by Robin Roseau
Cecilia stepped forward and said simply, “We will share her.”
Then Kalorain grinned. She turned me back to her and looked into my eyes. “But tonight,” she said. “You are mine, and only mine. You are mine tonight, and for the next weeks and months to come. To my Galatzi prize!”
The crowd cheered, and they were still cheering when she swished the rains, and Ristassa pranced forward.
The crowd parted. From behind us, several of the horsewomen rode around us and through the gap, leading the way, the rest to follow.
* * * *
We drove through the streets of Sudden, taking quite a circuitous route to my new home. We drove through the streets, stopping here and there for Kalorain to show off her new prize. I sat beside her. I had stopped crying. I wouldn’t say I was numb. I was overcome.
This woman was now my wife. I had met her only once before, briefly, and now she was my wife.
That thought should have been shocking, but while overcome with emotions, they were all deep and warm and lovely. I watched her as we rode. She glanced at me from time to time, and I wondered what she must be thinking. But she smiled, and I thought perhaps she was as happy as I was.
How could that be possible?
Eventually we arrived in front of the home of the vendart. The entire household was turned out, as were people from the surrounding streets. I thought some were familiar faces, hurrying ahead to catch another glimpse of us.
The horsewomen jumped from their steeds, passing them off to others. They descended upon the cabriolet, pulling me from it. Then Kalorain was there, too, supporting my head and staring into my eyes as the rest helped to carry me to the steps. They set me on my feet, immediately before Baardorid and Valtine, the remainder of their extended family clustered behind them.
Kalorain supported me on my left, and then Chaladine was there on my right. Together, they pushed back my hood, and then they pushed back their own.
“Baardorid,” said Kalorain. “Your Galatzi daughter returns.” She spoke carefully.
“I see this,” he said.
“And I bring my own Galatzi prize,” Kalorain continued. “This woman is Maddalyn Herschel, once of a distant place, far, far from here, called Frantzland.”
“So far,” Baardorid said, “this world amongst the stars.”
“This is now Maddalyn of Sudden,” Kalorain said. “She is my Galatzi prisoner, and she will be my Galatzi wife.”
Of course, people applauded. Baardorid and Valtine both smiled broadly. Then it was Valtine who stepped closer, and when she spoke, it was in careful English. “Do you understand, Maddalyn?” I nodded. “And do you agree?” I nodded again. “Very good.” She raised her voice. “This man is Baardorid, your vendart. I am the Vendart’s Wife, and beside you is the Vendart’s Daughter.” I again I nodded. “Be welcome, Maddalyn of Sudden.”
The crowd cheered, and then I was tipped backwards and picked up again. I thought they were taking me inside, but instead, we circled the area before the house before heading away, two doors down. Someone stepped ahead and opened the door. They carried me in and to the bedroom, where they set me on my feet. They held me until Kalorain stood before me, her steadying hands on my shoulders. And then, laughing loudly, they exited the house. I heard the front door close, and then the noise faded.
Kalorain looked at each other. I wondered what was to happen now. She smiled before slowly moving her hands from my shoulders to the knot at the back of my head. She released it slowly then withdrew the gag and the second cloth from my mouth.
“Kalorain,” I whispered.
She brushed fingers across my cheeks then stepped closer to kiss just the corner of my mouth. “How well do you know my words?”
“Speak in simple forms,” I said. “And very carefully.”
She nodded and stepped back slightly. “I must know for myself,” she said. “Are you truly here willingly?”
“Yes.”
“You were not expecting me.”
“No,” I said. “But I know your mother, and I can see your mother in you. I know Chaladine, and she would not make a poor choice.”
“We have weeks and months to learn of each other.” I nodded at that, and she caressed my cheek. “We will savor the process.”
“I’d like that,” I said.
“Do you know all the traditions?”
“I doubt it.”
She laughed. “I must know for myself, then. This can go different ways. You came to me willingly. You didn’t run. You didn’t fight. But you didn’t know who I was.”
“I came to you willingly,” I said. “And I would do so again. You are beautiful. And you are kind. I think you are smart. We are both young, so wisdom will come.”
She smiled. “I think so, yes. The ropes are a symbol.”
“But they are more than a symbol.”
“Yes. This is an old tradition.”
“Not all Galatzi trades wished to be taken.”
“No,” she said.
“I am where I wish to be,” I said.
“Will you obey me?”
“Yes,” I said. “Kalorain, what do you fear?”
She paused. Finally she said, “It is not fear. It is…” she took a moment. “Concern. I wish to make the right choices.”
“I have seen Cecilia and Sartine,” I said. “I have seen how they treat each other. Cecilia is not shy to say what she believes. Do you wish me to be shy?”
“No.”
“Then we will make choices together.”
She nodded. “But you will obey.”
I laughed. “Yes. I will obey, my Galatzi wife.”
“Good,” she said. “But you are mistaken. I am not your Galatzi wife. Nor, yet, are you mine.”
“But…”
“Once you become my Galatzi wife, I am simply your wife. You are the Galatzi wife.”
“Oh. I understand. But I am your Galatzi wife now.”
“No. Not quite yet.” Her eyes flicked to the bed, and I understood.
I laughed. “So perhaps by morning? Or do I not understand.”
“I believe you do,” she said. “I want you, Maddalyn.”
“Then you should take what you want, but if I am not your Galatzi wife, what am I?”
“For now, you are my Galatzi prisoner. Are you sure, Maddalyn?”
“Yes.”
“Love takes time.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “You are still with concern.”
“I have been tied as you are. I remember how it felt,” she said. “And now I feel it from this side. Maddalyn, we are unique. Do you understand?”
“Only one. How are we unique?”
“I am a Galatzi prize, my mother’s daughter, taken from Beacon Hill. You are a Galatzi prize, a Star Woman. I have never heard of Galatzi and Galatzi. Perhaps I am your Galatzi wife after all.”
“Do the words matter?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “But in this, we are unique.”
“Perhaps,” I said. “And it will be a good conversation. Is this the only way?”
“No,” she said. “You are only the second Star Woman to be a Galatzi prize, and the first for Sudden. Cecilia Grace was taken away from us, but you are given to us.”
“That must be a lot for you to understand,” I said.
“Yes,” she said. She smiled. “Your Talmonese is better than I was told.”
“I use easy words,” I said. “And you are being careful.”
She smiled and caressed my cheek. I looked into her eyes and then asked, “This is new for you. Events move quickly. You are unsure.”
“No!” she said. “I am entirely sure. But…” She paused. “You met my sister and her wife.”
“Yes.”
“We both wanted Farratain, and in the end, Mother and Chaladine chose her for Darratine. I came here.”
“Were you disappointed?”
“Partly. Farratain is sweet and lovely. But we both wished to come here, too.”
> “Ah, so it was two good paths.”
“Yes,” she said. “Chaladine promised I would meet the governor.”
I began laughing. “And now you find yourself married to a Star Woman.”
“Yes,” she said.
“Okay. I thought this was a big step for me. But maybe bigger step for you. Big step for both.”
“Big step for both,” she agreed.
“Kalorain, right now, two things matter. Do you want me here?”
“Yes!” she said.
“Do you want me to be your Galatzi wife?”
“Yes.”
“That is first thing. Here is second thing. I do not want to be here.” Her face fell immediately, but I turned and looked on the bed. “I want to be there.” I turned back. “Do you understand?”
She didn’t answer with words. Instead she grinned and surprised me.
She gave me a mighty, mighty push.
I was entirely helpless and fell back onto the bed. Laughing, she followed after me then pulled me further up onto the bed. I began laughing with her. She pulled me into her arms and held me. “This is better,” she said.
“And it will be better still if we wear less clothing,” I said. “Or must you make me your wife while I am clad head to toe?”
She caressed my face, not answering right away. We stared into each other’s eyes. Then, slowly, she lowered herself.
Our first kiss was soft and tentative, but sweet and lovely. Then she withdrew, and I opened my eyes to look into hers again.
“Kalorain, am I to be your first lover?”
“No,” she said. “But I am not well experienced, either.” Again she caressed. “I had speeches planned.” I smiled. “I thought how I would teach you. I thought I would simply decide, and that is how it would be.”
“Yes,” I told her.
She laughed. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Did you think about making me your wife with me like this?”
“Not exactly like this,” she said. “Somehow I used magic to remove all your clothing.”
“I know of no such magic,” I said, “except one.”
“Imperial magic?”
“Not at all. You must simply remind me I must obey, and they you may do whatever you wish.”
She laughed again then sat up. She removed her sash and outer clothing. I watched. Then she glanced at me. I watched as she removed nearly everything before pulling the sash back on. I smiled at that.
“The sash is very important,” she said, fingering it so I knew what she meant.
“It is,” I agreed.
“You will obey me.”
“Yes.”
She helped me to sit and removed the cloak. I lay back down while she freed my legs. Then it was my hands, and the harness.
I let her remove the clothes. I let her remove them all. And then I sat still as she tied me again, my wrists first, then the harness, and then my hands over my head. She tied my legs as well, then knelt beside me, studying my bound body, smiling.
“Much better,” I whispered.
“No one ever talks about that part,” she said. “I do not know what others do.” Then she lay down and began to stroke me. I closed my eyes and smiled.
“This is nice, Kalorain,” I said.
“I think so, too.”
We didn’t talk after that, except for a word now and then. She stroked and teased. We kissed a lot. She slowly helped our passion rise, hers and mine both.
Then she worked her way down my body to untie my legs. I lay still as she did so, but I opened my eyes and watched her.
She was lovely and gentle, so lovely and so gentle.
Then she turned her head, catching me watching her. She smiled before kissing her way back up my body. She lingered at my breasts, and I closed my eyes and squirmed.
Her hand drifted down. She found me. She cupped me. I squirmed under her touch.
“Look at me,” she whispered. I opened my eyes. “Wife,” she said. “Say it.”
“Wife.” She slipped two fingers into me. “Wife!” I said more firmly.
She smiled. “My Galatzi wife,” she whispered.
She stroked. “Yes!” I agreed. “Yes!”
“Kalorain,” she said. “Say it.”
“Kalorain,” I whispered.
“Wife,” she ordered. And I said that. Then, “Obey.” And “Pleasure.” She went through words, wife most commonly. I said each one as she brought my pleasure to a peak.
Then she held me there. “You will now say: Kalorain, I am your obedient Galatzi wife.” I repeated it, and then, over and over until I screamed out her name.
Together
That night, she took her pleasure the way she desired, then tied me a new way before pulling the covers over us both, holding me to her. She murmured at me, but I was entirely spent, and it was too hard to think anymore. She kissed my head and said, “Maddalyn.” I nodded. “Happy?”
“Yes,” I said.
She spoke for a while longer. I let her words waft over me, but I lay, warm in her arms, and slowly her words grew fainter.
And then we slept.
* * * *
When I woke, I was on my side. Kalorain was already awake and watching me. “Good morning,” she said gently.
“Good morning, my wife,” I replied. I smiled broadly. “I think I like those two words.”
“Good,” she replied. “There are rules.”
“What rules?”
“You will never lie to me.”
“Never, unless you ask me to spoil a surprise.”
She laughed. “I agree to that. You will speak only Talmonese. No star words.” I nodded, unsure how well I would do. “There are things you should know.”
“What things?”
“Many things. For now: Baardorid and Valtine adopted me. We should live in their home.”
“We are here. Just for today?”
“No. You must speak only Talmonese. You must hear only Talmonese. Understand?”
“And they are learning English. I am sorry.”
She covered my lips. “I have my own Star Woman. This is now our house. In a normal Galatzi trade, I would bring you home, and you would live with not only me, but my family.”
“But we are here.”
“And this is not enough for you to learn Talmonese. I will learn what words you know and will grow accustomed. Do you understand?”
“Yes. Is there a solution?”
“Yes. You promised to obey.”
“Yes.”
“If you had run, or if you had fought, then I would keep you as a prisoner.”
“I am your Galatzi wife.”
“You would be my Galatzi wife and prisoner,” she said. “Because you did not run, and because you promise to obey, I can make choices.”
“Ah. Understand.”
“You will remain with me, beside me, day and night. But we will be citizens of Sudden.”
“And so I will hear more voices.”
“Yes. And you will learn our ways.”
“This is a good plan,” I said.
“This was the hardest part of the plan,” she said. “I didn’t want to make a new home. It is not the Talmon way to live this way.”
“I’m sorry.”
She covered my lips again, and I nodded.
“Do not be sorry,” she said. “We have a compromise. This is a guest home, when people come to visit Sudden.”
“Oh,” I said. “They will stay with us.”
“Yes, those who do not stay with the Vendart, but stay near. And we will host other events. We will attend no events in English, but many events in Talmonese.”
“I understand.”
“Sartine and Chaladine talked to me.”
“Oh?”
“Baardorid has forbid Talmonese in his home. They speak only English.”
I laughed. “And you make the opposite rule.”
“Sartine has made the same rule in her home. They broke the rule w
hen you were visiting.”
“Chaladine pretended to speak no English.”
“Chaladine speaks better English than anyone else, except maybe Sartine, Cecilia says.”
I laughed again. “She is a minx.” I used the word Chaladine once taught me.
“I agree,” Kalorain said. “There are other rules. You will dress only in the Talmon style. We have only your Talmon clothing here. And we will buy the other styles, the ones you do not have.”
“Yes,” I said.
“You will return to work only once you understand when I do not pick my words.”
“That could be a long time.”
She shook her head. “It will be a long time before I could speak poorly, and you would understand. But it will not be long before you grow comfortable. So says Cecilia.”
And so I nodded. “Are there more rules?”
“Yes. In the Vendart’s home, and in Sartine’s home, if you speak any words that are not English there is punishment.”
“Oh, no,” I said.
“If you speak any words that are not Talmonese,” she said. “You will be punished.” She outlined what would happen to me, assuring me this was the system Sartine had imposed. “Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“This rule will change later, but not for some time.”
“I understand.”
“We do not make these rules to be mean.”
“You are helping me. I understand.”
“Good.” She smiled. “I offer one warning. The rule is not relaxed if I am tickling you.”
I laughed.
“The rule is not relaxed if someone speaks English to you. You must reply in Talmonese.”
I considered carefully. “Will you try to fool me?”
“I considered it but decided that is not fair. This rule is not a game. It is to help you. If it were a game, then yes, I would fool you. We will play games, but not this one.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Then she stroked my arm, her hand coming to a rest on the knots around my wrists. “This is a game, too.”
“It is,” I whispered.
“Is it a game you have played in the past?”
“Yes.”
“I have not, but I have thought about it, especially the last few weeks.”
“And?”
“And… we will play this game often.”
“Good,” I whispered. “I like this game.”