Chapter 1

We reached the beautiful mansion just as the dawn broke the sky. It was a beautiful sunrise, dazzling pink and orange, now much more radiant since my new found freedom. Sheftu seemed excited, too. When we stepped off the litter, he laid his arm protectively and gently on the wounds on my shoulders, gave a smug glance at the servant and led me into our new home. Sheftu led me up to his room to rest, for I had had a long night. I was led down a rather normal looking corridor towards the central garden. The moment I caught a small glimpse of it, I was amazed. The gardener must have liked lotuses for the blue flower was everywhere.

"This is all dedicated for you, my blue-eyed Flower," Sheftu whispered into my ear softly.

I let myself giggle a little, afraid this may all be a dream. Sheftu led me to a grand room on the North side facing the South. I had to stop and stare at the gorgeous sun that was just peeking over the horizon in full radiance.

"Love, we must tend to your wounds. The physician will be here shortly, but to linger with it dirty is never a good idea. Come and I will clean it for you."

He gave me an adoring look that pleaded with me and led me into the room. He had me sit down and drink water that a slave had brought in. He cleaned the gashes with a hurt look, but was very gentle. Just as he finished, a slave announced that the doctor had arrived. The doctor observed the gash, praised Sheftu's work, and began to apply an ointment that stung so badly it had me biting my finger.

"Love, don't bite yourself!" Sheftu slowly took my hand away with a sad expression and hugged me, careful not to disturb the doctor. When the doctor was done, I let Sheftu go and looked at the kind old man. He smiled at me and I smiled back. He asked Sheftu if he knew how to bandage me and if he did, would he like to. He was said he would let no else bandage his flower.

I fell asleep in the middle of the wrapping, I suppose, because I awakened to find myself in a blanket on a bed, with Sheftu looking lovingly at me. He smiled when I opened my eyes and kissed me. It wasn't like any of the other kisses we shared. This one was filled with love and patience. I gave a small smile, which quickly turned into a blush when my stomach gave a rather loud growl. Sheftu laughed, taking away some of the worry evident on his face. He turned around to get something and my eyes widened at the sight. It had everything I could ask for and more.

"I didn't know what you liked, so I got a little bit of everything," Sheftu said. He blushed and handed me the tray. I stared at him, with eyes glazed over, gave huge smile, and dug in. Unfortunately, my wounds didn't allow me much movement and Sheftu, watching my every movement, noticed immediately. He drew my arms back and started to feed me. Even though I have been humbled by the past few weeks, I'm still the same Mara I used to be. I felt a little undignified and maybe a little shy and didn't respond to the food he raised to my mouth, even though my stomach hurling profanities at my ego. My stomach won, of course.

I looked at Sheftu through narrowed eyes which slowly turned softer, snuck a kiss, and took a bite, which quickly turned into 2 and then 3 bites and then it was gone. I went to grab another, but Sheftu's gentle hands quickly stopped me just before I reached the point where it would definitely hurt. He fed me and I fed him when he moved close enough. We basically spent our brunch feeding each other. Throughout the whole meal, Sheftu always touched a part of me. Either his clean fingers running through my hair that really needed to be washed, or placing small kisses all over my face, neck, and arms. I was definitely not use to this, but that doesn't mean I wasn't enjoying it. I am.

Once we finished, I suggest we go for a walk since my stomach was bulging and I felt really stuffed. I'm definitely not use to having a full stomach. No matter how much I could eat when I was disguised as a translator for Princess Innani, I couldn't make myself suspicious since no lady of nobility ever ate that much. Sheftu happily agreed and we took a nice, cool walk in the garden. Sheftu never lifted his arm from my waist. I must have been dreaming.