Tivan awoke with his head still pounding, his throat parched and his eyes so dry it hurt to blink. He let out a pained grunt and tried to roll over, but found to his surprise that his slave was still lying next to him, breathing softly as she slept. He watched her for a moment, unsure.
Is this bad? he wondered.
Hanni must have felt his gaze because suddenly she opened her eyes. She blushed a little at the situation, quietly rising from the bed and slipping from the room without a word. Hoping to alleviate the pain in his head, but not wanting to bother Hanni at the moment, Tivan drew himself a bath and soaked in the hot water, splashing it over his face and sighing. He knew it wouldn't work, but tried to relax anyway, drifting off to sleep once more.
By the time he had opened his eyes again, the water was cool and the soap bubbles were gone. He shivered, dried, and dressed, walking reluctantly out to his menagerie to see if that could take his mind off of his pain. It was a strange mix of delight and despair to see his slave working once more on his collection, polishing one of several large glass cages furiously. He retrieved one of his cigarettes from the side table where she had left them, lighting it and watching her work through the smoke. She turned slowly at the scent of cherries, facing her master. He laid his smoke aside with a small smile and approached, admiring the shining glass of the container she had just cleaned.
"You certainly are thorough," he said softly.
"Thank you, master," she practically whispered, hanging her head and clutching the brush she had just been using tightly. She was nervous, trembling as he turned to face her completely. Tivan raised his hand and grasped her arm gently, examining the bruise he had caused her. He ran his fingers along it softly and she shivered involuntarily, but said nothing, keeping her head down. He used his other hand to tip her chin up to look him in the eye. Her heart raced. She could smell the cherry leaves on his breath as he spoke.
"For this," he said, grazing her bruise again tenderly, still meeting her eyes with his own, "I am truly sorry. I am not that type of man."
Hanni shook her head and tried to look away again, but he forced her chin up just as quickly.
"Forgive me," he said.
Is that an order? she wondered.
"Forgive me," he repeated, running his smooth fingers down her arm and under her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it gently. His mouth was soft and warm against her skin and Hanni could feel herself blushing, but she maintained her gaze. Her master let go of her suddenly, turning back with a flourish to grab his smoke and finish it. Hanni just stood silently, not sure what to say. Tivan drummed his fingers on the table loudly, deep in thought as she watched him curiously. He looked back up to her.
"I'm suddenly hungry," he said slowly.
Hanni laid her chores aside, but as she tried to glide by her master and head towards the kitchen, he reached out and stopped her with a hand.
"Wash yourself," he said, "And dress well. I want to go out."