The Warrior's Pet(17)

Giselle nodded. She didn't know if he was angry or just shocked, but he didn't move to strike her so that was positive.

"So pet you speak, have no dentium or cado," He tapped her back referring to her lack of a tail. "And you have warrior's ink." His hand moved to the rose tattoo on her shoulder. "What other surprises are you hiding?"

Perhaps it was the alcohol or the way the male spoke to her rather than just barking commands, but Giselle was unable to repress herself any longer. It was hard going from being a rather vocal person to being censored for the last several days.

"I'm naked! What can I possibly be hiding?" She replied as she looked down at herself.

The warrior's eyebrows rose again, and she realized her comment came out a bit more sarcastic than intended.

"Indeed" He said not sounding very amused. "So do you have a name?"

"Giselle" She replied, surprised he wasn't content with just calling her Pet.

"Greetings Jeezelle." The way her name rolled from his mouth made it sound exotic and she liked the rumbled moniker. "I am known as Kagan quo Rordan." He put his fist to his chest and tipped his head to her in greeting.

"Nice to meet you, Kaygin." Giselle said as she automatically stuck her hand out in traditional greeting.

He looked at her hand and shook his head in confusion.

"I'm sorry." Giselle snickered. "You shake it."

Remembering the adage about what a firm handshake meant, Giselle took his giant hand in her grip and gave it a shake while staring him in the eye. He looked down and studied her hand, it was so much smaller and paler than his.

"This is a rather familiar gesture for a greeting. Is this done when strangers meet or familiars?" The warrior asked still holding her hand.

It was such an odd question she'd never considered in her life. Giselle laughed as she realized all over again that she was on an alien world amidst a culture that was drastically different.

Kagan's brow quirked up at her in a sardonic expression she was starting to assume was a mix of chagrin and amusement.

"I'm sorry." Giselle shook her head. "I'm not laughing at you. It's just I've never had to think of such a thing. When you grow up with something you don't analyze it, it just is."

"I understand." Kagan said as his fingers gently felt the bones in her hand.

"You can tell I'm not from around here so all this is a bit overwhelming."

"You never expected to be a pet?" Kagan looked at her with a serious expression and again she started laughing.

"Never! Slavery on my planet is illegal." Giselle informed the male unable to repress her indignation.

"Ah so this must be very hard for you." Kagan replied in a matter-of-fact manner.

Giselle couldn't decide how to take Kagan's response. One of the Toufik entered the tent and took the empty plate then gestured at Kagan.

"Thank you." Kagan replied to the Toufik making a motion with his hands.

Giselle tipped her head at the consideration he showed the hairy Toufik. Vigdis would never have lowered himself in such a fashion. Kagan turned back to her.

"Cadi is different. We do have need for slaves. That is why we have the Toufik."

Giselle looked at him not knowing how to rectify the picture the man painted. Kagan seemed benign in temperament and yet he believed in keeping slaves.

"It was not always this way. I blame the war but it is what it is." He then looked at her. "Do not be concerned Jeezelle. You are far too rare and small to serve as a slave, so you were sold as a pet."

Giselle's head nearly spun from both the booze and Kagan's revelation. Kagan was remorseful and blase all in the same breath. She suddenly had little hope for her situation on the alien planet. Giselle had held on to the hope that she might find refuge with people who weren't cruel, but it seemed her status on this planet was cemented.

"Come it is time to bathe."

Kagan lifted her up so quick Giselle had no idea what was happening. He walked into an adjacent tent and then slowly lowered her into a tub.

Despite how good the hot water felt Giselle found she was downright angry.

"No! I am not some fucking Pomeranian." She burst thrashing her fists in the water. She refused to be someone's pet.

Two strong hands suddenly gripped her arms and Giselle looked up in surprise realizing she'd let her mouth run away with her. Kagan was not amused.

"You ARE a pet. You would not survive here otherwise. That IS how it IS." He stared her in the eye. "Now since I am already wet, we will both bathe. I will check your injuries then we will discuss your outburst."

Giselle's mouth stood open in shock. Kagan didn't sugar coat shit. It snapped Giselle out of her fit, reminding her how serious a situation she was in on this alien planet. Kagan had been kind compared to Vigdis but his people obviously didn't view her as an equal. It was hard for her to fathom. It wasn't like they were that dissimilar.