Nausea. That was all Meggie could feel as Capricorn's words sunk in, leaving her to imagine the horrible reality of what he meant. There was no escaping this- oh god, anything but this. The color drained from her face and the room began to swim under her gaze. Her lips parted but no words came out. "Make me read," her mind screamed, "Sentence me to death. Don't make me do this." But she was frozen.
The men around her nodded approvingly, some even high-fiving one another. Meggie could not bring herself to look at Dustfinger for his reaction.
"Tell me, child," Capricorn said suddenly, moving uncomfortably close to her. For a moment, he almost seemed sympathetic as he asked her in a hushed tone, "Have you ever even kissed a boy?"
She said nothing and Capricorn smiled because he had his answer. "I didn't think so. I imagine your father keeps a tight leash on you, hm, with all the moving around? Trying to escape the very threat of me. It didn't work, as you can see."
He turned to the men, chuckling. "She's pure as a winter's first snow. Basta, I'm sure you will appreciate that. We know how you like corrupting the innocent."
Basta? The world began to spin. Meggie knew she was close to passing out and everyone watched her fear with amusement, practically feeding on it. The thought of Basta's breath on her neck, his dirty fingers grabbing at her nightgown...
"Don't worry, little lamb. My men are most gentle, especially with the inexperienced. We all appreciate a woman's touch." The room murmured in agreement. Capricorn reached out to stroke her hair. "Just think if your father knew what was in store for you. It would destroy him. I almost wish he were here- but alas, we have no use for him anymore. His misery is no longer a priority, although it is like icing on a cake."
Basta grunted from across the room, playing impatiently with his knife.
"Oh, pardon me," Capricorn cleared his throat and grinned, "Basta is getting impatient. Let me sum it up for you, Meggie darling. When a man takes a shining to a woman in this village, she becomes his. We are not animals and we do not share our property. You will do whatever it takes to keep your man happy...and since Basta's most recent partner has run into trouble-"
A man's drunken voice interrupted, "More like ran into his knife!"
The room errupted into laughter with even Capricorn cracking a smile.
"Yes," he continued, "well you see, she was not satisfying his needs. You will make it your duty to do so or else you may meet the same untimely end. As Basta is partnerless, you will be his."
This was a nightmare. It had to be. Meggie would wake up in her bed at home in a cold sweat but altogether unharmed and Moe would make her hot chocolate to soothe her nerves and they would laugh about the absurdity of her dreams. Except not. Except this was very real and Meggie could feel it in her bones.
"I want her."
Everyone's heads swiveled in the direction of the voice. Dustfinger stepped out from the corner, calm and determined. He did not meet Meggie's gaze.
Capricorn blinked, the outburst taking him by slight surprise. "You want her?"
"I found her. I brought her here. I deserve her."
"Like hell!" Basta growled, suddenly running up to meet him. "Who do you think you are, fire eater? I thought I taught you to remember your place. Or do you want more decorations for that face of yours?"
Capricorn sighed and waved his hand. "Fine, take her."
"What?!" Basta reeled.
"The Matchstick Eater is right, as much as it pains me to say it. Let him have his prize. What difference does it make to you whether it's this girl or another?" Capricorn yawned. "I'm bored of this. You're all dismissed."
Meggie stood still, unable to shake the shock of the situation. The men grumbled and filed out, undoubtedly dissatisfied with the outcome, but Dustfinger did not move. She watched as Basta left, staring daggers at Capricorn as he settled back into his chair.
"You can go back to your quarters, little lamb," he smirked, taking another sip of wine. "You've got to prepare for tonight, hm? Show her the way, Dustfinger."
Still refusing to make eye contact, Dustfinger took her gently by the arm and led her down the steps. She could feel her face burning with embarrassment.
"Oh and before I forget," Capricorn said suddenly, his tone once again merciless, "We will know if you don't…complete your job."
Complete your job. The way he worded it made it seem somehow even more perverse. A job. A duty. Like it was a daily chore, as simple as washing the windows or doing the laundry. Meggie wanted to wrap her arms around her body, feeling exposed beneath the paper thin dress, knowing what they all were thinking. She might as well have been naked. So this is what it felt like to be an object, to be used and tossed away. The very idea made her sick.
The fact that it was to be Dustfinger instead of Basta only seemed to make the situation sadder. True, she would no longer have to fear a knife to her throat or feel nauseous by a single caress…but her innocence was still to be taken from her. Although Meggie knew the predominant emotion she should've been feeling was fear and horror and disgust, she mostly felt…ashamed. Humiliated. As if it wasn't bad enough, she was being forced to sleep with a man who didn't want her, a man who she had practically flung herself at the night before. So no, Dustfinger over Basta was not necessarily a relief. In fact, it felt more like a punishment.
"I know," Capricorn continued, "that you, Dustfinger, tend to get a little…soft. So if this is a ruse to relieve the girl from her calling…Just don't make that mistake. Because we will know."