The Rini returned with the Estate Master. The man was dressed elegantly in white and gold. His face was still apathetic. Pueya moved him to the desk. Firynei had gotten to her feet and bowed gracefully. She felt stiff as she did so and embarrassed, even though she knew that he could not see her.

“Master says you may sit Fanu,” Pueya said taking his place beside the master.

Firynei righted her posture and sat down. She took a deep breath before speaking, “Fanu Fi, wishes to be delightful to you master.”

The man tilted his head toward her. She hoped she didn't do something wrong, but before she could backtrack Pueya spoke, “Master is pleased with your progression.”

She felt relief and glanced at Wrel. The woman gave her an approving look before moving closer to stand by her again. She felt at ease to have the woman close at her side. She took a seat in the leather chair. The same chair from before. He had kept the chair even though she had sat in it.

“Master states that the wedding date has been decided on. It will take place at the end of the week. As you are a Fanu the wedding will be held at night,” Pueya explained to them right away without preamble.

Firynei thought it would be at the end of the month but things were progressing faster since the Women of Seulnine forced a meeting so soon. Firynei sighed inwardly as her thoughts went to her mother. She would see her again... hopefully.

“Seulnine is an observer of the Law of Concubines?” Wrel asked suddenly. Firynei glanced over to the woman that normally kept a bored expression. Her expression was neither surprise or anger, but something else Firynei could not figure out.

“Of course, Seukine is a follower of the Laws. Are you bothered by this Pristine Sa?” Pueya asked with clear irritation in his voice.

“I would not dare. The master's will should be followed. A night wedding will be more than suitable for a new Fanu.” Wrel voice was normal but Firynei could sense the mocking tone hidden in her words.

“Master states that a midnight wedding is more suitable for Fanu Fi as she needs to be hidden rather than displayed so readily. General Lashir is devious and will more than likely bring trouble to Fanu Fi. Thus, to retain our and her dignity we must be attentive.” Pueya said before looking at the Estate Master.

“Master you need not explain yourself to her, ” he said suddenly.

“Yes, I understand. General Lashir is a rat, sneaking around in the shadows.” Wrel ignored Pueya and continued, “I understand now that it is not obedience to a long-dead law but safety for Fanu Fi.”

Wrel turned her attention to Firynei with a look of pity but did not say anything else. Firynei did not grasp the reason for the pity displayed, she only understood that it was dangerous for her to be wed in the morning due to Ghain'dea.

As they spoke, mostly to Wrel now, Firynei glanced at the Estate Master. Again, she was caught by his appearance. An ethereal beauty that was haunting and strange but alluring all the same. His unchanging expression was what scared her the most. Unlike Wrel the master's face was stoic at all times. The woman at least displayed some emotion.

She knew the man had emotions but to control them so well was disconcerting. Ghain’dea’s maliciousness was always on display yet, her new master was an enigma. Nothing seemed like it could force an expression out of him.

She never could tell what he was thinking about and that worried her. Sometimes she even tried to imagine what any expression would look like on his androgynous face. As she was ending her contemplation, the man turned his head toward her. Embarrassment and fear settled heavily in her chest leaving her flustered. Again, she felt like he was seeing into her heart. Looking upon the dirty things she had to do as an unclean Danu or even the terrible thing she was tasked with by her former master.

“Fanu Fi,” Pueya called her name and she jolted upward in her chair. Her posture slipping as she did.

“Yes!” she said a little too enthusiastically and pitched a too high.

“Master wishes to speak to you alone,” he said to her even as she looked to the Estate Master with worry. She could not fathom why he would waste his precious time on her.

Fear was an understatement after hearing the request. She was terrified as she slowly stood up from her seat. She unsteadily found her feet and moved to the next room Pueya motioned her to go as he moved the Estate Master there too. She was instructed to sit at a small table and then the Rini moved the master to the other side of the table. She could reach across and touch him if she wanted to. She had hoped she could stay far away from him since the indecent incident.

Pueya then gave her a deep curt nod and a sweeping bow to the Estate Master after he settled them both. Wrel gave her an encouraging smile before leaving with the Rini.

The silence would be deafening if not for the fountain in the room. Seeing him up close again only reminded her of how captivating he was, unnaturally so. The dark-haired man moved first. He took the glass teapot on the table and poured a cup expertly. Placing it down effortlessly, he then pushed the cup toward her.

“Th-thank you,” she felt her voice was lacking in control as she tried her best to sound normal. She was already failing to remain calm. She took the cup with trembling hands and took the tiniest sip from it. It was lukewarm and not very sweet, yet somehow it made her relax.

They sat in silence again except for the trickling water. Firynei stared down at the table and felt the man’s attention entirely on her. It felt like a thousand eyes all focused on her. She almost spoke but decided that she was not articulate enough, nor did she know what she would ask the man before her. She inevitably gave up and remained silent.

Very slowly and with grace, the man held his hand out to her. His hands were littered with countless scars from battles long ago. Firynei had never noticed how abused his hands were. The pale lithe hand reached out with elegant digits that awaited her hand. Compared to her, she was clunky and clumsy. She had never moved so purposefully and gracefully in her life.

She wavered and pondered if he really did not mind touching her. She had dirtied him once before. He could not possibly want to lay hands on her for a second time. Still, he waited for her, never making an impatient gesture. She did not want to hold his hand. The feelings of worthlessness flooded her. She felt like she was insulting if she touched him. Even if he was holding his hand out to her. It did not feel right to her. She felt dirty, even after everything that happened, she still felt disgusting.

A soft sigh escaped the man before he reached forward and found her hand. She almost pulled back, but his grip was firm. Holding his hand now made her realize that even if he looked delicate, his hands were still much larger than hers.

*Must you be so difficult?*

Firynei was surprised as the words entered her mind. There was no voice but the thought in her mind was not her own. It was like a silent voice she understood.

“I- I am sorry. Fanu Fi does not wish to disrespect you,” she felt her voice pitch much higher than it should and she felt flustered as she heard her voice.

*Have you not been purified of your uncleanliness?*

“B-but I-I am… I was an unclean Danu. How could cleansing ever make me acceptable to you? I have wronged you in a way that can never be fixed.”

*That is true and yet I still hold my hand out to you. Why is that?*

“I-I do not know,” Firynei said wholly stumped by his words.

*You have bathed in the Kren of this land. Holy springs that can wipe away even the blemishes unseen by us. You are clean Fanu Fi. If you were not would I bother to touch you at all?*

“N-no, I supposed not.”

*Now listen to these words.*

Firynei agreed and waited patiently for his words to reach her. Her heart had calmed down now that she was not so worried about her cleanliness.

*I only ask of you to be mindful of those around you. My Seukine’s reputation is one that means much more than any person and now it rests upon your shoulders as it does everyone who serves here. Your action will be watched by all as you have been given a rank held by no one. Any mistakes will bring reproach on Seukine. You cannot continue to be weak much longer.*

The words that were given to her held pressure behind them that sent chills down her spine. It was a warning to her that she had very little time to practice being a proper lady. To be a woman of Seukine would take much longer than she had, but she had to try because if not she would ruin what was important to her master.

She did not want her lack of courage and strength to be what was used to offend the Estate Master. If she could become a true Fanu, she wondered if she could save her mother. Would the master before her give her protection from the dreadful man that was Ghain’dea? Yet how could she accomplish that when that man held her mother’s life in his hands. Even if she was to be brought as a dowry, Ghain’dea had horrifying methods to use against her. So, she had no choice but to wonder if seeking the Estate Master’s protection was worth the risk.

“Yes master,” she finally acknowledged his words.

*You belong to me now. Do not disappoint me Firynei become a suitable Fanu.*

The words seem softer now and held no ominous pressure. It was just a statement to her. Firynei agreed to do what was asked of her. She would try even if she knew the path already laid out for her. There was no escape from Asila. She only had one path to follow. How could she ever find another one?

She would become a proper Fanu up until the point she finally performed the task given to her. She had prepared herself to die long ago, but now the reason to stop was the reason to push forward.