“I didn’t even think of biting her,” Modez said as he shook his head. He saw no need to describe those things he had thought of doing to her, such as tasting her pretty pink nipples. “You clearly are in need of a good bed servant. I told Diermont that we would have trouble here without them.”
“Rumor has it that Diermont agreed to give us some of Snotti’s ladies,” Seamus said as his eyes drifted over Kiera’s half-nude form.
Modez let out a laugh. “Surely you did not think he meant Kiera, did you?” Her preferential treatment suggested Diermont had a personal interest in the girl. If sex became part of her duties, it would involve the prince in one way or another. “You may have noticed she was given a private room. She is the only woman of her class to be given such luxurious quarters.”
“Once he looks past that beautiful face, so similar to Snotti, and notices her body, which is most unlike Snotti’s, his regard for her will change. Diermont hates all things that remind him of humans. For her sake, I hope she is mated by then.”
“Diermont protests too loudly when he denies interest in human females. I suspect he secretly lusts for them. And he is not the only one.” Modez often fantasized about capturing a human and keeping her as his sex slave. He woke hard as stone many nights after dreaming of his fantasy woman. “Diermont will take Kiera to his dungeon and use her like he does his other women.” Modez felt himself harden as he pictured Kiera there. Diermont only rarely took a woman for sex. He preferred to watch others play. But when he did choose a new courtesan, he avoided green, untried girls. Modez was the one who usually readied the initiates for service. He wondered if Diermont planned to pursue that path with Kiera. If that was the case, he would have her first. The thought excited him in a way he hadn’t felt with any of the previous candidates. But the thought of eventually turning her over to the prince turned him cold.
“Despite her poor birth, Kiera is still a lady. It wouldn’t be right to do that to a woman gently reared.”
“She accepted those risks when she agreed to live at the palace with Snotti, and she’d hardly be the first social climbing leech to suddenly lose her position.” Modez knew that nearly all females who came to live in the palace ended up mated or ruined, but ruination claimed the vast majority. Those ruined females became whores and most served the Halloran fine. Modez had seen it happen time and time again and it had made him cynical. “She’ll end up earning her keep on her back, as most do in those circumstances.” In his opinion, virtuous females avoided the palace because they knew full well its reputation. True ladies of good breeding found mates at some of the mating balls given during the Season. Females of a different class chose a vocation if they had any skills or brains. As far as he could tell, Kiera had no special skills, only her beauty. Beautiful, useless females had only one role at the palace—that of whore. “The little usurper deserves what she gets.”
“Some woman did a number on you,” Seamus said. “And I bet she goes by the name Gwyneth.”
“She affects me not at all,” Modez said as he pushed the image of the beautiful brunette out of his mind. “We should leave before the lady wakes and discovers we have been leering at her naked lovelies.”
“Right. I don’t need that kind of trouble,” Seamus said as he vanished from the room.
Modez let his gaze linger once more over Kiera’s partially unclothed body. It was unlikely he’d have the opportunity to view it again. He’d certainly never admit to her that he relished the sight of her naked, exposed flesh. She had the look of a human, especially without the clothing to hide her more curvaceous form. The similarities were slight, but present all the same. Yet she wasn’t human. Her dark hair and violet eyes marked her as a hybrid, as did her fangs. He wished he could see all of her, but her gown still covered her lower half. He wondered if she was lightly furred like human females or if her mound was mostly hairless like the hybrids. He didn’t need to know the answer to that question. He didn’t need further temptation.
Modez sighed as his gaze lingered where it shouldn’t. The girl hated him, and for good reason. He had not treated her with kindness. He had made his rejection of her more than clear, and he had every intention of rejecting her still. He closed his eyes, willing the image of Kiera strapped to his bed to disappear from his mind. He would never express an interest in her, never let her possess the knowledge of his interest. If she suspected he desired her, she would be able to easily manipulate him by bargaining with her body until he gave in to whatever she wanted. He had vowed to never again fall prey to another seductress uttering false words of love.
Modez pulled the covers up to her neck, shielding her from his eyes. Her nakedness was impairing his judgment, making him think he desired her when he did not. He didn’t want her. He just needed a woman and the lack of one was making him appear indiscriminate in his tastes. Once he was finally given the use of a bed servant, the indecent thoughts of Kiera would stop. He made one last look at the sleeping woman before he made his exit.
Chapter 5
Cabrian pulled Cassia down the hallway, glaring at all the males who stared at her naked body. He had wanted to cover her, but Diermont had given an order. She was to be kept naked as punishment for being human. And so Diermont could look at her without admitting that he found humans attractive. He had seen the spark of lust in Diermont’s eyes when he had caressed Cassia’s breast. The prince wanted her. It wouldn’t do for a prince bent on genocide to lust after the very race he meant to destroy. Diermont was a crazy bastard. They all knew it, but they tolerated him because he was a royal.
Cabrian glared at the hybrids until they looked away from his slave. He could hear them grumbling and he knew he needed to control his possessiveness and his jealousy. Cassia was his property, his slave. Most slave owners displayed their property proudly. They didn’t treat them like mates. He took a deep breath to calm himself. The others would look at her, but they couldn’t touch her. Hell, even he couldn’t touch her like he wanted. Damn Diermont’s stupid rules. It wasn’t right that a male couldn’t fuck his own slave.
Cabrian blinked when the Lord of Red Isles appeared in his path. Seamus McLeod’s face was flushed and he appeared agitated. “What’s up with you?”
Seamus growled and his eyes devoured Cassia’s naked form. “I like your new pet. Human, I see.”
Cabrian stepped in front of Cassia in an attempt to shield her with his body. “What of it?”
“I’m surprised Diermont let you keep her.”
“I plan to breed her. He cannot condemn a breeder to death without just cause.”
“You have taken her already. I saw both blue and brown stains between her thighs. How was she?”
Relax and play it cool, he told himself. Cassia was a curiosity to Seamus and nothing more. “Spectacular, actually. Just as the rumors say. There is nothing better than a human sheath.”
Seamus groaned. “Diermont is flaunting the human females in front of our faces, yet we are forbidden to take their bodies. It is torture. Agony.”
“The prince gave me permission to stroke her with my hands, but I am not to touch her with my cock.” He was frustrated with the prince and he didn’t bother to hide it. Seamus gave him a sympathetic look. “She is my slave and it is my right to do as I wish with her.”
“Yes, a male should be able to have his way with his slave. The prince is wrong to place limitations on you.” Seamus stepped around Cabrian so he could peruse the human. Cabrian relented, despite his reluctance, and allowed the lord to glimpse the prize. Seamus’ eyes vacillated from Cassia’s chest to the apex of her thighs. “Did she fight you when you gave her the blue rot?”
“She was willing.” Cabrian was surprised that Seamus was expressing interest in his human slave. The lord was a stickler for the rules and did not usually go against Diermont’s dictates. “Cassia is mine, Seamus, but many human females are receptive to our kind. Perhaps you should find your own slave.”
“I would, but the prince would order he
r killed and I would be punished for violating the ban on humans. It would be different if I could find one worth biting, someone who could breed. You were very fortunate.”
“You never know what you may find on a raid. Keep looking. Perhaps you will get lucky as well.”
“Maybe I will. She is a lovely creature.” Seamus stared at Cassia’s breasts, prompting her to cover herself with her hands. “Why are those so large?”
Cabrian brushed her golden tresses out of the way and lifted one of her breasts in his hand. “Their infants are much larger than ours and require more sustenance. They only drink milk. They don’t feed on blood like our infants.” He lifted her other breast so that he held both in his hands. Human females were shaped differently than their own so it was no surprise that Seamus was curious. The other male openly admired her, which provoked his possessive instincts, but he knew that admiration was preferable to contempt and would help keep her safe from Diermont. He could use the support of his fellow peers, especially when trying to gain acceptance for mixed unions. Cabrian plumped up Cassia’s pale globes with his hands. “They are nice, aren’t they? So much rounder and heavier than the ones gracing our females.”
Seamus’ eyes dilated and his breathing quickened. “Can I touch them?”
“No, Seamus. I don’t want others stroking my pet.”
“I suppose I’ll have to get my own slave.” Seamus tore his eyes from her breasts with a strained effort. “How did she feel when you took her?”
“Unimaginably good, Seamus. Her sheath was impossibly snug and it acted like it was made for my cock.”
“A perfect fit. That is what they say about the humans.” Seamus groaned. “My cock hardens just thinking of it.”
Cabrian touched the pelt between Cassia’s legs. She was so soft there, but he knew that what lay below was even softer. He gripped her slave collar to hold her in place while his other hand explored her most pleasing area. “I’ve acquired many spoils from battle over the years but my little pet is by far my favorite.” Cassia tilted her head back and closed her eyes. She was warm to the touch and dampening, making him remember how good it felt to be inside her. “This one will only know my touch,” he said to Seamus. He knew he taunted the warrior lord, but he did it for a reason. He wanted him to rebel against Diermont’s senseless ban on human sex. If all the males rebelled, Diermont would have no choice but to back down. He couldn’t punish all of the nobles.
“You cannot fuck your human slave, can you? I know these humans aren’t in their fertile periods. How long must you wait?”
“Four years.” An impossible length of time to go without sex, especially when he had a slave in his possession. Her sex was slick, juicing up his hand. Her nipples were hard and pointed. Her breathing was shallow and he scented her arousal. She wouldn’t protest if he bent her over and took her from behind, but his hybrid seed would leave evidence between her thighs. If Diermont saw the stains, he could order her killed.
“You won’t last four days.” Seamus’ eyes filled with pity. “The prince tortures you.”
“He tortures us all with this ban on human intercourse.”
“You should take your slave to the breeding camps. They’ve had some success triggering early onsets of the fertile period. They do it with drugs.”
“It may not be safe. I’d rather let it happen naturally.”
“Why wait four years when you could be breeding her now?”
It wasn’t enough to touch Cassia. He wanted to be inside her. He needed it badly, in fact, despite his recent foray into her sweet body. Not that long ago, in the barn, he had told Cassia he wouldn’t have relations with her unless it was strictly for procreation. Now the idea of forgoing her pleasures was laughable. “Good point. I’d rather have her now.” Cabrian had never considered going to the breeding camps where humans were forced to produce hybrid spawn to fill their armies. The druids that ran the camps had discovered artificial means of making a woman fertile. In those camps, infants were being born yearly rather than every five years as was normal. “I will have to gain permission from the prince, of course.”
“He will give it if you pressure him enough. You are without heirs.” Seamus licked the droplets of blood that spurted from his lower lip where it had been pierced by his protruding fang. “Do it. Take her to the camps. A fertile female has to be fucked, deeply and often. It is the law and even the prince cannot interfere.”
It was tempting. Due to the declining birthrates and the looming threat of extinction of their species, all females had to submit to the seeding of their wombs when fertile. As Cassia’s owner, he had the right to seed her. And he did need heirs. He just hoped the prince would allow it. He needed to be inside Cassia again and he wasn’t willing to wait four years.
* * *
Cassia was fuming by the time they entered her chamber. Aroused by his touch, she was definitely that—but anyone could see that she was fuming mad nonetheless. Now finally alone, she intended to give that hybrid a piece of her mind. “How could you treat me that way?”
Cabrian sighed. “Be angry if you must, but what did you expect of me? Diermont could easily order you killed. I am trying to prevent that from occurring.”
“By parading me about on a leash and calling me your pet?”
“That was the prince’s order and all must follow his dictates. You are a slave, and although you belong to me, Diermont has a right to dictate how slaves are to be kept in this villa.”
“He means to deprive me of clothing.” She shuddered as she recalled the way the prince’s black eyes had devoured her. Those peepers had reflected revulsion and disgust mixed with a bizarre fascination. And those other hybrids—it was much the same, although some had also looked upon her with lust.
“Slaves are generally kept naked. That is the way I was kept when I was your slave. So don’t waste your breath in complaining.”
There was some truth to that. When he was her captive, she had enjoyed the unrestricted view of Cabrian’s body. She hadn’t thought to inquire about clothing for any of the hybrids. His purpose in that barn was to be milked and clothing would have gotten in the way. “Lucine kept all of you naked. That wasn’t my decision.”
“Clothing is a privilege, not a right. You must earn the privilege by demonstrating your obedience to your master. The prince expects slaves to be treated as slaves, so that is what I must do.”
She hadn’t expected him to treat her as a common house slave. “I expected more from you, my lord.”
“As did I. I expected you to refrain from making escape attempts, but you did not. We are both disappointed in each other.” Cabrian’s jaw tightened as he stared deeply into her eyes. “I have enemies who will report any signs of misbehavior to the prince. We must be careful. You do understand this, right? I’m not being this way because I want to be an asshole.”
“You will act the asshole toward me to appease the prince, that is what you’re saying. And I’m supposed to believe you’ll be completely different once we leave New Babylon.” Cassia knew better. He enjoyed keeping her collared, leashed, and naked. The former overseer, once responsible for the hybrid cows, was now under that cow’s control. Of course he got off on it. Could he put their past behind them, or would she forever be paying for her sins?
His eyes met hers and didn’t waver. There was honesty there, a strength of character that her former husband had lacked. “Correct. Things will be different when we are away from this place. I will make you my mate when assured of your loyalty, and in time, they will eventually accept you.”
She wanted so much to believe him, but she had been duped by males too many times in the past. “I don’t know. You are too afraid to acknowledge me as your mate. I don’t see how things will be different once we are in Asstrumnia.” She tossed the leather leash over her shoulder where it wouldn’t rub against her more sensitive flesh. “It may even be worse. Your family and friends will not accept a human as your mate. I will forever be the slave.”
“You will be what I want you to be, Cassia.” Cabrian blew out a frustrated breath and his eyes flashed red, showing his agitated state. “You cannot make demands of me. You are the slave. Please me, and I will reward you. Displease me, and you won’t like your circumstances.”
“You don’t have to remind me that you hold all the power now.” Cassia had preferred it when he was her possession. Now she was screwed, literally. “I don’t like the idea of the breeding camps. I don’t want to take experimental drugs.”
“And I don’t like the idea of not fucking you for four years,” he said in an irritable tone. “They’ll be examining your body for signs of staining. They’ll know if I take your body. We would both be punished, but you could pay with your life.”
“But I’m your slave.” Slaves were generally taken by their masters and used sexually. It was expected. Cassia was glad she belonged to Cabrian and not one of the other warriors.
“Diermont is prejudiced against humans. He is afraid that hybrid males will choose human mates over hybrid ones. So he forbids sex between our races, thinking that will solve the problem.”
“Except for compatible humans.”
“Diermont hates the idea of it, but the king supports the idea of population replacement by forced interbreeding. Anything to produce baby hybrids.” Cabrian frowned. “Unfortunately, most human females aren’t compatible for breeding. That is why so many of them are put to death.”
“And I was spared because I can breed hybrids.” Cassia stared down at the floor, horrified at the idea of being used that way. Like an animal. “And you are eager to begin now. Why the rush?”
“I have waited decades for a litter. Many of my peers have had dozens of them by now.”
“A litter,” Cassia said dumbly. “You do know I’m human, right?”
“Yeah, I know that. I’ll have only one at a time,” Cabrian said as if just realizing that fact. “The breeding camps make even more sense if I wish to create a family of a decent size. You will need frequent reseeding.”
Vampire Enslavement (Lords of Bondage) Page 6
