Time

He remembered being called many things: slave, thing, it, filth, bitch, whore, toy.

He had hated many things: Callahan, his life, the gods.

He had hoped for many things: a name, love, acceptance, freedom, healing, and even death.

He’d received everything he’d hoped for, though he was still alive.

He had things he’d never dreamed of having: a home in the palace; a library filled with books he owned; freedom to choose what he did each day; no beatings; no Callahan; no fear of being injured past repair; friends in Her Magnificence and her children.

But some things were too fresh in his mind to let go of. Those plagued him at night, tore at his heart, rattled the peace he worked so hard to maintain.

She stayed with him through everything.

She coddled him like one of her own children, placed his room near the nursery so she would be close by, let him cry onto her shoulder when everything was too much.

With her help, he spent time in the Emperor’s presence, and met all of his wives, and all of his children and their children.

The bruises had faded, the scars were barely noticeable, but he still had wounds to be healed, wounds that would re-open at the slightest touch.

For this reason, he could not bear to see Callahan’s grave.

He still dreamt that Callahan would return and punish him.

She understood this, and that was more than he had expected from her.

“It’s okay Joren. Just let me know when you are ready.”

He nodded, relieved.

Napaz placed his chin on her head.

“We have to leave, Kel.”

She nodded. “Joren, do you want to spend the night with the twins?”

Joren nodded.

Soon, he hoped, he would be able to put Callahan behind him.

Soon.

This took me an impossibly long time to write. Any suggestions would be welcome. Kinda short, I know.

I'm thinking of upping the rating. Agree or dissagree?