Affinity

Fahmeen's POV:

A soft brush across my stomach wakes me up from the best sleep I have had in a while. Whispers of words I've yet to understand as my consciousness slowly returns. I want to stay in this in between a little longer. Where all I can do is feel and listen. My natural desire leads me to want to join that hand as my mind pieces together who he is.

"Awake?"

He sounds like he's been conscious for much longer than I. A small smile appears on my face, one he cannot see, as I intertwine our fingers. *Home*. Even if the air smells different and the heat borders discomfort. The palm of his hand feels slick and warm.

"You're sweating too."

"I am." After a comfortable silence, he says.

"I think the time to return has come." His voice resembles the sadness I suddenly felt at his words. We couldn't ask anymore of the people here. They have lives just as much as we do.

"Rolf?"

"Hmm?"

"Can we come back here in the future?"

A soft noise, one I would describe as a laugh, emits from his warm chest.

"Yes. I believe we've discovered an affinity with this island." His lips brush the skin on my shoulder.

"The people."

I hold onto his hand tighter. The memory of Ivar paining us both.

A movement outside of the tent distracts us. The body of a small child, clearly stifling a laugh or two as they leave something on the floor.

"I think we have a guest." Rolf chuckles, stretching his arms and sitting up. I move quicker than him and dress myself in the longest piece of garment I could find. It wasn't anything of mine. The child is gone by the time I spread open the material. A cup made of bone, nestled on a flower that perfectly matched mine was left. It was filled with milk and I picked up the short stick of bamboo after.

"I think they want you to drink it." Rolf says behind me. I turn around, eyes glued to the flower now between my fingers as I inspect the colour once again.

"Where is it?" He grumbles, searching the floor and place where we laid.

"It's alright I have this one."

"No it has to be the one you wore."

Interesting. So maybe I had to crush the flower's essence into the milk and drink it for its effect. Rolf appeared to know more than me on this matter so I waited whilst he hunted. I was ready to join when suddenly he said,

"Found it."

As he walked towards me, the crushed flower with missing petals, I felt a warmth tingle the insides of my body to the skin coating my flesh.

"I love you." I tell him and he arrives, kissing my forehead. He takes the cup from me and hands me the flower. I put the new one back in my hair and rub the old between my palms. Once it seemed enough, Rolf watched me pour its remains into the cup. I stirred using the bamboo. The flower left no trace. It circled till there was nothing left.

"Drink." He tells me, offering the concoction to my lips. Our eyes don't leave each other's as I take the first sip. I find myself incredibly thirsty and carry on till only a third remains.

Rolf leaves the cup towards me as if to take none for himself.

"But you-

"Not for me. For you." He whispers, once again tilting the cup slowly towards my open mouth. A hum as soft as the wind settles my body as I finish every drop.

"Now we wait." He says in wonder, eyes intense and vibrant green as they stare into my soul.

...

*"Mother?"

"Father?"*

*There were no words said back to the little boy as he cradled the heavy head of his mother. It filled his lap. The boy gently touched the cheek of his father, his eyes were closed in a way he'd never seen them before. No movement. He cried softly, his head falling perhaps for the last time near his parents's.*

"Oko? Oko!"

*Oko*.

The whisper awoke him rudely though it was something soft. Sweat covering his body in an uncomfortable layer. Near his head was a letter from his advisor, calling for his return. Not yet. There's much to learn about his enemy. He was still alive.

He tied back the thin black material at the back of his head. It covered what it needed. The hood covered his eyes from onlookers. Today he would listen in at the markets. Near the dock. Maybe hold some guest hostage till they revealed any secrets.

There was always a pretty sky over this island. It seemed unfair. Home was much harsher. Ever since he took his place as the Supreme.

Oko's POV:

Nothing caught my attention. That meant the direction of my thoughts naturally ventured south since it had been a while since... you know. I couldn't risk it here. Of course I made note of the whorehouse readily available, but I wouldn't risk my exposure. It wasn't any easier since I was Asian. We left our desires for women to satisfy. So the tension was building, one could say.

"Slugs and plums! The sweet contrast gives such a delightful finish to the slippery flesh of-

I was close to telling the old man at the stall I unfortunately stood next to, to shut up until I heard a soft voice. One that could have been the same as this morning's. That was impossible so I looked towards it. The source of the voice was concealed under a disguise competing with mine. I shuffled on my feet, unable to take my eyes of this woman as she handed a small pouch to the boatman. She seemed to know her way around so far. She seemed interesting. This might be it.

"Slugs and plums my lady!"

My back was to her and I was yet again, glaring at the stall keeper's face as he tried to sell his awful idea to the woman.

"No thank you, Cade."

My cock seemed enraptured by the softness of her voice and I was forced to adjust myself. The man raised his eyebrow at me. I suppressed the bubble of irritation.

"Mind your damn business."

"Sorry." He held up his hands, returning to his selling. I couldn't help it, I needed to see more. Blame the snake between my legs. Always the traitor. I caught a glimpse of lips. Dark pink, full and shiny. Damn plums.

"Cade huh?"

He stares at me after a few seconds, nodding to confirm that was his name. He could give me what I want.

"Who was that woman you yet again failed to sell to?"

The stall keeper seemed to not hear me so I made a show of the blade strapped to my waist. I watched the drop of fear in his eyes and almost smirked as he blurted out,

"That's Daisy. She works as a maid to the king and queen of Covas."

Daisy.

"Say, let me get a taste of those plums."