Neverwinter Forest [m] Thalassic

And perhaps some part of her was happier for it; how could she feel anything but relief? From a life of expectation and violence into something — simpler, benign, a sweeter poison than she'd ever known existed. Another part of her knew, still, that it was a poison. She would not have been here if she'd had another choice, not with him, not like this.

But truth be told there'd been no time to think of a choice at all. She didn't know where she would be if she wasn't here, with him; dead, maybe. There was no regret in her, if only because she saw no way to regret it. This was survival. It was what she'd been given, and she'd long since learned to be content with far less.

So she felt spoiled just then; maybe even loved, when he chose to spare her his full affections for now. Had any man ever been so gentle with her? She nibbled at his cheek and made a vague sound of agreement, then closed her eyes. She was lucky, surely. Surely.