Qismat cleared his throat, noting the way her demeanor changed. Waiting for the other shoe to drop, no doubt. He knew he would be, in her position.
"Well, several things can happen here, but it depends on you," he said, trying to pick his words carefully. "I bought you, but I have no intention of owning you, you understand? My goal is your safety. I could let you go now, but I'm afraid that if I do, you'll wind up in the same position. You're an obvious foreigner and that makes you an easy target, not to mention you're familiar. I hate to say it, but a merchant prince saved you today, and people will remember your face. My saving you will have made you desirable--because what I did today just isn't done. If I wanted you so badly as to publicly intervene in the middle of a match, well, there must be something to it, see? There must be a reason."
He frowned, realizing he was rambling, and let out a low sigh. Cut to the chase, Qismat!
"What I'm trying to say is that I think, for now, it would be best for you to stay here until this passes. But what I'd really like is to find a way to get you home--if you have a home. Of course, if you have nowhere to go and would like to stay here, you're free to do so. But what I want to stress either way is that you're not my slave nor are you my prisoner, Lani."