Steel and Promise

by Alexa Black

  She’d awoken with Teran’s face staring down at her, bright with something like tenderness.

  She wants to own you. Own you like she owned that brute.

  She stared up at Teran, at the muscular body, at the small, high, proud breasts. She looked at Teran’s hands, thought of their hidden, cruel promise. Her back throbbed in sympathy.

  She wore Teran’s collar around her neck. Teran’s mark, obvious to everyone.

  Her skin bore still more of them. She couldn’t be coy and hide them. Not like she had before.

  Which world did she belong to?

  Chapter Twenty

  Cailyn traced the deep red gloss over her lips, studying her reflection in the mirror. Teran had dressed her in gauzy black garments that left nothing to the imagination, not even the welts and bruises her body bore.

  She wondered what Lord Darien would think of the marks. He’d flogged Cailyn with a soft, easy touch. It had felt like any other lover’s passion. He’d been sensual, even gentle. Would seeing her like this bother him?

  Teran intended for him to see her marks. She would have had Cailyn cover them if she’d wanted him not to. But Cailyn’s first concern would always be the one she served.

  Besides, the thin mesh stung the marks on her back. The twinges of pain drew her attention, keeping her from focusing on the assignment at hand.

  No doubt Teran Nivrai intended that too.

  She ran her fingers over her hair, searching for stray curls to tuck in. Teran’s servants had threaded pale white gems in her curls. They’d been nothing if not precise. Finding little to fix, she lowered her hands. She looked down at her wrists, adorned with beaded bracelets that matched the jewels in her hair.

  The thick bands doubled as restraints. No doubt Teran planned to use them.

  She stepped out of the bathroom to find Teran standing near a table. On it lay the stones she’d seen in the gymnasium.

  Teran lowered her hands over them. Cailyn jerked as the shock lanced through her. Her eyes squeezed shut.

  Cailyn had seen Teran earlier, on her way back from the gym, her body glistening with sweat. Cailyn had ached to touch her. A shower should have been the perfect excuse. But Teran had turned her away.

  “I want you hungry when Lord Darien arrives,” she’d said.

  Now Teran stood silent and serious, her body veiled in the usual Nivrai gray. She opened her eyes and spared Cailyn a brief nod.

  Cailyn knelt. When Darien came in, he would find her in the position, already waiting to serve him.

  Teran walked over to Cailyn. She ran a gloved hand over her hair, down her chest. Cailyn shuddered with the brief contact.

  So Teran really did mean to give her away. Her stomach clenched, even though she’d seen Lord Darien before. Even though she wanted to see him now.

  The door slid open. He strode inside. He wore the same fancy clothes as before, his frilled shirt a pale blue. The diadem glistened against the dark brown skin of his forehead and the black of his close-cropped hair.

  “Good evening, Nivrai,” he said.

  “My lord,” Teran replied and inclined her head.

  Cailyn’s eyes widened. She’d never heard Teran say that like she meant it before.

  “So why did you call me here?” he asked without even glancing at Cailyn.

  Teran smiled. “My lord, I had hoped you would avail yourself of my hospitality before beginning this discussion.” She gestured toward Cailyn.

  His smile widened. He stepped over to Cailyn and reached down to touch her hair. “I might do that.”

  Memories flooded Cailyn. What would he do with her? Whatever it was, she hoped he would do it soon. He wasn’t even grabbing her hair or pulling her head back! She breathed deeply and forced herself to keep still.

  “But I want to know what you’re looking for first,” he said. He stroked Cailyn’s hair but still looked at Teran.

  Damn it.

  “Looking for? I’m looking for some help with this nonsense the Councils just conscripted me for.”

  “Nonsense?”

  “I have no interest in torturing some dissident foolish enough to get caught.”

  Lord Darien sighed. “And you think I can fix this for you.”

  “As usual, they’ve made assumptions about me. As usual, they’re wrong.”

  “You haven’t given them much to counter those rumors, Nivrai.”

  “Should I?” She moved to stand in front of him. “I think not, my lord.”

  “Don’t play those games with me, Nivrai.”

  “Games?”

  “You can play the little monster with me. I won’t bother you. But I can’t save you from everyone who will.”

  “It’s not saving I need, my lord. It’s advice.”

  The bearded mouth broke into a grin. “I think I can offer that.”

  Bloodless as Teran’s smile was, Cailyn could see a light in her eyes. “Then by all means, avail yourself of my hospitality.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “Use her mouth. The rest of her is mine for now.”

  “Very well.” He unfastened his pants, drew out his length, and moved to stand over Cailyn.

  Eager from the long wait, she moved to lick the flesh he offered. She traced her tongue along his flesh and he shuddered. Pleased, she opened her mouth and drew him in.

  His hands wrapped around her head, guiding her as her mouth moved over him. Encouraged, she moved more quickly.

  His hands tightened around her head and pushed her harder. He wasn’t touching her, but little thrills of heat crackled over her flesh as if he had.

  Her eyes flicked over to Teran, who lay sprawled on the couch watching them. Her hand dangled between her legs. The thought of Teran drinking in the sight of her as someone else used her, sent a thrill of desire through Cailyn’s flesh.

  But as much as Cailyn liked the thought of Teran touching herself watching them—what was she doing? She should be concentrating on the noble she served, not staring at Lady Nivrai.

  Relief surged through her as Darien’s thrusts into her mouth grew more insistent. It forced her attention back on him. She gave herself over to serving him, making her mouth a warm channel for him. Her hips moved as he groaned and pushed deep.

  She quickened her pace. He shuddered and threw back his head. His hands tightened around her hair as his seed flooded her mouth. Strong hands held her there a long moment. She opened her throat and swallowed.

  Teran chuckled as he drew away. What are you getting out of all this, my lady?

  “Is that all?” he laughed as Cailyn licked her lips.

  “My lord?” Teran asked. She sat up. Cailyn stared, still thinking about Teran touching herself through her clothes. “The flagellary is inside. But I don’t know yet how well our negotiations will go.”

  “Oh, so that’s what this is about? If I give you what you want I get to use her again?”

  Teran chuckled. “Maybe, my lord.”

  “That’s not very tempting. She already consented to this. What’s to stop me from just hiring her after this is over?”

  Teran smirked. “Nothing, my lord. But I think it’s best to press my advantage where I can.”

  “You have a point.” He tucked himself away and took a seat on the opposing couch.

  “So what is it you think I can help you with? The Councils made their decision a long time ago, Nivrai.”

  “I understand, my lord.”

  “Warning you about it was the best I could do.”

  Teran twisted her gloved hands as she looked at him. Did he know what lay under them?

  “And I appreciate your warning. Few people would do even that for me.”

  “Then what more do you think I can do, Nivrai? I defended you when we first met about this. I told the Councils they were both packs of damn fools. But I lost, Nivrai. Do you understand that? I lost.”

  “My lord—”

  “My only advice is to go along with them, Nivrai.”


  What?

  Cailyn wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly cold. The only noble she’d seen listen to Teran was telling her to do the Councils’ bidding.

  Teran’s lips thinned to a narrow line. “Is the person behind this who I think it is? Just answer that for me.”

  He shook his head. “I shouldn’t tell you.”

  “I need to know, my lord.”

  “You know already.”

  Cailyn heard a metallic sound.

  “If you want to get out of this, Nivrai, giving him what he wants is the only chance you’ve got.”

  “Giving him what he wants.” Teran smiled, a bitter, twisted expression that chilled Cailyn.

  “I don’t like it any more than you do, Nivrai.”

  “You really mean to tell me, my lord, that if I bed Lord Keriel he can change the minds of both Councils?”

  Bed him? Was that what Ben wanted? Cailyn remembered the grasping hands, the long face twisted into a rictus of despair.

  He’d said he craved her touch. Would he set all of this in motion just to force her to touch him again?

  “Nivrai, listen—”

  Teran’s voice rose. “That after he takes his pleasure with me, he can simply go to them and say ‘Never mind?’”

  “Teran—”

  “That he can tell them the prisoner had no information after all, and—”

  “Nivrai!” Darien barked.

  Teran fell silent. She glared back at him with the fierce stare of a hawk.

  “I wasn’t talking about Lord Ben. I was talking about your son.”

  “My son?”

  “He’s asked you to see him. Hasn’t he?”

  “He has.”

  “I’m not saying you should give your body to Lord Keriel. Or anything else. I’m saying you should visit the boy.”

  “I have no interest in the boy.”

  “Damn it, Nivrai. The boy is your son.”

  “That was a contract of convenience, nothing more.”

  Darien’s face darkened. “It’s no sacrifice to say hello to a ten-year-old boy, Nivrai.”

  “Sacrifice? No, it isn’t. But what will that do for me?”

  “Maybe nothing. I don’t have the influence to call this off. Keriel may not either. Not anymore.”

  Teran’s hands twitched. “Not anymore?”

  “They like the idea. They thought Ben was a crazy man with a vendetta at first, but now they like it. The most feared of the nobility, the one even they worry about, exacting their revenge for them.”

  Cailyn watched the black-gloved hands clench and heard Teran hiss.

  Darien shook his head. “I told you already, I don’t like it either, Nivrai.”

  Teran opened her mouth to respond. She looked over at Cailyn and closed it again.

  She turned and nodded to Darien, the movement crisp. “The flagellary is in the bedroom, over there.”

  “Thank you, Nivrai.” He offered a hand to Cailyn. She took it, rose to her feet, and followed.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Teran didn’t follow them. Cailyn cast a surprised glance at the doors as they closed behind her. Did Teran really trust Darien enough to let him do whatever he wanted? She glanced back at the door, remembering Teran’s eyes on them earlier. As much as her flesh thrilled to the thought of Darien using her again, she missed Teran’s hungry gaze.

  Then again, Teran had to be watching.

  Darien reached out to remove Cailyn’s blouse. He whistled, seeing the welts on her back no longer veiled by the gauzy fabric.

  She slid off her pants to reveal the bruises on her buttocks. He patted them, grabbed a handful of bruised skin, and twisted at it. Cailyn gasped, half in protest, half in pleasure.

  Lord Darien sighed. “She didn’t leave me much to work with.”

  Cailyn closed her eyes and took what he offered. The part of her that wanted more didn’t matter. All that mattered was his will.

  He led her over to the cross and bound her there facing him, stroking the pearl bracelet restraints. He grinned in approval as he ran his fingers over her breasts and nipples. She twisted in her bonds, desperate to reach him.

  His fingers moved to the long scrape down Cailyn’s chest. “That’s impressive.”

  “Is that a compliment, my lord?”

  “That depends. Did you enjoy it?”

  Had she? She had enjoyed the sex. She had enjoyed Teran’s fingers tearing through her. Her skin had opened, suddenly, without warning, in a crescendo of pain. Teran had spilled vakren over the cut, swift and searing.

  She had come from it. Come because it overloaded her senses, and because Teran wanted her to. But she’d barely known what was happening.

  “That’s a difficult question,” she said at last. “My lady is not as kind as you are, my lord.”

  “I’m sure she’s not. But you’re not—” He bit off the words. Cailyn figured he didn’t want to mention their last tryst, just in case Teran might really be watching them.

  So he suspected cameras here too, then. Cailyn felt a pulse between her legs.

  “—but you’re not known on the dark channels. Most people who see Nivrai have experience. I don’t need to hear them tell me so to know it. And most of them have a strong yen for pain.”

  Cailyn nodded. She wished he would stop asking questions, touch her again, hurt her, use her. “I didn’t when she first called me.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “First? You’ve seen her more than once?”

  Cailyn’s mouth snapped shut. She’d said too much already.

  Still, she did wear Teran’s collar. No one would devote herself to a noble for an entire conference without ever seeing her first.

  “Don’t worry about me, my lord,” she said after a long moment. “I can take care of myself.”

  He laughed. The sound rolled through the room. “I’m not worried about you, daughter of Loriel Derys. If you couldn’t take care of yourself, someone would have discovered that long before Nivrai found you.”

  He kissed her, his lips soft against her own. Her mouth opened greedily. With another broad laugh he kissed her again. His tongue slid deep into her mouth.

  She thought of Teran again even as her body sighed open. What would Teran think watching Cailyn surrender to someone else?

  Would she feel proud, pleased that Cailyn’s service reflected well on her?

  Would it make her jealous, fierce, fill her with a yen to take and use what was hers? Cailyn sighed into Darien’s mouth, imagined pale eyes sharp with possession.

  That change in Teran’s voice, the way it went lower and richer when she felt desire. Would she sound that way when Cailyn went back inside?

  Darien ran his fingers over Cailyn’s nipples again. She strained to better reach him.

  “You like that, don’t you?” he said into her ear. She gasped out a yes.

  He took a soft flogger from the wall and ran the leather tails along Cailyn’s skin. They danced over her nipples, teasing them erect.

  He let fly with them, the leather crashing against the sides of her breasts. She twisted, wild and desperate, not caring that it hurt. She wanted more, wanted this, wanted him.

  He laughed. The sound filled her ears as his motions answered hers.

  “Please.”

  The handle of the whip came up to caress her vulva. She rubbed herself against it, decorum forgotten.

  “Easy there.” The whip pulled away. Cailyn whimpered. Strong hands reached to undo the restraints around her wrists.

  He led her to the bed. His hand pressed against her back as he bent her over it and reached to free himself from his pants again.

  Cailyn cried out in relief when he entered her, quick and forceful. She arched back hard against him, gasping at the feeling of his flesh.

  He groaned and thrust hard, clutching at her hips as he drove into her body. She moved with him, pleasure rising in her flesh. She could come any moment now.

  She gritted her teeth and fought against the
heat building inside her. She would hold it for him, release only when he did, take his pleasure as her permission.

  He groaned long and loud as he came, his head thrown back as he cried out. Cailyn let out a breath and shuddered around him.

  His hands relaxed against her skin as her body pulsed with aftershock. He pulled out of her a moment later.

  What would Teran think of Cailyn’s body now, full of someone else’s emissions? Would it please her? Anger her? What would she think of her courtesan now, slumped over the bed with someone else looming over her?

  She shook under his patient hands. He reached out to help her to her feet.

  Then he kissed her, hard.

  The door slid open. Teran stepped into the room. Startled, Cailyn broke the kiss. She turned to look at Teran, Lord Darien’s arms still wrapped around her.

  “Lovely.”

  Cailyn thrilled to Teran’s voice—her lady’s voice. Her breasts ached, red and sensitive from the whipping. She looked down at them, imagined Teran’s hands doing what Lord Darien had done to her buttocks. Gripping the newly marked skin, twisting, prodding.

  Running steel over the reddened skin.

  Lord Darien couldn’t do that.

  “I’m glad you approve, Nivrai,” Darien laughed.

  Teran shook her head. She walked around them, her gaze sweeping over their still-entwined forms.

  “Thank you for your advice. I may take Lord Keriel up on that—if I can see the boy without him.”

  She moved over to Cailyn, who broke from Darien’s embrace. A black-gloved hand reached to play with Cailyn’s hair.

  Darien chuckled. “I’ll leave you to your own devices, then.”

  When he had gone, Teran tossed off the black gloves and extended her claws. Cailyn stared, mesmerized.

  Steel against her chin coaxed Cailyn into looking up. “Worried, my little one? You shouldn’t be. I gave you to him. You did what he wanted.”

  Teran’s lips were soft against Cailyn’s. Cailyn opened her mouth as Teran’s teeth worried her lip. She wrapped her arms around Teran.

  “Get back down,” Teran snarled. Strong arms shoved her back down onto the bed.

  Cailyn heard her rummage through a drawer and draw something out. She shifted her eyes, trying to see. A hand on her back let her know that Teran had noticed, and wanted her to be still.