ASHA
After our morning training, which Meg insists we do no matter how many other things need to get done, I go to the cauldron and grab a bowl of soup.
Because I can no longer eat in Ramsey’s hut, I scan the tables, looking for a place to sit.
People watch me, staring, as they had during training. A few wry grins are followed by giggles and whispers. I tried to ignore them, but I can’t help but feel self-conscious.
Fiona moves to make space for me, and I slide in next to her, smiling in thanks.
Violet sits across from me, smirking. To her right sits Meg, who’s glaring at her.
“Am I interrupting something?”
“No,” Meg says, her eyes never leaving Violet.
I eat a few bites, but can’t shake the feeling that everyone is still looking at me, even Arwin, who’s seated at another table, and Fenris, who’s not even seated with the women.
I push my bowl away and blot my lips with my napkin.
“Would one of you care to tell me why everyone is staring at me?”
Looking like she’s about to explode, Violet blurts, “Is it true you covered yourself in spice and asked Ramsey to lick them off?”
My jaw drops.
Meg slaps the back of Violet’s head.
“Wh-who told you that?” I stutter. “Was it Nori?”
“Nobody saidthat,” Meg huffs, her expression sympathetic. “Violet is just making up tall tales based on your visit to the cleric’s hut.”
“I’ll have to thank Kairi for such interesting chatter,” I grumble.
“To be fair, she wasn’t being malicious,” Fiona says. “At night, we talk about our day in the longhouse. It was Violet who decided to make it vulgar.”
I shoot Violet a hostile look. “Why would you even think that?”
Violet lifts her hands, palms toward the sky, in an innocent shrug. “Why would you rub spice all over your body if not to get eaten?”
Sighing, I dig into my soup, wondering how far the malicious chatter has spread.
And how Ramsey will react if he hears it.
I’m still unsure of why he did what he did in the cave, though I’m sure it’s not due to any affection he has for me.
It’s likely he was curious, wanting to see if the experience would be enjoyable.
Judging by his leaving the cave straight after, I’d say it was not.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t chatter so freely about things you do not know.”
Meg glances askance at Violet. “Do not worry. Not another word will come out of this one.”
Violet rolls her eyes.
I finish my soup and go back to Ramsey’s hut to work on my weaves, still bothered by the chatter being spread.
Admittedly, it was stupid of me to rub spice on my skin. It was strong, but I figured since Ramsey enjoyed the flavor on his meat, the scent might make him less dour.
