Vessia
Vio's tent looked more like a hut. A tall tree trunk stood in the center and held up the roof. Other smaller posts helped support the hide walls. There was plenty of space to walk upright inside without bending.
Furs covered one side of the tent to make a bed. On the other side sat a flat, shallow bowl filled with a finger-deep layer of water. Beside it lay a woman's hair comb.
"Do you know what that is?" Vio asked Vessia.
She shook her head.
He looked at her again, as if searching for something. "It's a looking bowl. You can brush your hair and see how pretty you are."
"Ah," she said. She sat down on the furs, in front of the looking bowl, but did not glance into it. "You want me to make myself beautiful before you sleep with me?"
He sat down on the furs too, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body.
"May I comb your hair?" he asked.
She gave him a cold look. The question seemed foolish. He had an entire army. If he wanted, he could do anything to her.
He raised one eyebrow, as if he knew what she was thinking. Then he picked up the comb and started to brush her long hair.
To her surprise, his touch was gentle. He moved the comb slowly through her hair, from her brow, to her neck, her shoulders, and down her back. His hands were warm. It felt soothing.
"You don't seem afraid to be in my bed," he said. "Does being close to a powerful man excite you?"
Vessia felt disgusted by the idea.
"I don't like you," she said. "Hertio gave me a hair comb too." But he had not combed her hair like this. Her body warmed under Vio's touch, a strange, deep warmth that felt stronger than magic. She did not say that out loud. "He told me to make myself beautiful before I came to his bed. I didn't want him to touch me, so I threw the comb at him. He said he could take me whether I agreed or not. But then your army came, and he forgot."
"Ah," said Vio. "So that's why Hertio was so eager to sacrifice you for 'friendship' with Danumoro. Poor Danu. Did he know what Hertio tried to do?"
"No. It would have upset him."
"You love Danu," Vio said. "You gave yourself up to save him. Why didn't you agree to marry him?"
"I did what I did because it was the right thing," she said. But she wanted to explain more. "I've never loved anyone."
"And no man has ever loved you?"
"Many said they did."
"I believe that," he said with a short laugh. "But none of them really saw you. So how could they love you?"
"And you can see me?" she asked, full of doubt.
"Only well enough to know I can't see you at all," he said. There was a sad sound in his voice. Was he lying again? It was hard to tell. People were confusing, especially when it came to feelings between men and women.
"I know you're not mine to own, Corn Maiden," he said more softly. "I didn't bring you here to force you."
She turned to face him. "Then why did you bring me here?"
He still held her hair in his hands. When she twisted to look at him, her hair wrapped around her like a rope. He didn't let go.
"I hoped it would not be force," he said quietly.
"Then you are a fool."
"Yes." He let her hair slip through his fingers. "Obviously."
He stood and turned away. His shame was so strong, even she could feel it. But she refused to feel sorry for him. What had he expected? That she would forget the cage just because he had brought her to his tent?
"May I go back to the cage now?" she asked.
"No. You will sleep on my furs tonight."
"You said—"
"You will sleep. I won't touch you."
"What's the point?"
Vio smiled. "I may be foolish with women, but I know men. The others will know you spent the night in my tent. They will think what they want and respect me more. And," he sighed, "they will leave you alone, even when I'm not there to protect you."
"Until you take me to the Bone Whistler and he kills me."
"One thing I've learned," Vio said, "is to eat when there is food, because there may be none later. Sleep when there is a bed, because hard days may come. So sleep now, pretty Corn Maiden. You never know what tomorrow may bring. Sleep as best you can."