"I think I'll pass on your mossy mixtures for the moment, dear one."<br/><br/>The look on Darius face at that moment was simple amusement. She would do what she needed to for her end result, and he would do the same for his own. However, he would be damned if his chambers ended up smelling of dirt, mold, and any number of other things. Almost casually, he pulled the last heated needle up beside him as well as the candle. The last needle was white hot, and the point bright enough that it almost hurt to look upon. Kneeling down over top of her hips, he settled his muscular, bare ass atop her thighs to aid her in her need to keep from moving.<br/><br/>Flexing the already burnt hand to make sure he still had the mobility he needed, Darius took a deep breath, and picked up the near molten tool. Immediately the smell of burning plant-life from the cream drying, and then flaking away filled his lungs. The hiss of wet cream dissipating, and the lower sound of it burning into his palm took place in a few seconds. As quickly as he had the first time, he set to work on Gwen's hip, some four inches above the crease where thigh met bone. It would sit just underneath of the waistline of the furs that she would wear. Nine sweeping lines were made against her skin, the entire symbol interconnected with each pass of the needle. The whole of the mark could have been covered with a plum, but the simple elegance of what had been done spoke volumes about his values. He'd seen some horrifically gaudy things put on other women for no other reason than boasting rights.<br/><br/>As quickly as it had begun, Darius dropped the last needle onto the side of the metal holder for the crude candle. The cream was immediately at hand this time, and he covered the burn as quickly as he could to alleviate discomfort.<br/><br/>"We are finished with the hard part. As soon as you are able, I need for you to stand."<br/><br/>Darius lifted himself from her body to kneel beside her. He had generously applied the salve to his hand once more, but the burns were near bone-deep with as hot as the needle had become. "The last bit, is simply ceremonial, and you need not do or any anything. What is said, is between you and I, and is never to be spoken of again."