Snippet #2394970

Shien still burned with a growing rage at his treatment, fighting with his sense of duty. He almost didn't notice when Nyvereth took his arm. His first instinct was the thrust her away, but when he looked on her face, the anger at everything he felt was quickly twisted into a hurt knot in his belly.

He'd thought the woman to be no more than a pleasure girl, really. That she cared as much for him as any would-be client. His naivety didn't let the thought that she simply wanted what money he had left enter his mind.

She had apologized to him. Thinking she meant for forcing herself on him, he shakes his head sadly. "I- Don't fret yourself," he begins to say, before she's tugging his arm to bring him deeper into the harem.

"I... help," she said. Shien frowns briefly, wondering if she sought to entrap him, bring his end sooner... or maybe she meant to make his final hours enjoyable. Softening his expression, he relents and follows her.

His mind was still reeling from the news of his impending death, but at that moment his thoughts lingered on the woman. What was her game? Shien had never known a thing of political intrigue. Was this part of that? Or did she genuinely have some sort of interest in him? The kiss... he thought, at least, felt meaningful.

Before he knew what was going on, he had been led into the ladies' rooms.