She gazed back into the drained bath and was drawn back into a remembrance of the evenings events, particularly her own aggression. She remembered his horns, how she'd caressed them. What must he think of her? Yet... they held a strange earthy appeal. Was that wrong of her to think so? She had to admit, after last night she found herself thinking of him in a distinctly new light. He had done things to her, made her feel things she did not know were possible. She sighed heavily resting her head on uplifted knees. She had much to consider.
The girls! She'd been so distracted she'd forgotten.
"Selfish girl," she chided, getting to her feet and ignoring the slight ache. They must be terrified by now. She still had the key so she could go talk to them, let them know everything was alright. She checked the hall, it was empty. She had a vague sense of where she was going, the direction and the general distance down the hall, but she wasn't entirely sure which door it was. Luckily it wasn't far and the second door she knocked on got a response when she hailed them.
"Hello?" A soft voice called from the other side. She unlocked the door and slid in, closing it carefully behind her.
"I can't stay long," she began looking around to check that they were all still there and all in more or less one piece. They were. "I came to tell you not to worry, that we won't be hurt, and certainly not killed or eaten." A few looked vaguely relieved, but most looked confused or suspicious.
"How do you know, asked the angry girl from before who'd been so certain they would die.
"I asked."
"And you believe them?"
"Yes. I think he only wants slaves."
"Who, that nasty man?"
"No the master, or... er, the giant."
"Slaves for what?" Asked another girl.
"Well, for the obvious reason..." she remembered they'd only seen him as a giant, "he can change his shape, you know. Become smaller if he wills it."
"Why young women though?" And this from the angry girl. Calliope had hoped that she'd at least figure that out on her own.
"Well," she started patiently, "he's male, we're female... don't any of your fathers have a young attractive slave around that you mother despises?" She saw the light go on in a few faces, but frowning confusion was still the norm. She sighed. "Sex, he wants sex."
The reaction was one of general horror, even the angry girl looked ashen. "I'd rather die, whispered one girl reverently.
"Really?" Calliope looked at her with open disbelief.
"Yes! Than be touched by that creature!"
"But... he's... he can be very pleasant." Now it was their turn to look incredulous.
"We thought you were dead." She turned and saw the doe eyed girl looking at her. "How did you get out?"
"I didn't. I mean I just stayed in the cave when you were taken back." Her eyes turned into plates.
"Alone! With the giant?"
"Yes. I..."
"What did he do?"
"Ah, well, ignored me, at first. But he was polite enough in answering my questions once I got his attention."
"And he said he wanted... you know?"
"No, he said he wouldn't kill us... the other things I figured out on my own." She had to admit she was hesitant to make any further admissions considering their initial reaction to the thought. Thankfully no one asked. No one said anything at all.
"It's not so bad... I imagine..." She muttered. This was not going to work she decided despondently. All he could do was give it a shot and see. One or two of them looked slightly less horrified than the others, they might be amenable, she thought.
God, what was she thinking? Was she so eager to throw them in his way? 'Better them than you then? She asked herself, more than a little disgusted. It wasn't her business helping him... though she did want to make it easier for the women if she could... what a disaster.
"I have to go," she sighed "please, don't worry, things aren't so bad, and I'm sure you wouldn't Really want to die. Just, be calm and patient, things will work out, I'm sure." She turned away from the forlorn looks and slipped back into the hall, leaning heavily against the door. She hadn't expected them to be happy, but less appalled would have been nice. So much for being the bearer of good news. She jumped at the sound of a throat being cleared.
"All done your little speech?" She pursed her lips tightly at him and Demitri grinned in response. "Didn't go so well eh? Well maybe public speaking isn't your calling." he motioned for her to move and she noticed he carried a platter of food. She stepped aside and opened the door for him and closed it behind. She imagined them watching him with silent suspicious eyes. He joined her again momentarily and took her by the elbow, dragging her back to the kitchen with him and plopped her onto a stool in front of what looked like her breakfast. She shifted uncomfortably in the stool. He chuckled at her.
"Want a cushion?"
"Yes." She admitted grudgingly in a soft voice. He left and returned with one of the pillows from the dining room. She shoved it under her with a violent primness that could only have been learned from her mother.
"Eat up, you had a rough night." He winked at her and pushed the plate towards her.
"How..."
"You get noisy." She felt the colour drain from her face. If he heard her, then surely the others must have as well. But didn't they say they thought she was dead?
"Was it that bad?" She whispered into her meal.
"It sounded like you were being tortured, either that or having a really good time. Any way, old what's his name hasn't been so chipper since he took out the Myrian navy. His words not mine."
"The who?"
"That's what I asked."
"and?"
"'Exactly' was all he said."
"Ah."
"Indeed. So, good work." She felt a disturbing pang of pride.
"Stop, you'll give me a big head." she muttered into her food. He laughed again.
"No that's your job lady." She smiled at her plate and shook her own head.