ELORA
I shifted in my seat wondering how I was to spend hours in such a small space with the king. All our meetings always ended with me losing my ability to breathe and reason and I was sure as hell that this was not going to be different.
I stole a glance at him again now that the sun had begun its ascent bringing more light into the carriage.
Where his red hair had made him look like a Greek god descended from the heavens, his now black hair made him look like he had risen from the lowest depths of the underworld to wreak havoc on the world. He looked dark and dangerous and somehow even more domineering with than he usually was. The coal dark curls fell in loose waves over his forehead that made his sapphire eyes stand out even more.
How was I to breathe when there was perfection like this?
The man looked like the very picture of every erotic fantasy a woman could have. The dim lighting in the carriage shadowed his features and added a dangerous air to him that sold the role he’d be playing. I could picture him now, tying me up in rough ropes that would dig into my flesh in preparation for whatever dirty games he could invent.
I realized that in some way, I wouldn’t even mind if that happened.
The air around me felt too thin. At this rate, I wasn’t sure I would survive the journey to Alkarod. They might just have to employ the royal physician’s services before time.
I pulled out the book from my cloak and decided to distract myself by reading now that there was sufficient lighting even though nothing could distract me from his overwhelming presence. Everything in him screamed at one to notice him, like he was made to be worshipped. He drew everyone in the way moths were drawn to a flame.
I knew it would be dangerous if I kept harboring deluded thoughts about what could happen between us in my head but it was hard not to.
“Did Skye tell you about your part?” He asked, voice interrupting my raging thoughts.
“Yes, sir. She told me everything needed.” I was to act like a sex slave but it was difficult to concentrate.
How was I going to play the part successfully?
“Good.”
I continued trying to distract myself with my book but I couldn’t help but steal glances at the king. His jaw was clenched and he kept his eyes trained on an object outside the window. His hands were balled into a tight fist that had his knuckles white.
Was the king disturbed?
I looked away before he could catch me staring.
I needed to focus on the task at hand.
While thinking of ways to authentically portray my part a hand suddenly snaked around my waist pulling me with a vice like grip. I gasped as the king drew me to sit on his lap, wrapping an arm around me.
My heart beat accelerated at the improper position he had me in. Butterflies I never new existed fluttered excitedly about in my lower belly.
What was he thinking?
His arms around me reminded me of what I felt the night I had slept in his bed; the feeling of warmth, safety, only that this time, the king was staring at me with a frown. His breath fanned the side of my face and I tried not to get lost in his eyes. His sapphire eyes had never been this alluring or had it?
Unlike their usual coldness, his eyes appeared calm and welcoming like the Red River. It called to me and I was unconsciously sinking.
His arms tightened around my waist, pulling my body closer till I was flushed against his.
My heart threatened to escape my ribcage and I was sure as hell that he could hear the sound of my thumping heartbeat.
“Down, Elora.” He commanded.
Gracious!
I must have been staring too hard.
Immediately, I lowered my eyes but that didn’t do me any good as I was given a direct view of his inviting lips. It looked firm and at the same time soft, inviting and I remembered how they had felt on mine that night.
“Good. As a sex slave you are to cower in the presence of your master.” He said in a gruff voice.
I shivered as I watched his lips move. His words were muffled in my ears and it took a long moment for me to grasp what he said.
“Do you understand, Elora?” His voice was thick.
“Y-yes, Your Majesty,” I managed to cough out.
Was the king leaning closer?
“You should fear me and completely submit because I own you. I am your master.” His tone was harsh especially when he said the word ‘submit’.
He pushed me back to my seat as suddenly as he had drawn me in. The push-and-pull character he exhibited left me disorientated.
With the way the king spoke, I had no choice but to submit. His words were commands that would never leave me.
*****
ROME
Rome had felt some degree of elation when he had finally ordered the carriage to move, starting their journey to the auction house. Everything so far had worked according to plan; Teriel and Noel were in a carriage just behind him and Skye was in another. She was to prepare the army and mobilize them once he gave the sign. The prisoner was bound in her carriage.
He had ensured that the carriages looked as ordinary as possible, there was no use attracting unnecessary attention to themselves.
He turned to his left studying Elora who was engrossed in a book.
Or was she?
Her hands fidgeted like she didn’t know what to do with them.
At some point, she placed them between her laps and then on her laps.
He knew that his presence was bound to make many uncomfortable and had enjoyed it before but with her, he felt the stirrings of guilt.
They had been journeying for what seemed like hours and the day had started to get brighter giving him a clearer view of nature as they drove by.
His enjoyment of the country side was interrupted by the sound of someone’s stomach rumbling.
Someone was hungry.
He glanced at Elora and saw she had put a hand over her stomach. The journey was long enough to drain any one as they had left without having breakfast and it was nearing the hour for luncheon.
He hit the carriage, signifying he wanted it to stop.
Soon enough, one of the servants knocked on the carriage door and opened it.
“Hungry?” The king said to Elora. She opened her mouth but before words managed to come out the servant already handed her a tray of food.
“Sir? Are you–” The servant started.
“No. It’s fine. Feed her only.”
The servant shut the door leaving Elora with a tray of food. The king expected her to pick her food as she had done during the royal dinners but as she sank her teeth into the roasted lamb, he was taken aback. In no time, she was done with it. She wasn’t shy as she was during the dinner. It was surprising. She wolfed down the small apple pie and drained the glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in mere seconds.
She looked quite different from what he was used to with the black eyeliner but Rome found her beautiful still.
The carriage started moving once again before it stopped suddenly. Someone must have stopped it. Rome looked out the window to see two men dressed in black cloaks.
Werewolves.
“Greetings, Lycan.” Their yellow, rotting teeth were on display.
“Greetings.”
“Going to Alkarod? Perhaps for a special event?” One of them asked.
“Yes, I’m heading to the auction house party.”
They both let out an ugly laugh.
“You’re on the right path.” The laugh continued to the king’s chagrin.
“What’s the pass code?” They finally asked.
Rome felt Elora tense up.
“Let slaves be slaves.” The words burned his tongue.
“Do you want to auction your slave or buy more?” One of them asked.
Rome looked at Elora and drew her to sit on his lap once again.
“I bought my sex slave here moons ago and I want to buy more. She’s been a good girl but she’s getting old. I know you have the best stock.” The disgusting words had bile rising at the back of his throat.
“Slaves are not allowed where their masters are. They are not to be present where slaves are being auctioned.”
“No, my slave has to be with me. I want her with me at all times.”
The guards exchanged glances. “Then you will have to forfeit joining the auction.”
“But…” One of them started with a knowing look. “At the private auction, the slaves would be let loose to please their masters… especially the sex slaves.” He wriggled his eyebrows.
Rome cocked his head confused. “Alright.”
Their ugly laugh continued. “You may go on! We have the best of slaves here as you already know. Nothing you can find anywhere else in all of Bale.”
Rome put out a hand waving them away as the carriage continued moving.