Predatory Marriage

nt him to ask her to eat more.”Please tell me about the queen.”

When it seemed that changing the subject wouldn’t be enough and he would complain, she added, “How did you know she was a Gypsy?”

She waited for him to answer her question, but however long she waited, not a word came out of his mouth.
She was about to press him some more when suddenly he chuckled and moved Leah’s hand, still clutching the cookie in her fingers, back to her lips.
He knew she was trying to stop him from making her eat more.
He wasn’t easily fooled.

“I’ll tell you as soon as you finish eating,” he said.
Sweetness flashed in his eyes as he smiled, and looking up at them, she agreed and bit slowly into the cookie once more.

Her taste buds were happy to receive the rich sugary flavor, the soft texture of the cookie, the robust crunch of the nuts and the melting chocolate, blending with the pieces of fruit.
She felt euphoric with the sensations, but she still regretted it.
She shouldn’t have taken that first bite, it would have been much easier to control her impulses if she hadn’t tasted it.
Now the cookie was implanted in her mind.
It was harassing her with its presence.

But even though she knew she shouldn’t eat it, she couldn’t stop herself.
The impulsive desire was unfamiliar, but the craving made her devour more and more until it was gone.
She was embarrassed.
She had been lying.
She had never been full.

Ishakan reached out and gently grazed the corners of her lips, brushing the cookie crumbs away.
Reflexively, she squeezed the wrapper.
She had soiled herself, eating so hastily.

She was embarrassed.
She must have looked very rude, forgoing all etiquette to enjoy a snack.
Unfortunately, this seemed like a recurring pattern.
She didn’t know why, but every time she was with Ishakan her usually miniscule appetite increased dramatically.
She felt guilty for her lack of self control.

Regretting it, she fiddled with the cookie wrapper until Ishakan took it from her and crumpled it up.
And all she could think as she watched was that she yearned for more cookies…