It was warm. Summer had recently begun and I was in the woods collecting some flowers. Mother had sent the boys fishing for some dinner and me to get some flowers and berries while her and father talked. I was bent over, picking a beautiful red rose, when I felt someone touch my hips. I jumped back in surprise and turned to meet Shem's gaze.
"Shem." I had said, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Did I frighten you Ila." He asked chuckling.
"Yes you did." I told him, "What happened? Why aren't you fishing?"
"We finished. Today was a good day. Mother said you were in the woods so I came to find you." He replied.
I had been living with Shem and his family for seven years. As the years came and went I had begun to form feelings for Shem. He was gentle and kind, but if you pushed him far enough, as Ham often did, he could become violent. He had been dropping hints recently that he was interested in me but he never did anything.
"Why?" I asked him gazing into his eyes.
"This is why." He told me.
He pulled me close to him and kissed me. Once I got over the shock I put my arms around his neck and kissed him back. He tasted warm and I could tell he had just eaten some soup that mother had made for dinner the night before. After a few moments of pure bliss, Shem pulled apart and pushed some hair out of my face.
"Ila, will you be my wife?" he asked me.
"What? Why?" I stammered.
"Father told me that is was time for me to have a wife, and I want you. I love you Ila." He replied, not once breaking eye contact.
I put my arms around him and kissed him as hard as I could.
"Yes." I cried, "I love you too Shem."