When she returned to their wagons, she had kasra bring Also to her, and settled down to feed him. He was already grasping and nuzzling at her vest before she could even get it unlaced to expose her breast. When that nipple popped out, he latched onto it and began to nurse. She had to laugh and told kasra that he was hungry. She then asked if Ba'atar had come for his dinner, and the girl lowered her head and mumbled........Yes Mistress.
Turning her gaze to the girl, her brow furrowed as she asked if he was displeased, only to get a shake of the girls head. She then asked what was wrong, and the girl looked up, and said that Master had eaten, then said that he was going to sate other appetites, and nodded towards his personal wagon where the slave was being kept.
She looked down to the baby at her breast and asked if that was supposed to upset her? That quiet little slave looked up with almost a wide-eyed innocence and asked........does it? Her head shook, as she said no, it doesn't. That is his slave, men have slaves, and that is just the nature of men. A look of puzzlement came into the girls eyes, and she spoke freely. So Mistress does not mind if Master has a slave? To which Cana answered.........No, she is a slave.
She could see that the girl was still confused, and told her to speak freely of her thoughts. Slowly, kasra began to explain that there were a lot of women that were not that way, especially in the cities. That most women hated slaves. Again she looked down to those rosebud lips that fed so hungrily at her breast, then looked to the girl and began to speak frankly to her.
"That is because they fear. Not the slave exactly, but the thought of slavery. There is not a woman alive that does not know that she is only a breath and a heartbeat away from slavery. It is a valid fear, but I do not fear that from your Master, because I know that he loves me. I will be honest, I was not always that sure of it, but that time has passed. I know that he loves me, and his having a slave does not bother me."
The girl looked up........even if she is beautiful. Cana laughed. "Even if she is beautiful. Why would I not want him to have the most beautiful slave in camp? I love him enough to want him to have the best." The girl still looked a bit confused, and she had to laugh softly as she changed Also from one breast to the other.
"Girl, you need to understand what I understand. You see, she is a slave, and she will never be anything but a slave. She will not bear his sons, she will not be able to walk by his side through life. She will heel behind him, drop to her knees when he stops, and owe every breath she takes to him. On the other hand, I am his mate. I will have his children and share his life. I can stand with my head held high and say........I am the mate of Ba'atar, warrior of the Tuchuk, clan of the singers, and of this I am very proud. She will never have those things, she will always just be his slave, and when he tires of her, he can give her over to be a camp slave, or slit her throat on his whim. So, why should I be jealous of her, or any other slave?"
Kasra thought on this for a time, then lifted her head and smiled. Also had fallen asleep, so Cana speaks softly. "And this is another thing. Children are something that Ba'atar and I gift each other with. No slave will ever know the joy of seeing him lift his son from her arms, his eyes full of love and pride, his heart almost bursting with joy. That is something that only I will know"
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