Arrangements

Chapter 11

"Have you ever seen a beach?"

"A beach?"

"I assume that is a no." I sweep her off her feet and race to the nearest shore. When I set her down, she is breathless. She takes off her sandals curling her toes into the grains of sand at her feet. The sunset is clearest here reflecting over the water. The sky is aflame with colors.

She rests on the earth sifting through her fingers. She lays back closing her eyes as the wind cresses her face, birds chirp in the distance. She's so relaxed, it's a strange look on her, but one I hope to see more often.

She startles when I pick her up, "What are you doing?"

"You're at the beach, you have to swim." She laughs, but it's hesitant.

"I don't know how."

"Worry not, I have you." I don't know what it is about her that draws me in, that makes me want to protect her, but I know these are the sincerest words I have ever said. I swim us out from shore until the water is just above my waist when I set her down it reaches her neck. She shivers, "Are you cold?"

"Yes, yet it's nice, like Ariox." She doesn't say home, Nirasu will always be my home, does she not feel the same way?" We float for a while, just enjoying the night. As her fatigue returns we leave the water. She's quieter now, contemplative. As we rest on the sand she finally turns to me, "There is a matter I feel you should know." Her reluctance shows in the switch to formal terms and the fiddling with her bracelet. "You need not tell."

"Perhaps, yet I should." I rest a palm to hers and she intertwines our fingers, but as quickly as she does, she removes her hand. Timidly she lifts the sleeves and skirt of her gown so her arms and lower legs are revealed. I choke on air, "Spirits." The word is but a breath on the wind. I take in everything, yet each image brings pain. Jagged scars litter her body. Some long some short, some thin some thick. Only a few bits of skin remain un blemished. I cautiously trace the terrible marks, should she wish me to stop. She flinches at some spots, yet voices no objections. "Are there more?" I have to physically force the words out. She takes my hand and outlines the raised flesh on her stomach and back through the fabric.

"Your back?! What kind of man would deal such a dishonorable blow." She won't meet my eyes, shaking. I must strain to hear her next words with how softly they are spoken.

"My father."

"What?!" A deep and unquenchable fury fills my mind, how dare he! His own daughter?! What kind of man would do such a thing? No not a man, a monster. Serina jolts violently at my tone. It is only now I realize how much she has given me, how vulnerable she has made herself. She's done it since she got here. I've seen the girl beneath the name and she is not what we've heard she's young, terrified as any of us, yet so, so fragile. She's strong, unquestionably, to bare what she has, but still, she could be beaten so easily. She's given me the knowledge to destroy her.

I hug her uncertainly, nonetheless as my arms circle her she clutches on to me. It is a restless night for me upon our return. For once the silence unnerves her. I squeeze her hand when I leave for my rooms.