by Terri Pray
Why hadn't she done that when she'd been free?
Foolish.
“Better, much better. Now, we'll go down for breakfast,” Davien offered his arm just as he had the previous day.
Had nothing changed for him?
Foolish, of course it had.
She rested one hand on his arm and let him lead her out of the room. She'd be able to face the others, just as long as she leaned on Davien. He wouldn't let her fall. No matter what happened he wouldn't let her fall.
In bare feet and barely covered in the dress, she walked at his side, doing her best to keep her chin raised. Each step caused the cloth to whisper over her welted buttocks. If it hadn't been for the soothing cream he'd worked into her backside, the journey, however brief, would have been painful in the extreme. But, with his care, she was able to walk down the stair case without even a whimper.
A slave stopped and stared at them for a moment, before a low growl from Davien sent her running down the corridor. If the slaves stared in such a manner, what would the others be like?
She swallowed hard and tried to focus. She could do this...
“Celeste, is that— is that you?” Steven stepped out of a nearby room and walked over. “You're dressed like a slave, what on earth is going on?”
“She is a slave.” Davien replied calmly.
“What? I don't see an island collar.”
“Kneel, Celeste.”
She flinched at the order, but eased to her knees, her thighs parted, welted ass resting against her heels.
“The island?”
“No, she's mine. I believe the term is bitch, though concubine would be closer to the mark. In truth she's my personal slave within the boundaries laid out by the laws of the island.” Davien rested one hand on Celeste's hair for a brief moment. “She submitted to me last night, after the main trial.”
Steven's jaw dropped. “I don't understand, she claimed that she wasn't a slave.”
“She wasn't until she submitted to me as such.”
“You're one of the two who owned her, before she came to the island,” Steven's jaw clenched.
“Yes, I am.”
“You came here to grab her again, didn't you?”
“Something like that.” He gave a slight shrug.
“How dare you, I should challenge you for the woman. She belongs with a man who knows how best to treat her. A man who can bring out the true slave in her soul.”
“I'd say she's already found that man. Why else would she submit to me in front of Jamezen?”
“To protect herself from what she truly wanted, of course.” Steven growled, his hands clenched tight. “She belongs with me, not you.”
Celeste's jaw clenched. She didn't want Steven. She'd never wanted Steven. The only reason she'd served him the one time is because he'd given her no choice but to do so. The man made her skin crawl. Worse than that, he wasn't dominant, he was an idiot, much like Tearlach.
Neither man had either the ability, or the sense, to take on the responsibilities of owning another living being. They cared for nothing but themselves and their own pleasures. No matter what she had once thought of Davien the truth was obvious. He did care for her. As a slave, and as a woman. He tended the injuries from the beating, despite the fact it had been given to her as a punishment. Not like Tearlach who hadn't cared a whit what she went through.
Or Steven who seemed to think that injuries took care of themselves.
She let out a long, slow, breath before she looked back at Steven.
“Did you want to answer that accusation, Celeste?”
“Yes, master, please.”
“Then do so.”
She lifted her gaze to Steven and tried to form her words carefully. “I don't belong to you, Steven and never will. I didn't hide the fact I was torn between being free and belonging to someone, but never, not even once, did I suggest that person was you.”
“Lying bitch. You led me on!”
“Did she? Odd, from what I saw she did everything possible to keep her distance from you, and from Tearlach. I don't call that leading you on.” Davien stepped back into the conversation. “You over stepped the line with Celeste several times, to the point where the guards were watching you, and Tearlach.”
Steven growled and took a step closer. “She's mine, we both know that.”
“No, we don't. She submitted to me and if you make any attempt to steal my slave, I will see you dead. Just as I will see Tearlach dead if he makes any further attempt to take Celeste. She is mine.”
“Until someone makes you a decent offer and you sell her. So, tell me, what's the price? What do you want for her?”
“She's not for sale.”
Steven grabbed for Davien's arm. “Everything's for sale at the right price.”
“You're wrong.” He pulled back from Steven's grasp. “Lay hands on me again and it will be the last thing you do.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No, I'm stating a fact.”
Celeste tensed as she remained on her knees. A soft tremble worked its way through her barely clad form. The argument between the two men was threatening to explode into a full fledged fight, with her caught in the middle of it all.
She didn't dare move, not without Davien's consent, and right now his full focus was on Steven.
“This isn't over,” Steven took a step back and swept his gaze over the still kneeling Celeste. “I'm not giving up on you, Celeste. You belong with me. We both know that. Whatever hold this man has on you, I'll find a way to break it.” Without another word he turned and strode away down the corridor.
“Interesting. No matter where you go you end up attracting attention. Tearlach, Steven, and who else? Will I be forever looking over my shoulder to see who is about to snatch you next? Ah, well, I do not blame them. You're a rare slave, Celeste.”
A slight smile claimed her lips at his words.
“Up, we still have breakfast to see to.”
With a sigh of relief she pushed back to her feet and walked along side of him to the main hall. Food. Her stomach growled. She hadn't eaten since the day before and then only lightly with everything she'd been through. In truth she'd spent the better part of the previous day lost in sleep. Exhaustion had got the better of her and with good reason.
It felt more than a little strange to go bare footed again. She'd grown used to wearing slippers, or soft shoes, but Davien had kept her without such trappings most of the time.
“What is to happen to Tearlach, master?”
“I don't know, though I expect there will be an announcement later. Once Jamezen and Mystic have decided upon a course of action, that is.”
Mystic. Her sister. God, the woman would be in the middle of things and would do everything she could to make Celeste's life a misery, she knew that all too well. She had to rely on Davien to help protect her from the viciousness she knew all too well that Mystic was capable of.
“You'll be fine with me, Celeste. You were always safe under my protection, if you recall?”
Yes, she did. With a soft smile she ducked her head and settled down at the table when he indicated to her where he wanted to sit. The dress left little to the imagination, but she was more covered than the nude slaves she had seen in the castle. And at least she didn't wear a collar that would proclaim her to be nothing more than a piece of property in the castle that anyone could use. Like this, no one could touch her without Davien's permission.
Not even Jamezen or Mystic.
“You'll eat a full meal, my Celeste. You need to keep your strength up. We have a long couple of days ahead.”
“How so, master?”
“You need to relearn your place.”
She blanched, uncertain what he would want from her. “Master?”
“You need to be retrained in some respects, Celeste. To rid you of the taint of men like Tearlach and Steven. As well as any notions that your stolen freedom left you with. I believe, from the stories I heard,
you sold your services en route to the island, but as a dominant, is that true?”
“Yes, master,” she smiled fully, heat touching her cheeks.
“Did you enjoy that?”
“It was a side of my nature that I wasn't sure existed, master.”
“And now?”
“I'm not sure I can shut it down.”
“Well, perhaps there will times when I will allow you to dominate another, if you please me.”
His smile chilled her soul and set alight her hunger at the same time. How could one man have the power to leave her so torn? “I understand, master. Thank you for that.”
He waved for a slave to bring them breakfast. “Eat, my slave.”
She nodded and turned her attention to the meal that had been placed in front of her. She didn't speak as she ate but became all too well aware of the men and women in the hall who shot her strange, and often hate filled looks.
What had she done that was so wrong? She couldn't understand it. She hadn't even spoken to most of the men and women on the island and now they seemed to look at her as if she'd personally betrayed them.
“Calm and focus on eating. They're not important. I am.”
She wasn't going to argue with that one. Still, it didn't help that she felt more than a little uncomfortable with the way they looked at her. She tried to focus on every bite she took, rather than the low voices and hate filled looks.
It became easier with each passing moment as she shut out the noise, the looks, and everything else they threw her way.
“Better, much better,” Davien sipped his drink and looked around the room.
“Sir?” One of the guards moved to the side of the table.
“Yes?”
“Lord Jamezen requests that you and your lady join him in his private quarters to hear his word on the judgment of the thief, Tearlach. At your convenience of course.”
“Of course, tell Lord Jamezen that we'll be there shortly.”
The guard nodded and stepped back from the table.
“Well now, I see we'll be finding out a little sooner than we first thought. So, are you done?”
“Yes, master. I am.”
“Good, then let's get this over and done with.” He pushed back from the table and waited for her to join him.
Silently Celeste followed him. Whatever would happen to Tearlach she had a part in it. Had she condemned him to death? It was possible, and the idea didn't sit well with her. Even though he deserved it she didn't want to witness his death. She paled a little at the thought and followed Davien through the castle.
The door to the room was open and Davien led the way in. Jamezen sat on one side of a large desk, alone.
“Please, sit down, Davien.” He waved to the waiting chair. One chair, where was she supposed to sit?
Ah, of course, she wasn't. Slaves knelt.
Davien waved to the spot at the side of the chair and she settled down on her knees next to it.
“I see she's well trained.”
“She remembers the basics from when I originally owned her, my Lord.” He rested his hands on the arms of the chair. “You wanted to speak to us?”
“Yes, Tearlach.”
“Ah, yes, the judgment.”
Jamezen nodded and glanced down at the kneeling Celeste. “Did you want him killed, Celeste?”
She tensed at the words, wondering why he'd asked her. “No, sir. I don't.”
“Interesting. After everything he's put you through I would have thought you'd want him dead.”
“No, I don't. I don't wish anyone dead, sir. Not even one like Tearlach.”
Jamezen nodded and turned his attention back to Davien. “I will be formally announcing the sentence later. However, I will be sentencing him to slavery, here on the island.”
Her heart missed a beat. A slave? Tearlach?
“A fitting punishment for what he has done. Steal a woman to force her to be a slave, become a slave in her place. So, he will have to obey the laws of the island that pertain to slaves. Full slaves?”
“Yes, he will be. It will be, of course, for life. I don't take kindly to those who break the laws here.”
“I can understand that.” Davien nodded and moved one hand to rest it on her hair, stroking it for a moment. “So, was there anything else?”
“Yes, the slave, your slave... ”
“What about her?”
“Will you be sharing her?”
“That depends on her behavior. If she cannot comply then I might send her to others to enforce the meaning of her status on her. However I don't think that will be needed, she understands what I expect from her.” His grip tightened in her hair, forcing an arch into her back. “She does, of course, need some new training. But that won't take long.”
Jamezen frowned. “I see, I find that to be a little strange, but under the laws of the island you have that right. Unless, of course, she wants to spend time with someone else. Even as your slave you cannot stop her from spending time with others, unless she's actively in your service at the time.”
Davien's grasp tightened in her hair. “I see. Well, I shall make certain that she's kept busy then.”
Jamezen nodded, the frown never shifting from his face. “I will be watching the situation closely. If I find you break the laws of the island in your protection of your slave, then I will take her from you.”
“You'll try.”
“I'd watch your words, Davien. I don't take well to being threatened.”
“I made no threat against you, Lord Jamezen.”
“Let's keep it that way,” he nodded. “Now, do you wish to be there for his enslavement?”
“Yes, I believe it will do Celeste the world of good to see his punishment. And I will find the situation to be of some level of amusement.”
“Ah, yes of course. The personal matter between you both. It will be amusing to watch that play out. You and your property will be welcome to watch the sentence passed. Do you plan on staying on the island, or do you wish to leave and return to London?”
“As yet I'm undecided.”
“Well then, I suggest you take your new property on a refresher tour of the island. Perhaps the play rooms will amuse you both?”
“Indeed, Celeste, it's time to go.”
“Yes, master.” She pushed to her feet and took a step back, taking care to avoid Jamezen's eyes. The last thing she needed was to see the look in his eyes right now. She knew what she'd see there, and she didn't want to face it. Not right now.
“Perhaps we'll check those rooms out after all, it might do you some good, and remind you of the way I enjoy your body.” Davien murmured as they walked out of Jamezen's rooms. “You know the way, don't you?”
“Yes, master.”
“Then, lead the way.”
Her heart soared, then plummeted into the pit of her stomach. The play rooms. She'd used them only once since her arrival on the island. A young slave girl that had caught her attention. And it had also served a purpose in keeping the likes of Steven at bay. Well, in some respects at least.
Now he wanted to take her there.
She glanced back at him, seeing the gleam in his eyes. Dangerous and hungry.
“It's this way, master, down the stairs.” She nodded to the large, closed door.
“Carry on, slave.”
Her hand shook as she reached out and opened the door, glancing back over her shoulder briefly. He was still there, close behind her, his gaze intense and locked on her barely glad body.
She looked back at the door and opened it, all too well aware of the instruments of torture that would await her in the bowels of the castle. If she wasn't careful he'd use her until she screamed— and there was a part of her that wanted that more than she had the words for.
The darkness of the stair way called to her. Down in the lower levels she knew there'd be light. That was never in short supply down there. She took a deep breath and walked down the stairs, knowing he was following her ev
ery move. Her every step into the darkness, searching for some sign of her enjoyment, or desire.
Heat flared into life through her inner walls, giving her no choice but to respond to what she was about to face. Her nipples tightened. Her breath hitched as she walked down into the darkness, then stepped into the circles of light offered by the torches.
“Hm, interesting, and each of the rooms are private?”
“To some degree, master.”
“And the public ones?”
“Are larger, they have more room to play in.”
“Good, then we'll use one of the public rooms. Lead the way, slave.”
“Yes, master,” she took a deep breath and looked around. There'd be a public room available this time in the day. Most of those who lived in the castle would still be asleep, or only half awake, so the public areas would be peaceful, for now at least. Or that was what she was hoping for.
Celeste led the way through to the back of the play areas, to the largest one knowing that he would want the extra room and equipment.
“Nice, very nice indeed,” he glanced around the play area. “The cross, slave.”
“Yes, master,” she stripped off the dress without another thought. He'd not want her dressed for what he had in mind.
“Good, you remembered. Now, step against the cross, hands stretched up, you know the position I want.”
Yes, she did, all too well. “Facing the cross, or back to it, master?”
“Facing.”
She nodded and turned to face the x-frame, knowing what would come next. She closed her eyes and reached up toward the restraints. He didn't leave her waiting too long. The restraints were quickly fastened to her wrists and ankles, forcing her to stretch out against the smooth and well tended wood.
“It's been a long time, Celeste,” he traced his hand over the curve of her buttocks. “But you belong to me. You've always known that, ever since the day I took you from the side of the road.”
She wanted to protest, to tell him he was wrong, but it would have been a lie. They'd have both known that. She did belong to him. He'd remade her. A soft tremble ran through her body as she pressed against the frame and waited for his touch.
