Page 33 of By the Horns
She just gives me another smile and saunters away, down the crowded street. For some reason, I’m reminded of Sarya. Maybe I just like bossy women who put me in my place.
With a grin, I trail after Gwenna. I’ll let her do a bit of wandering before I point out she’s going the wrong way. No sense in wasting the entire afternoon just to prove a point.
Gwenna
When we return to the dormitory, I’m in a good mood. If Raptor’s going to help me brush up on my skills during the weekends, I might not feel so far behind and lost. I might have a chance instead of fretting all year that I’m not fast enough, not skilled enough, not smart enough. Notenough, all around.
I’m surprised when we get back to the dormitory and he grabs his pack, sets it on my bed, and then moves my pack and belongings onto his old bed, the one closest to the double doors. He also glares heartily at Arrod and Hemmen. “No one gets near Gwenna when she sleeps. Try anything, and you’re going to find an angry Taurian’s fist down your throat. Understand?”
They blink in confusion, and to be fair, so do I. Only Kipp seems unconcerned at this turn of events. He just nods at me as if he expected something like this all along.
Raptor stands at the foot of his bed and gives me a nod, crossing his bulging arms over his chest.
“M-Master Jay is about to leave for the weekend,” Hemmen stammers. “Should we go t-talk to him? Tell him the change in sleeping arrangements?”
“If you like. He won’t care. And this isn’t just for this weekend. This is permanent. This is a job, and you treat it like one. If she wants your fucking dick, she’ll ask for it.” And he glares at both of them. “I’m sure Master Jay will agree with me.”
I bite my lip, looking over at Raptor. “I don’t mean to be a bother—”
He puts a hand up. “Stop.”
I go silent. No one’s ever stood up for me like that. Normally it’s just a maid’s lot to forever be pushing away hands and telling men you’re not interested. Doesn’t matter what you look like—if you’re a servant, you’re considered fair game by every noble or rich man. For Raptor to lay down the law for me so I don’t have to?
It’s rather nice.
I step forward to pick up my bag tossed at the foot of the bed…and then I feel it. A thick wetness between my thighs. Eyes wide, I grab my pack and race with it to the garderobe. The moment the door is shut behind me, I hike up my skirts and check my undergarments.
Sure enough, I’ve started my period.
I’ve never been so happy to bleed. Collapsing on the seat, I cry tears of pure joy.
Thirteen
Raptor
Rooster to Raptor:The entire shipment due to go to the south has gone missing. Tell me you have an update.
Raptor to Rooster:When there’s an update, I’ll let you know.
I’m on edgeas Gwenna goes to bed early Fifthday night, citing a headache. She’s still in bed the next morning when I wake up, and I take my time dressing in my uniform, waiting to see if she’ll address me. She doesn’t, though, just pulls the blankets over her head and rolls over.
We’re supposed to go to the wedding of Master Siskin and Artificer Tern later today, but I’m concerned. Gwenna hasn’t been herself since she raced to the necessary yesterday and emerged a while later, eyes red from weeping.
Was it something I said?
Kipp is in the kitchen when I head over, and I grab a handful of nuts and several apples, eating as I ponder the problem with Gwenna. “She said anything to you?” I ask him.
He shrugs, settling his large shell in the corner of the kitchen. Last weekend, he’d moved his shell house to a warm corner in the kitchennear the hearth and moved it back to his bed when Master Jay scolded him. I suspect he’s going to move it in every weekend. Good for him.
“You know her better than I do. Think I hurt her feelings somehow?”
Kipp huffs, shaking his head. He finishes settling his shell in place, gives it a friendly pat, and then scrambles onto the table. He picks up a handful of berries and sits across from me on the tabletop, regarding me with a serene expression.
“You’d think I’d be better with women, given that I’ve bedded so many,” I tell him ruefully. “But in my life, women have usually just one role, and not a good one. I spend the rest of my time with artificers, either moving through tunnels or rescuing them when they get lost.”
Kipp eats a berry, watching me.
“I’m just trying to be respectful of her is all,” I say between bites.
