ROME
Rome replayed the prisoner’s confession as he crossed the courtyard into the path leading to the Royal quarters.
The slave trade seemed to thrive better than it did before its abolishment. The laws that he set had not been effective in curbing the slave traders. It would be no use attacking or raiding the auction house without any insider information. Actions like that had never achieved anything other than slowing their activities for a few days. He would need to study the workings of the auction house before striking.
“Your Majesty.” Someone called from behind him as he turned into the hallway housing his chambers.
He turned around to see his physician coming to meet him from the opposite hallway.
“Noel.”
Just the person he needed to see.
“Your Majesty.” Noel greeted, bowing low. “I have feedback from the instructions you gave me, Your Majesty.”
Rome nodded.
“Walk with me.” He continued.
Noel moved to match his stride.
“In three days, your mistress’s womb will be ready to carry your seed.”
Rome’s steps faltered but he regained his pace before Noel noted.
“Good.” He answered turning away slightly to hide his unease. “I have something more important than that for you to do.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Meet Skye in my study now. I’ll come in to explain soon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Noel bowed low once again before heading towards the throne room.
Rome stood in front of his door, decided he didn’t want to sneak into her room through his chambers as he had nights ago and moved to her door. He lifted his hands to knock but dropped it. He shouldn’t have to knock. After all, she was his mistress.
Thoughts of the kiss they’d shared hit him in vivid clarity that he stood still, unable to open the door as he’d moved to do. His mind flitted to the feeling he’d experienced that morning. He knew that he felt her presence but to be sane, he was leaning towards the fact that it was a dream. On the other hand, it felt too real to be a dream. He had smelled her familiar rosy scent and was damn sure someone had slept on his bed. There was no way he wouldn’t have known as he was a Lycan. He trusted his senses.
He cursed, remembering why he had overindulged in wine as he had. Thoughts of her hot and ready sex on his thigh had him tossing and turning for nights with an aching erection, making it difficult to fall asleep.
He hadn’t wanted to think about her interaction with Kain, the one where she’d claimed she was also a slave trader and admitted to torturing people like her so he’d started with a glass of wine to ease those thoughts, one glass turning to many as the thoughts refused to leave him be.
The woman confused him greatly.
He hadn’t informed Elora of this meeting because he expected that she would be in her room at all times. She was the mistress, there was nothing else for her to do than rest and prepare her body for his heir.
He opened the door and walked into the receiving room not seeing her but turning when his ears picked up the whispers coming from her bedroom. He walked with deliberate quiet steps towards the room, half expecting to see her having an affair but not expecting he’d see her and some of the other female members of staff surrounding her, speaking excitedly.
The woman herself was dressed in a simple day gown with a silk shawl around her and her hair in a simple bun that made her the very picture of pure loveliness.
He stopped just outside their line of sight, waiting to hear what they were discussing as they still hadn’t noticed him.
“Elora, thank you so much for wanting to teach us.” One of the ladies squealed, clasping her hands in front of her.
He watched Elora nod, a small smile on her lips.
“We were all slaves before the king abolished slavery. Although we are being treated better and paid for our work, we want to learn to read and write and serve the palace better. And Lucy said it was so much fun. She said you read to her sometimes… That it’s magical.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say magical but you’re welcome.” Elora laughed, the tinkling sound carrying across the room. Her unpainted face lit up with joy and she glowed with health in the soft lighting. “I enjoy teaching. Back at Alkarod, I used to teach my father’s workers and some slaves to read and write.”
“What?” They asked shocked.
Rome frowned at her words.
Why would she a slaver teach slaves to read and write?
“My father was also a very good teacher. He taught me everything I know now.” She sighed, shutting the book she was holding as her face took on a haunted expression. But just as quickly as it had come, she smiled again. “As long as you are willing and put in the effort to learn, it’ll be a fun ride.”
“Of course, we will.” The women promised. “We want to learn, Elora.”
“Good. One more thing, though. You have to keep this a secret. The king must not get wind of this. After this batch, I may teach another but for now, the fewer the better. Do you understand?”
“Oh, you’re so kind, Elora. Of course, we’ll keep it a secret.”
“I understand your drive to want to learn. Being a slave limits us. The only reason I could learn to read and write was that my father was a Beta. If not, I would have missed out on the wonderful things books have to offer. If you want to know the wonders of Bale without setting foot out of this palace, books are your only way.”
Rome was stunned. He had never heard Elora speak with so much passion or zeal.
The woman nodded, enraptured in what she had to say. It was hard for him to believe that this was the same woman that tortured slaves back at Alkarod.
But if she didn’t, why had she lied about it?
His mind reeled with unanswered questions.
On one hand, she was a slaver and torturer, and on the other, she seemed passionate about liberating slaves.
This was a new revelation of her character and he didn’t know how to feel about it.
Watching them stand up to leave, he hid behind one of the drapes till the women had left. Of course, he didn’t have a problem with her teaching his staff. He found it rather thoughtful of her but since she wanted to keep it a secret, he would act oblivious.
He gave her a few minutes, waiting to see if she would go on a tirade about how tiring she found acting nice but was only surprised when she walked into her bedroom, closing the door softly behind her.
Did she care enough to teach the royal staff?
Or was everything she said just for show?
But who was she putting on a show for?
Elora was a mysterious woman.
He approached her door and let her familiar scent envelope him. He was fast becoming addicted to her sweet scent.
He placed a hand on the doorknob and shook thoughts of Kain’s claims out of his head as he opened the door.
“Elora.” He called taking in the feminine bedroom.
She turned her eyes wide as saucers as she took him in, face turning a worrying shade of red. She smoothed her olive-colored dress with her hands and bowed low.
He entered the room and shut the door behind him, moving to sit on the small sofa facing her bed. Her scent was all around him now dulling his senses.
“Your Majesty.” She greeted, fiddling with her fingers. She looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her up. “Is there anything–”
“What do you know about the auction house?” He asked suddenly.
It wouldn’t do to dally any longer in her alluring presence.
Her eyes widened even further with alarm as she snapped her gaze to his, gasping softly. She rubbed her hand together.
“Auction house?” She hesitated.
“Sit.” He directed, pointing at the edge of her bed facing him.
Once she sat, he rose from the soft couch, moving close to her with his hands in the pocket of his breeches. If she thought she could escape his questioning by playing dumb, she’d be sorely disappointed.
“Tell me everything you know about the auction house, Elora. Do not leave out a single detail.” He warned, glaring at her, “Don’t forget I own you now. Lying will bring serious consequences.”
She looked down and stuttered her answer.
“I–I don’t know much.”
“Look at me, Elora.” He growled, anger escaping him.
She looked up to meet his eyes and winced. He saw that his proximity affected her so he returned to the small couch, crossing his legs in front of him, urging her to speak with a quirk of his brow.
“It’s a house where the slave masters sell and buy slaves. It’s a dangerous place, especially for female slaves. They are treated like animals. The slave masters have full control over their bodies and will do anything to them. Some are… raped every day. The male slaves are usually used in heavy-duty work. They don’t seem to be treated any better either…”
Rome winced mentally at the toneless way she spoke about it.
“That was where–” Elora hesitated and swallowed. “That’s all I know, Your Majesty. It’s a terrible place.”
He watched Elora out of the corner of his eye.
It was obvious she was keeping something from him.
“Are you sure?” He asked letting his disbelief slip into his words.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
She seemed sure. Her nod was firm.
Rome studied her even more, frowning.
Something wasn’t right with her.
What was Elora hiding?