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The Seduction of Seleste

from the world of the mating season

The Stolen

Chapter 47

The next morning, Keme wasn't sure what he'd been so worried about or why. His night with Aren and the chieftess had been nothing more than what Aren had predicted: he sucked Aren's heavy balls and cock for the chieftess' pleasure, then Aren made careful love to him on a spread of colorful pillows that had been laid out for the occasion. Prior to their "performance," Aren had rubbed Keme's mane and fur down with perfumed oils, and the next day when the others came to collect him, he still smelled of the oils . . . and also of Aren.

Okomi arrived with the others to escort them to the ship. He loudly remarked that the chieftess and Aren seemed to have benefited greatly from Keme's company. The chieftess laughed and Aren grinned, and because Okomi had said the words in common tongue, Keme knew they were for his benefit - as well as to tease Honiahaka. The sun chief still looked very unhappy that he had been forced to leave Keme for a night, and Keme could not believe the jealous scrutiny of his pale eyes when they left for the wharf.

Much like Okomi, Talisa seemed greatly amused by it all. She walked beside Keme with Soomse's spear on her shoulder, her wise brown eyes sparkling with silent laughter each time she glanced at Honiahaka's rigid back.

Keme felt guilty each time he looked at Honiahaka and didn't know why: he wasn't married to the male, after all.

As the group proceeded to the wharf, Honiahaka and his taller brother walked in the lead, exchanging quiet words as they led the others from the village. Seleste and Talisa, however, walked back at Keme's side.

Keme couldn't believe it, but Seleste wasn't angry. She seemed more curious about what had happened the night before if anything. Her large eyes searched Keme, and when he looked at her, she only smiled and kept studying him. Keme glanced at Talisa and realized she was studying him as well.

Keme sighed. "Alright, ask. You know you both want to."

Seleste's pretty gray eyes crinkled up in a smile. Keme was glad to see the light in her face. She seemed healthy and full of life again. The day before she had been as thin and empty as a ghost. No matter what had happened the night before, he had not stopped worrying after Seleste. Happy to see her so glowing and well, he playfully pinched her chin and loved it when her cheeks colored slightly. She was always coloring up at his touch. It was a long time before he realized it was because his touch alone aroused her.

"Does he kiss as well as Okomi says?" Talisa burst, as if she had been holding back - and that was unlike her, for she never held anything back. Seeing Keme's surprise, she lowered her voice and added, "Honiahaka made us swear not to 'bombard' you with questions." She rolled her eyes.

"He doesn't want to hear about it," added Seleste with bright eyes, "but we do!"

"Seleste!" Keme cried in amazement and both females laughed.

"But Aren is so handsome," Seleste wheedled, "and after the stories Okomi told us last night . . ."

"Why do I get the feeling Okomi only told you those stories to piss off Honi?" Keme said and laughed.

"Because he did," confirmed Talisa, grinning. "That's Okomi - he loves to tease. And he knows just how to push Honi's buttons."

"Honia is terribly possessive, if you hadn't noticed," Seleste added playfully.

Remembering how Honiahaka had almost slit his throat over Seleste, Keme said dully, "I noticed."

"So?" said Seleste, grabbing Keme's arm and leaning in. "Was he everything and more?"

"And did he cuddle you afterward?" Talisa joked and batted her lashes.

The females laughed when Keme scowled.

"You don't really want to know," he said, "you're just messing with me."

"Maybe Sel is teasing you," said Talisa, "but I'd listen to stories of hot sex _any_time."

They came to the village docks, where many ships were in port. It was nothing like the docks of the sun village. Everywhere Keme looked, the symbol of the horned moon gleamed in the morning light. The sails of the ships from the sun village were white, but the sails of the moon village's ships were blue with the symbol of the white horned moon sewn upon them. Unlike the bright, cheerful wood of the sun village, the wharves were made of a very dark wood. The smell of this wood - as well as the moon flowers blossoming from every crevice - was overwhelming. And everywhere, the language of the moon wolves was melodious on the air.

"Smell that sea breeze," said Okomi, sticking his paws on his hips. He slapped Honiahaka cheerfully on the back. "I've half a mind to come with you! Timoe would hate it, though. He hates the sea."

"Then you've even more reason to stay," returned Honiahaka, who didn't seem overeager to have his towering, teasing bother accompany him home.

Okomi laughed as if he sensed Honiahaka's eagerness to see him gone. "Alright, alright, little brother. Don't worry: you'll soon be gone from here and I will irritate you no longer. But the next time you plan on wrecking one of Father's ships, send me word ahead of time, no?" He grinned and pulled Honiahaka close in a rough hug.

Honiahaka choked but laughed and hugged his brother back. It was with sincere joy that his face brightened, and he stood watching his older brother sadly when they broke apart.

Okomi turned next to Talisa and gave her a tender kiss on the lips. He whispered words that made her laugh, but catching Honiahaka's irritated eye, she averted her gaze, said farewell, and backed guiltily away.

Okomi then moved to Seleste and Keme. He kissed Seleste's paw and winked at her, then clapped Keme on the shoulder and wished him luck. As he was walking away, he slapped Keme so hard on the ass, Keme could still feel the shape of his paw minutes after it happened. He stood wanting to disappear as the sailors on the wharf hooted and whistled.

Once he'd gotten some feet away, Okomi paused to wave again, and they heard him shout, "Farewell, Baby!"

Honiahaka lifted his paw. "Farewell!"

Keme felt a sudden relief when Okomi had gone. Just having him around seemed to put a tension in Talisa and Honiahaka - and Keme did not fancy another hard slap on his ass.

Keme and the others crossed the gangway, and a sailor met them on the ship. He was a tall and thin moon wolf with only a hint of muscle around his shoulders and arms. His belly was a blob that fell over the belt he wore. In his belt was a curved sword, much like the ones carried by sun wolves. His fur was as rich and soft a blue as any moon wolf, his eyes were black and one of them was lazy. For some reason or other, he reminded Keme a great deal of the captain who had presided over the ship bearing Honiahaka's rescue party. He announced himself as Captain Hakid and welcomed them aboard his ship, the Hakidonmuya.

Captain Hakid's first mate was a well endowed female named Galilahi. She was also blue and her flowing blue mane was pulled up in a high tail. Her slanted black eyes were small and mischievous and reminded Keme a great deal of Aren's. Like her captain, she also wore a belt with a curved sword, and many leather bracelets were on her wrists and ankles. Her big breasts moved with her slightest movement, and catching Keme's staring, she slowly licked her lips and adjusted them for his benefit. She winked at Keme - which made Seleste scowl - and asked if they were ready to set sail.

"Actually, we're not," Keme said, and everyone stared at him.

"Are you fucking kidding_ _me?" Talisa cried. "I wanna turn my tail to this place and never look back --!"

"Keme?" Honiahaka studied Keme and frowned.

Seleste just looked at Keme, her large eyes questioning.

"There's one more thing I have to do," Keme said. "I can't explain now, but if you guys will just wait for me here --"

"It's Enayape, isn't it?" Seleste said and placed a small paw on Keme's arm. Her voice was soft when she spoke, and she watched Keme with fond eyes.

Keme gave a half-smile. Seleste always seemed to know.

"Whatever it is, you aren't doing it alone," Honiahaka said at once. "Captain!" he said sharply, and the thin captain leapt-to. "Can I trust you to care for my companions until we see fit to return?"

"Honia!" Seleste cried indignantly. "You can't really expect Talisa and I to stay behind!"

"Seleste," Keme said wearily, "please." He touched her face. "I don't want you to get hurt."

Seeing the frown of worry on Keme's face, Seleste relented. She bounced up on tiptoe to kiss Keme's cheek and he smiled when she made him promise to come back. He saw Talisa and Honiahaka watching them in amusement and suddenly wished Talisa would kiss Honiahaka farewell. It seemed like she should.

Honiahaka looked to the captain and raised his brows. "Captain?"

"Aye, your highness," returned Captain Hakid and bowed his head reverently. "No harm shall come to them in my care."

"Thank you," Honiahaka said. He turned to Keme. "What are we waiting for?"

Keme wasn't sure how he was going to do what he had in mind, but he knew he didn't want Honiahaka there. Because he was getting back at Taigi - and did not want Honiahaka to figure out why -- this was something he wanted to do on his own. As they passed back through the moon village and toward Taigi's home, Keme asked several times for Honiahaka to just go back. When the sun chief continued to refuse, Keme stopped asking and started ordering. Honiahaka just smiled at this.

"If you truly intend to steal Enayape away, it could land you in a great deal of trouble, Keme," Honiahaka said, "and without me there to speak for you, you could wind up the chieftess' sex slave. I know that's something you probably wouldn't wince at," he said darkly, "but I don't want to see that happen to you. Neither does Seleste. At least think of her --"

"Honi!" Keme cried incredulously. He put out his arm and they halted in the alley between two rows of huts. Keme peered into Honiahaka's face and couldn't believe it: the sun chief looked as miserable and sulky as if he'd been forced to share his favorite toy.

Keme gave a low whistle. "Boy. And I thought Kota was the possessive one. You're as bad as him. No wonder you two loved each other."

Honiahaka swallowed unhappily. "I'm sorry - I just --" He lowered his voice and said with difficultly, "I don't like other males with you." He looked at Keme as if - with the burden of his guilt - it were a struggle to do so. "I know," he said. "I'm terrible."

Keme laughed. "If it helps any, he wasn't as good as you."

Keme laughed again when Honiahaka's face brightened.

"Yes," said Honiahaka and straightened up. "It does help. A little."

"Yeah . . . a little," teased Keme.

Honiahaka smirked and rolled his eyes. "Oh, shut up," he said and marched on.

Grinning, Keme hurried to catch up.

They reached Taigi's hut, and after listening outside to make sure no one was home, they crept inside.

"What exactly are we doing here, Keme?" Honiahaka demanded.

Keme hurried into the kitchen with Honiahaka on his heels. After peering through the gloom for a hiding place, his eyes settled on the table and the brilliant mosaic of Gosheven's blue bird that glittered upon it. The table would have to do. He started pulling out chairs and Honiahaka helped him.

"But, Keme, what are we --?"

"Shh!" Keme's ears pricked forward. "You hear that?"

Movement in the front room of the hut, then Gosheven's voice screeching, "Get a move on, girl! We haven't got all day!"

Keme and Honiahaka looked at each other, then scrambled under the table. They were pulling the chairs in to hide themselves when Taigi spoke.

"My love, as much as it pains me to say it, perhaps we should stop trying to impregnate her and find a young buck for you instead."

"But - what are you saying?" Gosheven cried in amazement.

"I'm saying . . ." Keme heard Taigi sigh. "I'm saying that maybe it's not you who can't make pups. Maybe . . . it's me."

Gosheven gasped. "Oh, darling, no!"

"Yes . . ." Taigi said wretchedly.

Keme and Honiahaka looked at each other when they heard Gosheven give her husband several frantic kisses. Eventually, Taigi burst out laughing, then gave a mock growl and started kissing his wife back. They could hear Gosheven's shrill giggles, then Taigi hissed, "Why are you still standing there, you worthless bitch!"

Hearing this, Keme scowled.

A moment later and Enayape burst into the kitchen with another of Taigi's insults ringing after her. Though her paws were now free of their leather binds, she looked as thin and miserable as Keme remembered. Her lanky mane slapped her in the face as she stumbled toward the table. She was too distraught to notice Keme and Honiahaka hiding underneath behind the chairs. She fumbled to clear the table of its many pots, dishes, and pans, all the while sniffling with wretched tears. Crouched under the table as he was, Keme could see her small feet, so pale and gray. They stopped before him a moment, and he wanted to touch them. Her nails were not as perfectly pedicured as Seleste's, but their pale pink color lent them a glossy beauty that fascinated him.

Moments later and Taigi burst in. His large feet came quick to Enayape's. She cried out in dismay as she was jerked around. They heard a rip and the leather that had held her tail to her back fell away to the floor. The dishes were slapped from her arms and went spiraling down after it. More were swiped from the table by Taigi, then one of Enayape's feet disappeared, and Keme realized Taigi had lifted her leg.

Enayape's tail was thrashing wildly now, and Taigi's growls filled the room as he covered her with kisses. She kept crying out, moaning, sobbing, squealing. Her ankle trembled as if she couldn't hold herself up under his weight, then she gave a choked sob, and Keme heard the squelch as Taigi drove his cock in.

With Taigi now inside, Enayape's cries intensified, as did Taigi's growls of pleasure. He slammed her so hard, the table began to rock. It wasn't long before her trembling ankle gave away and she almost sank to the floor. With a snarl of impatience, Taigi swept her other leg up in the air, then held her to the table and thrusted until the wood creaked.

"T-Taigi . . ." Enayape whispered at length. "Please stop . . . it h-hurts --"

"The fuck it does," Taigi snarled.

"If you have anymore love for me --" Enayape began.

"I never loved you," Taigi returned flatly.

"I know you did," Enayape insisted. In her misery, she began to cry, and her voice grew louder. "You loved me once, you did! We wanted to have a child! So I did the spell that put me in this body --"

"Shut UP!" Taigi growled.

Enayape screamed softly as she was slapped. She made no more pleas after that, only sobbed and whispered to herself in moon wolf.

"Stop praying to your ancestors," Taigi warned, "or so help me - I'll send you to them!"

"Taigi!" Enayape cried.

"I'm not Taigi to you, stop saying --"

"But you are my husband, you know it --"

"I said stop it!" Taigi shouted, and he now sounded as miserable as Enayape: his voice was as choked as if he were crying!

Hiding under the table, Keme and Honiahaka looked at each other in wonder. What was going on here?

"Finish up in there!" called Gosheven from the other room. "You wear her out again, and she'll be late with lunch!"

Keme scowled: was that all Gosheven cared about? He didn't know how much more he could take!

Taigi lowered his voice and growled, "This is what you get for spying on me with Keme the other night!"

Keme stiffened and looked at Honiahaka, whose face had paled.

"Should I rape you the way I raped him?" Taigi taunted.

"No, Taigi," Enayape whispered. "P-Please --"

A loud squelch told Keme that Taigi had pulled out. There was a pause as Taigi grappled with Enayape, who was now sobbing brokenly and begging. Her feet found the floor again and turned to face the table. Keme seethed as they were roughly kicked apart, then she cried out as Taigi sank under her tail.

Keme closed his eyes as Taigi's thrusts grew wilder, as Enayape's sobs grew louder. He knew what she was feeling: the blood, the tearing, brutal slam after brutal slam. But Taigi had been so much gentler with him: he was being downright cruel to Enayape.

"S-Say it," Taigi whispered, his voice a sob. "Say it, or so help me--!"

Enayape gulped and sniffled with tears. She cried out as if Taigi were shaking her by the neck. Keme could hear the dull thuds above him as Enayape's cheek was pressed to the table.

"Y-You are not my husband, you are my m-master," Enayape sniffled, "and I am not Gosheven, I am Enayape."

"G-Good," Taigi whispered. "Good . . ."

Keme couldn't believe it when Taigi broke down sobbing. He sobbed so hard that he fell to his knees, but his back was to the table, and as he cried, he rested his forehead against the wall. Keme glanced at Honiahaka and could tell he wanted to reach out, to comfort his brother in what seemed to be a moment of pure agony. Taigi dragged himself to his feet before Honiahaka could act, then marched from the room.

With Taigi gone, Enayape sank to the floor, dropped her face in her paws, and wept. Overcome with compassion, Keme pushed the chairs from the table and carefully crawled out of hiding. Enayape looked up and almost screamed, but seeing that it was Keme and Honiahaka, she fell without hesitating into Keme's arms and just sobbed.

Keme knelt holding Enayape, and he felt as heavy as if her sorrow were his own. Honiahaka knelt beside them, and his ears were flat as he watched the female pour her heart out. He reached over and began to stroke her mane.

"Gosheven?" Honiahaka whispered after a pause. "It's you, isn't it?"

Keme stared in amazement when Enayape lifted her head and dismally nodded. He felt stupid for not having realized after the conversation that had just taken place, and frightened Honiahaka might notice how slow he was to catch on, he wiped the look of surprise from his face.

"Tell us what happened," Honiahaka pressed in a whisper. "It seems you've switched bodies with your servant to get a child - why would do such a thing? And how long has this been going on?"

"Oh, Honi," Enayape moaned. She pulled from Keme's arms and sniffled as she wiped her tears. She dabbed them away with her tail - as primly and properly as any high-born moon wolf. She had such grace and dignity about her that Keme couldn't believe he hadn't noticed before. But then . . . it was hard to notice when she was constantly crouching, naked, and scrambling to obey screeched commands.

"I just w-wanted to give Taigi a pup," the little female said wretchedly. "He wanted one so badly. So we bought a slave, thought we'd use her to get a child. It was wrong of us, I know," she added when Honiahaka frowned, "but we were so desperate, and we didn't treat Enayape poorly. She was well taken care of. She was happy. We loved her. I thought she loved us."

"So you traded bodies with her so you could know the joy of carrying the child," Honiahaka said, "and what happened? She betrayed you somehow, didn't she? Taigi didn't seem at all himself - raping you, raping Keme. That's not my brother! Taigi is bitter and angry, but he's not a rapist!"

Keme couldn't believe what he was hearing. Enayape - in an attempt to get a child - had used magic to switch bodies with her servant? Couldn't they ever just visit a village and have a normal stay?

"We were soon to discover that Enayape was a sorceress in her own right," the little female said miserably. "She used her own magic to keep my body, and she put Taigi into some trance. Now he's cruel and angry all the time. He can't tell anymore who is who - he thinks I'm Enayape, and it's her magic that forces him to treat me so. Some days I get through to him and he remembers who I really am, but then, he forgets all over again . . . and the cycle never ends."

Honiahaka sat listening to all this with his arms folded. Keme stared at him, as if he would have some sort of answer. After all, Honiahaka always_ _had some sort of answer. And he was frowning. Anytime Honiahaka frowned like that, he was working toward a solution.

"First of all, prove you are the real Gosheven, then we'll see about helping you," Honiahaka said at last.

Enayape bit her lip and nodded, as if she had expected as much. They stood and watched as she went to the window. She reached her paw out the window, her lips parted, and an incredible sound flowed from her mouth. She continued the wordless call, and it grew stronger and longer, until her lanky mane had lifted on an ethereal breeze. Her eyes were glowing when a brilliant blue bird swooped through the window and landed on her forearm. She laughed girlishly when the bird clicked its beak in playful affection against her cheek.

Keme stood stunned a moment: it was the same bird from Gosheven's portrait. And it was no ordinary bird: it glowed as if it had come to Enayape not from some nearby tree, but as if it had taken form from the very moonlight itself. Keme glanced at the curtain. He half expected Taigi and the Gosheven imposter to come bursting in after that, but amazingly enough, they did not.

Honiahaka nodded, as if he was now completely convinced. "So you can still summon Paelo." He smiled and moved across the room to the little female's side. "You know, you always had such a great magical talent. You could have been court sorceress here."

"But look what magic's gotten me," she returned miserably. She lowered her arm, her floating mane fell limp, and the glowing bird disappeared in a splash of light.

"What of your other powers?" Honiahaka questioned.

The real Gosheven shrugged dismally. "This weak, pitiful body is not meant for great magic. Taking my body only made Enayape more powerful. But . . ." She lifted her head and smiled miserably. "At least I can still cook."

Honiahaka laughed sadly and stroked her mane. "I always said cooking was your greatest power. Now tell me, from whom did you purchase Enayape? She seems no ordinary slave. A sorceress is not easy to capture - unless it's with the help of other sorcerers."

"Taigi said he bought her at market," the real Gosheven answered. "Fresh off a ship. They put her up on a stage and made her spin around and he fought against many others to get her. She was wearing gold manacles. We should have known." She frowned as she thought of it, then looked sadly at her thin body. "Enayape was beautiful back then. She wasn't like the other slaves. She didn't fight, she didn't resist--"

"As if she meant to be captured," Honiahaka said pointedly. "I would probably be correct in assuming she talked you into trading bodies with her."

Gosheven nodded sheepishly. Her angry eyes watered with tears. "She betrayed Taigi and I! She has taken my mate as her own, she has taken my wealth and my home . . . and she's made me fat to boot." She clenched her fists.

Keme remembered the portrait of a younger, much slimmer Gosheven and didn't blame her for being angry. He suddenly felt as indignant as Gosheven looked. To think such a thing had been going on under all their noses!

Honiahaka gazed out the window and rubbed his chin in deep thought.

"Come on," Keme said. "You're making the frowny face, Honi. That means you've got something!"

Honiahaka laughed softly. "I just thought . . . perhaps if we could force a confession from Enayape, it would break her power over Taigi. And this spell you used to trade bodies . . ." Honiahaka turned to face Gosheven, "do you think you could do it again?"

"With Paelo's help," Gosheven returned. "Perhaps. Paelo is the form of one of my ancestors. He helped me get in this body. He should be able to help me get back in my own."

"We'll sure as hell try," Keme assured her.

Gosheven smiled at him through Enayape's gaunt face. She moved across the room and took his paws. "Thank you," she said, "for coming back for me. I wasn't sure you would!"

Honiahaka moved up behind Gosheven and rubbed her shoulder. "Everything will be alright now --"

"Enayape!" growled Taigi's voice, and they froze.

"If she doesn't hurry with my lunch --!" snarled the imposture Gosheven.

"We'll need to knock them out," Keme whispered.

Honiahaka looked anything but happy about the idea, but he nodded. Gosheven backed away as Honiahaka picked up a pot. He offered a pan to Keme, but Keme shook his head.

"Will use these," Keme mouthed and lifted his fists.

Honiahaka nodded miserably. "Just - don't hurt Taigi. Just knock him out. Not kill."

Enayape backed toward the table as Keme and Honiahaka took their places either side the curtain. Keme leaned back against the wall, his heart pounding. He could hear Taigi's lumbering steps as he shouted for Enayape and stomped through the front room. The imposture Gosheven was with him: Keme could hear her jewelry clicking as she followed Taigi.

Taigi and his false wife burst through the curtain. Taigi's angry eyes fell at once on Gosheven, who crouched against the table, trembling in a body that was not her own. He lurched her way.

"_Use_less! Didn't I tell you to --"

Taigi bit his tongue as Keme's fist came down on the back of his skull. His eyes rolled in his head and he slammed facedown on the earthen floor. Seeing this, the imposture Gosheven screamed. Her incredulous eyes darted to Keme, then scowled with sudden fury. Keme's heart skipped a beat when she lifted her paws and lightning sparked from her fingertips. But before she could cast her spell, Honiahaka stepped forward and clubbed her over the head. She sank to her knees, then toppled over on her face. Her great buttocks jiggled from the fall.

Gosheven ran forward and dropped to her knees beside Taigi. Keme felt a sting of guilt to see her eyes streaming tears as she strained with Enayape's skinny arms to turn her husband over.

"Oh god, Taigi," Gosheven sobbed, "this is all my fault! All my fault!"

"I'm sorry, Gosheven," Honiahaka said and guided her back, "but there's no time - Keme --?"

"On it," Keme said at once. Without hesitating, he slung Taigi over one shoulder, then slung the plump body Enayape had stolen over his other. Keme couldn't believe it when he almost tipped from the weight of the female. He turned with a grunt and carried the two wolves into the front room.

Honiahaka ran ahead and set up chairs. "Gosheven, we're going to need rope," he said, "and whatever materials you'll need for the spell - and Taigi will need a gag --"

"Right," Gosheven said breathlessly. "There's rope in the kitchen. For the spell, I'll need --" She bit her lip and pressed the tips of her fingers together.

Oh boy. Please let her know what she needs!_ _thought Keme. He carefully deposited Taigi in a chair, then let Gosheven's plump body slouch down in the other.

"I'll get the rope," Honiahaka said briskly and brushed past Gosheven as she stood, frowning with thought. Keme could hear him rummaging amongst the scattered pots and pans, then a second later and he called, "Heads up!"

A heavy loop of rope came hurtling through the curtain. Gosheven ducked as it flew over her head, then straightened up and went back to thinking without pause. Keme laughed to himself as he caught the rope. He had to tear it in pieces to tie each wolf, and he did so with his bare paws. Gosheven watched this in amazement.

"I - I didn't know you were so . . . strong," Gosheven said. She stared at him with wide eyes.

Keme laughed under his breath and playfully clapped an unconscious Taigi on the cheek. "Neither did he."

"Incense!" Gosheven cried suddenly and lifted Enayape's boney finger to the ceiling. "And two spoons!"

Keme made a face. "Spoons?"

Gosheven didn't look up. She was pacing now and biting her lip. "God. It's been so long since I've done it --"

"How long has it been?" Keme wondered sympathetically.

Gosheven looked at him miserably from Enayape's gaunt face. "Two years," she said.

Keme lifted his eyebrows. Ouch.

Honiahaka emerged with two spoons and gave them to Gosheven. "There wasn't any more rope," he said, then his eyes fell on Taigi and his imposture wife, ". . . not that you needed more, Keme." He was also carrying a small rag, which he tied back in Taigi's lifeless lips. When the gag was securely in place, Honiahaka smoothed his brother's mane sadly. "I was a fool for not realizing he was under a spell. The Taigi I know could have never been so cruel to a slave. Taigi despises slavery!"

"Honi," Keme said, "you hadn't seen your brother in years. And you were too busy bleeding your life out at the time. If anyone should have noticed, it should have been Talisa - but then, she was too busy feeling guilty for what happened between you all."

"And Okomi," Honiahaka said. He looked at Gosheven, "My brother never had a clue?"

Gosheven shook her head. "I tried to get things across to him. He naturally noticed I was being mistreated, but I could never get it through to him that I . . . was me." She glumly touched the spoons together and just looked at them. "I should feel foolish. I allowed this to happen. Then I couldn't remember if it was forks or spoons or knives that I used - not that it really matters. What matters is that they aren't wooden." She clicked the silver spoons together and her determined eyes went to her own fat body slouched in the chair. "I just want to make sure I do this right."

"But first things first," Honiahaka said, "we need to get a confession from Enayape! Taigi is still under her spell."

"Right," Gosheven agreed. Keme saw her take a broom and use it to lift a basket of flowers down from the ceiling. They were moon flowers. She carefully snapped one free, then stepped forward and waved it under her husband's nose.

A couple whiffs and Taigi came to. He blinked and his head swayed groggily. It only took him a second to realize he was tied to a chair. He jerked and strained and his eyes widened incredulously on Honiahaka, then narrowed angrily on Gosheven - who stood before him in Enayape's body.

"I'm sorry," Honiahaka said to him, "but this - I swear to you - is absolutely necess --"

"You're under a spell," Keme cut in, "which makes perfect sense, because only magic could make someone such an ass --"

"Keme!" Honiahaka cried.

Taigi glowered at Keme, then began to jerk and buck wildly. He roared behind his gag, and he said something that sounded very much like, "What is the meaning of this!" Keme recognized Honiahaka's name in the angry gibberish and knew Taigi was demanding to know why his brother had apparently "betrayed" him.

Watching as her husband bucked, raged, and cursed at her, Gosheven cried silent tears. She swallowed hard, then turned and passed through the curtain to the kitchen. Keme glanced at Honiahaka for an explanation, but the sun chief just shrugged. Gosheven returned a moment later, looking solemn and determined. Keme stiffened when he saw the knife in her slender fingers. She moved with purpose to her husband's side and placed the knife against his throat.

"Wait - what are you doing!" Honiahaka cried.

Gosheven didn't answer him. Her eyes were fixed on the slouched form of her body, now plump and rippling with fat from the use and abuse of Enayape. Her eyes narrowed. "Wake her. It's time to end this."