Rider King part 7: Jealousy

I no longer have the rings on my bicep that declare me as the leader of a clan. I wonder if I should compensate for this by ripping Selina’s hair out and using the locks as bracelets.

I want disturbance. I want to stomp, demand, and swing. I want ripples. I want to be the smaller woman for one sweet second.

But I can’t. The clan is already unsettled from the confrontation with Zoro. I want my people to burn with joy, not despair. They will melt if their leaders are not strong for them.

“May the fires have mercy on me,” I grumble. “Where is Dramon?”

Jema’s eyes look behind me. Dramon is back. His grey skin is dirty, his vest and pants are crumpled as if he just came from a full day of work.

“Thank you, Jema. I’ll see you later.”

I follow Dramon and see one of the men jog to walk beside him.

“King, should I go get-”

“No,” Dramon answered.

“You ended today early, so I thought you wanted to take care of your frustration.”

“I’ll do it myself.”

The man let him go, and I walk past him. I can’t piece together what that conversation was about.

Dramon enters our tent, and it takes me a minute to catch up with him. When I push past the entrance unannounced, I find him mid-jerk.

He eyes me unsurprised and continues to beat his engorged length.

Shocked by the unexpected show, I blurt out an apology and turn so fast that I almost fall.

I walk away in search of Treysa and realize that I just apologized to my husband for seeing what by definition is mine. It’s not just my eyes that verify our distance. My lips do it, too.

When I find Treysa among two little kids, I get nervous. They’re playing with her tail and I see that she’s agitated. She doesn’t like strange people being around her, but knows better than to maul a child.

“Hi. Why don’t you two go eat? Treysa is shy and doesn’t like to play with others.”

They look at me with pouts, as if I’m the bad woman that ruined their fun. Does Salina look at me the same way? Will Dramon?

I shake my head. There is no point in thinking about those questions. I’ll fight to keep the clan happy, but I won’t sacrifice my one shot with Dramon so Salina could have a second.

The kids scatter off, so I pet Treysa for a while. She huffs and puffs, annoyed.

“Oh, don’t give me attitude. I fed you well.” She licks my hand with her huge, green tongue, so I laugh and tug her tail.

I stand up when I hear footsteps. Treysa senses my unease, so she lowers herself in a fighting stance.

“The blue dust,” Dramon stops in front of me. “I had to take care of its effects.”

“Right,” I lick my lips and make sure to look away from his hand.

He’s dressed now, but his eyes are undressing me. I’m left with yet another question. What is he looking for?

“I wanted to talk to you about Selina.”

His hands fist, but I continue.

“I don’t know much about your clan’s culture. I’m still learning, but it’s clear that she doesn’t know her place. She’s giving competition while knowing she already lost the battle, and you’re enabling it.”

“Is this about the hair?”

“It is. You need to let her or me go. You will not have both.”

“I will revoke her status.” There was no hesitation. He replied so fast that my chest stuttered.

I should be satisfied with his answer, but I want more. “Why did it take until now?”

He closes his eyes for one, two, seconds. His long lashes kiss his rough cheekbones, and then when he opens them, emptiness kisses his gaze.

“What we had ended a long time ago. She… miscarried our child. I left her status as was a sign of respect. I forgot to settle things with her. I have wronged you.”

The ground opens up and eats me. I want to give him my condolences, I want to ask more questions, I want to gasp. I only nod.

He dips his chin and leaves.

He lost a child with her. The thought is so horrible that I feel pregnant with dread.

Losing a child in a world that barely has any is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. The hate I had for Salina sours and becomes pity.

I know grief. I was married to it before Dramon came along. I hate that this happened to her, but I know that it’s unreasonable to let her pain justify her wrongs. She has to move on from that pain. We all do.

It starts raining soon. I don’t worry about Treysa. She loves being in the rain, so I make sure she has plenty to eat and then run indoors. I hate that I didn’t do anything today. Sitting around isn’t my style, but I guess a break was needed after the mess that happened yesterday.

I’m alone in the tent now. The sound of water hitting the tent makes me feel small. Every tap reminds me that I’m encased.

I hear a thud, and I lower the sandal I’m smoothening. That sound had been too loud to be a raindrop. Someone tossed a rock at the tent. It lays by the entrance, so I walk to it and pick it up.

On the small, flat, colorful pebble I the word: MINE.

It’s Salina’s declaration of war.

I remove my dagger from my hip and start striking the pebble. I hit it until it lays in little pieces. As I destroy it, I smile.

I grab string, and I tie little knots around the pieces until I have a necklace. It’s not the prettiest and I’ve never been one to wear jewelry, but I consider this as my war paint.

I tie my hair and style it in a bun atop my head. I wear a dress that shows off my neck and shoulders, and I sharpen my knife as I wait for Dramon.

He pokes his head in at night, still dressed in his wrinkled furs.

“The clan is eating, would you like to join them?” he asks, not thinking anything of my necklace.

I stand up and we walk side-by-side to the middle of camp where most people are gathered. Some are busy packing up because it’s time to relocate.

We pass Salina. She’s wearing two loose braids, and she’s glaring at my neck and trembling as the necklace trembles on my chest with every step.

I smirk.

Your jealousy looks cute on me, sister. Don’t I wear it well? 

It’s like she could hear my thoughts. She steps in front of me, cutting off Dramon and I.

I sigh. Here we go.

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