Among The Wolves

Fantlmon

The girl in front of me made no movement even though I did not respond to her invitation to take a seat. She just stood there, waiting.

I took a step forward and then stopped. Uncertain what to do with myself. I turned and looked behind me, a few wolfbloods went back and forth on the other side of the door, paying no mind to us. With quick movements, I shut the door. A quick breath left my lungs as I turned and placed my back against the door.

She had still not moved.

I wanted to run to her, to give her a hug. Tell her I was so happy to see her, tell her that we figured out why girls were being made slaves  and tell her it was alright because all this was almost over but the truth that she had been part of a peace treaty made me realize that while getting involved had prevented any other girl from the Joinervetti's tyranny but even the end of the war may not be enough to ensure that already captive girls could be freed. I knew my goal was for the betterment of Vakusi and Wos’Theon alike and especially for the safety of children. But what about those in the same predicament as Esmedeed? Would she have to remain a slave after peace was achieved? Knowing that with Esmedeed I potentially could do nothing, it hit hard with me.

I pressed my lips together. Still, Ty'Bin and I would have a talk as soon as the Convention was done.

“Do…” Emotion cracked my voice. “Do you remember me?”

Esmedeed never looked up, “I do not believe we have met.”

I took a small step forward. “Please, look at me.”

Her head remained bowed. “I am not worthy to behold your beauty.”

I nearly choked on my tears as my mouth gaped, what did Luna Le'Ney do to this girl?! She's no better than Mes'Mu is she?

I wiped an escaping tear and looked around the room. There was a bifold in the corner for changing, delicate lacy curtains over the windows, a pale, woven rug covering the expanse of the hardwood floor. The dainty vanity was set next to a door which I assumed was the master bedroom.

Then I realized that if she could remember me then there was a risk of her exposing me. I looked back behind me at the door. Wondering if I should phooy the whole thing and go the rest of the time looking like a mangled bobcat.

No, that wouldn't pan out well and doing that would be betraying Esmedeed, somehow.

Uncertain how to proceed after my mental anxieties, I figured that since Esmedeed was about to do my makeup, she would have to look at my face sooner or later and she would likely remember me. I would deal with her reaction as I saw fit… depending on what it was. Oh, I hoped she remembered me.

I glanced at the chair in front of the vanity. The wooden chair with a cushioned seat was set diagonal and ready for a participant.

A large array of cosmetic supplies was situated in front of it. All of it looked too much for little me, it looked more for someone esteemed. Is that what I am now? Esteemed, prestigious, elite?

Guilt pecked at me like a merciless vulture. While at the MoonDust Pack I was treated cruelly, I was now at a place where I was treated fairly and oftentimes with kindness. Esmedeed had lived the entire time with this harsh overseer.

With hand brushing the heavy wet material on me I chuckled nervously even though I felt no humor about the situation. “Should I remove my dress first? It is still um… wet from the rain.”

Esmedeed barely moved as she pointed out a simple under gown that hung from the room divider. “Your grace may put this gown on if you wish.”

Your grace?? I wanted to reel from that title. “Just Vae'Lee is fine.”