Tales of the Jewel

"Oh, without doubt. But that thing I said about making plans of your own... it might not hurt to start working on those ahead of time. Start stashing some wealth for yourself against hard times. Have something for yourself, so to speak." She chuckled. "And with your charm, I've not doubt you can get...

Oh you poor kid.

"I think whatever he finds is likely to make you unhappy, Soraya. Are you prepared for that?"

"Hard to forget someone so handsome, charming, and prone to slipping out of Raya's wagon in the wee hours of the night when Raya's not in it."

Kezia crooked a smile.

"Plus he was with us in the only serious dust-up since hitting the city this time."

"I'm not suggesting you throw it all away to run off with us or anything of the sort... but I think you need to start being more... pointed with your father and his wishes. You should know why you do what you do, and not in the, 'for the good of the family' sense. Try to understand the plans you're ...

"I'm just saying that that's what sleeping with someone should be. I don't know if they plan to set you up with some marriage as a brood mare someday, but I... strongly suggest you do what you can to avoid lovemaking without any reciprocal spark." Kezia sighed. "I mean, your life in the city is so c...

"Tell me, is it more or less fun to sleep with someone who sort of seduces you back?"

"I chose to let the Khadi have her shots at me. No one made me. I chose to approach Rufus the first night I saw him. I chose to help Raya chase you down and help fend off those shitbags ." She made a sort of warding gesture with her hands. "So I do not see the parallel to sleeping with someone becau...

"Sleep with them if they seem interested?" Kezia clucked her tongue. "Say what they will about the Ra'Shari, I can truthfully say that the only people I sleep with are the ones I'm interested in. And even those in our caravan who lay for pay tend to pick their own clients... because pardon my frankn...

"So you've been trained with a definite purpose, trained not to say who you're directed at, and you probably know just enough to fulfill your role."

Kezia clucked her tongue.

"Quite the birdcage you're in. I can see why you flutter against the bars as you do."