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Chapter Five

Shantee had recovered quickly what strength she had lost during her week of starvation. After that night, when Zinc had found her half dead on the floor, he had never once left her side. He would revive her to full health before he would even consider moving. They had not been physical with their emotions since he had first left her. Though, they were at that point so in love that sex no longer matter to them. He would have dreams, and wish to act on the urges so befitting a male, but he was disciplined. He would not betray her to quench his carnal desires. He knew that she would let him, even entice him, when the time was right.

That time was not now.

Zinc sighed as he watched her sleep. She was so peaceful, so beautiful, so full of life, despite her weakened state previously, he wondered for a moment why she had not been married long before she even saw him.

Marriage.

He smiled at the thought. When he could afford it, he would marry this lovely vixen. There was nothing he wanted more at this moment.

She gurgled and groaned with a dry mouth as she awoke, much to Zinc's surprise. He stared down at her, looking into her eyes with the passion she had unlocked in him a week ago.

"Good morning darling," he said tenderly. He handed her a cup of water and hoisted her up to drink.

"Oh, my Zinc," she brushed his cheek with the back of her finger and was rewarded when he leaned into it, purring softly from the touch. "I do not need help anymore with drinking. I am strong again."

He nodded, smiled, and said, "I know. But I enjoy taking care of you regardless."

She smiled, downed a sip of water, and grimaced at the taste. "Ever the formal Zinc."

"As long as I am with you, I am everything."

This made her expression of happiness turn to one of sorrow. She didn't say it out loud, but in her head she said you can't be my father.

As if reading her mind he smiled and pulled Shantee's body close in a wonderful embrace. He smiled inwardly at what he had planned for when she was able to walk strongly again. That was a real secret. One he dare not say until the moment of its arrival.

The day drifted slowly. For an hour, Zinc took Shantee outside to watch the sun set and the stars in the night sky begin to twinkle. She had kissed them, and he returned the gesture. They shared one more precious moment together; creating another memory that would stay with both of them for the rest of their lives.

When it had cooled and Shantee shivered slightly in Zinc's arms, he took her back inside and laid her down gently on the floor mat (all he had as a bed) and then slowly massaged her to sleep.

Before she finally dozed off though she asked him, "You're preoccupied with something, aren't you? What is it?"

He was a little worried about revealing his secret just yet, so he asked in response, "How do you mean?"

"You looked off into the distance more thoughtfully today. I noticed."

He laughed in his head. Nothing escapes this woman, he thought.

"I guess I'm found out. I was thinking about the future. Our future."

"Does the future always make you so... pensive?"

"No, darling it doesn't. Don't worry, there is nothing wrong."

"I believe you Zinc. I believe you."

She fell into a dreamy sleep, and smiled contentedly on the mat as he laid her down.

Sighing in relief that she hadn't found out his secret yet, he also put his head down to rest. The last image he saw that night was her gorgeous face, and it played with his dreams.

His dreams. In his dreams he was a married man. He had always imagined himself married someday. The homeowner, breadwinner, husband, father.... Someday. His wife would come out to say goodbye and until recently, there had been no face on the wife. Now all he could see was Shantee. He was asleep with a smile on his face as well.

The next day he woke groggily, barely even blinking at first because of the moistness in his eyes. As he became more aware he realized that Shantee was no longer beside him. He sat bolt upright and there was a small shriek from the corner.

"Oh! Zinc! You frightened me!" yelped Shantee. She dropped something and it landed with a clink on the sandy floor.

He ignored the sound completely and said, "You-you're awake... well!"

"Yes," she replied, "I only needed rest."

He smiled and quickly came to her side. He hoisted her up under the arms as he spun around, laughing happily. She was a bit startled at first, being of the ground, but after a moment she felt enjoyment and love for him beyond anything she had before. And, she thought to herself, I have a surprise for him later.

When he put her down he embraced her round the shoulders, staying still for several moments before releasing her again.

She was so beautiful, he thought. His dreams didn't do her justice.

Now that she was well again he decided that it was time.

"Shantee. Close your eyes," he said simply. She lifted an eyebrow in confusion, but did as he said, smiling with anticipation.

"Like this?"

"Yes. Now, don't open them until I say. Promise?"

"I promise, butâ€""

"You'll see."

She smiled as she was picked up under her arms and back. She yelped in surprise and then felt the sun freshen her fur as they left the house.

As he bounded along, she bounced slightly with each step and held on around his neck for support. She smiled inwardly when his feet began to slow and his steps became quieter as though on glass... or marble. Her breath caught as she was put down. She lifted a hand to her mouth in expectation. The blindfold was removed and she gasped in horror and amazement. There before her, stood her father.

She was home.

"Father!" she cried and leapt at him, tears in her eyes. "Please don't be angry anymore. Please give himâ€""

"Zinc Halstread you mean?" he interrupted. "My daughter, Shantee, we have spoken."

She waited with baited breath for two words to come from her father's mouth.

"I approve," he said, and was met with a squeal of delight and a shower of hugs and kisses.

Zinc placed a hand on her shoulder and she turned to him with a smile greater than any he had seen before.

"There's something about me that you don't know, Shantee. The only reason your father accepted me is because I am Zinc Halstread."

She stared at him in puzzlement, not making one vital connection.

"Marcus Halstread, the famous architect and artisan is my father. I am no thief." He said this with a tone of sincerity and deepness, shattering any doubts that she may have had. She only looked at him strangely.

"Then why... did you not tell me?" she asked, a little out of sorts. "I would have... believed you."

"You fell in love with a thief. I couldn't bring myself to destroy that image for you."

"But you do now. I was thrown out, abandoned, and all along you had the power to change that instantly!" Her voice was high and raspy.

"Shantee, please, calm yourself," said her father, "Is it not better to be the son of an artisan than a thief?"

"Oh yes, father. So much better. You'll get your proper marriage. Your proper household. You won't be politically harmed because your daughter slept in the bed of another, indiscriminately, against your will."

Her father laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't touch me!" she snapped, "With those filthy, selfish, disgusting hands! Away from me!" With that she bolted for the door, pushing Zinc out of her way and disappearing through the threshold.

Shantee's father stood in shock and horror as the door slammed shut. Zinc was dumbfounded. He gave chase and disappeared before there was any objection.

The old man wobbled to a chair against the wall and slumped down.

"My daughter... is this the feeling I bestowed upon you? What have I done? Shantee... forgive me."

Zinc was giving chase to Shantee... until he got outdoors. She had disappeared. He burst from the door and found... nothing. Frantically he looked around. Doing a lap around the building though revealed nothing but the gardens. He wandered to the bench, padding across the smooth, tiled stones, lifting the dusty sand from quiescence with his steps.

The bench overlooked the small oasis. A place of memories for him. He smiled as he remembered that night. The course sand, the cool water, the feeling of filling the most carnal of desires of the woman he would grow to love more dearly than life itself.

"Shantee..." he whispered, and then fell silent.

He heard near noiseless weeping coming from behind. His eyes widened and he spun around, nearly sliding off the bench with momentum. When he stopped, there she was, sobbing, hugging her knees close to her chest, her head buried in between her crossed arms. She was a pitiable sight. Huddled together between three palm trees, scores of wild flowers and desert grass she resembled a child more than a woman. Zinc crawled up beside her. He reached out a hand, but she batted it away, saying, "Leave me alone," in the most pitiful excuse for a tone of anger he had ever heard. He tried again, and managed to grasp her hand tightly.

She gasped, but didn't fight. In a contest of strength, he would win. She looked up at him and asked, "What?"

At first he didn't respond. He was counting the whiskers on her face. He soon snapped back to reality, answering with, "Why are you so upset?"

She didn't know how to answer. She wasn't really sure herself. She loved her father, she loved Zinc, but she had also grown used to the idea of living alone with Zinc in the little hut. Perhaps it was the breaking of that solid idea that made her react so. She also couldn't help but think that her father was only agreeing to accept Zinc to rid himself of the shame of losing his daughter... a choice she would remind him later was all his own. But Zinc. She loved him. She wasn't even that upset over him not being a thief, relieved actually. The job hazards for an artisan were significantly fewer than a thief's.

She couldn't answer him. In her confusion she simply broke down in tears and pulled herself close to Zinc, sobbing into his chest.

He gently rubbed her back, soothing her whimpering.

"Shh," he said, "It's alright. I'm here."

She put her arms around him, still weeping.

"Come on. I'll take you inside. You can sleep in your own bed tonight."

There was a pause, then, in a hoarse whisper, "You'll share the bed too right?"

He could only smile. "Of course," he finished. He picked her up, walked back to the house and opened the doors, saying goodbye to the harsh weather outside. He brought her to her own room, the one with the balcony looking out over the oasis, and laid her down to rest.

There was one more thing she wanted to say to him, and at first the words wouldn't come. At last, when he leaned over to kiss her goodnight she said, "You'll protect me, won't you?"

"Forever and ever," he responded. "I'll protect you forever and ever."

She smiled, and kissed him back.