Dominixon had to leave the room quickly and Neevh heard the door lock behind her. What the hell? I thought I was a servant not a prisoner. She moved around the room and sat down in the small room that Dominixon said belonged to her. She thought about her mother and how she had to leave her in such a state. She wished she had had time to let the neighbors know that her mother was sick. They would have kept an eye on her. She hoped she would take care of herself. Thoughts flooded her brain making her think of all the things that could go wrong while she was gone. Tears began to fall and they were warm upon her lashes as they made a trail down her face. She desperately wanted to be home back in the comfort of her room. Neevh cursed herself for all the things she ever put her mother through. If her mom died then she would want to die too.
Dom found Neevh in her room her sobs echoing off the walls of the small room she occupied. The sobs were heartfelt and deep as he saw her mother in his mind. He felt sorry for her then and did the only thing he knew how to do. He turned back around and called his guard to the door and whispered his orders in his ear. The guard strode off and made his way to complete his orders. Dom closed the door back and walked into the room. She was still sitting there her small frame racked by the cries. Her shoulders hitched up and down as they escaped her and he sat down next to her. She paused for a moment, holding her breath. He wrapped her arms around her and pulled her to his chest. He hated the contact because he didn't want her to see his memories but he had to comfort her. He himself had never been in her position but he could at least empathize with her situation. Neevh continued and he concentrated hard to not bombard her thoughts with his own.
Dominixon's chest was extremely warm against her arms and face but it comforted her as a warm blanket did when she was sick. She didn't know why he was being so caring towards her but she didn't have the will to question it. She just bawled against him, that type of ugly crying that no one wanted to see. Once the thoughts of her mother subsided she was able to stop but her breaths were coming out in ungodly gasps and her body shook with the exertion from it. He splayed his large hand against her back and moved it soothingly in a circle. Neevh didn't want him to see her face. How horrifying she must look. She jumped up so suddenly that he jumped back in confusion and before he could say a word the bathroom door closed behind her. The water from the faucet was cool against her face and it made the red splotches a little less noticeable. Not like he hadn't just seen me cry.
The door opened again and she felt a little more collected than before. Dominixon was still sitting on the bed his face rather surprised that she came back. He had thought she was going to lock herself in there for the rest of the day.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Return me back home."
"You know that I can't do that."
"Why not?"
"I just can't," he shifted uncomfortably now.
"Ok fine. Why did you lock the door?"
"I have to until you are claimed. I may not take concubines but others do and although there are laws to protect the indentured servants they are easy to cross. A prince is not apart from these traditions and I must respect those traditions unless I upset my people by breaking my word. My people will not respect me as the Dochma if I myself do not follow the law. That is why you cannot leave the room until the ceremony making you my charge is performed."
"Alright. I may not understand what exactly those traditions are but I understand what you are trying to do for me. So thank you. I would much rather be a servant to someone as kind as you than someone cruel."
"I am going to take that as a compliment."
"Dominixon, it kind of is a compliment."
"You can call me Dom."
"Okay."
"Are you hungry? Can I get you anything?"
Neevh smiled at the irony, "Yeah I suppose so. Can I have some eggs and potatoes?"
"Why are you smiling like that? Did I say something funny?"
"No not at all. I think it is funny that I am supposed to be your servant but because of your traditions you must wait on me until we get to your planet. All to protect me."
"The favor will be paid once we get home."
"I'm sure it will."
He stood up and pushed a COM and spoke is a strange language that even she was sure was impossible to reproduce with her vocal cords. A whoosh of air sounded within the wall and a small door slid open to reveal a covered tray. Dom opened it and there sat scrambled eggs and sautéed potatoes. Neevh's mouth hung open at that type of service. She would never have imagined something so modern and unknown.