"Maybe not in this life, but you have no control beyond that, so anything can happen."
Again she stared at him with a frown, studying him. She was crazy, but not stupid. She knew he was a foreigner and she couldn't deal with him like she dealt with her own men.
"My favorite stud failed to impregnate me again, as he died too quickly," she said. "Therefore, you shall take his place."
"And how will you know it's mine and not that of the other men you tormented so far?" Kyrio felt relieved that Smeraldo had died before coming. The scream of agony had sounded endless, but it had probably been over pretty quickly.
"I have only checked if they function, I haven't allowed them inside me yet," she replied.
"And do they function? Because you might be a little disappointed with me in that department," he retorted.
She scoffed. "One yes, the other was too scared and his heart failed him. And we'll see about you."
Kyrio imagined the Kelvan had survived since he hadn't screamed as much as the other man.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," he said.
"I think I know how to get you hard," she answered with a threatening whisper, leaning to kiss him hungrily.
Kyrio didn't try to resist. But he was very controlled and she didn't manage to arouse him, not even with the wooden phallus.
"Aldo made me hard with a smile and a kiss," he teased her. "But you can't force pleasure on me, unless you drug me."
Which she ended up doing, much like the guard had done. Kyrio sank into the drug's dream-state, glad he could imagine he was with Smeraldo again. What happened to his body didn't matter anymore at that point.
Chapter 10
"Because she can't break him, she's going to kill him like she did with Alina's brother," Bianca said, frowning with concern. Her stomach was tightly knotted and the smell of food around her made only things worse.
She sat with Sibilla in the guards' canteen, wondering how she could save Kyrio. "He won't survive until the Fall Festival. I mean, he's strong, but the Queen seems set on destroying him."
"At least she's not touching Branwen." Sibilla sighed. "But you're right, when Kyrio dies, Branwen's turn will come."
"Maybe I could make him look sick or dead," Bianca mused. "There are potions that slow the heartbeat..."
"Might work," Sibilla shrugged. "If it works with him, I'll use something similar to save Branwen."
Bianca smiled in spite of her worry. "Girl, you sure love the blond foreigner! I mean, he's handsome, but you know what? Alina's brother was even more beautiful, and younger as well."
"And he's dead because of his exceptional beauty," Sibilla grumbled. "Have you finished your report for Princess Laurisa?"
"Yes, although I might add a page or two on Kyrio. You?"
"I'm not sure... should I mention Bruno?"
"Definitely! And Leone as well."
They discussed other episodes of the Queen's excesses, then went back to work. Their duty was guarding the Queen's Apartment's doors, and more specifically Kyrio's room. Before going there, they stopped at the palace pharmacy, where the old healer and her young assistant gave Bianca what she was looking for.
Sibilla stood outside, ready to warn her friend, as Bianca stepped in. Kyrio was still naked and restrained, but he had been shaved that morning. She offered him the goblet of potion.
"It will make you very sick, but the Queen will think you're dead and leave you alone," she explained.
He nodded and drank it all. The effect wasn't immediate, so they had time to feed him – it would look as if the food was poisoned.
It wasn't fun watching him contort and retch, but at least they had to untie him or he'd choke. Sibilla went to call the Queen, who stared at the shivering man until he lost consciousness.
Bianca, who had held him as still as she could during the writhing agony, stood and stared at the Queen. "I'm sorry, your majesty. Maybe something in the food?"
Remnants of his meal were still in the room, and the Queen noticed them. "Eat them," she ordered.
Bianca and Sibilla obeyed, feigning fear, but knowing it wasn't the food.
The Queen touched Kyrio's cheek and shivered. "He's dead. Get rid of the body."
Bianca and Sibilla bowed as she stormed out. Sibilla helped Bianca to carry Kyrio to her room and left.
After some time, Kyrio came to with a gasp and Bianca helped him vomit the food and the potion. Then she laid him down again and allowed him to rest.
***
Kyrio woke up in a new bed, and a new, smaller bedroom, unrestrained. A linen sheet covered his naked body, and the sparse furniture – a desk with a stool, a trunk for clothes – was more Spartan than Amazonia's room. Even the floor was covered with tiles instead of marble.
The only window opened into a courtyard, and the two doors led to a small bathroom and to a long corridor of what looked like a barrack. Guards walked in and out of doors throughout the corridor, and some women glared at him because he had dared peeking outside. He closed the door of the room, shaking his head. That attitude was typically... Amazonian!
He relieved himself in a pot, then went back to sit on the bed, musing about his future. He had survived Amazonia thanks to the blue-eyed, kindhearted guard, but he wasn't free yet.
Thoughts of Smeraldo filled him now that he knew what the poor dancer had been through. Younger, weaker in his self-esteem, no wonder he had lost his voice the first time and his life the second.
Kyrio missed him. He missed Aldo's smile, Aldo's touch, Aldo's body against his, Aldo's lips and his green eyes and brown curls.
He sighed, wondering if he'd ever find someone like Aldo ever again. Very unlikely, as Aldo was unique in both education and looks. Yes, the Kelvan was handsome, but it wasn't the same thing.
The door opened and the guard came in with a tray of food. "Glad to see you up," she smiled. "This is regular food, don't worry."
She put the tray next to him on the bed. "My name is Bianca. Tomorrow I hope to bring you a tunic and breeches, but you better not show your nose out of here. If the Queen learns that you're still alive, she won't spare you. Or me."
"I won't leave the room," he promised, tasting the vegetable soup. "Although some women have seen me peeking out."
"The barracks host two hundred guards," she said with a shrug. "Not many are in constant contact with the Queen, so they probably thought you were my new servant."
"So you're one of the lucky few, huh?"
"Honestly I prefer when I don't have to stand guard in the Apartment. But there aren't that many girls who can bear the Queen's excesses. It wasn't fun hearing all those men abused."
"So you met my beloved dancer the first time he came to the palace?"
"Yes. He was summoned and obediently came. He couldn't understand why we had to undress him and tie him up upon arrival. Queen's orders."
Kyrio nodded, thoughtful, and finished his soup. He drank some wine and asked her if she had eaten.
"Yes, at the canteen, with Sibilla. Don't worry, it's all for you." She pointed at the pie still on the tray.
He ate that too, then she put the tray on a corner of her desk, sitting down.
"Daily report?" he asked, seeing her taking pen and ink.
"Not really. Princess Laurisa is preparing a book of accusations against the Queen. I'm completing my story about how I rescued you. You seem to be perfectly fit after a two-day rest." She wrote as she spoke on a half-scribbled parchment.
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you."
He waited until she finished and put the sheet in a leather folder along with many others.
"Do you have Aldo's story in there as well?" he asked. "I mean Smeraldo, the dancer."
She turned to look at him and nodded, serious.
"When are you going to challenge Amazonia?"
"Princess Laurisa's mother thinks the Fall Festival is the best time. The High Priestess is with them."
"Do you think I can have a weapon by then? A knife or a bow.
.. if there's a revolt against that crazy bitch, I want to fight with you."
"Maybe," she said, amused.
She unbuckled her sword-belt, took off her sandals and her over-tunic. Must be bedtime as the light was fading fast outside.
She came to lie next to him, but didn't try to touch him.
He felt he owed her, so he took her in his arms. "Still want that baby from me?"
She looked puzzled. "Yes, but I thought you couldn't perform..."
"I can if I want to."
"I thought you loved Smeraldo."
"I do, but this doesn't mean I can't make love to a woman if I want to."
A trembling smile reached her lips. "And you want to?"
"I wouldn't hold you if I didn't want to."
She nodded, closed her eyes and offered her mouth to be kissed. Kyrio wasn't an expert on women's bodies, but knew enough to please her. He thought she wouldn't mind if she knew he excited himself with the thought of Aldo.
He made love to her, then they lay in each other's arms until she fell asleep with a satisfied sigh. It took him much longer to find rest, and Smeraldo filled his dreams.
***
"He's the captain of his own ship," Bianca said, excited. "He thinks Branwen is a noble incognito, maybe even a prince. Why don't we suggest to the Queen that her latest toy might be ransomed by his own people?"
"Hmm, and how would we know that?" Sibilla frowned. "We can't tell her Kyrio is alive, can we?"
"No, but we can tell her we think he's someone important in his country because he's fluent in our language. Well, he might be a merchant, like Kyrio, but he does have an air of nobility."
"A foreign diplomat shipwrecked on our coast... makes sense. He is tougher than the Uncatchable, but like Kyrio, he can't last for long."
"Let's go tell the Queen, then. Or maybe we can spread the rumor so Captain Nerissa can tell her. The Queen is more likely to listen to her faithful captain than any of us."
"You're right." Sibilla smiled at last, relieved. "Let's see if we can find out more about Branwen – maybe he really is a foreign prince!"
Besides talking about it with the other guards, they also asked their sailor friends to inquire. A bulky man had been captured with the blond Kelvan, and he was still fighting in the Arena.
Bianca found a Merchantess who could speak Kelvan, and they went together to the Arena to talk to the bulky man, who admitted he was Branwen's bodyguard, and that Branwen was indeed of royal blood, albeit not the heir to the throne. The Kelvans would pay any price to have him back.
Satisfied, Bianca and the Merchantess went to speak with Captain Nerissa, knowing the gruff woman wouldn't pass on a source of wealth.
Nerissa was close to retirement, but she saw the possibility. The Queen was greedy, and the prospect of a rich ransom might get her off the prisoner's back.
Bianca and Sibilla stood guard, pretending not to listen as Captain Nerissa spoke to the Queen. The blonde woman frowned at the suggestion, but she respected Nerissa's gray hair enough to listen until the end.
"Fine," she snapped. "Send a messenger to the Kelvan King. I want a huge ransom to let go that juicy piece of meat."
"It will be done, my Queen." Nerissa bowed as Bianca and Sibilla exchanged a satisfied smile. "I suggest you leave him alone until we get a reply. We can't damage a precious hostage."
The Queen snorted but nodded, averting her eyes.
Bianca heard Sibilla exhale and did her best to hide her smile of triumph.
Chapter 11
Kyrio had to wear a Modesty Cloth to leave Bianca's room and exit the Queen's palace. He understood now why Smeraldo had looked so clumsy under the Cloth – his vision was impaired by the lace-covered opening, so he grabbed Bianca's hand as soon as he could.
Bianca had taken off her guard's tunic to wear a much more feminine, sleeveless outfit. She had also left her sword in her room. She had provided Kyrio with new clothes, and now she led him to Melania's house, where the hostess was waiting with Alina and Princess Laurisa.
Kyrio took off the Cloth and sat with them, remembering when he had first entered the house. For a moment he even saw Smeraldo sitting on his heels next to Melania's triclinium. He met her eyes and she smiled ruefully.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought him back," he said, unable to recline on his own triclinium like the women did. He still couldn't understand how Aristocrats could eat in such position. Bianca looked uncomfortable, much like him.
"You kept your word, and that's very honorable of you," she replied, a little sad. "I should have sold him to you immediately, but your proposal took me by surprise. I was afraid you'd use him and hurt him even more."
Kyrio smiled ruefully. "I'd never hurt him. I didn't even touch him until he came to me willingly," he grumbled, feeling a lump in his throat.
"Melania told me you healed my brother," Alina said, serious. "And for this, I thank you. We're working to get rid of the Queen, as we have had enough of her cruelty. Smeraldo's death will not be in vain."
"Bianca told me what you plan to do," Kyrio said. "Like I told her, if you give me weapons, I'll fight by your side. And so will Branwen, I think. As soon as his ransom is paid and he's set free, he'll help you to get rid of Amazonia."
"We're not too keen on external help," Laurisa said. "What if the Kelvans claim we owe them because they helped us? But you are not royalty, so you'll have a bow and a dagger. You seem to be very attached to Smeraldo."
"I loved him." Kyrio lowered his eyes as Smeraldo's smile flashed inside his heart. One month and a half and it still hurt.
"We're all mourning someone destroyed by my heartless ancestor," Laurisa said gravely.
"I'm glad you're not all inhuman like her," Kyrio whispered, glancing at Melania's melancholic expression.
"We all fell in love, at least once," Alina said. "But often the Queen snatched our beloved and killed him, like she did with my brother."
Kyrio looked around the room and the four women slowly nodded every time he met their eyes.
"You know the custom that says at fourteen we shall lose our virginity if we haven't already?" Laurisa began. Kyrio nodded, puzzled. "Well, I didn't need the Rite," she continued. "I was twelve when I fell in love, so I went to my best friend's older brother to learn everything about sex so I could initiate him when his time came. We both eagerly awaited his birthday so I could gift him with sex. But the Queen chose him for the Fall Sacrifice. He was thirteen."
It must have been more than ten years earlier, but obviously the princess still hurt.
"What's with the Fall Sacrifice?" Kyrio asked. "Why virgins and why so young?"
"The Queen's idea," Alina said sourly. "We all lost brothers to her wicked ways. She turned a ceremony of life into a sacrifice. One young man a year on every altar of the Goddess in the country."
"I'm surprised you still have men," Kyrio commented.
"We need them to reproduce," Melania said. "And we don't always treat them like animals."
"How many children did Smeraldo sire?" Kyrio asked.
"At least a dozen who survived," Alina answered.
"My daughter," Melania said absentmindedly. "She has his green eyes."
"I'm sure she'll be the best dancer in the world with such parents," Kyrio smiled. "How old is she now?"
"Eight. And she misses her father."
"I miss him too. Very much."
"You'll find another lover."
"I doubt it."
Bianca had kept her mouth shut in the presence of higher-placed women – namely the princess and Alina, more than Melania – but now she straightened herself.
"I will have Kyrio's baby," she announced. "And as the palace is unsafe for our foreign friend, I was wondering if I could leave him here." She stared at Melania, determined.
The dancer looked puzzled. "Of course he can stay... but how did you..."
Kyrio scoffed. "I can function with women if I want to. Why, anyone else wants a baby from a foreigner?"
Alina shook her head, but Laurisa hesitated.
"The Queen had to drug you," the princess said, skeptical.
"Like I said, I decide whom I'll make love to," he replied. "Interested?"
"No, but thank you for offering," Laurisa smiled.
Melania was still pondering. "We could talk about Smeraldo if you stay here," she said, thoughtful.
"I'd love to hear about his youth," Kyrio assured.
"Then I'll drop by every day to join the conversation," Alina decided. "And keep you updated. As soon as the Kelvan prince is out of the palace, we strike!"
"I thought you were waiting for the Fall Festival," Bianca observed, puzzled.
"By the time the ransom gets here, it will almost be time for the Fall Festival," Laurisa answered with a sly smile.
***
The ransom for Prince Branwen of Kelvia reached Maadre three days before the Fall Festival. Bianca and Sibilla were allowed to untie him and give him back his clothes.
His wrists and ankles were bruised by the ropes, but the Queen had left him alone after Captain Nerissa suggested he might be valuable.
The blond man stared gratefully at the two guards as he recovered some dignity, and Bianca knew Sibilla's heart must be beating very fast.
"We are to escort you to the river barge that will take you to the sea where your father's ship awaits," Bianca said, knowing Sibilla was too upset to speak.
"I thank you for your kindness," he replied. "Would any of you like to come with me?"
"I would," Sibilla whispered, blushing. "But I have three children who still need me."
He nodded. "They're welcome too. I lost my bodyguard in the shipwreck, and I'm sure a warrior woman like you will be as good as him."
"Your bodyguard died in our Arena," Bianca corrected, amused. "But yes, Sibilla is as good as him."
"Sibilla, huh? And you are?"
"Bianca."
"Do you want to come too?"
"No, I belong here."
"But your queen..."
"Won't last much longer."
Branwen frowned. "I'd love to help you get rid of her."
"Princess Laurisa doesn't want any foreign interference."
Tales of the Queendom of Maadre Page 6
