The Stars in Your Skin

CHAPTER EIGHT

A.N. TRIGGER WARNING!: This chapter contains intentional restraint of a female, nothing elaborate though. Onward!

It's quite early the next morning when many aren't milling about when it happens. Tsifanu approaches her. It's her turn to help clean the utensils. He greets her politely enough. She returns it.

"You're pretty enough," he says in a baritone voice.

She props the basket of freshly cleaned utensils on her hip. Backhanded compliment but she could be polite to her senior. "Thank you?" She fights the urge to step back when he ventures closer, as if making sure she notices his towering height. She meets his gaze with a forced calmness.

He inhales deeply as if scenting her. "I wanted the other twin but she has prospects. You don't."

He leers closer. Well there was no need to throw that in her face.

"It doesn't matter. You both have the same face and..." he runs a lecherous gaze over her form "body. And you'll bear me children all the same."

Her flesh crawls when he smirks.

He holds out a necklace to her. "I am told you will gladly be mine."

"What?" Her nostrils flare, gaze dropping to the proffered necklace.

She will admit that it's a beautiful thing, if a bit flamboyant. He however is not. Then, she remembers him leaving their home and Rayka's agitated demeanor the rest of the night. Her temper sparks. Eyvir. This teylupil spoke as if she were an animal that had but obey him. Like he was doing her a favor. Well. Eff. That.

A sneer curls her lip. "This woman does not choose you." She nearly spits. And heck no she doesn't care about the eyes watching the spectacle. All she cares to notice is the man in front of her.

Something ugly and dark passes over his face. "What did you say to me girl?"

Neteyam, Lo'ak, and Jake watch the interaction with interest. Neteyam was content to remain a spectator, knowing full well she was perfectly capable of defending herself. But then Tsifanu who towered over and outweighed her by many pounds grabs her wrist to keep her from leaving. Something raw and hot spikes through him. Nope.

"Do you-?" He doesn't hear the rest of his little brother's words because he was already moving to intervene.

"You are lucky I decided on you." He growls at her.

She glares balefully up at him. "I said let me go." She jerks her wrist in an effort free herself but he doesn't budge.

"Is there a problem here?"

Tsifanu keeps his eyes on Naawri. "This is none of your b-"

"I wasn't talking to you." He shifts his attention to Naawri. "Are you ok Nawri?"

No, she was not okay. Her brother basically gave her away. And this fool wouldn't release her.

Neteyam sees some broken emotion pass over her face and it's all he can do not to slug Tsifanu.

"As I said before..." This time he regards Neteyam. "This is none of your business."

Neteyam works his jaw, and stands his ground. "She's my dear friend. So, I'm making it my business." He flashes his fangs. "Let her go." His voice is hard, controlled with a dangerous edge, sizing the older man up with canny eyes.

Tsifanu doesn't release her. He only slackens his grip so she can yank her wrist free. His eyes though are hard.

Neteyam puts himself between them, drawing himself to his full height. "I strongly suggest you go cool off." He commands.