The high hum of an insect buzzed through the muggy, still air. Usually a breeze swept through the wide garden but this morning it lay thick on Rin's skin. Must it be so miserably hot today of all days? She thought to herself, a bead of sweat dripping from her neck down the length of her back. A shock of cold then pumped through her blood, spreading from the juncture of her neck and shoulder. Sesshoumaru hadn't spared her a glance, keeping his guise of polite boredom in place as the demons around the table continued their discussion. Rin did not look up either but silently thanked him nonetheless.
"I don't see how you believe it reasonable to conduct business with these creatures. Would you barter with cattle? They are food," a demoness objected haughtily, shooting a searing glare at the human by Sesshoumaru's side. Rin wrapped herself in the cold and kept her well-practiced neutrality.
The elder kirin gave his daughter a foreboding stare of his own. At the head of the table, Sesshoumaru hardened his stare but said nothing.
"As far as I know, Ahma, cattle do not trade in fine goods and gold. This marketplace has doubled in size in half a year's time. We should be grateful such a fine opportunity has landed itself in our laps," a large bear demon responded gruffly.
"Daisuke is correct. The settlement is already well established and attracting demons and men from the furthest reaches of the lands. There were exotic wares from the other side of the world and high-quality artisanship from human and yokai alike." Sesshoumaru turned his attention to the visiting niece of the beast king, "Perhaps humans are regarded as no more than livestock in the East, but in these lands we are not so ignorant."
"Really, Sesshoumaru, must we all be subject to your procliv-ow!" the scaled demoness was cut off by a sharp stab under the table.
"Er, what Ahma means to say," the ambassador quickly interrupted, "This outpost is near the borders of our land. Not all yokai in the East hold the same ideas about humanity. They are old and have taken pleasure in gorging on the blood of man for centuries. It would take a substantial amount of convincing on our part."
"I believe the best way for our citizens to learn new ideas is through their own prosperity. Nothing remains unchanged forever, and human populations are on the rise. The writing is on the wall and they've a culture worth appreciating," the soft-spoken moth yokai, Kaito, caught the glance of the Lady of the West and gave her an imperceptible nod.
"A few junk-filled huts in the mud? I hardly think that rises to the level of culture," Ahma's scornful sneer landed on each of the silent demons around the table. "This nonsense is beneath you Sesshoumaru. We've all been more than tolerant of your decision to mate a human," she grit out through clenched teeth, "but perhaps the influence of your little pet goes too far. Humans are greedy, arrogant beings and this trading post will set a dangerous precedent. Soon all mankind will believe themselves equal to yokai. What next? Are we not to sustain ourselves on them?"
"I will hear no more of this, Ahma. I have all the information I need to make a determination." Sesshoumaru rose in a flourish of robes, followed suit by his guests. He helped his wife to her feet and pressed a lingering kiss to the back of her hand. Compunction tightened the corners of his eyes and flowed through their mating bond. He turned and walked off before she had a chance to respond, the ambassador of the east at his heels offering apologies on his daughter's behalf.
Rin sighed in resigned acceptance of yet another night spent alone. The past three weeks Sesshoumaru had been little more than a stranger to her, leaving her to entertain the noble wives and daughters of the esteemed nobility on her own. Most of these women considered her a mild curiosity at best at first, but one by one Rin won them over with her kind attentions and quiet but infectious charm. All but the niece of the beast king Kirinmaru.
Ahma's resentment had been obvious from the moment of her arrival. The demoness had refused to even acknowledge Rin's presence when she'd greeted the envoy from the East with Sesshoumaru. It took a few low, warning words from her husband to receive the barest of nods. Since then she hadn't missed an opportunity to make a derogatory remark about humans or a pointed statement about her mortality. Rin didn't like the way she looked at Sesshoumaru either.
These thoughts distracted her as she made her way through the maze of hallways back to her rooms. She would never have heard the silent footfalls of the kirin stalking after her anyway.
"Where are you sneaking off to, pet?" the sharp, angry voice of Ahma sent Rin's heart into her throat.
"Lady Ahma, apologies, you startled me," Rin gave a nervous laugh.
The yokai grinned, cold and full of hate, and stepped closer to tower over the smaller woman. Rin glanced up and down the empty hall and swallowed hard. Ahma's smile widened into a grimace, "Has he told you then?"
"Told me what?" something didn't feel right, the hair rose on her arms. The demon's onyx eyes burned into her with a deadly curiosity. Rin couldn't help thinking that look was vaguely reptilian.
Ahma leaned over until her lips were touching the shell of Rin's ear. "I was fucking your husband long before you were born and I will continue to do so long after you return to ash, human."
Rin didn't see anything, only felt her back connect with the smooth wall of the corridor. The groan that rushed out of her was cut short by a grip around her throat. Ahma pinned her then sniffed at her neck. "His scent isn't even on you," she protested and continued her olfactory investigation further down Rin's body. She lingered rudely over her groin before straightening with a humorless bark of laughter. "Can you even remember the last time he lay with you? It would seem he tires of your pathetic flesh already."
Rin's eyes began to glow, the only warning before Ahma was sent flying backwards by a blast of pink light coming from Rin's chest. The sound of boots echoed through the hall and Sesshoumaru appeared as Ahma struggled to her feet. He stepped in front of his mate, growling at his guards to seize the kirin and see that she remained in her room for the time being. She didn't resist, only flashing a smug smile to the Lord of the West while being pulled away between two large inu.
"Are you hurt?" Sesshoumaru put his hands on her shoulders and looked her over.
"I'm fine," Rin shrugged out of his grip and turned from him, doing her best not to stomp off in the direction she'd originally been heading. He hurried after her and walked her to their room in silence. He slid the door closed and looked at his wife, the anger coming from her spiking in their privacy.
"Is there something you'd like to tell me, Rin?" he asked carefully.
"I think there's something you need to tell me, Sesshoumaru,"she snapped back. He sighed inwardly. He hadn't even wanted to extend the courtesy of this meeting, after all he needed no one's permission to do as he chose in his own domain. Rin had insisted on this diplomatic nonsense. Of course, he didn't expect Kirinmaru to send that wench in his stead...and now his wife was furious with him. He took a seat on their futon and motioned her over. Stubbornly, Rin stayed standing.
"Ahma and I were involved with one another a very long time ago. At one point my father and Kirinmaru had intended for us to wed," he spoke stiffly not wanting to further incite her.
"And you never told me about this? That you were engaged before?!" Rin couldn't stop her voice from raising at the end of the question.
"I haven't given it thought since I last saw her centuries ago. It did not seem pertinent," even as the word left his mouth he winced.
"Not pertinent? What about after she arrived here in our home?" fire was burning in those chestnut orbs.
Sesshoumaru tried to send a sense of calm through the mark but it evaporated on contact. Tears welled her eyes, "Don't do that! Don't try to force me to calm down after I just had to learn about this from her!" Rin blinked and the hot drops trailed down her flushed cheeks.
"I should have disclosed this sooner-"
"When would you have the chance? I haven't been alone and awake with you since this meeting began." she choked out thickly. Sesshoumaru looked down, not wanting to meet her glower. "Have you really been in meetings all this time? Are you sure you haven't been crawling in to our bed straight from hers? Is that why she smelled me down there?"
"That's enough," he prowled heatedly to stand before her. "If Ahma was what I wanted we would never have met. This was all your idea, Rin, do not forget," he caressed her cheek lovingly before he continued. "She is jealous and selfish enough to deprive her people of a fortune out of spite. Regardless, I should have explained this as soon as she arrived. And my neglect left you vulnerable in ways I should have anticipated. I am sorry, Rin," he spoke as sincerely as possible. "She will be punished for this."
"Perhaps the Lord of the West is the one in need of discipline," Rin muttered grumpily in reply.
Now it was his turn to be angry. He turned on her eyes crimson and stripes growing jagged. "Perhaps the Lady of the West could use reminding of what an unrestrained Lord is actually like," he kissed her roughly holding her face firmly between his large palms and she tried to squirm away. Her anger burned through the mark, adding to his own. When she saw her efforts were in vain she sucked his upper lip into her mouth and bit down hard. Sesshoumaru yelped, startled, then growled low in his throat. His mate refused to be cowed, answering with a growl of her own.
"You couldn't be bothered to leave your scent on me. Maybe you truly are bored with me already," the bitterness was unpleasant in her soft, innocent voice. Something in Sesshoumaru snapped hard enough to reverberate into Rin. Her eyes started glowing red along with his own.
"Nor have you marked me, mate. Tell me, are you hoping to seem unclaimed to everyone here? Is that why you've had me hold this gathering?" for a moment his mask slipped and his eyes blazed into her own. Only inches apart, Rin could feel waves of heat rolling out of his every pore.
"Have you lost your mind?" Rin gaped at him incredulously. The energy in the room amassed suddenly. She reached for his mind, desperate to know his thoughts. A low droning was all she could find. Was keeping her out on purpose?
"So you do understand how ridiculous you sound then?" Sesshoumaru hissed against her lips.
"It's not the same and you know it," she spoke with venom. Sesshoumaru's demon clawed to the front of his mind, muscles rippling with the need to shift. He let her go and stepped to the other side of the room, unwilling to rile himself further.
Rin knew on some level that she should tread carefully. She couldn't remember him ever being so mad at her before. But his reaction had only inflamed her. Was he lying about how deeply he felt for Ahma? Was that why he hid their relationship from her?
She might not have had access to Sesshoumaru's mind but the Lord of the West heard these questions and more spinning around Rin's head. How could she doubt his word? Had he not done everything within his power to ensure she felt like his equal, his partner? Maybe that was the problem?
Rin stomped over to where her husband stood, nails elongated as well as teeth.
"I have gone out of my way to extend all of my hospitality and all the while she mocks me in my own home. And now I find out you've been in on the joke this whole time," Rin's hair started to rise above her head as she jabbed a finger into his chest. It wasn't until he grabbed her wrist mid-motion and squeezed hard enough to hurt that she realized what she was doing. She let out a small whimper, hair falling limp to her shoulders. Sesshoumaru slammed her hard into his body.
"It would seem you need reminding of where my loyalties lie," he couldn't keep the shame out of his tone, for himself or her she couldn't be sure.
He held her close and restrained her arms, breathing deep her cloying scent. His hand sneaked around to the back of her neck and held her firmly. Sesshoumaru tilted her face up to his own and considered her fiery, darkened features. He had to admit she was breathtaking with this look about her. He smiled lazily and pressed his lips to her forehead lightly, only to be pushed back by tiny, clawless hands.
"No!" she cried, sobbing now.
The Lord pulled himself to his full height and took two slow steps towards her, forcing her to take a step back to avoid the oversized spikes of his armor. Rin shuffled backward as he casually advanced on her. It didn't take long for something hard and flat to press against her back, trapping her. A blur and she was wincing as both wrists were slammed into a wooden beam above her head.
"You don't get to refuse this," he breathed against her ear, calm and measured.
"Sesshoumaru, please..." her voice was wavering. Good, his beast was contented to hear it.
"Please what?" amused like a cat with a mouse, he never lifted his mouth from her to speak.
"St-stop," she trailed off desperate for a minute to catch a breath that didn't smell so much like a clean waterfall spilling over cold rocks. Her thoughts blurred, the fire in her chest moving downward. She recalled being angry for a very important reason but she couldn't quite focus her mind enough to remember what it was.
"No," Sesshoumaru stated again. His beast laughed when Rin's eyes widened, confusion and fury passing over her countenance in turns. When was the last time he had refused her anything?
She tried to twist out of his grasp, but this time she only succeeded in tightening his vice-like hold. Slitted pupils bore into her own, and she watched the daiyokai's nostrils flare at the sheen of sweat beginning to cover her forehead. Stubbornly she held that intense, scrutinous leer. Her movements stopped and so did the ceaseless questions in her brain.
Sesshoumaru laid a kiss at the corner of her pouting frown before pushing his lips against hers. He teased her softly, coaxing her to shyly sweep her tongue against his. At the sound of her first sigh he released her arms, and she easily wrapped them around the back of his neck.
A low laugh dripping with derision filled the air. The room spun and she was on her back on their futon with Sesshoumaru crouched predatorily above her.
"My mate wishes to be marked, does she not?" there was a tension in his gravelly voice, and the first stirrings of ice-cold rage behind his eyes. He paused in front her, waiting for an answer.
"I do," she spoke carefully but couldn't hide her annoyance completely. She didn't know how to be afraid of him.
He crushed her face into his, the rough kiss crashing over her like a force of nature. Rin returned the gnashing of teeth and the biting of lips. He could taste her lingering rage like bitter acid calling to his own. His hands roamed her body, pulling apart her kimono and pushing it down past her shoulders. Everything undereneath he made quick work of with his claws. Rin's nipples hardened in the cool air of the room, though the goosebumps were less to do with the temperature.
"Aah!" she yelped at the feel of his talons digging deep into her breast. He swallowed her cries as he twisted both her nipples, hard.
Heat flooded Rin's abdomen and she pressed her thighs together in protest. She gulped down oxygen when he finally broke from her. Sesshoumaru held her tiny face in his hands as his tongue snaked out to trace the twin trails left on her cheeks.
"There is nothing sweeter than the taste of your hostile tears," he decided sincerely. Rin snapped her head back to fix him with a harrowing glare. Her husband only shrugged, "Like honeysuckles and strong sake." The description glided along her own senses until she could faintly taste for herself.
Rin shivered, tilting her head and encouraging the demon to lay a stripe of hot, wet saliva down from her earlobe. He stopped to hover over the tiny scar at the juncture of her shoulder and neck. Sesshoumaru licked her slowly and compulsively in the same place over and over. Rarely did he indulge himself in such overtly canine behavior, Rin knew. She took a breath to slow the pounding of her heart.
"Tell me, does Ahma bear my mark?" Rin recognized the rough voice of the being that was her husband and was not at the same time. The lilt of mirth she heard forced her into absolute stillness.
"No," she mumbled sheepishly.
"Who does bear it?" his kept his face buried against her, the vibrations of his vocal chords reverberating through her body.
"I do," she admitted.
Those elongated nails scratched her scalp and he gripped her tightly to pull her face to his own. "Who?!" he gritted through clenched fangs.
She knew what he was after. "Rin bears the mark of Lord Sesshoumaru," she spoke clearly and cast her eyes down.
"Good girl," his toothy smile was beautiful and terrible, framed as it was by his ragged markings and glowing stare. Those long, white points ground into the corresponding scar, the pain filling Rin's whole world for a fraction of a second before it was replaced with a heavy numbness that seemed to pull her down. Her heaving gasp had him preening with satisfaction. Sesshoumaru ripped his teeth from her when he felt her blood pump faster. Full lips wrapped around the bleeding wounds and sucked the skin into his mouth.
The effect was immediate. Rin let out a silent scream, unknowingly making a high-pitched sound his demonic hearing could pick up. He noted how she arched unnaturally, her movements mimicking his own, like a string connected his mouth to the small of her back. Each vicious draw of his cheeks curled her further into his body.
Running on compulsion his beast slipped off Sesshoumaru's threadbare control. The daiyokai unleashed all of his strength on her. His jaw sucked mercilessly until she was being held up by his mouth. Rin's pain ebbed and flowed from far off, making its presence known in the way it stretched and contracted her indulgence.
Sesshoumaru let her go with a loud pop. Pulling back, he admired the red welt already beginning to form. But he wasn't done with her yet. Long fingers dug into her cheeks and snapped her head to the other side. The sampling licks and and gentle suction he administered were almost delicate by comparison.
Rin's taste had a strange effect on the demon Lord. It soothed and riled him at once. And it was never exactly the same way twice, depending on her moods. Tonight she had the flavors of glacial snows, blooming lilacs in the evening, fresh rain evaporating in warm sunlight, and underneath, a hint of fire and char. He sipped on smaller morsels of her flesh on her other side. Red eyes rolled in his head when she moaned for him. How could she ever think herself less than the likes of that scheming trollop? A wave of frosty rage came with the thought. Before he knew it his canines were growing further and puncturing her ivory skin. She flinched and swallowed hard, throat working against his lips, sending an electric jolt to his twitching prick.
At the first hint of copper he withdrew. Twin drops of blood welled and gingerly dripped down Rin's neck. So similar to those salty tears moments before, Sesshoumaru couldn't help but rub himself through the fabric of his hakama. His armor was suddenly far too constricting. It clattered loudly against the floor before he'd decided on taking it off.
Sesshoumaru blinked and found himself kneeling between Rin's legs, unsure of how he got there. He barely noticed the shreds of his clothing in tatters around their futon. Waves of pleasure which were not his own ran through him. His swollen tip leaked, staining the silk of her kimono. Panting, his hips thrust desperately against her clothes, searching for whatever friction they could find. And Gods that scent...it was clouding his mind. He'd never lost consciousness around Rin before.
The inu sat back on his heels, panting heavily, and gained a few clear breaths. He glanced down at his mate. Her kimono hung open exposing her rosy peaks and heaving, flushed chest. He determined he could not stand the sight of her unmarred torso. His head dipped to a breast, hand reaching out to squeeze the other hard enough to bruise.
He siphoned and bit his way across the expanse of her chest, leaving wet, pink and red blooms in his wake. Tears pricked Rin's eyes when her beastly lover tore into the skin around her areola, worrying the flesh like as his nature dictated. A burning tang filled her nostrils, the only tell that his acidic saliva was filling the wound. Her skin was numb, with that vague warmth spreading into her consciousness. The Lady of the West sank deeper into that feeling, like she was floating above her own body. In that moment all of the anger slipped from her.
Sesshoumaru felt it finally melt away completely. A tension he didn't know was there snapped and ripped a moan of relief from his lips. Her clothing joined his own in tatters on the floor. Then his lips were on hers again, biting and sucking until they were adequately swollen and bright red.
When he pulled back Rin stared up at him, a far away look on her face. Her eyes were blank except for lust and the need to please him, a small line of spittle drooping from the corner of her inflated lips. This is what I've been thirsting for the demon thought to himself when his mate turned her head to expose her throat to him.
"Do you trust this one?" the beast came forward again to speak to her directly, carnivorous pupils searched her own. She studied him for a moment before gracing him with the first smile she'd cracked since entering the room.
"I trust you with my life, my Lord," her small voice was back to its usual sweetness. It was all the confirmation Sesshoumaru needed.
A bright green light flew from his fingertips and circled Rin's body like a hyper sonic lightning bug. It ensnared her wrists in front of her and crisscrossed down her legs, connecting them to a similar loop that tied her ankles together. After passing her ankles the light shot up vertically jerking Rin's feet skyward and rudely tugging her arms forward in the process. How? She thought vaguely, looking for what it could possibly be attached to on the smooth ceiling.
In seconds she's trussed up on her back, breasts squeezed between arms that reach for her toes. Her legs are tied together, straight up in the air. Sesshoumaru rumbled at the way she's displayed for him.
Seeing her restrained like this after she dared to accuse him of dishonoring her with filth like Ahma woke something ancient and primal in his bones. The excitement of conquest thrummed through him. With a twitch of his brow his whip pinched her skin slightly. He watched it bite into her wrists as she struggled, confused. He reached out and stroked the side of her calf lovingly.
" I thought Rin trusted this Sesshoumaru," his gruff voice was admonishing. He punctuated it by his claws deep into her leg. Rin moaned out, but she couldn't deny his point. She stopped her movements and focused on taking deep breaths, the way her Lord had taught her.
" Breathe through the pain, that's it ," Sesshoumaru rasped. He watched her face screw up tightly and pushed the tiniest bit of his yoki into her body. The pain receded. Rin opened her eyes and was gifted one of her favorite, arrogant half-smiles.
After a final assessment, Sesshoumaru settled on starting with her mouth. Shifting closer to her head, he knelt in front of her face and tapped his swollen tip against her plump lips. Rin looked up before taking him into her mouth, sucking slowly.
" We both know my Lady can do better than that," Rin's heart sped up when he grabbed her hair. The daiyokai forced himself down her throat, holding her there until she gagged. It didn't take long for Rin to catch her breath through her nose like she'd practiced before and then he started to thrust into her. Saliva poured from her mouth like a faucet. Not long after, tears streamed down as well.
Her eyes rolled into the back of her head while she groaned around his length. It had been far too long since he'd done anything like this. She'd missed this side of him fiercely. Each stab to her tonsils scratched an itch she didn't even know was there.
Sesshoumaru felt her satisfaction rippling down his spine like melted ice. He snickered to himself gruffly. Sometimes he knew what his mate needed before she did. He withdrew himself from her, licking his lips at the view of his spit-coated cock attached to her lips with thick lines of mucus. He took himself in hand and smeared his manhood into the fluids glazing her before lightly slapping it against her face. The wet, smacking sound combined with just how big he looked against her petite features had him shuddering. How he'd have loved to add to that ravished mess, but he pushed the idea aside.
Instead, he repositioned himself faster than Rin could follow. Her legs had begun to go numb from the lack of circulation, but she could definitely feel his tip pressed against her waiting opening. Sesshoumaru wrapped his arms around her knees, easily sliding all the way into her. He paused for a minute to savor the simple sensation of being completely connected to his mate. It took an effort to choke back his instinct and set a slow pace.
But his slow slipping was torture for Rin. She tried to buck her hips, her body begging him for more. He could practically hear her whining between his ears. He stopped his motions and narrowed his eyes. The restraints tightened, cutting into her skin substantially. The painful throbbing synced with the pulse between her legs.
Sesshoumaru spread his knees further apart. He pulled up on her legs, lifting half her lower back off the futon. Rin cried out as he bumped into her cervix. Encouraged, he began a savage tempo, each rock of his hips harder than the one before it.
Rin's orgasm came on slow and ferocious and tore through her muscles one by one. "Please don't stop Sesshoumaru-sama," she urged, brown eyes locked fearlessly to red ones. The sheer hunger she found there pushed her further. A drawn out wail and Sesshoumaru felt slick drops of wet escape from between his mate's thighs. She clamped down on him hard enough to cause pain if he were human. He grinned at the challenge, propelling himself with more force, pushing her into submission.
Another wave hit Rin, this one forcing her back to an arch. Her pussy squeezed down even tighter. To his own chagrin, Sesshoumaru's orgasm struck him unexpectedly. His cock went iron-hard, scraping on her swollen tissue inside. They seized and shouted as they found their climax together.
The strips of light disappeared and Sesshoumaru eased her legs down before collapsing beside her, breathless. With a blink his amber stare returned. She watched uncertain confusion cross his visage before he gently brushed her hair back and kissed her forehead.
Sesshoumaru hovered over her and delicately lapped at the deepest puncture wounds sprinkled on her upper body. He peppered light, innocent pecks up her arms and massaged her wrists. Both of Rin's legs got the same treatment. She sighed with gratitude, the blood rushing back into her limbs.
When he was done he laid down next to her, curling around her and held her to his chest. He took a heavy whiff of her hair. "Your request for diplomacy in this was noble," he spoke softly near her ear, "but I've never had the stomach for all that comes with it. I'm putting an end to this charade, Rin."
Whatever shield had been put up was down now. Rin could taste his regret on her behalf. It wasn't a total loss. She had seemed to impress some of their yokai visitors. She also knew the trade town would remain either way. Wrapping her arms around his neck she hugged him even closer and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"Thank you for trying for me Sesshoumaru. And I'm sorry...for earlier," Sesshoumaru felt her body flare with the heat of embarrassment.
"It is of no consequence," his soft inflection assured her all was truly forgiven.
"I love you so much," she replied sleepily. Exhaustion was settling over her but she could have sworn a light blush came to her Lord's cheeks.
"Sleep now, Rin," he held her close until her breathing steadied and she was snoring softly.
A few hours later, Rin was woken by her maids. They exchanged a look when their Lady rose naked from the sheets. Thankfully, neither said a word about the evidence of her mate's passions. They wrapped her in a new kimono that was the twin of Sesshoumaru's; stark white with cherry blossom crests accenting the sleeves and collar. But when she looked into the mirror her cheeks burned.
This was more revealing than anything in her wardrobe. A plunging neckline exposed the light bruises and angry blemishes on her neck and chest. The sleeves were short enough to show her reddened wrists when she stretched her arm.
"I think I might like to wear something else," Rin said doubtfully after inspecting her appearance. The inu servants shuffled their feet and looked uncomfortably at one another.
"My Lady, Lord Sesshoumaru himself specifically instructed that you are to wear this to the feast tonight. He picked it out himself," the elder girl stated.
"Did he now?" Rin replied, annoyed.
In his study, Sesshoumaru chuckled to himself at the twang of his wife's irritation.
Do you not approve? He teased into her mind. What is the point of marking you if no one can see?
Rin knew very well that every demon in the room would be able to smell what he did to her through ten layers of clothing, but there was no use arguing with him now. She didn't have enough time to change. Lips pursed tightly, Rin stalked out of her chambers towards the great hall.
The only thing she was grateful for was how much cooler she felt in the lightweight, shortened kimono. She was seated beside the Lord of the Western Lands at the middle of a table on a raised dais. In front of them, the noble demons of the region sat with their families at several longer tables. Food of almost every kind was heaped before them, raw and cooked. The best wine had been brought up from the cellars and servants hurried between the aisles to pour libations.
Sesshoumaru stood once all the cups were filled. "After much deliberation I've reached a decision. This trading settlement will be allowed to continue with taxes levied. All will be allowed to continue traversing the established routes unmolested. The details of your percentages are presently being drawn up. The paperwork will be prepared by the time of your departure tomorrow morning," the bland words didn't match his threatening emphasis. Rin watched him scan the room, hesitating to narrow eyes on Ahma and the strained smile plastered on her face.
He raised his goblet. "To the Lady of the West, without whom we may never have had an opportunity for progress," he turned to his mate, twitching an eyebrow at her abashed aspect. She raised her own cup along with everyone else in the room. Rin felt like she wanted to disappear when the discolored, purplish bruise along her wrist bared itself with the gesture. She didn't miss the sharp inhalation of the yokai seated on her other side. Sesshoumaru turned to flash Rin an evil smirk before drinking to her health. She chugged half of her own in one gulp.
One by one they all approached to offer empty flatteries and congratulations to the Lord and Lady. Rin couldn't help but notice how her husband was having trouble keeping his eyes off her. Once, he snarled at a kitsune who reached over to touch Rin's hand. After that everyone else kept a healthy distance from the two.
Ahma and her father were among the last to speak. The demoness swept her eyes over Rin, widening them at the blossoms spread on her skin.
"Lady Rin," she bowed deeply. "I wish to apologize for my behavior this morning." Her voice as tight. Seeing her insincerity, Rin replied with a cold nod.
"I am sure this auspicious endeavor will prove very rewarding for us all. My brother Kirinmaru will be happy to supply the patrol for the eastern half of the route," the ambassador wrung his hands before them. Sesshoumaru stared him down, stony silence laced with intimidation.
"We are grateful for the support of the East," Rin offered up to break the tension. With final bows, the two walked back to their seats.
Thank you they each echoed into the other's mind at once. The corner of Sesshoumaru's lip twitched upward reflexively. With a flick of his wrist musicians started to play from a far corner of the room. The food and wine began to flow in earnest, and after an hour most the demons were in their cups. Even the guests of honor seated beside them joined a group dancing in the open area at the other end of the hall, leaving Rin and Sesshoumaru alone at their table.
She noticed the daiyokai shift his weight. She passed a worried glance at her husband's nervous fidgeting, then watched him finish his full goblet in one long draught. It banged loudly on the table as he put it down, a demon appearing from the shadows to fill it immediately.
Awkward was never a word she would have used to describe Sesshoumaru, but it came to mind when he reached for her hand. She felt the slightest tremble when he clumsily interlaced their fingers. He gripped her tightly and brought their hands to rest on the table in front of them. He kept his stare straight ahead, daring anyone to make a comment about the public display. A squeeze brought his attention back to his mate and her raised glass.
"To no more of this," Rin whispered.
"That's something worth drinking to," he clinked her goblet with his own, the ghost of a smile on his lips.