She nodded. “My mother was a healer and she passed the gift on to me. I don’t know how but I just know. We had an herb garden in our courtyard and there were some wild plants and when I could reach them just beyond the gates, I could gather the seeds and grow them within our own garden. The guards never noticed,” she said.
“They watched you very closely?”
She nodded, eating her fruit, a bit of red juice staining her cheeks and nose. He had to smile at that and didn’t clean it off. It was too sweet to see her so carefree.
“We weren’t allowed to do much but eat and rest when pregnant. Breeders, once we bleed for the first time,” she said, blushing and looking away for a moment before continuing, “we are almost constantly monitored then. For me, it was all too new but I saw how some of the other girls were almost locked away and just watched us from their windows like ghosts.”
Silas watched her pick at the last pits of the pomegranate, sadness returning to her features. His own smile faded as he imagined her thinking, knowing that after her term with him, her hell would only continue once she was returned to her colony and bred again and again until her body simply couldn’t take any more.
He stood. “Come with me, I have a surprise for you, if you dare,” he teased. He held out his hand.
“What is it?” she asked, taking it, allowing him to lift her to her feet.
He pointed to the top of the falls. “Look,” he said, “up at the top of the falls.” She looked. “We’re going to jump from up there.” He began to pull her toward the path he’d climbed a thousand times before.
“Can you do that? Won’t we die?” she asked, walking along with him but resisting a little.
He laughed. “It’s not my plan,” he said, lifting her up the first steep step ahead of him.
They climbed and with a little encouragement from him, they stood at the top of the falls. Her grip on his hand tightened as she looked down and exhaled a very nervous breath. He waited until she turned her gaze to him.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“You won’t let me go?” Her eyes were like saucers when she asked.
“I promise,” he said, squeezing her hand.
She nodded, “I’m scared, but ok.”
“On three,” he said, and took a step forward. He counted to three and before she could change her mind, they leapt off the top of the fall and he watched her face, listened to her scream as they splashed into the lake.
Breathless, they broke the surface, his arms tight around her.
“Again!” she screamed before he could get a word in. She began to drag him toward the edge of the lake. Silas laughed and followed her.
* * *
Rowan felt good when they began the final leg of their journey. They chatted quietly, Silas asking about her life at the colony, her asking about his life at the settlement. Her feet didn’t hurt so much anymore and she just felt good. They had jumped seven more times before he had said they had to go but she had managed to get him to promise he would bring her back as it was only three hours from his village.
It was early evening when they arrived and Rowan got her first look at a settlement. The light that came from the homes flickered. It was a larger village than she had assumed and soon, villagers began to come out of doors as they heard the sound of their approach.
Rowan’s heart began to race. She saw the curious looks of the people and found herself stepping closer to Silas so that she just touched him.
“They’re weary of strangers, that’s all,” he said. “They’ll stare but they won’t harm you.”
She nodded, her eyes wide on the approaching men and women. Most hung back but about a dozen approached, one a little boy of about six.
Rowan turned to Silas, confused. “How are there children?” she asked.
“Overflow. The colony only keeps those born with the breeder gene. They then give the citizens of the colony their pick and send the rest to the settlements.”
As Rowan watched, the boy managed to free himself from his mother’s tight hold and ran so fast toward Silas that he collided into him.
“Charlie!” Silas said, catching the boy.
Rowan watched the reunion as Silas picked him up and held him.
“They all missed you, Silas, but I took care of everything. Old man Gideon was in a nasty mood but no more than usual. Aside from that, everything is just how you left it.”
Rowan had to smile at the seriousness of the boy’s tone and she could see Silas struggle not to smile at all.
“Well done, Charlie. You’re the best deputy anyone could ask for. Tell me though,” he began, glancing at the boy’s mother who stared at Rowan. “Shouldn’t you be in your bed?”
Charlie shrugged a shoulder, “Didn’t want to let my guard down ‘til you came back.” He turned to look Rowan over from head to toe and back and tried for a severe look when he returned his gaze to Silas’. “Who’s the pretty lady?” he asked.
At that, Rowan put her hand to her mouth to hide her chuckle.
Silas set him down and turned him to face Rowan. “This, Charlie, is Rowan. But I call her Hellcat as she’s got a hellish streak in her.”
“I do not,” she defended, realizing he was trying to set her at ease. Well, it worked.
The boy held out his hand to her. “Nice to meet you, Rowan.” Then: “What’s wrong with her eyes?” he asked, still looking at Rowan but whispering loudly to Silas.
Rowan dropped her gaze to her feet, nervous again. They would all want to know.
“There’s nothing wrong with her eyes. She’s what the colonies call a breeder, a woman who can have babies.”
“Are you having a baby?” he asked, perking up. “Mom!” he called out, running to his mother. “Silas and the pretty lady are having a baby!”
“Well, best to get this over with,” Silas mumbled, shaking his head.
Chapter Six
Silas led Rowan through the crowd of villagers who had gathered, who now stood quietly in their doorways and along the street, staring at her as they made their way to his home. Rowan had slid her hand into his and he could feel her tremble beside him, see that her gaze was cast down to the ground, her other hand hidden beneath her fur.
The settlement housed more than twelve hundred residents, which was large compared to others. Families lived in small homes, most of which were made up of one large room with sleeping and living areas cordoned off with curtains. Each home contained its own cooking unit and the village was supplied with electricity and water from the main colony. Fields were farmed and animals were raised to provide milk and food, their flesh only consumed when they were too old to be useful any longer. Men hunted for meat but their success depended on the year. The villagers’ diet consisted mainly of flat breads, legumes, fruits and vegetables they grew and managed to keep through the winter, and dairy products from the animals. But it was enough and life was good.
As he thought this, Silas scanned the perimeter of the settlement just as two of the village elders approached him, both of them casting cautious gazes at Rowan.
“Alistair, Jonah.” Silas stopped walking and greeted them with a quiet nod of his head.
“Welcome home, Silas,” Alistair said.
Alistair and Jonah were the eldest men of the village and although Silas was its leader, these men were his trusted counselors and friends.
“The soldiers are gone?” Silas asked. When Silas had first been invited to the colony, armed soldiers had surrounded their village.
“They left two days earlier,” Jonah said, no longer hiding the fact that he was studying Rowan. “You’ve brought a breeder,” he said, turning his attention back to Silas, his gaze disapproving.
How much could Silas tell them? When Commander Norrin had first come for him, it had been after seven days without electrical power, without running water. The settlements depended on the colonies for those things and so much more, even as the colonies depended on them for much of their food and other
items. When Silas had seen Commander Norrin that day he had come, he had known immediately what the power outage was: a show of their dependence on the colony. Proof of the colony’s unquestionable power over their survival.
When he had left with the commander, he had told the elders that a new deal would be struck in order to obtain their resources and much-needed medicines. He hadn’t mentioned anything else the commander had told him then—he hadn’t known how and he’d not had time to process that news himself.
“She is called Rowan and is under my protection. She has been lent to us by the colony.”
Alistair’s brow furrowed. “Lent? Why?” he asked.
These men were wise and he would explain things, he just hadn’t planned on doing it tonight. He took in a deep breath. It had been a long day but his night was about to get longer.
“Let me get her settled and I will come to the hall to explain.”
Alistair and Jonah looked from Rowan to Silas, then nodded. With a hand at Rowan’s back, he urged her toward his home, the last one at the edge of the settlement. Rowan remained silent, her body still trembling.
Once at his home, he opened the door and gestured for her to enter. She did and stood just a few paces inside, waiting for him.
Silas moved around and lit several lamps, illuminating the small space. He lived alone and now, looking around, he saw how sparse his home was. “It’s not much,” he said, “this is the living space and we will sleep there.” He pointed to the farthest wall where he had stacked a large mattress he had acquired from trade on top of planks of wood he had fashioned into a bed frame. It was the only piece of furniture in his home that spoke of his taste. The headboard was intricately carved wood he had taken half a year to perfect. Upon the bed lay a thick, colorful quilt. It had been a gift from the villagers when he had gotten married—a wedding present, and more, a show of acceptance. A part of him still wondered why he didn’t put the quilt away with the rest of the things. Why he tortured himself with that constant reminder of how much his actions had cost. He exhaled and turned back to Rowan.
“This is where you will cook,” he said, realizing that with her in his house, he would have a woman to cook for him again. “I will show you the garden tomorrow in the light. Dinner will be brought to you while I’m gone.” She remained staring at him. “Don’t be afraid, nothing will happen to you. You’re under my protection and I will ensure everyone knows it. The villagers mean you no harm, they’re not violent by nature. They’re cautious, that is all.”
A knock came at the door then and Rowan jumped with a gasp.
“Come in,” Silas said. Their doors didn’t contain locks.
“Sir.” Two teenage boys stood in the door and Silas could see the shadow of several others behind them all trying to have a look at Rowan.
“Yes, Jonathan?” Silas said, stepping in front of her, wanting to shield her even from these boys.
“The wagon, sir. We’ve brought it. Would you like us to carry the bags inside?”
“I’ll take care of it,” he said. “Thank you.” With that, he moved to the door and closed it, then turned back to Rowan.
“I need to meet with the council and explain things. Tomorrow, I will introduce you to the villagers. It will just take some time for you to settle in, but you’ll be safe.”
“Can I come with you now?” she asked, obviously nervous to remain alone.
“I’m afraid not,” he said. The door opened then with a quiet knock and they both turned to find Charlie standing there. “Charlie, what are you doing here?”
“Shh,” he said, slipping inside. “I’m here to stand guard over Rowan while you meet with the elders.”
Rowan had to smile at that and at Charlie’s shy attempts to have a look at her, in particular, her strange eyes.
“Does your mother know you’re here?” Silas asked, walking toward the boy.
“She doesn’t need to know,” Charlie said, straightening.
Silas smiled and patted the boy’s back. “Good thinking. I hope not to be too long,” he said, then turned to Rowan. “You’ll be safe with Charlie outside. He won’t let anyone in. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Ok,” Rowan said.
Silas and Charlie walked out and Silas headed to the hall.
* * *
Rowan was tired but also too excited to sleep at the moment. She looked around the hut, at the sparse furnishings, at the elaborate bed. She went to it and touched the soft quilt that covered it, looking at each of the squares sewn together with various colors of thick thread, words, messages of love really, written throughout. She’d never seen anything like it at the colony and certainly hadn’t expected to find something like this among the people from outside of the colony.
She pulled the quilt aside and sat down on the bed. It was softer than the one she slept on but when she picked up a pillow and smelled Silas’ scent on it, she quickly put it back and stood, thinking of what would happen in that bed in the coming days, weeks, months. She was here for a purpose, for a single purpose: to be bred. Once she had done her duty, she would be separated from her children and eventually returned to the colony to be bred again. And again. Her future was grim but there was one thing that gave her hope. She wouldn’t know until she had a look around though if her plan would work.
The room was cold and she shivered. She looked around to find the fireplace stacked with wood alongside it. On the hearth stood matches and she began to stack the wood to make a fire. It only took her a few minutes before the blaze lit up the room, warming her, and she stood back to have a better look around. In the sitting room were an old and mismatched sofa and chair and a small dining table with two chairs stood along the far wall. A door led to another room, which she opened and looked into, but in the dark, all she could make out was that it was used as a storage space. A messy one at that. She had just switched on the single dim light bulb to have a look inside it when the door opened and Charlie stepped inside.
“Rowan, your dinner is here,” he said, then turned to the girl that walked in behind him. “Don’t be afraid of her. She won’t hurt you, Kara.”
The girl’s eyebrows went up and she shook her head at Charlie. “I’m not afraid of her, Charlie. Does mom know you’re here?”
Charlie cleared his throat and averted his gaze. For such a young boy, he had quite some character.
Kara shook her head and turned to Rowan, who realized she couldn’t be more than eighteen or so, younger than herself by a few years. “I’m called Kara,” she said to Rowan. “That one’s my kid brother.” Although she said it with a disapproving look in Charlie’s direction, Rowan could see the love between the two.
“I’m called Rowan,” Rowan said.
“Nice to meet you,” Kara said. “Silas really should do something with this place,” she continued, looking around as she set the tray of food down on the table. “But you know men.”
Rowan stared at the girl, not expecting someone so casual, so friendly.
“Well, enjoy your food. Send the little guy if you need anything else,” Kara said.
“Thank you.”
Once she was gone, Rowan looked at the plate of food, which contained flat bread rolled up with some sort of spread and vegetables inside. It smelled good and she picked it up, taking a bite. Then another. It was probably one of the most delicious things she had ever eaten and it was gone within moments. She drank down the glass of water and picked up the single pepper that had fallen out of the wrap and stuck it into her mouth before returning to the storage area.
Inside was larger than she had at first thought. She set the lamp down and lifted off the blanket that covered what appeared to be furniture, sneezing at the dust she disturbed. She picked up the first chair and set it aside. Flowery fabric covered the seat and the back, and the frame itself had at some point been painted white. She sat down on it to try it out. It was comfortable and pretty—not like the drab, worn furniture he had in the living room.
&nb
sp; She continued, finding another chair and a dresser painted in a worn baby blue. Just beyond that stood two rails that, if she didn’t know any better, would say were the sides of a baby’s crib.
“What are you doing?”
Rowan jumped, clutching her heart when she found Silas standing in the narrow doorway to the room.
“I was… I… you scared me.”
She saw him scan the things she had moved, his eyes coming to rest on that crib for a moment before returning to her.
“I was just looking around,” she offered.
“This room is off limits,” he said, stepping into the small space and throwing the large blanket back over top of the furnishings. “Come inside.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” Rowan defended when he wouldn’t quite meet her gaze.
“Did you eat?” he asked.
“Yes, Kara brought some food. Thank you.”
“And you made a fire,” he said, looking her over. She had shed her fur as the room had grown quite warm.
“Yes. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you angry. I didn’t know not to go in there.”
He turned to her. “Well, now you know. It’s been a long day,” he said, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
That was when she spied what else was lying there and remembered what would happen to her tonight: her punishment.
When she returned her gaze to his, she found him watching her.
“Commander Norrin was kind enough to pack some implements to keep you well spanked and in line,” he said, picking up the wooden paddle. “I guess from the look on your face you remember what time it is?”
“You’re going to spank me for the other night.”
Silas nodded. “That’s right. Come here.”
She walked with leaden feet to stand before him.
“Do you remember you promised to submit to this punishment?”
“Yes, sir.” It had been the only way to get out of taking it with her bottom still so raw.
“Good girl. Take off your dress. I’d like you fully naked for punishment.”
Given to the Savage Page 7
