Episode: 9Episodes: 42
Saria stands guarded in the bedroom. Alarik gives her a fine gown, explaining it marks her as his so nobody will dare harm her. He turns away so she can change. When Saria asks for help with the zipper, Alarik sees terrible whip scars across her back. She cries as she mentions past beatings and her dead twin brother. Alarik pulls her into an embrace and promises her protection before they head to Xander's banquet.
Saria watches Alarik warily in the bedchamber. Alarik hands her a splendid gown and tells her it signals she belongs to him. He states that nobody will dare touch her in it, then turns his back so she can dress.
Saria cannot reach the back zipper of the gown and requests Alarik's assistance. Alarik turns around to close the garment. He stops in shock when he sees dense whip scars stretching across her exposed back.
Alarik asks about her beatings. Saria weeps while recounting the past violence and the death of her twin brother. Alarik holds her close, promises to shield her from further agony, and carefully pulls up her zipper.
Alarik warns Saria that Xander will watch them carefully at the feast and staying close carries danger. He strips off his shirt in front of Saria to get dressed and tells her to hurry along with him.
“What you wear in this castle tells people how to treat you. You would be unmistakably mine dressed in this. No one would dare touch you.”
“How many times did they beat you?”
“I'm sorry you've only ever known pain, Saria. I'll do everything I can to keep you from feeling pain like that again. I promise you.”
“Saria, come. Let's get this dinner over with.”
Alarik removes his shirt right in front of Saria and dresses for the feast. He warns her that Xander will monitor them every second and urges her forward. Will Saria manage to survive the dinner without drawing Xander's wrath, and can Alarik truly shield her from the court?