by Terri Pray
She took a deep breath and lifted her chin. Her jaw tightened. She focused, bringing the ice shield down into place. She could do this. She had to.
Shaun pushed the door open. “Trust me lass, it will all be well.”
What other choice did she have?
The large room played host to over thirty people. Women dressed in expensive dresses that were a little too revealing for Celeste's comfort. The men weren't much better either. They way they looked at her left her feeling as though her skin was crawling, her body stripped for their pleasure, despite the way she was obviously dressed. Did they think she was another slave for their use?
Well, if they did, they were wrong. She wasn't about to let them get anywhere near her. She wouldn't be a slave again. Not even if her life depended on it.
The man at the head of the room looked sharply at Shaun. He sat on a raised dais that overlooked the room. His washed out grey eyes narrowed as he watched them walk through the room. Jamezen, it had to be. He was dressed far more expensively than anyone else in the room, and the chair he sat on, at the head of the room confirmed his position over those within.
“Captain, it's good to see you again, but who is this darling creature on your arm?” His voice dripped with insincere affection. “A pretty little thing indeed. Have you brought us a new guest, or something more interesting?”
“Celestial Blue is a dear friend of mine, Jamezen. She's in need of a new home and I thought that you might welcome her here.” Shaun led her through the crowd to the foot of the dais. “I am hoping you will let her live here, she has skills that will be useful, and she is a dominant.”
“Is she now?” Jamezen leaned back in his chair, his gaze snaking over her body. “She looks the part, but is it an act, or something she truly is?”
“She is a dominant as many of the men on my ship found out. She'd make a good addition to the island, Jamezen. She has some skills with herb lore. A skill I know you need here on the island.” Shaun nodded a polite greeting to the man on the dais. “And she has funds enough to keep her bills paid until she has managed to set up shop here.”
Jamezen didn't say a word for a few minutes as he let his gaze moved over Celeste's body again. Her skin crawled. There was something cold about this man. Something that warned her to stay away. But where else could she go?
“So, Miss Blue, what makes you think that you would find a place here, on my Island?” Jamezen leaned forward. “You look pleasant enough company, but you might not find the ways of our home so welcoming once you see just how we run this place. As you might have witnessed on your way in, we are less than gentle with those who are slaves here.”
“Slaves need to be kept under strict discipline, Sir. If they are given any slack they will find a way to cause problems or escape.” Celeste met his gaze calmly. If nothing else she knew just how much a slave could get away with if give half a chance to do so.
“I see. So the sight of the slave being whipped?”
“Didn't bother me.” She gave a slight shrug. “Why would it?”
“Interesting.” He nodded and leaned back in his chair. “Unusual for a woman to not be affected in some way.”
“Celeste is an unusual woman, Jamezen. She had some of my men ready to beg her to stay on the ship.” Shaun took a step forward, his smile an easy one. “I will be sorry to see her go, but a ship is no place for a woman to call home.”
“It can be, depending on the woman. But few have the courage to allow a woman to join them full time.” The ruler of the island stood up and walked down the steps of the dais. “Well then, Celestial Blue, are you willing to abide by the laws of the island?”
“That I don't know, as yet.”
“Oh?”
“I'm not about to agree to abide by laws I haven't, as yet, read.”
CHAPTER TWO
“You handled that well.” Shaun escorted her out of the throne room as she had learned the room was called. “Jamezen is not used to people thinking before they commit to something, so you'll be a breath of fresh air here. One that is well needed. He has become too confined by people just backing down to whatever he wants. Even the women who want him cow-tow to him just to please him. Or they do to his face.”
Celeste could well believe that about the women here, just from what little she'd seen from Danielle when they'd first arrived. That woman needed slapping down and if she wasn't careful it would be Celeste giving out the lessons. It wouldn't have been the first time she had smacked someone down, nor, did she think, it would be the last.
“So just what was going on back there, other than him testing the waters, and how come you know your way around this place well enough to show me where my room is?”
“I've spent more than a few months here, on and off, Celeste.”
“And you enjoyed your time here?” She looked up at Shaun, studying his face. “I mean you really enjoyed, not just passed the time of day looking out of the window at the ocean?”
“I made use of what I found here, I'll not deny that Celeste.” Shaun stopped in front of a new door. They had left not only the hall behind, but climbed two flights of stone steps up into the body of the fortress. “There are some interesting things here, and I've enjoyed some of my visits.”
Celeste nodded, she wasn't entirely satisfied with this turn of events but she'd been able to learn a lot more about Shaun and his tastes. Still, she had known some of his tastes from her time on the ship. Out of all the men on the vessel he had been the only one she had been required to serve in a submissive manner in order to pay for her passage. In truth it hadn't been that bad, not after what she had been through with Davien, or Tearlach.
Had he been gentle with her? There was always that chance, she didn't know him the way she had wanted to. Only now did she begin to realize that he had kept a deliberate distance from her. Hiding some of how he felt, or what he wanted, no matter how long they had spent together. And in a way she couldn't blame him. She was an intruder into his world.
“Have you— no, I already know the answer. You spent time with the slaves here. What else would you be doing? Sorry. That was rude of me.”
“No, not rude. You're a woman and curiosity is natural in your gender.” He flashed a grin her way. “Now, this is your room. From what I recall this side of the fortress is quiet. So it will give you some chance for peace and quiet. Something you will need as you become used to this place.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You're a newcomer here. One that is attractive and female. The men here will want to test the limits with you.”
Shaun led the way into the room and pulled back the drapes. Light streamed into the room and Celeste uttered a small gasp. She'd never seen a room so beautifully furnished. “This is mine?”
“Yes, for now. Unless you don't like it?” Shaun turned around and shot her a curious look. “Is there something wrong?”
“No. I just wasn't expecting anything like this.” She looked around the room, the tension easing from her shoulders. “This is beautiful. The furnishings. It's all so expensive. As if they have money to burn.”
“In some ways they do. They earn quite a lot from nobles and wealthy merchants visiting the island. Sometimes they sell a trained slave to a wealthy buyer, which adds to the island's coffers. That is then poured into the fortress and those who live here. This place could do well for you, Celeste. If you have the chance to sit down and study your herb lore, and keep true to being dominant as well. Then you could find a way to earn a decent private living. I would keep some of that money to one side, in case you ever need it to make a quick escape.”
A quick escape. Yes, she had had need of that twice before. “Thank you. I'll keep that in mind, Shaun.” Celeste took a deep breath before turn looked at him. “Out of all the men I have known you have shown me the only true measure of kindness.”
“If I had truly been as kind as you now believe, do you think your passage would have cost you the use of your sweet bod
y?” Shaun looked calmly at her and arched one eyebrow. “I am not a good man. I never will be. I'm just slightly better than some others.”
“You at least gave me a choice, which is more than others have done in the past. And didn't turn me into the ship's slut.” As a dominant she had been able to avoid having sex with the other men on the ship. There had been other ways to please the men, or rather bring them to their pleasure. Pain. They'd most been interested in pain. Or humiliation. Either way sex hadn't been part of the deal. Except with Shaun.
“A woman is more eager when she is given a choice.” Shaun's voice was quiet, almost soft. “I've learned that over the years. Once you were more comfortable with me, our times together became more enjoyable for us both. Why would I add force to our times together when it was obvious it wasn't needed?”
A good question. He had no reason to force her, not on the ship and not here if he so desired. “Shaun, if you want me again you have but to say.”
“I'll take my pleasures from the slaves here, Celeste. I'll not do you a disservice by introducing you to the island by the screams of a slave or submissive in use. No, you have a chance of a new life here. Enjoy it.”
Celeste nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Thank you for that.”
“Now, I suggest you get some rest, Celeste. You have a long night ahead of you and I will be leaving on the morning tide.” Shaun looked out toward the window. “She calls me, you know that.”
“Yes, I do.” Celeste couldn't help but smile. Even without an explanation she knew who Shaun was speaking of.
* * * *
Celeste woke in the unfamiliar room, her fingers clenched tightly about the finely woven blanket. For several long minutes she lay there, calming herself down, trying to chase away the feelings of panic that had risen as soon as she had opened her eyes. After the constant feeling of the deck shifting beneath her, waking up without that movement had triggered more than a few bad memories and those had tried to keep their grip on her when she had opened her eyes.
Tearlach. Davien. They both haunted her dreams. God. Would she never be rid of them?
Not until she found the courage to heal her heart.
Celeste blinked as the words hit her. Heal her heart. Had they both scarred her there, or was there more to the story that she hadn't had the chance to look back on and work out for herself? God, if that were true then she had some hard times ahead of her. She glanced up at the clock and frowned. How long has she been asleep?
Too long. She had to make an appearance in the throne room.
Celeste sat up and slipped out of bed. Shaun had arranged for a chest of clothing to be brought to her. At least, during her stay on his ship, she had been able to earn money for clothing and more. The few stops they had made on their voyage to the island, had given her a chance to buy the items she needed, but she still had to be careful. She wasn't rich and it was unlikely that she'd be able to match the spending habits of those who lived on the island.
She didn't have the money to match them, but she did have the intelligence and courage. Most of the women here would rely on their looks. That much she was already sure of from the short time she had spent in the throne room. She'd already discovered the power her body had, it was time to show people the strength of her mind.
It was time to show people just who the real Celestial Blue was.
* * * *
The silver gown clung to her figure, soft slippers encased her feet as she walked into the throne room. The style of dress was old fashioned, but she didn't care, it suited her. It flowed about her legs. Clung to her hips and breasts. And matched her hair almost perfectly. When she walked into the throne room it didn't take long before all eyes were on her, just the way she wanted them to be.
Celeste lifted her chin and walked fully into the room. Her steps near silent, the grace she knew flowed through her body now stood her in good stead as she walked through the assembled crowd. Her gown whispered around her legs. Her hair loose and free down her back instead of the harsh braid she had worn earlier in the day. For one brief moment she ruled their senses and for now that would be enough.
“Welcome, Celestial Blue. Or would you prefer Celeste?” Jamezen rose from the richly carved throne on the dais.
“Celeste works well enough, thank you, my Lord.” Celeste flashed a cool, but polite smile as she offered a brief curtsey.
“Ah, a woman who understands protocol. And yet I'd have pegged that accent as belonging to someone raised with the simpler things in life. Yet here I see something different, a woman of station perhaps?”
“I'm a fast learner, my Lord.” She lifted her head fully, her jaw tight, but her voice soft. “And I am grateful for the chance to call the island my home.”
“Why would I turn away such an interesting new addition to my home? You're going to prove to be quite an enigma for the men and women here. A woman of living ice. But is there a flame behind the ice?”
Celeste refrained from smiling. She knew the passion that burned within her body. She'd been taught of it's existence under the hands of a master. But few, if any, would see it here. “I believe that is best to keep silent about that right now. Don't you?”
Jamezen laughed, the sound forced. “Well, well, yes perhaps that will add to the mystery. I shall look forward to the unwrapping of just who you are, Celestial Blue.”
Celeste dropped another, brief, curtsey. “As you wish, my Lord.”
Danielle moved into line of sight, distracting Jamezen away from Celeste with a sway of barely clad hips. “She's nothing but a new piece of flesh, Jamezen.”
“And the new is always more interesting than the old,” Jamezen purred.
Celeste frowned as she moved away from the dais. The last thing she needed was to end up in the middle of a tug of war, or power, especially when she had no interest in the man at the center of it.
“Don't mind Danielle. She can be the queen bitch when she wants to be.” A dark haired, sensual lipped man slipped one arm through hers. “You're new, therefore a threat to her power. It doesn't matter that she's already been replaced.”
“And you are?” She eased her arm out of his grasp, keeping a few inches between them as she turned to look at him fully.
“Steven Nighthawk.” His skin was pale, his eyes dark, a sensuality in his voice that taunted her and yet left her cold at the same time. “The island has become my second home.”
“And your first?” Celeste met his gaze calmly. The last thing she needed was to let this man, Steven, or whatever his name was, think she was nervous.
“The America's.”
“Ah, a long voyage.”
“But worth it.” He nodded and gestured towards a small group of chairs. “Will you join me? For a drink, nothing else.”
“Just a drink? Then I believe that shouldn't be a problem.” Celeste nodded slightly and followed him across the room to the waiting chairs.
“More can wait until you're a little more comfortable with me, Celeste.” The smile he flashed said predator, but the quiver in his voice spoke of nerves. The combination odd, even to her ears. “What can I get you to drink?”
“Tea.”
“Ah, just tea? Nothing more interesting?” Steven settled into the first of the deep chairs. “A pity. I have a feeling you'd enjoy a full bodied glass of wine.”
“I prefer to keep my wits about me.” Celeste smoothed the skirts of her dress down as she settled into an empty chair. She took a quick look around, searching for some sign of Shaun. Nothing. Damn him. Where was he? “I just think it makes more sense to keep a clear head. Especially in unfamiliar surroundings.”
“I believe your friend has already found a companion for the evening.”
“Ah. Well, he has earned the time to himself. The ship kept him quite busy.”
A sight frown played across Steven's face. “So, he is not your... ”
“No. I was a passenger on his ship. Nothing more to him.” Sure. There'd never been anythin
g more. Unless she wanted to count the way her body had arched beneath Shaun's? “The men on his ship paid me to dominate them when the need hit them.”
“And?”
“I know the look in your eyes. You're wondering what sort of man could get me on my knees.”
He gave a slight shrug. “I already know what type. I see him in the mirror every day.”
“That's where you're wrong, Steven.” Celeste met his gaze head on. If she wanted to draw the line it had to be here. Now. There wouldn't be any second chances on this. “The type of man that could put me on my knees is not the one you see in the mirror on a daily basis. That type of man doesn't exist at all.”
His lips pressed together into a thin line. His jaw tightened. His voice lowered into a low growl. “You're mistaken.”
“Am I, Steven?” She fixed him with a gaze that should have turned him to ice. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because within any woman there is the need to submit, if she is with the right man. And I have never met a woman I couldn't bring to her knees sooner or later.”
“I see.” Celeste took a moment before speaking, she knew she had to choose the right words, or things would become nasty. “And it never occurred to you that there might be a woman who has neither the need, nor willingness, to kneel at your feet?”
“Not possible.” He gave a slight, imperious shake of his head. “It is where you need to be, if you would just let yourself see the truth. Or are you afraid of the woman you might discover yourself to be in my hands?”
The laughter that spilled from Celeste's lips was one hundred percent natural. She hadn't even had to think about it.
“Why are you laughing?” he growled.
“Because you're so sure of yourself, yet you're shaking as if you're afraid.” Celeste let her gaze roam over his body. “You're breathing hard. Your pulse is racing. There's sweat on your brow. Those are all the signs of a man who is afraid, Steven.”
“I'm not afraid, don't say that to me.”
