And just like that, he was back on the bed. He allowed himself to fall beside her, twisting about to lay on his back.
He found himself straddled by her but a moment later, and he couldn't help but admire her above him, his eyes gone heavy again. Her fingers played across his chest, and he released an involuntary shiver.
And then she asked about his scars. Momentarily, his eyes widened, and a brow quirked, wondering if this was really the time.
But, it had to happen some time. He knew it was coming, but hadn't been prepared for it just then. His eyes softened as he placed his hands gently on her hips.
"You really want to know? Well...I suppose I should go in order, then...."
He closed his eyes, unable to focus on his words while looking at her. He took a deep breath, his chest rising just enough to lift her as well.
"...my back. The whip lashes came first, not too long after I left my tribe. I had nothing but the clothes on my back, my father's knife, and one glove. I had no idea what to do, had no idea how to survive, and barely spoke the common tongue. So, I went up to Ketra. Big city, lots of extra food if you don't mind stealing it."
He opened his eyes, but his gaze remained far away - it appeared as though he were looking through her, as his mind travelled back to those harder days.
"I survived like that for months, living off the scraps I could find and the meals I could steal. And then, I met one Lord Grantham. The bastard that had me knocked around when we were in prison together...he got to me the first time, too.
"I got caught stealing, and as I had no one to look after me, they put me in the dungeons. Now, mind you I had no idea what was going to happen. I couldn't understand a word they were saying, and all I knew was, "I'm going to die here."
"So, that ended up being the first time I got out of my cell. They were rather shabby back then, lots of loose stones and whatnot. I bashed the lock until it broke, and made to find my father's knife and my mother's glove. I found them, but Grantham found me, too."
His eyes suddenly focused, and his gaze locked with hers. He grimaced, and glanced to the side. "All those lashes, administered by a lord of the city. I lost count after seventy-two. I was twelve."