Roxanne had never behaved like this before.
She was the daughter of the former chief of a neighboring village.
Her mate had won the right to claim her after a long, hard-fought battle against the other suitors who desired her.
All her life, she had lived like a piece of decoration, someone known more as the 'chief's wife' than as a person.
That was why, when Luke said he would treat her simply as Roxanne, she felt strangely elated.
Now, the two of them walked side by side under the pale moonlight. There was no destination in mind, only the quiet calm that surrounded them.
Just then, Luke said, "Hey, wear this. You might hurt yourself." As he spoke, he took off his sandals and placed them in front of her.
Roxanne chuckled. "Such a caring young man. Save those gestures for your future mate." Even so, she did not refuse the kindness and slipped her feet into the sandals.
They were warm and comfortable. Although a little big, she had no trouble walking in them.
