The General ducked his head back into the tent, still erect but his expression no longer light. He's in business mode. There's no more time for fun and games.

"I don't want you to leave the tent. The situation is getting intense and I won't be here to look after you." He walks to his stack of clothing and tucks his erect cocks into his pants, securing his weapon belt at his waist.

Don't go.

I want to say those two small words, but they can't make it through the block at my throat.

I don't want him to go to an Entertainer. It would hurt me if he slept with another female, but that wound wouldn't compare to the pain of him rejecting me, so I stay quiet with the black blanket of security covering me.

He can't say no if I don't ask him to stay. Besides, the camp always comes first. My silly feelings don't keep it safe.

"Did you hear me?"

"Yes," I whisper, clutching the blanket tighter. "I'll stay here."

I'll stay here and be useless for longer.

"Be safe. I..." I struggle to think of the word Zolanos use to wish good luck. "I will worry for you." That's not quite how the saying goes, but I still haven't mastered the language.

The General looks bewildered by my wish. Does he think I don't want him to return?

With a last look at me, he takes more weapons and leaves me behind. I peek outside, where bodies fill the field. Masters and Entertainers move with a purpose. Some are already fucking in public, preparing for war. My eyes remain on The General as I wait for a female to approach him.

He disappears from sight and I stay in my little safety bubble; the boring bubble that renders me worthless.

There's nothing I can contribute other than jealousy.

The General doesn't return for one, two, ten hours. I've paced for so long that my legs ache. My skin is still itchy from clutching my wet clothes for so long.

Is he safe? Is he fucking? Is he thinking of me?

When did I go from wanting to matter to Zolan to only mattering to him?

I change my clothes to get a momentary distraction from my hunger. Not only do I not want to be a bother by asking for food, but I don't think I can stomach anything but nerves.

The scuffing of boots is louder than usual as patrol circles camp, and the hushed whispers of Entertainers give life to the otherwise tense cemetery.

Everyone is suspecting an invasion. Things have been teetering at the forefront for a long time. The General is leading the army under the rule of Queen Rusha. Zolan's civil war has been raging for years, but the hostility has never gotten this bad.

I never paid too much attention too the politics, being too busy fighting the civil war inside myself. That all changed when I was accepted into the military as a servant. I applied because deep down, I've always sought society's approval. I hoped Zolanos would overlook my foreignness if they saw my patriotism.

I stop by a set of swords The General has stored on a chest. They're neatly organized. The intricate blades are polished, although they've cut plenty of men down. Gently, I caress the tip of one.

I hope he's safe. Freshly fucked by another female or not, I don't want him dead. The planet needs him. He's a good man— overwhelming and demanding, but there's few like him in the Universe.

Movement from outside makes me stand and approach the entrance. The Masters are back, but I only have eyes for one. The General nears the tent with a naked female at his side. I don't look at her. My empty stomach and my full mind wouldn't be able to take her.

He enters, weapon belt and swords missing, boots bloody, clothes and hair wrinkled, irises dilated. He's not the same man that stepped out of this tent hours ago.

"Are you hurt?" Those words leave my burning, cracked lips.

"No," he replies as he kicks his boots off. He looks outside and calls for someone to change the water in his tub.

He looks at me with his hands grasped behind his back. It's too late, though. I saw the specks of blood on his hands. I don't know what he tries to shield me from the violence. I didn't enlist in this camp with the expectation of rainbows and sunshine.

I see how edgy he is, so I gesture to a chair. "Would you like to sit?"

"I cannot. Too much adrenaline in my system."

How did that adrenaline get there? How many Entertainers did he fuck?

I feel awful for worrying about something so trivial when he put himself at risk for his people.

Three Entertainers enter the tent. They're shirtless, and instead of smelling their typical perfume on them, I can only smell the must of sex. They must have serviced The Masters today.

Plates of food and fresh buckets of water for the tub are brought in. I watch The General disrobe and sit in the tub. This time, he doesn't ask for my help. He sits in blood and dirt, secrets and privacy.

"Eat." He orders. And I, his servant, obey.

—

Only one Master was injured in the battle, but he's expected to make a full recovery. Life is slowly going back to normal— as normal as they can get. War is looming.

I remain in The General's tent, although I see him less nowadays. The closest contact we have is when he wraps around me at night.

Even Yippy took a vacation from the terse camp. I last saw him two days ago.

"Did you eat?" War asks when he steps in. I have to remind myself that I can't call him by his first name. I'm getting too comfortable.

All he asks is if I've eaten and taken my medicine. Then, he'll stare at me as if expecting me to continue the conversation.

"I did, thank you." I always leave things at that.

He does his staring, but this time, it's followed by, "something is bothering you."

Yes. A lot is, but I'm not the only one with the sentiment.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because..." he clears his throat. "You declared your love for me two days ago, and now you barely meet my gaze."

"I declared WHAT?!"

He slaps a hand on my chair to stop it from tipping over. "You said you amre me. It is a powerful word."

"No. No. I—" I stand up, flustered because he's more suffocating than usual when he's hovering over me.

"I meant to say that I would... uh, think of you and wish you a safe trip. I must have used the wrong word. I'm sorry. I'm still getting used to speaking Zolano."

I swear his face falls.

"Oh."

"Yes. Uh... I was only... nevermind. It's stupid."

"What is it?"

"It's none of my business."

"You must tell me."

"When the attack happened two days ago, and you called for thirty-one entertainers." I take a deep breath and set my shoulders back. "Where you with an entertainer?"

He looks confused by the question, as if not understanding its relevance. He's right in finding it absurd, because I'm being irrational by feeling jealous. Sex is an important part of his culture, and Entertainers are here to fulfil a job.

"General," someone calls from outside.

We're interrupted yet again.

"Lieutenant Vrint is here to see you."

He looks irritated as he turns to meet the Lieutenant. Yippy appears and hops after him.

"Yippy!" I whisper-yell. He's dirty since he hasn't let me wash his fur. I don't want him to be confused as a pest and get hurt, so I bend at the waist and chase after him.

He hops around The General and reaches the legs of Lieutenant Vrint. Quickly, I snatch him into my arms and stand straight to apologize to the visitor.

My eyes remain respectfully on his chest as I say, "That won't happen again, Lieutenant. I'll take him away now."

"Wait," Vrint replies. His hand jumped to my chin and tipped my head back gently. In my surprise, I meet his eyes. His touch is unexpected. He might be from another camp, but he knows touch is taboo.

Another male hand reaches up to knock Vrint's hand away from my face. "Don't."

I look between the two leaders.

"General," Vrint clears his throat. "This female is extraordinary. She is clearly not Zolano. Where is she from?"

"Don't worry about my servants, Vrint. What do you want? I didn't call for you." He's irked. Nothing good happens when he's like this.

"I did not mean any offense. If you'd like, we can discuss a trade."

A trade of what? Of me? I hug Yippy tighter and look around for the nearest sword. I'm not getting traded for sex.

"You must not like your title of Lieutenant, because you're looking to get replaced."

That makes Vrint snap to attention. "Right. I will let the case rest, then." He gives me one last mesmerized glance. This is a rare reaction. I've seen plenty of confused and disgusted Zolanos when they saw my very alien face, but few appreciative.

"I heard of the skirmish and wanted to personally hand you reports."

I shrink away from the scene. Something tells me The General won't relax as long as I'm around.

I guess he's not the only jealous one around here. We have a lot to talk about, because these thorny emotions are piercing our focus.