her throat, "You need to tell him, if he has a challenger he has the right to know."* It was Sean that answered that, "What?" No sooner than he asked that, Kate tried to pass him, he grabbed her arm, "Hey, it's me, yo. What happened?"

"Wayne cornered me." She watched him winch in pain from what she said, the disgust on his face was evident, "I got this." He turned to storm out when Kate pulled back on his arm.

"No, there ain't no rules here Sean. You'll get yourself killed."

He shook her off, "Bitch, he don't scare me. I'll handle his ass."

Genie stood and issued an order, "Take care of your tone in my presence my guards need to only think you a threat to come in here and do away with you. Sit down." Sean swept past Kate and huffed as he sat on the stool avoiding eye contact with both of the women, now. Genie crossed the floor taking him by the chin now. When she had his attention she peeled his hat off and dropped it in his lap, "Now, do you think he will challenge you?"

"I don't trust him, the only reason I didn't kill him on the boat is cause he was cool with the captain. He gone, so it's on." His temperament was far more humbled with the queen now. "I can handle myself."

"I will find you new work tomorrow, and you will take shelter with a warrior. I do not want to have any of you put to death, but it will come to that if my husband finds you to be a nuisance. Tomorrow you will show me who this Wayne is. I will try to reason with him. Am I understood?" He nodded. Her face warmed into a lovely smile, "Very good, cub."

He smiled back, "I ain't no cub."

"You say that, yet you act like one. Prove yourself a man, obey your queen and stay humble till I can figure what to do with you permanently." She took up her skirts in one hand and turned to Kate now taking her by the chin and planting a kiss on her forehead. "If you need me for anything send for me immediately. If anyone hurts you I will put them to death."