Lion Head Mesa the lotus step

the icewater of her eyes flared with brief understanding, before cooling again. becoming one with the winter.
the queen looked to tamar, who herself was looking smaller by the moment, as if she could hide among the collectibles along the walls or vanish in to shadow like jawahir.

at first satsu said nothing, but flicked her attention to both sihaya and sayyadina, an expression that told them to disperse. she would not have them spreading rumors of her answer.
when they had gone, she looked to ramesses.

i asked her if she knew men, yes. i ordered her to learn of men for me. to return and to... give me knowledge. her face grew warm despite her attempts to remain calm, composed.

i wished for this so that i could... i could understand, for myself, and for you. to please you. her jaw tightened. she felt her shoulders tense.