127 Life with you part 2 (2/2)

Shortly after they had been sent to 'kill the beast', they had brought her in and plead with the courts for her rehabilitation and release into a more normal society instead of the isolation she had been exposed to for so many long years. The courts had agreed, and Ry had been granted sole guardianship over her. The reviews had began as quarterly but soon were moved to every half year and finally to this final review after a year. It showed that the courts saw improvement and was leaning toward her release and freedom.

Once Arei's erection had fully subsided, he gathered the discarded items and headed toward the cave. Jos had already changed and was now lighting candles around the tiny space. His stomach clenched again as the flickering light illuminated her new outfit. Arei silently cursed the gods above for his lack of restraint as his cock sprang back to life. True enough the likeness of the outfit was common enough among the tribes of the area, but on her it only added to her exotic beauty. Her silver hair reflected the candlelight. The soft tanned leather stood out against the pale skin of her midriff and long legs that showed all the way to the hips on either side through wide slits. The dress was obviously made for easy movement and practical for numerous daily tasks… but damn was it sexy… Once the candles were all lit, she struggled to braid her hear back out of her face unaware Arei hadn't taken his eyes away from her once. ”Here let me.” He said as he pulled out a seat. When she glanced from him to the ready chair, he added. ”I once traveled to an island that wore very similar outfits. I could braid your hair as they did there.”

”Thank you.” She said as she walked over to the chair and sat down. She glanced up at him several times as he worked. ”You are good at this.” She observed.

Arei chuckled as he caressed the tip of his finger across the bared skin of her shoulder, pretending the touch was needed for his current task. He shook his hair around. ”Long hair, I have plenty of practice.” He couldn't help smiling down at her as she laughed at his silly antics. ”All finished.” He said as he brushed the braid over one of her shoulders, letting his fingers linger.

Her hands shot up to her head as she began running her fingers across the braids. A happy smile shot to Arei before she shot up and ran over to the dresser. She fumbled around in one of the drawers before finally taking out an old mirror. Her excited eyes shot back to him. ”Can you teach me?”

He laughed and nodded, ”Yes, why not.”

She giggled excitedly and ran toward him gripping one of his hands in both of hers she pulled him down into the chair. He'd no sooner sat, when her tiny fingers began working through his hair. She was so happy he didn't have the heart to stop her, instead, he simply set back and let her enjoy her new skill. Once she was finished, she ran back to the drawers and brought the mirror to him.

Her gaze shifted back to his before she regarded the bag then nodded. She watched his expression as she reached into the bag on his lap to retrieve a roll. She set back into her chair and picked at the bread. Arei had done the same after placing the bag on the counter and pulling his chair tightly against the table, she asked. ”Is this about what I said… the other day?”

Arei nearly choked on the large chunk of bread in his mouth. He forced it down. He hit his fist against his chest as he cleared his throat, struggling to answer her. Deciding on the truth, he said. ”No… no, Kitten…” he let his eyes move over her body. ”I'm, well…” He ran his hand through his hair. ”It's more that I'm still getting used to your… current form.”

Jos blushed deeply and hung her head, not wanting to meet his gaze. ”I… I… thought you'd like this form more… more like you'd asked me for the first night… but it repulses you, instead…” Her voice broke and became heavily accented as she struggled to explain.

Arei's eyes bugged. He pushed his chair closer to her, pulling her face up to meet his. ”Look at me, kitten. Your form does not repulse me, far from it actually.” He smiled a bitter-sweet smile down to her. ”But you see, the feelings I have for you and the feelings you have for me…” He stumbled over the word. ”We can't right now. There is still so much you need to learn about yourself, about life, about me…” He ran the pad of his thumb across her puckered bottom lip. ”You are a breathtaking beauty, kitten, but you need freedom. It's important for us to show the courts you are more than what they thought you to be.” He brushed her hair from her face as her hesitant eyes held his. ”You need to be free because you deserve it, not because they see you as property… as belonging to someone who can control you and imprison you in a different way.” He watched as her head tilted and confusion filled her large eyes. He smiled down at her as he pushed up from the table and held his hand down to her. Arei led her out the small cave and to the water's edge. He stood behind her gripping her shoulders lightly as he nodded to the reflective surface of the lagoon. ”Do you see that woman? She should always be her own person first, not defined by the man by her side.” He turned her around. ”Do you understand?”

She nodded, uncertainty obvious in her expression. ”Yes, Sir.”

Arei frowned. ”You know, you don't always have to call me 'sir'.” Irritation colored his words as he struggled over whether he should suggest a name for her to call him… his name… but his thoughts were interrupted when she turned and rested her head against his chest.

”I've upset you again…” She sighed heavily. ”I'm sorry.”