by Eliza Knight
They approached the newly gotten slaves, who stood in a row, Faryn all the way at the end, as she’d been last to enter. The servants passed down the line, pouring wine into the slave’s parched mouths. When a female slave approached Faryn, she forgot about wanting to resist anything of this place and opened her mouth, greedily taking in the sweet wine. The female servant continued to pour until wine dripped from Faryn’s mouth, over her chin, down her neck and body. Nay, she was thirsty, but not that thirsty.
Faryn closed her mouth, wine splashing over her closed lips. She tried to back away but someone held her in place from behind, pulling her arms back so her chest was thrust out and she couldn’t move. Her back pressed against warm hard flesh—a male chest. The female servant who stood in front of Faryn leaned forward, her exotic jasmine scent mixing with the aroma of wine, as she gazed into Faryn’s eyes, assessing.
The woman pulled a linen square from somewhere and started to wipe away the spilled wine along Faryn’s chin and neck. When she moved to Faryn’s breasts, Faryn resisted, wanting to clean herself up. With a strength she’d not known she had, Faryn yanked her arm from the man’s grasp behind her and ripped the linen from the woman’s fingers.
“Dinna touch me,” she hissed.
The two of them only laughed and moved on to the next person in line. Another woman. But she did not resist their ministrations. If anything, she relented, closing her eyes. And Faryn was too shocked not to watch as the man and woman licked the wine from the other woman’s body.
Fingers roved between the woman’s legs, touching her in her most private place. Faryn gaped as the slave moaned at the touch. Gaped wider when her own body sparked a little twinge of something foreign and wicked.
More wine was poured over the woman’s body and then more mouths were upon her, sucking up the sweet liquid and tasting her flesh.
Faryn backed away, her legs growing weak. What was happening?
’Twas as if she’d been brought to a brothel. An oddly elegant and majestic brothel.
The lot them appeared delirious with pleasure. Eyes rolling back into their heads as lips, tongues and fingers stroked every part of each other. The other slaves in line, too, looked just as shocked as Faryn. Cheeks flamed red, eyes wide.
Before she could wrap her mind around what was happening, a shriek of pleasure left the slave’s lips and her body convulsed. Faryn’s own body pulsed with an unbidden hum.
Dear God, what was this place? The first gate of hell, Captain Noir had called it. But why Faryn? What had she done to deserve to be banished to hell? Queen Orelia’s den was an erotic nightmare.
She had to get away from here.
And then, from across the grand hall, her eyes locked on Captain Noir himself, a dark expression on his ruggedly handsome face that made her unsteady on her feet.
Mo chreach!
Was Orelia truly choosing so quickly?
Wraith hadn’t even a chance to enter the great hall before they were upon Faryn, for devil’s sake!
He stood, paralyzed, and somehow able to keep his mouth closed as the two assessors approached her, poured wine on her. Then his pride soared as Faryn took control of the situation, and they moved the next woman in line. But that didn’t get the sensual thoughts that were sparked out of Wraith’s mind. He imagined Faryn, her body writhing in pleasure, mouth half-open in a silent moan, eyes closed tightly as four of Orelia’s servants pleasured her. Mouths on her breasts, mouth on her pearl, hands brushing all over her flesh. Och, watch it would be like to see her climax, legs shaking, a moan of pleasure on her lush lips. The image was so blinding and real, his body reacted violently, cock twitching.
Jealousy filled him at the thought of anyone in this room touching her but him.
She was supposed to be his. He wanted to be the one to give Faryn pleasure.
And there was no time to waste, as he caught sight of Orelia from across the room, her own gaze riveted on Faryn. She twitched her fingers and the two assessors moved back to Faryn. Ballocks! Now or never. He stepped forward.
“Step away from the woman, ye heathens.”
The servants pulled back, their eyes filled with uncertainty. Lids lifted and a pair of startling glassy blue eyes locked with his. Faryn.
He clenched his teeth and hissed a breath. She was so beautiful, and from the look on her face, completely mystified. Seeing her thus only reaffirmed his goal to have her. Hell, he’d fight off every one in this great hall if he had to.
“Now, now, Captain Noir. Tsk, tsk,” came the queen’s voice as she melted from the shadows. How many times had he seen her come away from some darkened corner, pleasure filling her eyes at having seen her servants bring a slave, male or female, to fruition? “Would you rob me of my pleasure so soon?”
As if on command, four-dozen, at least, armed guards also stepped from the shadows, prepared to put him in the ground. And he had no doubt, as he’d seen them do just that the last time he was here to another bloke. Wraith was a damned good warrior, but not against nearly fifty men—those just weren’t good odds.
Wraith stifled a curse and bowed resentfully low to her. “Queen Orelia, my most humble apologies.”
Orelia walked forward, her white gown a cloud of fabric, her jet-black hair floating in waves behind her. If she hadn’t named herself queen and been called so he would have thought her royalty anyway…but of a different world. Her eyes were as black as her hair and her lips as red as the blood that he’d seen flow on this very floor. She reached him and a long slender arm emerged from her gown, a red-tipped nail trailed its way up from his navel to his chin.
“I’ve missed you, Captain.” Her voice was breathy, and if it had been a decade earlier, he would have melted into a sodden mess on the floor. Done anything she wanted. But now he’d grown older, wiser. He wanted his life back.
He grasped her hand to stop its traveling over his person and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles before letting it drop. “I live to serve ye, Madame.”
She snickered and turned her black gaze onto Faryn, whose glassy eyes had come back to their glittering blue sharpness.
“You like her,” Orelia remarked, her chin jutting out toward Faryn.
“She has nice breasts,” he answered, not wanting to give away totally how he felt about her. “Her thighs are trim, her arse… ’tis lush.”
Orelia laughed, her head dipping back, exposing her throat. “You are still the same, Noir. You want her, don’t you?”
“I’ve a mind to bargain with ye.”
Her sharp black gaze lost its teasing as she whipped her head toward him. “A bargain?”
“Aye. I thought to speak to ye about it, perhaps later.” All eyes had now turned on them. If it was seen how much he wanted Faryn for himself the price would increase, or another man might step forward to fight him for her.
He was prepared to fight for her to the death, for keeping her for himself would not only garner him a warm and luscious bedmate but also secure his future. But revealing such amongst this den of vipers could cost him a far greater price than he wanted to pay. It could also mean the safety of the wench.
“Perhaps now, Captain.” Orelia’s gaze roved over him, and he could nearly hear her calculating mind at work.
“’Tis of no great consequence, Madame.” He shrugged, trying to keep himself looking disinterested even while his pulse quickened. “Do with the slave as ye will for now and I shall speak with ye regarding her fate after I’ve seen to my men and myself.”
Orelia’s lips curled. “I should like to see you…do with my new slave.”
Wraith raised a brow, hiding his disgust with the queen and her ring of sex slaves. “And by that, ye mean what exactly?”
The queen walked toward Faryn, who now stood tall next to the servants who’d earlier provided her with a taste of pleasure. Orelia trailed her nails along the flesh of Faryn’s shoulders, down the valley between her breasts. He watched with barely restrained fury. Faryn’s brows drew together
, about to rebel, until she caught his subtle shake of his head. If she would only listen, they could both get out of here quickly.
He didn’t want her to rebel against him; he wanted her to want him. He pushed the thought aside. Unfortunately, for now, they were both at the mercy of Orelia.
Orelia faced Faryn and lifted her chin. The queen turned Faryn’s face from side to side, inspecting her. Her long red fingernails trailed over Faryn’s body. Faryn bit her lip. Her eyes met Wraith’s and he wanted to step forward and haul Orelia away from his woman.
His woman? She wasn’t his and he couldn’t think of her that way. She was a possession. And when he took her from here, she would not be his in the sense that first came to mind. Nay, she’d not be his. That implied a relationship, and for what she was going to give him, freedom… She would have to be discarded in the end.
“You are so ripe, young slave.” Orelia leaned forward, breathing in the scent of Faryn’s hair. Faryn only lifted her chin higher. “You know what I think? We have a virgin.” Orelia shrieked with triumph and turned around to face Wraith. Her eyes were wide with excitement; however, their depths were not filled with happiness but something more sinister. “You know what this calls for, Captain?”
He raised a brow, knowing very well what it called for. While Faryn’s features remained passive, her gaze told him something else altogether—she stared straight ahead, challenge in her eyes.
Orelia lifted the hem of her white gown and pulled it up her thigh, revealing a small-jeweled dagger. “We must spill the virgin’s blood!”
Chapter Three
Faryn tried not to react to the words Orelia spoke or the way the light glinted off the jeweled dagger at her thigh.
Spill her blood? Did they mean to kill her? Was her end to be a virgin sacrifice? A shudder passed through her.
“Orelia, my queen,” Captain Noir drawled out. He drew closer to the queen and Faryn watched as the other woman’s chest rose more rapidly. Her lids grew heavy. Her reaction showed Faryn that this queen was half-besotted with the captain. Noir traced a finger over the queen’s chin. “I am willing to bargain for the lass as she is. Not tattered.”
Orelia’s lip puckered out in a pout. She stroked her fingers down the length of Noir’s chest and lower still to his manhood. She gripped him tightly through his breeches. Faryn watched, mesmerized. When she lifted her gaze, the captain was looking at her, his dark eyes filled with…passion? Aye, passion. Desire.
Did that passion stem from his desire for her or for the woman who held him in her palm?
His lips curved wickedly and he winked at her. Faryn gulped. He was most definitely trying to get a rise out of her.
Dear God in heaven, what was she to do?
She must escape. She glanced around the palace hall but her gaze was pulled back to the captain. He had removed the queen’s hand and shoved another pirate in his place. The queen and the newcomer embraced, their mouths meeting in a kiss. A carnal kiss. Their lips slanting over and over. Their tongues danced in and out of each other’s mouths. All the while, the captain stared at her. Faryn found herself licking her lips. Wishing she too could share in a kiss like that.
Wicked girl! What was she thinking? To have such thoughts… Her family would be ashamed! Her betrothed would surely break their engagement. This place was bad. Very bad. And yet…
Her eyes were opened to so much surrounding her. Her mind could never forget the experiences she’d had, the things she’d seen and felt.
She flicked her gaze to the floor, where she tried to count the marks of imperfection in the marble. She’d only gotten to four before a pair of black leather-booted feet came into view.
“Leannan.” The captain held out his hand to her.
Take it and she was saying aye to this fate. Run, her mind screamed. Run and never look back!
She took his hand, the flesh and bone overwhelming her own with its sheer size, and she was by no means a dainty miss. Faryn was the height of most men, although slender.
“Ye are mine now, lass.” He leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear, causing a shiver to race along her spine. “But even the bargain I struck doesna make ye free from the queen. She has a request.”
Faryn looked up into dark eyes, hoping to find a measure of comfort in them. For this was her champion who would take her away from this place, even if it was to be his slave in return. Somewhere, deep inside him, she sensed goodness. Although not readily visible on the surface, she felt it. She trusted her instincts most of the time. Could she trust them now?
“A-a request?” she stammered, unable to get control of her vocal cords.
“Aye, leannan.”
Faryn peered over his shoulder and watched as the servants ushered the other slaves from the room. Orelia slinked into the background, seemingly melding into the shadows from which she’d emerged.
“Captain, we both know that I am a well-educated woman—unless, that is, ye are not aware that a woman of my status would have been taught a few things, unlike a common serving wench. Tell me no lies, Noir, for I am not naïve as ye may have convinced yourself.”
The captain took her by the elbow and guided her into a dimly lit corner.
“It is not often we have a virgin come to Orelia’s court, leannan. Ye heard her speak of spilling virgin’s blood?”
“Aye, she means to sacrifice me to whatever gods it is she prays to.” Or preys upon. Faryn lifted her gaze to the ceilings, for the first time noticing their domed design with intricate scene paintings, but the tears pooling in her eyes blinded her vision.
“Dinna speak ill of her, for she is willing to be kind to ye. Instead of sacrificing ye, she is allowing for another type of blood.”
Faryn frowned, her gaze returning to the captain’s. “Well?” she said in mock exasperation, hoping he did not see through her bravado.
“She will allow for virgin’s blood to be spilled… In other words, your maidenhead to be taken in front of witnesses.”
Faryn felt every single drop of blood rush from her face down her neck and into her chest, before pooling in her stomach like burning lava. She was going to retch.
“Lass,” the captain said, but his voice sounded hollow, distant. “Dinna be so discontent. For the price of your virginity, she is willing to let ye go with me. And I am willing to rethink your earlier bargain.”
Faryn glanced around her, her eyes glassy. The captain’s lips continued to move but she couldn’t hear the words that were coming from his mouth.
He gripped her shoulders, appearing to attempt to regain her attention, but she was lost.
Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she started to fall.
Wraith caught her just in time.
Despite being pale as a ghost, her flesh was warm, the heat of it seeping through his garments.
He wasn’t such a monster. He offered her freedom in exchange for one thing. Well, two, he supposed. Virginity and a large sum of her family’s fortune. But the payment was nothing compared to the gift he was giving her. Besides, was that not unlike a marriage? The bride often brought her virginity and a dowry to the union. This was the same thing.
Didn’t she realize he would take her maidenhead with kindness, give her pleasure in return for her sacrifice?
Ballocks!
The fact that he wanted to give her pleasure at all sent the blood rushing from his face. But he liked to pleasure all women. Why would it be any different with the slave lass?
Her silky hair fell over his arm and she moaned in her unconsciousness.
“You have such a way with the ladies.” Orelia laughed as she walked across the room, her gaze roving over the lass in his arms.
Wraith chuckled mercilessly. “Wouldna ye know?”
“I’d like to know again. Now.”
“And I want to show ye.” His mind revolted at anything having to do with Orelia but in order to gain the girl, he would have to acquiesce to her. “Let me take her to my rooms, where she can sle
ep away her shock. I shall come to ye directly.”
“Nay,” Orelia snapped. “That will not do at all.”
His gut clenched. What was the ungrateful bitch up to now?
“I await your commands, my queen.”
“Tie her to the bed in the sacrificial room.” Her lips curled in an angry way, making her beauty diminish a fraction. “You can make love to me lying next to her.”
“As ye wish, my queen.” How the bloody hell was he going to get out of this? And her calling it making love when it was anything but? Now he was to be the sacrificial lamb.
“Come, my pirate captain, I ache with wanting.”
Wraith dutifully followed Orelia, glad of only one thing. If the lovely Faryn lay next to them, at least he would be able to gaze on her and pretend it was she he was lying with and not Orelia. He furiously counted down the days he had left to serve this vicious pirate queen. The day he would owe her nothing.
Nevertheless do his duty now he would, and he would do it well, for it was the only way to escape this place both alive and with his own bargain for freedom. The lass had no idea how much was riding on her. Not only her own life, but also his.
Faryn awoke to the throaty moans and shouts of a woman laying so close it could almost be right in her ear.
Her world was also rocking. Back and forth. Had she been returned to the ship? She tried to sit up but her hands were bound tight to something. She tried to move her feet but they too were bound.
Her world was still black. But then again, she hadn’t opened her eyes yet. She blinked.
The moans grew louder, the rocking fiercer. There were sounds of flesh upon flesh. Carnal sounds.
Faryn turned slowly to her right.
Dear Lord! The woman was right next to her ear.
Queen Orelia lay next to her. Her eyes were closed in ecstasy as a man, bare, bronzed and full of sinew and muscle, buried his face against her breasts and his fingers digging into her hips as he thrust between her legs…
Faryn gasped, her eyes widened. She looked about her. The room was dark except for the lighted candles surrounding the massive bed. She was bound with white ties about her ankles and wrists. Thank God, they had not gagged her as well.
