81

I pull Mila in for a hug the minute she walks into the cell. She stiffens in my hold, and I step away from her, frowning.
Perhaps she’s not happy to see me?
As though she read my mind, she said, “Oh, my lady, I’m so happy to see you, but please refrain from hugging me.”
My frown deepens. “Why? Is it because I’m dirty?”
“No, my lady. It’s just that you’re in a higher position than me, and servants don’t usually embrace their mistresses.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Aren’t Icelanders superior to wolves?”
“You’re correct, my lady, but when that wolf has been placed in a position higher than an Icelander, she’s considered superior.”
“Superior or not, we’re friends, Mila, and friends hug all the time. I’m going to hug you now, and you’re going to hug me back. Is that clear?”
“My lady….”
“Is. That. Clear?”
She nods. We embrace for a moment, before she pulls away, wiping away a stray tear. “Oh, my lady, I’m so happy you’re alive and back. The other concubines have been mean to me, making me do all kinds of work, including tasks not meant for a handmaiden. I didn’t even have time to take care of my family.”
At least one of us has a family.
“You have nothing to worry about, Mila. I’m back, and I’m not going anywhere.”
“Does that mean the auction has been canceled?”, Mila asks, her eyes shining with hope.
“No, Mila, but I’ll be back with the prince soon. Don’t worry.”
“My lady, how do you intend to do that? The prince has been forbidden to partake in the auction, and the king has refused to change his mind regarding his decision.”
I didn’t expect any less from Thjis. “I don’t know, Mila, but we’ll be fine.”
“I hope so, my lady because if you leave the palace, I would be transferred to another part of the palace, or I may not work in the palace anymore.”
“My kind isn’t tolerated here, Mila, so don’t be too sure.”
“But, my lady, you’re alive and well. I’m sure you and the prince will be fine.”
How can she be so certain? Then again, she’s an Icelander and knows how these things work. I don’t. “If you think so.”
She smiles. “I know so.” There it is again. That sass. That confidence in her eyes as she speaks. There’s a lot more to Mila than she’s letting on, and I would find out later. Now I have to get the hell out of here before Mosle wakes up.
The journey to the south wing was exhausting. I ignored the glares and looks of disgust from the palace staff. Ruarc stopped us on our way to Sia’s room. Mila excused us to go prepare my bath, and I braced myself, staring blankly at Ruarc. He shamefully checks me out, eyes lingering on my body parts.
“I don’t think your wives would appreciate your shameless gesture,” I tell him, wrapping my arms around myself. It’s so cold.
He looks up at me, feigning a smile. “I was just checking if you’re okay.”
“You could have asked me, not ogle me. Would you be at the auction?”
“Do you want me to be? Even if I will be there, I won’t buy you.”
“I wasn’t asking you to buy me. The last thing I need is to belong to a rapist, which makes me wonder how your wives are coping with you,” I bite out, before walking past him. He doesn’t let me get away.
He yanks me back and slams me against the wall. Pain explodes in my skull, and I bite my lip to prevent myself from shouting. Fuck, it hurts.
“Now listen to me, you dog. You’re still alive and breathing in this kingdom because of me. So, the sooner you watch your mouth when you speak to me, the better. And not just me, but the others too. We are all Icelanders, except for the humans who have been bought as slaves, so you must treat us with respect.”
“Even if you’re wrong?”
He smiles. It’s evil. “Even if we’re wrong. Run along now. You don’t want to be late for your auction.”
Mila runs to my side once Ruarc leaves me be. “My lady, are you alright?”
How can I be alright? I was slammed against an ice wall for moon’s sake! But I didn’t tell her that. Forcing a smile, I grit out. “I’m fine, but I will be better after having my bath.”
After a long bath, we debate for a while before I put on the dress I’m supposed to wear for the ‘event’. I wouldn’t call a material that barely covers my legs a dress, but whatever the queen wants. Someday, Dogara and I will have a chat. Mila tries to cheer me up with her words of praise, but she shouldn’t expect me to be happy when I’m about to be sold off.
The auction is taking place in a large, well-appointed room with high ceilings which icicles hang from and chandeliers. The walls are adorned with elegant artwork I’ve never seen before, and the room is filled with comfortable seating for the bidders. There are four thrones before the seating, and I’m guessing they’re meant for Thjis, Dogara, Hanos, and Avetha.
The auction floor is at the front of the room, where the auctioneer would stand behind a podium and there is a raised platform for me. The bidders are a mix of affluent individuals and representatives, probably from prestigious art galleries and museums, all Icelanders. They are well-dressed, with many of the men wearing suits and the women wearing elegant evening wear. The atmosphere is refined and sophisticated with a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air, all for me.
Mila leads me to the raised platform before going back to her stand by the door. The crowd quiets as the royal family, except the children, make their way into the room. Their appearances have wowed me. Dogara is elegantly dressed, and Avetha looks wonderful in her teal gown. Hanos and Thjis are clad in navy suits, hair gelled back. The princes look breathtaking in their black tuxedos and navy-blue bow ties. I glare at Ruarc before admiring Sia. He’s without a tie, the first three buttons of his shirt unbuttoned. His hair is messy, not gelled like his brothers. He is roughly handsome and all mine. I watch as his eyes roam the crowd, looking for me. He relaxes a bit when he sees me, nostrils flaring as he takes in my dressing.
He approaches me, stopping a foot away from me. He takes off his blazer jacket and puts it carefully on my shoulders. There are whines from the crowd.
“Don’t cover her up, prince. We need to see exactly what we’re auctioning for,” one robust man says from the crowd. He buttoned his blazer jacket without meeting my eyes. As he turned to leave, I couldn’t help but pull him back.
“Sia, I’m scared,” I admitted, my voice quivering.
He held my shoulders firmly, and I looked up at him, seeking comfort in his eyes.
“Crinka, you’re beautiful, and you’re strong. I know you’re scared, but you can’t show them your fears. Be strong, baby. It will be over soon,” he whispered, his voice filled with genuine reassurance.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I choked out, “I… I don’t want to go through that again, Sia.”
Sia’s face softened, and he drew me into a gentle hug. “It will be alright, love, I promise.”
He planted a tender kiss on my forehead before stepping away to join his brothers. Cocci approached the podium, gesturing for me to step onto the platform before taking the microphone.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! You all know me as the prince, but tonight I’m going to be the master of this event!” Cocci paused, savoring the cheers from the crowd. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
“I must say you all look wonderful tonight. We have gathered here on this cool evening to place a bid on this she-wolf. The prince, my elder brother Nasia, no longer needs her. Now listen, there’s a reward for the highest bidder. He or she, and yes, females can place a bid too, gets to keep her as a personal assistant or concubine for males, and the ceremony will be held right here in this grand palace. Doesn’t that sound exciting?”
The crowd erupted in cheers again, their enthusiasm palpable. Massa took a careful sip of his drink.
“Before we proceed, I would like to invite our Crown Prince, Ruarc Lancaster, to lead us in grace.”
I watched with disdain as Ruarc walked toward the podium to say the grace. He took his seat after the prayer, which was a short expression of gratitude to whatever deity they believed in.
With great enthusiasm, Cocci exclaimed, “Let the bidding begin!”
“Forty thousand dollars!” a man yelled from the back.
“Sixty!” a voice chimed in.
“Eighty!”
“Two hundred!”
My eyes widened as the figures continued to climb. The realization that someone could spend such an exorbitant amount of money on a person sent shivers down my spine. I nervously twiddled my thumbs, trying to keep my anxiety at bay.
“Two twenty!”
“Four fifty!”
“Wait!” one man yelled. “Here we are, bidding for a woman, and we don’t even know her worth. How about we inspect her to see if she’s worth our money, huh?” The man wiggled his uneven brows at me.
I fought back the urge to vomit. “Yes, I agree with August here. It’s only reasonable to inspect your product.”
But deep down, I wanted to shout that I wasn’t a product; I was a person, just like them.
“Fine,” Cocci muttered. “Two minutes.”
About five men came forward, and I took a voluntary step back, nearly falling off the platform. August ripped off Sia’s blazer jacket while another man forcibly spread my legs. Tears threatened to fall, but I bit them back.
Sia met my gaze, his lips moving silently.
Be strong.