Desert Djinn (Closed for Apollo Wilde and LucianDevine)

Lucian remained silent as he stroked Anat's cheek. He didn't try to take his hand away from her when she caught it. A small smile came to his face when he saw her press the soft kiss to his fingertips. He knew that words were hard for her in situations like this. So he didn't try to push her for more. As she made to curl up beside him, he rolled to his back so that she could curl up to his side, and so that he could hold her close as sleep claimed them once more.

When Lucian woke up in the morning he couldn't honestly say that he was surprised to find that Anat was not still lying beside him. Simply put, it was just not her way. She was strong and proud, and would always be her own woman. Despite that though, he couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride, both in what they'd shared together, and the fact that he'd been able to pull that part of herself out.

Lucian had just gotten up, and was in the process of tying his loin cloth when Anat pushed back the flaps of the tent and stepped inside. He let a small smile come to his face as he bowed his head slightly, offering up that small token of respect to her, even though he had a feeling that it probably wasn't necessary, not when they were alone anyway.

"Honorable Anat..." Lucian said softly after he raised his gaze to meet hers once more. He still didn't want to push the boundaries any more than he already had. So he remained still after his words, content to let her make the first move whenever she was ready to do so.

When he straightened up, he would be greeted by a slightly smug smile on her face. Absent of the cruelty that marked the expression when she first claimed him, it could now be seen as endearingly playful. There was an added sparkle in her eye that was new - something that had not existed before him, even in the comfort of other women. Yes, the events from last night had utterly and irrevocably changed her.

“Well, well. It looks like someone has finally learned his place.” She gently placed a finger under his chin, bringing his gaze to her eyes directly. It wouldn’t be too difficult- after all, he was taller than her. The other hand reached down, flicked at his loincloth. “I am most pleased with your progress, Lucian.” She leaned in, latched her lips to his. The kiss started deep, and with a gentle pressure, she deepened it, leaving the two of them slightly gasping by the time she broke it. With a small smile, she leaned in again, gave him a soft kiss, a soft seal.

“You may speak freely here, if you have not gathered that by now,” and her tone was playful, even if her expression remained on that borderline smug. She wouldn’t openly speak of what lay ahead of her at dusk - for her, it was bad luck. It would be inviting all of the fears that she worked to master - not to ignore, but to master. Fear was a very real thing...but she had more of a drive to stay alive than she’d felt before. And the realization was...exhilarating. Pressing her forehead to his, she grasped the sides of his face in her hands, her lips tantalizing close again. “Thank you,” she whispered.

When Lucian saw Anat's face, he couldn't help but smile at the slightly smug mile on her face. There was more than just the smile though. The look in her eye also caught his interest. The two made it almost hard to remember the Anat that he'd first met.

“Well, well. It looks like someone has finally learned his place. I am most pleased with your progress, Lucian.”

Though her words said one thing, the tone of Anat's voice said another, and it was that subtle undertone that broadened Lucian's smile. If there were any lingering doubts in his mind about the change in Anat, the kiss that she pressed to his lips would have certainly swept them away. It started out deep, a far cry from the kiss they'd first shared. It eventually lightened, but was no less passionate. The power of that kiss was evident when she pulled away, because both of them were slightly breathless.

Though he wasn't sure when it happened, it was during the final tender kiss that Anat pressed to his lips that Lucian realized that his hands rested on her hips as they shared their intimate embrace.

“You may speak freely here, if you have not gathered that by now. Thank you.”

"Yes, I know Anat..." Lucian started as his blue eyes held her gaze. "I did and said that so that I could see you smile."

Lucian found it hard to control himself in those moments, with Anat's hands holding her face as she pressed her forehead against his. Their lips were so close together that he could literally feel her breath upon his skin.

"If you keep this up Anat..." Lucian whispered softly, inching his lips that much closer to hers. "I might have to utilize my right and claim you one last time before you return victorious with the right to do the same..."

Though his words spoke of a certain boldness, and his body was certainly responding to his embrace with Anat, Lucian didn't push just then. No, he wanted to know full and well that she would be with him if he tried before dared to do anything. For it was a new morning after all, and they were far from guaranteed privacy, especially now.

Her dark eyes sparkled, and she trailed her fingertips tantalizingly over his lips. Words leapt to her tongue, but she quelled them. She wasn’t sure if they were the right ones - playing coy wasn’t something that she excelled at. Nor did it feel that it would be...natural for her. So she let her eyes speak for her, before she removed her fingers. Kissing him softly, she let her hands trail down his sides, her fingers tangling in his.

“Our time is short,” she said simply, and gave him a soft caress. “We shall eat, and then I will leave you with Lelia during the fight.” Her tone wasn’t short enough to be called “clipped”, but short enough to let him know that any additional questions wouldn’t be answered at that time. Could be nerves, could be the natural mantle of leadership that gave her such ability. Who could tell?

Leading him out of the tent, the main path through the village was already coming to life. Rather than tending to their usual duties, the children were out, sitting outside of their respective tents, playing with one another, or simply watching as life went on. Dressed in a sheer white linen robe loosely belted with an indigo belt, Anat moved easily between the women, their men, the children. All were respectful to her - a respect, he should notice, that extended to him. If he had felt perhaps unfairly judged before, there was none of that distain now. Acceptance, maybe even reverence from the other men, and cheeky grins from the women. Whatever had transpired the night before, though intimately held between the two of them, seemed to be infectious in the air.

It hardly seemed that Anat could be potentially walking to her death.

Anat didn't speak for several long moments after his words, but Lucian didn't mind it just then. The look in her eyes, the brightness that he saw there was more than enough for him. Despite that though, he kept still, enjoying the soft feel of her fingers trailing tantalizingly over his lips, another bit of playfulness that was new to Anat.

The kiss, when it came, was infinitely soft and tender, especially when it was combined with the feel of her hands sliding slowly down his body before finally entwining with his.

Anat was the first of the two of them to speak when their lips finally parted. Her words weren't harsh, but they made it clear that if anybody was going to be claiming anything, it would be her claiming him...if she survived her fight.

Though the camp was still waking up as the pair left Anat's tent and headed for Lelia's, the atmosphere that enveloped the camp was both evident and different. The children were playing as children should, instead of tending to their normal duties and chores.

The most notable difference though, was in the men and women that the two of them passed. Everybody naturally moved aside for Anat, but Lucian noticed that the look and show of respect didn't change when their gaze shifted to him. Though their women were as lean and lithe like Anat, though not quite at her level, there was a hint of jealousy in their eyes. The look in the women's eyes though, was completely different. Where they might have ignored him or looked upon him with disdain before, now they all had coy smiles, leaving no doubt in Lucian's mind that every adult they passed was well aware of what had transpired between the two of them.

That thought might have embarrassed Lucian, if not for the event that was scheduled for today. As confident as he was that Anat would win, he couldn't help but think about the other possible result, especially knowing that he wouldn't be there to help her like she'd helped him...

The morning feast went nearly the same as always - the light conversation of women, punctuated with laughter, occasional scolding of children. The soft drone of the men as they served, tended the children, nestled beside their women. How different the world may seem to Lucian now! From the original image of fearsome, loveless women to now this, a scene as sweet and as domestic as any other culture, if not moreso. Lelia, spotting them, waved them over eagerly, her various gold adornments jostled by her motions. Anat allowed the woman a wan smile, and gently tugging on Lucian’s hand, guided them over to her.

“Morning, Honorable Anat,” Lelia cooed, scooting her ample body over and patting the cushion next to her. Her kids, mingling with the others around the table, swarmed Lucian, the youngest barely tall enough to hang onto his knees, but trying her best. She’d grown since he’d been with Anat; after all, the first time he saw her, she was barely crawling. And now she was walking - barely-, and clinging to him for balance as she straightened herself out, beaming up at him with a slobbery, gap-toothed smile. “LU,” she lisped, hugging him and burying her face against his knees. The other children he’d be familiar with, as they often watched the horses with him. Never two at the same time, but enough so that they were familiar enough with him and with his role in the tribe. With Lelia as a mother, it’d be foolhardy to expect them not to know anything. Lelia’s children were the first to attempt to break the ice with him as he tended the horses, starting with shy questions, before growing comfortable enough to consider him as something like an elder brother.

The children gave Anat a respectful distance, but it wasn’t hard to see that they were eager to greet her as well. So, for the time being, they would lavish affection on Lucian. After all, he was the first male that Anat had brought for herself, and like the rest of the tribe, they considered it a big deal. Amused, Anat stood by, watching the children swarm over Lucian. If they intended him harm, she’d step in, but it was clear that their ambush was one of sheer affection.

“I think they like you,” she said dryly, as she sat down gracefully beside Lelia. Lelia’s men looked from one women to the next. One with dark hair and dark eyes took a breath, started to form a question, and Lelia raised her hand. “No need for that. Lucian’s fine, isn’t he? Aren’t you, Lucian?”

“LU,” demanded the baby again, this time lifting up her arms for him to pick her up. Nabik and Akeni, two of Lelia’s boys, chattered away at him, asking him any and everything about well, any and everything.

“He’s fine, Honorable Anat. Although, I suppose, at this time, I should ask when you plan on starting your own brood. I get the impression that you’ve already started using him for breeding!” The smile on Lelia’s face was exaggeratedly lewd - and while she may have used her “merchant” terms, it was clear that she didn’t think of Lucian as just a man to be bred. Not at this point. Not with the way the two interacted with each other. But, she wasn’t above a little harmless teasing.

Anat, her face flushing ever so slightly, cleared her throat and turned a withering glare to Lelia. “Hush your foolishness,” but her tone wasn’t hostile at all. Sitting among Lelia and her brood, watching the children, watching Lucian….it all sat heavily on her. While she would do her best to emerge triumphant in the next battle, she knew, as well as any true warrior, that just because she felt that way was no promise that she would make it. And for the first time in a long time, the cold snarl of fear wrapped about her stomach. She didn’t want to lose this life…nor the people that she had in it. Watching Lucian with the children, she barely tasted her food as she went through the motions of eating, knowing that Lelia was doing her best to lift her spirits.
_____________

As the meal drew to a close, Anat had slipped away to prepare herself, Lelia doing her the favor of keeping Lucian busy with the children. She couldn’t run the risk of having Lucian chase after her or get involved in the battle; that would be a dishonor that would mean his death, and a dishonor big enough to tarnish even Anat. But, they wouldn’t have to wait long until it was time. The sun had traced a lazy, high arc in the sky, and was now directly overhead. A hush fell over the feasting area, and Lelia looked to see what the cause was.

The Most Honorable Oya stood at the head of the rows of cushions, of tables. Generally, feasting took place inside, due to the harsh elements. Because of the circumstances of this day, the feast had moved outside for better record keeping of the movement of the sun. Though it may have seemed like an ordinary breakfast, the subtle differences that marked this one spoke volumes. There was a tension in the air, an electricity.

“It is noon. The battle will begin,” was all the matriarch said.

“Come on,” whispered Lelia to Lucian. “I’ll find you a place up front.”

____________

Anat was dressed in her full battle garb - a loose tan robe, the deep indigo head wrap of her people hiding her face. Only her dark eyes showed from the loops of fabric. And unlike her usual battle weaponry, she held two shining scimitars. No shield would protect her - it was rare for her to carry one to begin with, and in this battle, she could show no weakness. Only her speed and skill would save her here. The Nor stood across from her, boldly naked, armed with his heavy battle axe. He would seem at the initial disadvantage with only the one weapon, but his size (he towered over her) and sheer strength alone were enough to even out the battle. If it were hand to hand, she would be at the immediate disadvantage.

Most Honorable Oya stood before them, her hand lifted.

She dropped it.

And the two charged at each other.

Anat blocked the first blow, both arms raised overhead to block the downward swing. Through the mass of tribespeople, Lelia had kept her word, and gotten the two of them a position towards the front, but neatly tucked away in a corner. Anat’s arms trembled under the force of the blow, and the strain of her muscles showed clearly through her dark skin. She bowed, slowly, under the ongoing press of that axe, before her foot darted forward, hoping to knock the man off balance. True to his reputation as a Nor, he dodged it, but he did leap back, alleviating the pressure of the axe from Anat.