Lion Head Mesa [m] signet

This time when she felt his eyes upon her, she did not hide away from them. She met them with her own - dark as obsidian, but shining and warm. This was her choice.
He honored her. He honored her work, which was of utmost importance to her; he saw this, he knew this, and he used it. Nazli did not see the darkness there, the knowledge he had gathered from her, or from Makono about her. She saw only what Sokha and Sayf had trained her to see: a benevolent ruler and god.
I choose this. The girl answers.
The lessons had prepared her. She knew all she could know without proper experience. As well as this, Nazli understood fully that he meant to show her kindness. In acting now, in sharing with him the pleasure that he sought, the act would not only please him but show her devotion to Akashingo, to her teachers, to him. It would prove she belonged here.
I give myself to you, in her voice was a strength of conviction taught to her by her many teachers.