[CHAPTER 14.2: THE SNAKE AND THE HUMAN]
The next morning, Tayen had the servants to bring a luxurious dress and accessories to Bella's room. Bella sat by the bed, staring blankly at the dress. The servants came in to do her hair and put beautiful dangling accessories on her hair. When done, Bella giggled at the sight of herself in the polished metal mirror.
She looked like a queen from the ancient Chinese royalty drama her mother used to watch.
"Can't I just let my hair down like I always do?" She asked the servants.
"Lord Tayen had given us orders, Lady Bella."
Bella nodded, she wouldn't want the servants to be punished for not doing their job, right? She said to herself.
The black dress that was given to her was still bigger than her size, the lace V neckline was a bit too low and it showed her sexy bustline. Bella sighed hard. Aren't there any decent dresses here in the Moro tribe?
Bella was escorted by the guards when she walked out of her room.
"Lord Tayen is waiting for you, Lady Bella." One of the guards told her.
"Where is Mihaje?" She asked when she couldn't find him anywhere.
"The general had gone to the Great Shrine early."
"I see..."
He didn't come to see her like he normally would. Seems like he's really avoiding me.
Outside the gatehouse, a giant komodo dragon was waiting for her. Tayen stood not far with several guards behind him. He was wearing black leather long sleeves and pants with tall boots, and he had a black cloak with buckle closure, tassel shoulder ornaments, and brooch chains. Tayen looked like a lord from the medieval renaissance era. The Moro people really have a sense for fashion, Bella thought to herself.
Tayen froze slightly when he saw Bella coming. The black dress made her look extremely gorgeous and alluring. Her fair skin appeared translucent and glowing under the morning sun. Even the guards were drooling when they saw her, but immediately averted their gaze when Tayen shot them his icy glare.
"I thought I was seeing a goddess," he jokingly said, "your beauty is beyond compare, Bella."
Bella didn't know what to respond to that kind of remark. It's because the females here looks just like shemales. Not that they were ugly, just they all looked like handsome skinny males wearing dresses. 
"Shall we?" Tayen took her hand and helped her get on the saddle on the giant komodo dragon. Then he too, got on it and sat behind her.
Bella sucked in a deep breath when she felt Tayen's body was pressed against her back. His waist-long silky hair tickled her face whenever there was a breeze.
"Bella," he called gently, "you have a very unique smell. Do all humans smell like you?"
"Um... I think all humans smell differently. If you're talking about body odor, I don't think I have that problem."
"Do you have a mate in your world, before you came here?" He asked again.
"If you mean boyfriend... I did, but we broke up. I haven't dated anyone since then."
Tayen took a few seconds to process her words. He chuckled.
"Would you consider me, if I was human like you?"
Bella gulped. He was so straightforward!
"Hard to say. But if you were in my world, you'll be swarmed by females of all ages."
Tayen chuckled again,
"I take it as a yes, then."
Bella's eyes widened when she felt Tayen leaned closer to whisper in her ear,
"I do not think I can take my eyes off you today."
Bella gasped when she felt his cold forked tongue licked her earlobe. Her heart started to beat fast when one of his hands crawled around her tiny waist. Bella clenched her hands into tight fists as she drew in a shuddering breath.
"I apologize if I am being presumptuous and shocked you." He said, withdrawing his hand from her waist. He'd probably felt her body shiver under his touch.
Bella didn't respond and stayed quiet for the rest of the way to the Great Shrine.
"Did my action startle you?" He asked after the long awkward silence between them.
"Kind of."
"I apologize again. Shall we take it as nothing happened?"
Bella hummed softly.
When they arrived at the Great Shrine, the place was already filled with beasts. Bella couldn't believe her eyes. The Moro tribe was indeed a bigger tribe than the Ra, with large numbers of snakes and lizards.
Sound of gongs being struck could be heard from outside the cave-like structure they called Great Shrine. The entrance of the Great Shrine was crowded, but the crowd immediately made way for Tayen when he arrived with Bella.
"Welcome, Lord Tayen!" The crowd bowed their heads.
Tayen helped Bella down from the giant reptile and walked into the Great Shrine holding her hand.
Inside the shrine, there were not as many people as the outside. It seemed like only the ones with ranks such as soldiers and guards could get in while the peasants stood outside the entrance. The ceremony started with several pale skinned priests chanting loudly before making awkward poses and stances in the middle of the cave hall. In one corner, several gong players swinging their mallets against the circular metal plate-like percussion instruments.
Tayen explained that the priests were trying to connect with the gods. The chanting and dancing were a ritual to be done before connecting with the gods.
Bella nodded. She wondered if the Great Temple of the Ra tribe would also be doing the same ritual. Would Abnaki and his fellow priests also be demonstrating those awkward poses? She chuckled silently. She then noticed Mihaje at the opposite row. He was wearing his leather armor and had his mask on as usual. His long hair was braided. He had kept that hairstyle for weeks now.
Mihaje stared coldly at her when she waved her hand at him, before averting his gaze. Bella scoffed in disbelief.
"I heard you were close with Mihaje for the past three weeks."
Bella looked up when she heard Tayen spoke. His eyes were cold, but he was beaming his kind smile.
"I'm friendly to everyone. Even with the servants." She replied.
"I can see that."
Tayen didn't want to say anymore. He knew everything that was going on in his castle. He just didn't want to say much. He knew Mihaje and Bella had been spending a little too much time with each other. They even visited the Lake of Infinity.
The ceremony went on, then suddenly, one tiger and two leopard beastmen in torn clothes were dragged in. Bella's face contorted in shock when she realized those were the sacrifices that would be offered to the Moro's warrior gods.
The three beastmen were chained and they were terribly skinny, looking only bones and skin. Even from their torn clothes, she believed they must be Ra soldiers. They were wearing tall boots, which only soldiers wore such boots. Peasants in both Moro and Ra tribes were wearing shoes made of bark.
"Bella, we should leave now." Tayen placed one hand on her shoulders and steered her out of the shrine. He covered her ears when the poor skinny beastmen started wailing. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end when the crowd cheered as the skinny beastmen cried in agony. Even the crowd outside the shrine cheered loudly, "Baghacheroamni! Baghacheroamni!"
Just what the fuck does that mean...?

Tayen managed to turn his head to see for a moment how they were beaten ruthlessly before their heads were chopped off. Blood splattered in the middle of the shrine hall as the lifeless heads with eyes rolled up being tossed in the air. Tayen's blood red irises sparkled in amusement as the corner of his lips twisted into a smirk.
"Come now, Bella." Tayen said with his hands still covering her ears.
"Let us return to the castle."
*****
Bella's kneecaps felt loose after she got down from her ride. She uttered nothing during their way back. Tayen took her by the hand as he walked her past the gatehouse.
Seeing Bella in such shock, Tayen took her to his favorite spot in the castle, hoping to take the matter off her mind.
"This is..."
"This is where I would spend my time alone." He answered, showing her around.
Bella glanced around the underground garden. It was filled with weird looking plants. At one corner, there was light from outside shone above the opened ceiling. There was a big wooden table with two chairs. A stone mortar and pestle along with bowls and bottles were on the table. Next to the table was a wooden cupboard filled with small ceramic bottles.
Tayen went to sit on one of the chairs, letting Bella to look around.
"What is this place?" She asked, touching the weird looking plants. Some have strong aroma that resembles citronella plants and lavender. Some smelled like Chinese herbs.
"This is where I experiment with the plants. I think plants are not only for applying on wounds. Some plants actually have unusual effects on beasts, like to stimulate reproducing or give energy to a weak body."
"Wow, any success in your experiments?"
"Of course there are some success and some failure. Do you want to know what I had successfully made?" Tayen took out some of the small ceramic bottles from the cupboard. He told her there were effective cures for minor illness such as muscle pains, headache, stomachache, and such.
"Wow, these stuff actually works?" Bella took the bottles and sniffed them one by one.
"Of course," Tayen smiled, "I am quite knowledgeable when it comes to plants, I have been experimenting with plants since I was younger."
"Oh? That's impressive."
"This is to stimulate female sexuality, not sure whether it will work the same for you." Tayen shoved one of the bottles at her, chuckling.
Bella squinted her eyes.
"Wow, he'd become shameless now that he's no longer in shedding." Bella grunted slightly, which made Tayen chuckle louder.
"I just want to show my affection for you. Do not tell me you did not realize at all that I am fond of you."
What a straight forward guy!

"You just want to mate. There's no affection in there."
"Because I am fond of you, that is why I want to be intimate with you."
Bella grunted again, she ignored his shameless talk and went to examine the plants.
"Bella, do you not fond of me at all?"
She groaned softly, trying to ignore him.
"You do not have to decide now. But do let me know what you think of me and how would you feel if I ask you to be my female."
"I don't hate you, that's for sure. But I will if you keep pestering."
"Alright, but will you consider? I will give you time."
She drew in a long breath as she walked towards the table where Tayen was seated.
"I don't think I need to, I have no intention of being anyone's female right now."
"Do you have someone that you desire?" Tayen lowered his head, looking kind of disappointed.
Bella didn't want to respond to that. She turned away, wanting to leave that room.
"Wait."
When Tayen saw Bella was leaving, he called out. Her slender wrist was caught by him. He pulled hard and she fell onto his abdomen. Caught off guard, her fingers accidentally touched the area below his abdomen.
They both froze in their positions, where Tayen was still seated and Bella was on his stomach, her hand on the area in between his legs.
Bella's breathing stopped briefly when she felt his immediate reaction underneath those leather pants. It was more than just hard and bulging, his size was monstrous! She slowly looked up to find Tayen was staring down at her. His face was stern and his jaw was clenching.
"You should not be teasing if you have no intention of being with me. You are being cruel." Tayen uttered. His voice was airy, deep, and raspy.
"I'm... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..." Bella said nervously.
Without warning, Tayen leaned down to suck on the skin of her neck.
"Ah..." She accidentally moaned when Tayen hit her sensitive spot. She felt his long forked tongue licking her earlobe and neck, sucking the skin along the way. Her temperature rose in an instant as she felt his forked tongue gliding against the delicate skin of her neck. Although they were identical twins, they smelled different. If Mihaje smelled like the musky forest, then Tayen smelled like the desert. His earthy aroma was stronger, punctuated by herbal and floral notes.
Bella's heart was pounding fast as her chest heaved. Her hand that was still on his pants trembled when she felt his bulge was getting even harder. Tayen wrapped his arms tightly around her so that she couldn't run away. She felt one of his hands crawled into her dress, gently squeezing her soft breast.
"Tayen, you... You said you'd give me time!" She cried, pushing him away.
There was an undeniable lust gleaming in his blood red irises, he was panting frantically. His mouth was slightly opened and his fangs showed. He looked like a bloodthirsty vampire wanting to drain his victim's blood.
"I cannot stop now. Let me be with you." He said, leaning towards her. But Bella had her hands on his muscular chest, preventing him from getting closer.
"Please, Tayen. You promised not to harm me and said you'll give me time. I promise you that I will consider it."
There was fear in her eyes that made Tayen immediately withdraw his hands. The look in his eyes calmed down and he cleared his throat awkwardly.
"I understand. I apologize for crossing the line." He said, still panting.
"I will see you again during mealtime." Tayen immediately stood up and left the room without looking back anymore.
Bella let out a heavy sigh as she watched him walking away until he was out of sight. He was definitely upset.
She touched her neck where Tayen had kissed. Her heart was still pounding. She couldn't deny that she was aroused, Tayen was very skillful with his tongue. She had almost give herself to him if she did not stop him in time.
This is insane!

*****
Bella paced slowly as she pulled the dangling accessories from her hair. Her long black hair fell over her shoulders after all the unnecessary hair pins were taken off. She threw them on the floor. The castle was quiet and empty, probably because most of the servants and guards had gone to the Great Shrine. Tayen told her there would be a big feast after the ceremony of baghacheroamni ended.
"Ah, ah... Hm, ah..."
An ecstatic female voice could be heard moaning frantically along the corridor. Bella gulped, she froze on her steps. She could hear the noises of skin clapping and wooden furniture creaking so clearly, followed by Tayen's guttural grunts. Was he venting his sexual needs on one of his concubines?
"Ah ahh...! Lord Tayen, please, ah... be gentle, ahh...!" The female voice was moaning endlessly. And it was getting louder.
Bella's hair stood on end. Tayen's chamber was just in front. She has to walk past his chamber in order to get back to her own room. Was he really that desperate that he forgot to close his fuckin' door?!
Bella cursed as she clenched her fists. She stood there at the corridor for a while, thinking. There's no way she's going to walk over there. But where could she possibly go? She grunted. She wanted to lie down on her bed.
"Ah, ahh...! Lord Tayen, uh, ah... I, I cannot t-take it, uh... anymore... Ah, ahh..."
The loud moaning was so ecstatic, it was creeping her out. Bella covered her ears as she turned around to leave.
"Geez!" Bella yelped when Mihaje was standing just behind her. He was frowning as he stared down at her face.
"I told you, did I not? Lord Tayen has no shortage of female. Why are you standing there looking hurt, when you already know that."
What? I wasn't hurt. I was disgusted. It's not like I like Tayen to that extent of getting jealous with his sexual partners.
"Mihaje..." Bella called out softly when he turned to leave.
"Why are you avoiding me... Hey, wait!" Bella chased after him when he continued to walk away.
"Mihaje!" She tugged on his armor's sleeve.
Mihaje froze but he didn't turn around.
"Are you upset because of what I did?" Bella asked, staring at his cold shoulders.
"Yes."
Bella let go of his sleeve, lowering her head down slightly.
"I'm sorry."
"Why did you do it?" He questioned without turning his face towards her.
"I just wanted to see your face, I was curious."
Her answer made him scoff loud. He turned to look over his shoulder at her.
"You thought I was upset because you took my mask off?"
Bella gazed up at him.
"Were you upset because of the kiss?" Bella puzzled. She stared back at his snake irises.
"Why?" She asked again, confused.
Mihaje scoffed and turned to leave. But Bella quickly grabbed his arm.
"I'm sorry. I won't do it again."
Mihaje hissed loudly in displeasure, retracting his arm from her grasp and left.
"Why did you do it if you were not fond of me?"
It was a soft mumble, muffled under his mask. It was as though it wasn't intended for her to hear. But she heard him.
Bella chased after him. His long slender legs moved really fast, she had to run in order to keep up with his pace. Mihaje entered his bedchamber hurriedly.
"Mihaje!" She pushed the door before he could close it. Mihaje's eyes widened when Bella burst into his room, panting.
"What do you mean... Are you..." Are you trying to say that you like me? Bella didn't say it out. She was catching her breath as she closed the door behind her. It was her first time entering his room. The room was filled with his musky earthy smell. It was soothing. It gave her a sense of calmness, as if she was surrounded by nature. The smell of musky trees and moist soil.
"Get out." Mihaje hissed, his fierce glare was threatening her to leave. He stepped forward, his slender figure casting a tall shadow on her.
Bella leaned her back against the wooden door behind her. Her hands at her sides clenching into tight fists.
"Did you enjoy playing with my emotions?" He leaned close, trapping her by putting his hands against the door at her sides.
"I didn't..."
"Did you think you could make a fool out of me again?"
There, in his eyes. She saw it again. His insecurities. His fear. His voice was fierce, cold, and threatening, yet his eyes were filled with uncertainty and vulnerability. She felt his suffering heart. She wanted to know what made him so paranoid. It made her want to cut open his chest and look inside.
Why was she so attracted to that painful looking gaze...?
Bella stretched her hands upward, her fingers crawled to the back of his neck, untangled the knot of his mask.
Mihaje hissed loud when he realized his mask had dropped on the floor. Bella noticed his tongue was not black like Tayen's, but pale pink. And he didn't have long fangs like Tayen had. Mihaje was pretty much humanlike, in fact, he was the most humanlike among all the other beastmen she had seen-- if it's not for his eyes and hair color... and his cold pale skin.
Mihaje backed away but he was pulled forward when Bella's hands wrapped around his neck.
Bella subconsciously kissed him again, and it made him froze for a few seconds. Mihaje frowned, his red irises stared deep into her black sparkly orbs. Her irises were like two black holes, wanting to suck him in. His sexy Adam's apple bobbed as he tried to back away when Bella leaned up to kiss him again.
"Why are you doing this to me...?" His low voice came out whispering. There was an unspeakable pain in his eyes, as though her kiss was hurting him so much.
Bella let her instinct took over her. She wasn't sure whether the feeling she had for him was actually love or just sympathy. But she knew it was strong.
"I don't know. I just want to. I've never done anything like this before to anyone." True, she never took the initiative. It was always guys who came to her first and she always pushes them away.
"Don't," Mihaje sounded weakly when Bella leaned close again, "Don't. I will not be able to stop if you do that again. I know I will not."
"Then don't."
Bella crashed her lips against his. She accidentally let out a soft moan when she felt Mihaje's long forked tongue enter her parted lips, exploring the inside of her mouth. It was cold and warm at the same time. Their fast breathing rhythm perfectly, as the sound of their extreme kissing loudened to a crescendo that echoed in Mihaje's spacious bedchamber.
"Ah... Mihaje, hm..."
The sound of her soft moan and the way she called his name aroused him even more. His arms encircled tightly around her tiny waist like a snake wanting to suffocate its victim. She felt one of his large cold hands had crawled into her dress, touching her sensually. He was pressing his body against hers, pinning her against the door, and she could feel his obvious hardness inside his leather pants, grinding his hips against hers erotically. Bella gulped when she realized Mihaje's size was just as monstrous as Tayen's. It was quite intimidating.
Mihaje picked her up without any effort, his hands grasping her round buttocks as she clung onto his neck and her legs wrapping around his waist. Bella let out a short gasp when Mihaje laid her down on his bed and continued to kiss her again. His mouth left hers and moved to her neck. Trailing the tip of his forked tongue on her delicate skin. Bella tilted her head, letting him conquer more of her sensitive neck, when Mihaje suddenly stopped.
Bella opened her eyes and saw the tensed look in Mihaje's stare.
"He left his mark on you."
*****