For the next week Rieka refused to leave the bedroom. She barely ate any of the food Marrok's servants brought and refused to be bathed. All she wanted to do was sleep. Whenever the maids would try and force her to do anything, she would scream and cry, not wanting to be touched by any of them. Marrok would eventually arrive and dismiss them for the day, calming her hysterical sobs until she fell asleep in his arms. Each time he did so, a part of her whispered how she should push him away; that he was the one to blame. But her heart had decided that he was her lifeline in this terrible new world. Whether she would admit it or not, he had saved her from what she knew would have been a much crueler partner.
She dreamed of the dark grey wolf, Skoll, nearly every night. In her dream, she ran through the forest in her wedding dress, desperately trying to escape. She ran to the gates of Marrok's kingdom, but the door refused to open no matter how much she begged and screamed. When she looked up in search of the kind gatekeeper, Gunnolf, she found Marrok staring down at her. Nestled in his arms was another woman she couldn't quite see. She tried shouting for him to open the door, but he turned his back to her and walked away, leaving her to Skoll. He snarled behind her, closing the distance slowly, his hungry eyes never leaving her throat. Crouching low, he pounced, his teeth sinking into her flesh. She screamed and awoke from the dream, inconsolable.
Marrok was there every time she woke from her nightmares, holding her close and stroking her hair as she sobbed. She never told him what she dreamed and he never asked. He just knew that she needed him and she was grateful for his comfort.
On the afternoon of her eighth day in his palace, Rieka was standing at the balcony, looking down at the city below when one of the maids came into the room. "You have a visitor, Madam."
Before Rieka could refuse entry, the visitor walked in. She was breathtakingly beautiful with wild locks of burgundy brown hair trailing down her back. Her hazel eyes glared at Rieka, full lips pursed in disapproval, and her honey colored skin shined in the afternoon light. She wore an olive green dress, that trailed on the floor behind her, a golden belt hangly loosely around her waist. She walked into the room and glanced around at the blankets and books thrown around the room.
"I expected..." she turned to Rieka and glanced over her disheveled form, "...more."
"What?" Rieka asked, suddenly embarrassed. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see the little Faemne that Lord Marrok has been coddling so much this last week," the woman said, sitting herself on the edge of the bed. "As I said, I expected more."
"More what?"
"More of everything. Beauty, strength," she glanced at Rieka's oily hair, "...integrity."
Rieka flushed, quickly running her fingers through her hair. "And who are you?"
"My name is Lupa."
"Well, you've seen me, Lupa," Rieka frowned. "You can leave if you're satisfied."
"I will never be satisfied until I see you gone," Lupa said with a smile.
"What?"
"You heared me. I want you gone." Lupa rose and moved in front of Rieka. "You're in my way."
"I haven't done anything to you!" Rieka cried, moving away from the woman.
"You've taken Lord Marrok's attention," she growled. "He's so busy coddling and comforting you that he hasn't been able to take care of important matters."
"And you're important?" Rieka challenged.
"I will be," Lupa growled. "I was selected to be Lord Marrok's Adolphine. His queen. While you are merely a means for him to get an heir."
Rieka glared at her even though she knew that some of what Lupa spoke was true. She really was there to provide him with an heir, but ever since that first morning together, he hadn't touched her in any way she didn't consent to. He had made no mention of bedding her since that long ago morning. He cared about her.
"At least I can give him an heir," Rieka retorted with a wicked grin. "How does it feel knowing you'll one day have to help him raise the child he made with me?"
Lupa slapped her. "Shut up you sniveling little human! I am superior to you in nearly every way!"
Rieka held her hand against her stinging cheek. "Except in the one that really matters."
Lupa roared and just as she was about to strike Rieka again, Marrok grabbed her hand and pushed her away. "What are you doing here, Lupa?"
"That Faemne insulted me!" Lupa cried, feigning innocence. "She thinks herself superior to me, a pureblooded Lupus Deo! I am to be your Adolphine and she must show me respect!"
"My father may have wanted you to be my Adolphine, but the final decision is still mine to make!" Marrok growled. "You have shamed our people with your actions today. Leave! I don't want to see you strike Rieka again or you WILL pay."
Tears in her eyes, Lupa nodded and fled the room, stopping once at the door to glare at Rieka before leaving.
"I'm sorry you were hurt," Marrok said, helping her to her feet. "Lupa is from one of the oldest noble families. Her father holds great power among the Lupus Deo and she believes she is entitled to do whatever she pleases."'
"But she was right," Rieka mumbled.
Marrok brushed a strand of hair behind her hair. "About what?"
"I take you away from your work. As the Udolf, I'm sure there is much you are responsible for, but I've selfishly kept you here with me." She cupped her face in her hands, truly ashamed of her behavior. She'd never been so childish and weak, even back in her village when she was beaten and mocked every day. His comfort had spoiled her.
"You've been through a great shock," he protested.
"That doesn't excuse my deplorable behavior!" she cried. "You've been so kind to me and all I've done in return is wallow in my own self pity, lashing out at anyone who tried to help me. But no more!" She wiped the stray tears from her face and looked at him, a fierce look of determination on her face. "Starting tomorrow, I want you to educate me in everything I need to know in order to be a proper Faemne."
Marrok smiled, relieved to see the fierceness in her eyes once more. The burning look in her eyes he still remembered from so long ago. "Very well," he said and kissed her on the forehead. "I can't deny you, my beautiful Rieka."
Rieka blushed but nodded. Tomorrow she would begin her life anew in this strange world. No more tears and pity. Marjorie wouldn't want to see her that way. She needed to be better. Tomorrow she would take the first step to slowly heal her broken spirit.