'Do you understand?' Claire's face throbbed from the blow. She lay in bed, in her father's bed, at Ruthivan's side. She had made the mistake of being unsuccessful. She tried to get Ruthivan to see that she was miserable, unhappy, that she didn't love him, that they had no rights to lead the tribe, that everything would be better if he let her leave and found himself a mate that loved him. For a fleeting glimpse of a moment, she thought she had him thinking... but the moment collapsed with a slap across her face. 'You are mine, Claire. You were promised to me, you have been mine for three hundred years. You are where you belong, and tomorrow you will act like it. Or you will be sorry. Do you understand?'
'Yes...' she whispered.
'Now, get your rest.'
Claire drifted off, hoping that Mirin was doing something to help her. Anything. This situation was growing unbearable. Claire felt guilt over her father's death, guilt laying in his bed, guilt that somehow everything was her fault.
She was awoken the following morning by a small boy who stared at her with white hair and a sky blue complexion. His voice was soft and halting, 'What would you like for breakfast, Kra'ineba Claire?'
'Wha... I'm... what are you doing here?'
Then reality suddenly shook Claire. Ruthivan had even brought on servants. It disgusted her. The boy rattled off choices for breakfast and repeated his question. 'Please,' Claire said, 'You don't have to call me that.'
'Yes I do.' The boy frowned and looked around himself. 'He said I did.'
'Who said?'
The boy's expression left no doubt. 'Is it true he killed Elder Eladrim?'
'I... yes. It is.'
'Do you love him?'
Claire looked at the boy, her mouth hanging open. She started to shake her head, then stopped herself. The night before, the threat, the understanding. She nodded her head. 'Yes, of course,' she lied. Her heart sank as the boy looked at her with incredulity and disgust.
He returned after a long while, struggling to keep the dishes from clattering together. He set them down and stood watching her. 'You don't have to wait.'
'I... do. He said for you to eat everything, you need your strength.'
Claire closed her eyes tightly. 'Please, Mirin,' she thought to herself. 'Please get me out of here.' Then Claire ate was the boy stood watching her to make sure every scrap was gone.
