Lucette’s agile hand lifted between them, to slide along Veldrys cheek, to touch, to comfort. How was it possible that the well-traveled man knew so little about the world? “You don’t find happiness through search… It is here, and around you already.” Lowering her palm, she pressed it against his heart and said again, with soft, persuasive emphasis, “It is here…” Her fingers moved as if to show him, as if to point out the obvious to his blinded eyes. Beneath her hand, Lucette felt the rhythm of it beat against her skin, to join them in primitive melody.
“It is only that I allow myself to feel… everything. I do not question, or try to deny what comes to me – the good or the bad.” Easily, the Kelvic brought her face near to his, to tilt her head slightly, “You are very smart I think... But maybe your thoughts are too big? There is no room for anything else? You must be a great man….to be so absorbed” And Lucette purred, to show him how easy it was... “I am happy you are here…I am happy and pleased to walk on this path… with you.”
But he would not accept the meat. And Lucette would have cried out in shame and embarrassment, but for the grace with which Veldrys accepted her mistake. The man’s words were so kind, so gentle, Lucette felt he understood what she had been trying to do, and had not judged her for her misstep. The Kelvic’s eyes stayed dry and wide, as the meat approached her own mouth. Veldrys had changed her offering to become his own. In her mind, the meaning of it spoke volumes, and he would not know how touched she was by the selfless gesture. Meat and flesh! It was the highest, most coveted thing to the Cheetah girl.
Slowly, so slowly she parted her lips, and the soft tongue glistened as his eyes threatened to trap her in their strange, amethyst swirls. Carefully, to not harm him, Lucette bit down gently upon the cube of meat. Closing her lips, she brushed his fingertips with a soft, pillowy touch. And with her own exotic manner of seriousness, she leaned back to slide the offering away. Lucette felt a thrill at the connection the brief touch brought to her, and it seemed the offering melted warmly in her mouth. Veldrys’ body was warm, so closely next to hers and Lucette no longer cared about food, or drink. She wanted to help him find happiness. A hand trailed along the opening of her simple dress. “I would…” she started to say breathfully, lead you to a room elsewhere in the Temple. But the girl was torn, she wanted to offer Veldrys something nourishing in return. In the end her instincts won out, and what she offered was a different kind of nourishment. For what was food compared to compassionate touch? “I would, take you elsewhere… to show you happiness.” It was an offering, but it was also a question. Ever dutiful, Luceete was still the slave who sought acceptance in all that she did, even in this. How she hoped he would go with her! |