He might be slim, but he was taller, and heavier than she...and she had a sense...she was meant for this one.
Why do I have such a fear of a larger man?
I have good reason for alarm with this one! Look at the position I am in...where I am!
****
Loni could not believe how lucky he was. Up close, she was so beautiful!
She could easily fit comfortably beneath his arm, no more than five foot two, a good foot shorter than he. If he didn't know better, he would have believed this was his sister...if he'd had one, or his mother. The resemblance was uncanny.
Her skin was a rosy pink-white. She was petite, but so thin, her ribs were showing. The nipples of her tiny, perfect bosom stood out, extended, as the cold brushed against them; they were delicate, tiny rounds, firm. He felt the need to cup them, gently, and warm them.
Loni's eyes travelled down, but he steeled himself. He would not subject her to the indignant act of studying her belly. The limbs were sturdy, but shapely; the hips, unlike those of a boy, were curvy; the waist narrow, and small. He knew, his hands would almost fit around it.
Embarrassed by the feelings aroused within him, Loni quickly sought her face. On the crown of her head, the hair was gold-white, short and curly. The lips were bow-like; nose narrow, short, like the pictures he'd seen of cupid. But, the eyes drew his shocked attention: blue irises...the pupils...so tiny.
Loni pulled in a breath, realizing...she was physically blind. His heart broke in anguish.
What have they done to you, little one? I will NEVER let them harm you again!
****
The door at the back of the room opened, turning all eyes toward it. In walked an imposing figure. This new personage appeared to be of great importance, perhaps a judge or commander.
All the men in the room immediately came to rigid attention.
The commander moved to a podium, that had been placed at his end. He beckoned for the white-skinned man to come forward before him.
As this one obeyed, the two guards, from the entryway at the back, moved rapidly to Gemma's side. Forcefully, they each caught an arm, pulling her forward before the pedestal, to stand beside the light skinned man.
Her hands were roughly pulled behind her back, and a thin wire rapidly wound about her wrists, binding them together. At first, Gemma tried to struggle against this, but she quickly realized, the wire cut in deeper the more she resisted.
Beside her, the male turned toward what was happening, his face mirroring objection to the rough treatment, but he seemed to think better of interfering, and quickly masked his feelings.
Side by side they stood, the one buff naked; the other fully clothed in a one-piece jumpsuit of blue. Gemma wondered if the stark contrast was meant to symbolize her position where this man was concerned.
Her companion was turned, by one of the guards, until his back was against her own. His hands were then bound to hers, with a silken rope-cord of red.
Gemma tensed as they touched, clenching her fists, resisting with all her being, trying to keep any unbidden images at bay. Surprisingly, there was no assault.
The judge-like overseer spoke.
"You are now bound together. Unless another succeeds in taking her from you, she is yours as mate."
"He cannot read your lips, unless he looks directly at you," interrupted the guard behind them, and he abruptly turned the white-skinned man to face the judge.
The words were repeated.
"Do you understand?"
The man addressed, nodded. The guard undid both their bonds, and the participants were returned to their perspective places opposite each other.
Next Lydia and the short, stocky younger man were put through the same procedure. There was only one difference to the ceremony.
When the words joining them were spoken, the young man was not asked if he understood.
The judge vacated the room; the two guards also left, leaving the exit door wide open behind them.
It was obvious, all were free to go, but...
What happens now?
****
For a minute, Loni and Da just stood there. It had all happened so fast.
Loni read excitement, and confusion in Da's thoughts.
What do I do?
Take her home!
Obediently, Da stepped forward, took the taller girl by the hand, and led her toward the door. As he did so, the older woman, as if anticipating that she was to go with Loni, quickly backed against the wall in fear, inched slowly, as far away from Loni as she was able.
He was fully aware of her alarm, so Loni took on a relaxed stance, waiting, long after Da and his new companion had vanished. The two stood there, eyeing each other, one with apprehension; the other patiently.
The girl trembled visibly. Loni did his best to project the calm exterior that would ease her, but it was hard to maintain. He was both excited, and anxious, himself.
So, he reached into her feelings, to study the woman before him.
Why does she appear so weak and vulnerable?
She was shaking not just from fear...she was exhausted, and...
Starving? Haven't they fed her?
What has been done to her, that she is like this?
Before she could flee, he quickly stepped forward to catch her hand, but he was distracted by a small bluish patch on her left wrist; the upper inner corner was scarred where an IV site had been infected.
As he touched it, his stomach turned with the sudden connection, and, shocked by what he saw, he immediately broke the contact. But he had seen enough: past excruciating agony; pain overwhelming, over periods of time, not just once, but numerous torments.
It made him boil with anger; appalled that this
