Slave for a Day

by Jane Henry

  The last swat is the hardest of all. The crack echoes around us. “Six,” I whisper, slumping against the table.

  My punishment is over. But my imprisonment has only just begun.

  * * *

  The rough, firm feel of his palm massages my stinging skin. My eyes are shut tight, but I feel him lift my bound wrists from the peg.

  “Come here, little one,” he says. I am lifted in his arms. My eyes fly open in surprise. I am not used to being touched by a man, and certainly have never been carried by one, since physical touch like this is forbidden on Freanoss. The pairing of mates has been outlawed for decades, ever since the New Dawn. I have also been trained to believe I am resistant to the desire for human contact, capable of rational thought not colored by archaic notions. I have been bred to be stronger than my ancestors and not susceptible to the weakness they succumbed to. And yet… something within me yearns for his touch. My body likes the feeling of helplessness I get when in his arms. I tell myself it is merely exhaustion coloring my feelings. When I am rested, I will think rationally again.

  I shiver from cold. I am not used to feeling such things. I lift my head and turn from him, arching my body to keep myself distanced.

  “The little one defies me even now,” he murmurs to himself, still holding me firmly while marching with purposeful strides. Oddly, I notice people are quieted, bowing to him as we pass. All around us I see brightly lit torches held high. Servants, perhaps? He speaks to me again. “It will be my duty and pleasure to teach you obedience. You will see.”

  I will see what? The man is mad. I am not staying here to be taught anything. I will escape from him, after I find what my people need. But I shall not make the mistake of defying him so brashly, not again. For now, I will submit to him as he is stronger than I.

  And I will escape.

  Read More:

  Aldric: A Sci-Fi Warrior Romance (Heroes of Avalere Book 1)

  CHAPTER ONE

  IDAN: A Sci-Fi Warrior Romance

  Idan

  Dusk settles across the marketplace of Avalere. The merchants store their wares, preparing to go home, as I make my way to the castle of my lord. On any other evening, I might share a pint with my comrades at a local tavern or pub, but tonight, I’ve been summoned by the Warrior King of Avalere. Unusual for the king to call me to his house at such a late hour, but I must respond to Aldric’s commands as head of council and a warrior of the highest order.

  I go with haste, my boots clomping along the cobblestone pathway leading to the castle, flickering torches lighting my way. Ten paces from the main entrance, a shadow crosses in front of me. As a warrior, my instincts awaken. I freeze, prepared to respond at the slightest provocation, my grip tightening around the cool metal of my sword hilt. But it is merely a woman. When the light of the moons hits her golden-brown hair, my grip slackens.

  “Woman,” I ask. “Why do you go about by the king’s castle unescorted? What errand do you have here?”

  Her gaze meets mine from beneath lowered lashes, her eyes a rare violet. “I have been told you seek company, my lord,” she says with a small curtsy. Her voice reverberates through me, low and seductive, her body turned to mine as an offering.

  She starts as I growl in response. Gregor has put her up to this, I have no doubt. I do not take a woman to bed to celebrate victory in battle, like my companions. Gregor taunts me for “living the life of a monk,” alone and chaste.

  “Were you sent here by a warrior? An errand-runner for the Hisrach?” I ask, coming closer to her. Gregor and I are members of the Hisrach, the assembly of brothers at arms who rule Avalere, with Aldric as our leader.

  The woman’s eyes betray her fear as she steps backward. “I…I…” she stammers, but she knows she has overstepped her bounds. Avalerian women do not proposition men. My father would have beaten her for such an outward display, but I will not lift my hand to her. Though within my rights to do so, I will not stoop to brutality. I have now cornered the woman against the brick wall of the castle, and two guards look on with curiosity. They know who I am and do not interfere.

  “I’m sorry, my lord,” she apologizes, but when I reach her, she dares to touch my chest, placating, and her voice drops to a demure whisper. “Yes, your friend promised to pay me amply for my invitation. I see now it is fruitless.” Her hand travels down my chest. “Or is it?” Desire pulses in my blood, and I harden as she touches me, my cock straining for release against my leather breeches. I imagine taking her mouth with mine, crushing her lips as I push her against the wall and straddle her, but when I realize where my mind has gone, I immediately stop. I never allow such thoughts to infiltrate me. As a trained warrior, I have mastered the basest of human instincts. What witchcraft does she possess?

  I grasp her wrist and frown. “Very sure, woman.” I wind my fingers around her soft, golden-brown tresses and tug. She gasps in pain, her mouth parting, as her eyes widen. I bring my mouth to her ear. “You have overstepped. Now go before you force me to show you my displeasure.”

  She squeals as I release her hair then send her on her way with a firm slap to her backside. Her gait picks up, and she runs toward the lighted tavern. The guards by the door chuckle. “Not interested in the damsel warming your bed, eh, my lord?” mocks one young guard. My ire rises at his audacity.

  I pivot and raise a brow. First propositioned, then mocked? His companion elbows him, and the laughter dies. Satisfied, I jerk my chin up, demanding entry.

  I hope Aldric still has wine left for me.

  ⊱⟢⋯⟣⊰

  Aldric sits by the fire in the large dining hall, a goblet of wine in one hand, while the other taps against his leather-clad knee. He wears worn leather breeches and a loose-fitting shirt. Tomorrow, we will join our brothers of the Hisrach, the military leaders of Avalere. Tonight, though, he sits at leisure, the roaring fire in front of him, servants at his bidding. The table has been cleared of the evening meal. Lystava, his head servant, silver-haired and petite, gestures for me to take a seat beside him. When I am practically next to him, he looks up at me.

  “Idan.” His dark beard has grown longer in recent years, but his eyes and stern visage are softer. It displeases me to see his strength softened over time. I blame the touch of his woman.

  “Thank you, Lystava,” he says. “Fetch Carina and bring her to me.”

  The servant bows low, her gray hair bobbing as she takes her leave.

  Aldric turns to me. “We have much to discuss. But, first, I will check on Carina. The nurse urges her to walk about often, so I must call her to me.” He gestures to a servant standing in the shadows, who leaves and returns with his wife, Carina, the dark-haired, blue-eyed beauty he chose from the circle five years ago. Heavy with child, she rests her hand upon her rounded belly as she ambles toward the fire. When she reaches us, she bends down to kiss Aldric’s cheek, and he embraces her.

  “How do you feel tonight, little one?” he asks. I stifle a snort. The fiercest warrior I have ever known has been brought to his knees by a woman.

  “Very well, my lord.” She places her hand atop his. “But my time nears. I’d not be surprised if by this time tomorrow, you will be holding your new daughter in those enormous arms of yours.”

  Her lips twitch, and Aldric shakes his head. “Is that right?” he queries. “You know my son and I will sit by the fire in due time.” He takes her fingers to his lips and kisses her. “Idan and I have some things to discuss this evening. I’d like you to stroll around the castle with Lystava. Your midwife says you should walk, and I wish you to follow her orders.”

  Carina sighs. “I am tired, my lord.”

  He raises a brow, and she shifts on her feet. “But I will do as you ask.” She gives him a parting kiss, and goes on her way. Still smiling, he faces the fire again. Though I still respect my master and commander — and still defer to his headship over the highest order — I struggle to accept that he has fallen for the weaker sex.

  I will never allow a woman t
o seduce me. Though I’ll likely take a woman as wife, our relationship will be pragmatic, and not based on mutual love or whatever Aldric and Carina see in one another. I wait for him to speak, watching the flames of the crackling fire flicker in front of me.

  “I want to speak to you about tomorrow,” Aldric begins.

  I nod. Tomorrow, the circle of women will approach the Hisrach, giving themselves in servitude. Those who will offer themselves have been chosen for their intellect, skills, and beauty. Tomorrow, members of the Hisrach who wish to choose a wife will do so. There has been chatter in town over this event. Just today, I heard whispers and excitement of the female variety at the marketplace, murmurs between friends as I passed by, wondering if I would choose a woman. I ignored such foolishness. When the time comes to choose from the circle, I will not select a woman who has been prattling with her friends and fawning over the warriors, but a sturdy, sensible, beautiful woman, who knows her place.

  “Yes, my lord?”

  Aldric clears his throat. “Tomorrow, Idan, you will choose a woman from the circle.”

  As a trained warrior, I remain calm, though his pronouncement shocks me. “Excuse me, my lord?”

  Aldric lifts his goblet to his mouth and drinks, then gestures to a servant standing at a distance, waiting to do his bidding. She scurries over, head bowed. He turns to me. “A drink?”

  “Ale, please,” I order. The king and I wait in silence. Moments later, the servant returns to place a cool, frothy tankard of dark ale in my hand. I face Aldric, deferring to him and waiting for him to speak first.

  “As you know, Idan, our nation grows.” He looks toward the fire, taking a sip from his goblet. Interplanetary battles have caused refugees from other planets to seek sanctuary on Avalere. Carina’s home planet of Freanoss still thrives, as do the mines of Kleedan, but battles over natural resources have caused a divide. When the New Dawn, a meeting of the heads of counsel, convened ages ago, various planets within our solar system chose the civilization they would cultivate. The leaders agreed to form a treaty, to allow the planets to flourish without interference.

  With few exceptions, we have maintained our distance, Avalere remaining the home of tradition and ancient customs. When Aldric and Carina united five years prior, dispute arose between their home planets of Avalere and Freanoss, but the quarrels have now been put to rest. During the wars, our portals hummed with passage, and refugees came to inhabit Avalere. With an absence of war and natural disasters on Avalere, our nation thrives, the population increasing in droves since Aldric took the throne.

  “Yes, my lord,” I agree. Our numbers increase. Our schools fill to bursting, and the ranks of warriors enlisting as soldiers for Avalere has near doubled. My job as lieutenant in the king’s army has left me busy training new soldiers. Yes, Avalere has grown.

  Aldric clears his throat. “I wish to re-establish the second throne on the east side of Avalere.”

  I start. The second throne? “My lord?” I ask.

  “Since the populace has expanded, Idan, I fear lordship over Avalere without attentive leadership will not benefit our planet.” He shrugs. “My wife will soon give birth. Though I tease her she will birth a son, I have no reason to believe it is so. Even if she does birth a son, he would not assume leadership for decades to come. At my father’s passing three years ago, I made a promise I would lead Avalere to the best of my ability. And I now believe to lead Avalere effectively I must appoint a second leader. A duke, as it were.” My heart pounds, my palms sweaty, but I keep rein on my emotions as I listen in silence. I suspect what this will mean for me, but as lieutenant to the Hisrach, I hear and obey.

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “I wish for you to assume the secondary throne,” he explains. I blink but listen as he continues. “Tomorrow, you will choose a suitable mate from the circle of women. And, shortly thereafter, I will appoint you to your throne. You will not be alone in leadership. I will assist you as best I can, and we will determine the best way to lead the Avalerians. I wish for you to take a wife, to acclimate yourself to your new home, and after you have done so, I will appoint you to the throne.” He takes another sip from the goblet. “Do you have questions?”

  I have dozens of questions, but I will refrain from asking too many at present. I have not prepared myself to take a woman, but if my king wishes for me to do so, then I shall. I shake my head.

  Aldric continues. “I would like to remind you that when you choose a woman, you must train her in both obedience and servitude. As companion to my army, and my most trusted lieutenant, you will be required to lead without faltering. Any woman who binds herself to you must not stand in the way of your leadership, but must be prepared to hear and obey. If she has been selected to present herself in the circle, she has passed rigorous training, but you must see to its completion. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, my lord.” I restrain myself from scoffing. I have no patience for disobedience. Such training will be easy.

  He raises a brow in silence. After a moment, he nods. “Very good,” he says, his voice softer. “I wish I had given you ample time to prepare rather than thrusting this upon you. I appreciate your willingness to do my bidding at a moment’s notice. I want to thank you, Idan.”

  I bow my head.

  Aldric continues. “We are clear, then. Tomorrow, you will choose from the circle. And once you have chosen, we will plan accordingly.”

  With one large gulp, I drain the remains of my ale.

  Read more:

  Idan: A Sci-Fi Warrior Romance (Heroes of Avalere Book 2)

  About the Author

  USA Today bestselling author Jane Henry pens stern but loving alpha heroes, feisty heroines, and emotion-driven happily-ever-afters. She writes what she loves to read: kink with a tender touch. Jane is a hopeless romantic who lives on the East Coast with a houseful of children and her very own Prince Charming.

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