“Come on, girl! Your daddy said you were a hard worker but I have yet to see it!” His voice bellowed.
You had been dragged from a heavy slumber to the village outside and into the deep swamps. Natyn was a giant amongst most of the Yassal’s. You hadn’t realized that when he took you to your new home or when you were in the tree house before. But when he carried himself swiftly through the village, he made quite the impression even amongst his own people.
Despite his size, the man was quick and easy on his feet. You honestly had to keep up. In the daylight, you could really see him for what he was.
He was a cross between a man and an alligator. A heavy looking tail dragged behind him. He had several braided pieces in his hair which were braided into bigger pieces and formed neatly down his back. There was little flecks of auburn in his deep brunette hair which caught the sunlight. He was really quite handsome. You were delighted to see a Yassal in the full daylight. They were exquisite.
“I can feel you staring.” He glanced back, the sun catching the reflections in his eyes.
“You’re so amazing. Like you existing here before my eyes as something otherworldly.” You padded your way across the log and scratched at the weird flaking marks they had drawn on your skin.
“Thanks. The history of our people say we are descended from the gods directly. They continue to bless us to keep our powers even when our blood mingles.”
“That must be something else. You and your people are truly blessed.”
He smiled as he waited for you to cross. “We are worshipped by many.”
“As you should be.” You made it to the other side with ease. “Where are we going? What are we doing out here?”
“First off, you need a bath. Second off, we need food.”
“I’m bathing out here? I could have just done that in a washtub back at the village.”
He patted your shoulder. “It’s a different experience here. The water is cleaner.”
“It’s a swamp.” You were skeptical.
“All the better.” Natyn showed all his teeth with a grin before wading ankle deep into water, moving through bushes and debris as the ivy got thicker and thicker.
“What about the snakes?” You whispered, feeling like the swamp was starting to get darker and more secluded.
“Don’t worry about the predators.” A low rumble came in front of you from Natyn as the water slowly rose. “They got something bigger to be scared of.”
You were about neck deep into the water when the trees finally broke free into a clearer area. The water was a lot more clean from all the swamps natural foliage. It seemed to be pulled from a couple different waterways and back into the swamp from the way you came. There was some wildlife around like frogs but nothing too major or so it seemed.
Natyn pulled himself from the deep water and laid on the edge like he was sunning. “You may clean yourself now.” He tilted his head back and closed his eyes.
“I’m not doing it in front of you.” You barked, soaked from head to toe at this point.
He didn’t even more except for the corner of his mouth. “I’m not looking.”
You grumbled around for a bit before yanking the wet clothes they had given you off and on to the land. You viciously scrubbed your body with your hands, the once dry marks on your body now disappearing into the water. You scrubbed your scalp really well with your nails, trying to get as clean as you could. You glanced back behind you to see the big man with his eyes open and propped up on his elbows. “They should have sent a female Yassal. I wouldn’t be preyed upon then.” You turned to face the other way.
“It wouldn’t have been any better.” He called out. “They may like you too.”
“Oh, yeah?” You hummed. “So you like me?”
“I do.”
You heard him get into the water. You squinted your eyes and looked back to watch him slither closer. “You don’t know me.”
“I do a little bit. You could say I’m a little smitten with you.” He kept just his face above the water as he was crouched down.
“How so?” You crossed your arms over your chest and turned to face him a little bit more.
You watched his eyes travel your body before making eye contact again. “I helped with the offer your dad made. The Magic we have is invasive. We learn more than we want about the people involved. So I do know you even though you don’t know me. You’re very spunky. You fight your brother every step of the way and win. You do love your father but it hurts to think that he doesn’t love you as much he should. You inspire to be something. Something greater than that shithole could ever give you.”
You pursed your lips together for a moment. He seemed to slide just under the water enough to where his eyes stayed above. “I guess that’s correct.” You finally said, rubbing your thumb against your clean skin. “Will you tell me what was done differently than what was originally planned for my brother and I?”
“I cannot.” He stood up fully, towering above you. “It won’t make any difference. It didn’t happen.”
“I need to know what my father agreed on.”
“It will only hurt you.” Naytn murmured. “Can you not let it rest?”
“It will forever haunt me.”
He seemed conflicted. “I will tell you when you can handle it.”
“But I can handle knowing you’re deeply in love with me.”
You watched his grin slowly spread. “I never said that. I am smitten.”
You hummed again and turned your back to him. “Oh, I’m sure. Now get out of the water and close your eyes. I’m done.”
“Are you sure? I could clean any spot that needs extra help.”
