Foreign Exchange (The Concubine Chronicles Book 1)

by Vanessa Cardui

  Another pat on Liera's cheek. "I shall have to compliment Maash. Once you are properly motivated, you are entirely serviceable. Now, to remove the more cumbersome chains, and the ornaments, before they are damaged."

  It didn't take long before all the gold was off, and Liera was left with her wrists and ankles manacled to each other, and fastened to hooks on the side of their bed. There were carpets, anyway.

  "You may put those in their place, Tsui," said Jalah, with a wave of her hand. Tsui bent down, picked them up, and Liera watched her leave the room with a sway of her hips, gold and iron over her arm.

  The carpets were thick and soft, but Liera ached from the clips, and where the chains had pressed into her. And she'd slept for a while in the cage, and while she wasn't held tightly in place, she couldn't turn around to get comfortable. And there weren't any pillows, and she was used to sleeping with pillows.

  Liera stayed awake for a long time, as the bedside lamps burned down, listening to the soft sounds of Jalah and the Krin sleeping, and thinking about what had been done to her over the day, and what she had done.

  #

  It seemed like as soon as she'd fallen asleep, there was someone prodding her, trying to get her to wake up. "Nm!" said Liera, curling into a ball.

  There was a chuckle, and then a hand on her ear. Which twisted it, hard. "Dammit Maash!" said Liera, "I'm up!"

  "Such manners," said Jalah. "And that is not the person to whom you are speaking."

  "Yes, lady," said Liera, trying to scramble to her feet, and rediscovering her manacles and falling over. "Sorry, lady," she added, from a tangle of limbs. Mornings.

  Fortunately, Jalah seemed more amused than upset. She unlocked the manacles, and Liera was able to stretch out for the first time since the last afternoon. "Very comely," said Jalah. "It does not detract from the punishment you have earned, but it is nonetheless pleasing to see."

  Liera blushed, and Jalah patted her on her head. "And a remarkably sound sleeper, for one who has not been given wine or poppy. The Krin is already at his business, and your Maash shall be here soon. You may bathe, and relieve yourself; you shall be constrained a good deal today, and it would be best if you did not soil yourself."

  Liera really needed to use the toilet, and she was pretty sure she knew how to get to the bath from the bedchamber. She stood, and Jalah gave an angry tsk. "Piglet," she said, "you do not stand unless you are given permission. If allowing you this liberty during your sleep leaves you this confused, there are measures which can be taken."

  She'd been given a lot of instructions; Liera was legitimately unsure if that was something she'd been told. It was something she knew, anyway. She crawled naked through the house, past maids and manservants, who were putting the estate order for the coming day. Some of them looked at her as she passed, made comments to each other, or snickered. Most just ignored her, and concentrated on their work.

  There were still aches and pains from what had been gone to her, and the bath was perfectly warm, and it was still morning, and she was really tired. But not only would that get her in trouble with Jalah, Maash was coming over to see her. She used the toilet, and then washed as quickly as she could while still getting clean, and headed back towards the bedroom.

  She met Jalah in the hallway, who shook her head. "Your hair is wet, piglet. If you cannot be trusted to keep from dripping on the floors, there is a kennel in the gardens. And now come with me—you shall be allowed to assist me in my bath."

  It was nice to do something for Jalah; to wash her hair, and scrub her back, and . . . well, to touch her. Jalah had been doing things to her, but Liera hadn't generally been allowed to touch.

  "Lady," she said, cautiously.

  "Mmm?" asked Jalah, leaning back in the bath as Liera combed her hair.

  "May I please kiss you, Lady?"

  Jalah laughed. "Oh, you are an affectionate one. Of course you may not. Now, fetch my towel, and remain at my heel."

  Liera bowed her head, then did as she was told.

  Jalah didn't seem to feel the same urgency that Liera did about Maash's visit. Maash was going to be here, and Liera was going to see her, and it was going to be weird and terrible and great. She did her best to keep her excitement contained as Jalah dried herself, dressed, and then made her gradual way through the house to a couch in a sitting room.

  As she sat there, and read, she twisted her hand in Liera's hair. Jalah had very strong hands, and Liera winced at the pressure. But she wasn't pulling her anywhere, just keeping her where she was; on her hands and knees, head up, just like usual.

  Finally, one of the maids came over, and presented Jalah with a card. "Ah!" she said, and her hand twisted in Liera's hair, twice, three times. "Come along now, piglet. Your lady is here."

  Liera scurried as quickly as she could. If it wasn't for Jalah's hand in her hair, she'd have gotten ahead of her. As it was, it kept her crawling alongside, just like Jalah had intended.

  When they reached the door, Maash was there, taking a cup of tea from one of the maids. She was wearing a rigidly formal jacket, and her land-owner's cap, and she gave Liera a happy, wicked smile that made her blush.

  "You may greet your lady, piglet," she said, letting go of her hair.

  "Hi Maash," said Liera, half-hiding behind Jalah's leg. Maash had seen her naked, of course, but this was different—there was a maid there, and Jalah, and she was doing things she was told, and—

  "Tsk!" said Jalah. "Maash, haven't you taught your girl anything about proper deportment!"

  "Oh, but she's so lovely the way she is, Jalah," said Maash. "And we're—"

  "What you do in your own house is nobody's business, I'm sure," said Jalah primly. "But if you are going to have her out in society, she must know what is expected of her. Piglet, when you greet your lady, you kiss her foot, and put it atop your head." She kicked her lightly. "Go!"

  It hadn't taken long from when they started dating before Liera learned that she'd do what Maash would tell her, and that Maash had all sorts of things to tell her. She'd done way more demeaning things than that. But it had always been what Maash had wanted to do right at that minute; there hadn't been any rules like that, which she had to remember. Liera crawled over, tried not to see Maash's grin or the disapproving shake of Jalah's head. Then she kissed Maash's foot, put it atop her head as she crouched on her hands and knees, face to the floor.

  "There, you see," said Jalah, as Maash moved her foot aside, tousled Liera's hair. "Such a charming way to be greeted. And there will be no mistaking the nature of your relationship when she greets at your university, or at a shop."

  "Jalah!" said Maash, sharply. "That is not the nature of the relationship that we have!"

  "Perhaps not," said Jalah. "It is too bad; your piglet would thrive in a more traditional setting; she has all of the necessary qualities, and so lovely, besides."

  "Oh?" said Maash. "Has Liera been a good girl?"

  "Not entirely," said Jalah. "And I suppose that is part of why it is so enjoyable. But come, let us have something to eat, and we shall talk more about it."

  They returned to the sitting room, where the maids had laid out cakes and fruit and slivers of fried fish. On the way there, Maash looked over her shoulder at Liera, who was crawling along behind them, and gave her just the faintest hint of a wink, and an extra flirt of her hips. Liera smiled right down to her core. Maash was great. She was always great, no matter how weird things were.

  There was an empty space amidst the plates of food, and Jalah told Liera to climb up there, with a tilt of her head and a disapproving look. She complied, and Maash thought it was hilarious. "It hasn't been a day, Jalah," she said. "How do you—"

  "As I said, she would thrive in a more traditional relationship," said Jalah. "She takes very well to instruction."

  Liera flushed, but kept looking straight ahead. She didn't want to change her relationship with Maash to a more traditional one, whatever that meant; her relationship with Maash was great
, and she was going to keep it that way. And yet, there was the fact that she was naked on a table, her breasts only inches from Maash's hands as she picked bits of food for her plate, and Liera's thighs were starting to slick with arousal.

  Maash pulled off the end of a sweet roll, and held it up to Liera, who took it eagerly. "Oh, Maash," said Jalah. "Cake? She is already so round."

  "Jalah," said Maash, sharply, and then laughed. Possibly because of the defensive way that Liera was chewing. But she was hungry, and Jalah kept giving her greens!

  "She's fine, Jalah," said Maash recovering.

  Jalah sighed. "For now she is, I suppose. But you must consider; if she is given her head, she will eat nothing but cakes and cream, and will sleep half the day. And where will that path lead? There are twenty more years of good use in this one, Maash, if she is properly cared for, and that will give her time to develop the tastes of a woman of society. But you cannot trust girls of this sort to manage their own affairs, or you will get no use from them, and they shall fade like cut flowers."

  "She really is fine, though, Jalah," said Maash. She reached up and tweaked one of Liera's nipples, and it was like an electric jolt. "It's just the way Ossians are built."

  "Hmph!" said Jalah. "As if that is an excuse! And the Lady Arith—you know, the Yail's wife?—she is nicely trim."

  "Perhaps they trim out as they age," said Maash. "We shall see. And aside from her love of sweets, what else would you want to change about my Liera?"

  "That name!" said Jalah. "It is impossible. Why not Lilu, if you wish something close. Or why not Rani? She would make a fine Rani."

  "Jalah," said Maash, "I'm not going to just change her name; she is who she is."

  "At least you are not so foolish as to say that you cannot simply change her name. You can and you should; it would make it far easier to introduce her to society if she had a name that people could pronounce."

  Maash made a thoughtful face at that, which Liera did not appreciate at all. "For the moment, I think she will remain Liera, though," she said. "It's exotic."

  "I suppose," said Jalah. "And she is a wonderfully responsive girl, and performs very well once she is stimulated. I don't suppose you will reconsider the limitations on her use? We had her on display at dinner last night, and she attracted a good deal of attention; should she be available for use, I am sure that most of those who attended would not decline an invitation."

  Another thoughtful face, which Liera appreciated even less. "I don't know," said Maash. "It's not how things are done in Ossia, and I do not wish to rush in where caution would be more appropriate."

  "Oh, but she takes so well to it. Here, turn about, piglet, and show your lady how well you enjoy the idea."

  It wasn't easy to turn around on the table without bumping into plates and dishes, and Liera blushed beet red as Maash touched lightly at her pussy and thighs, feeling the moisture there.

  "Now, would you like to serve at another dinner, piglet?" asked Jalah. "Would you like to squeal and whimper under Lady Arith's attentions? Would you like to take your friend Nari's penis in your rear, to feel his seed dripping down your leg when he is finished? Would you enjoying being put to use by whoever chooses to use you, in whatever fashion they choose?"

  "Hum," said Maash. "I mean, yes, you're right; she's way more enthusiastic about the idea than I'd expected. But I feel a certain responsibility here, and I don't want her to make a decision in the heat of the moment that she will regret later."

  Jalah shook her head. "You are too romantic for your station, and too serious for your age, Maash. But she is yours, of course."

  "Of course," said Maash. Her fingers were probing into Liera's cunt, and Liera knew that Maash had felt her reaction to that, as well.

  "Perhaps a small gathering?" asked Jalah. "Just myself and the Krin, and one or two guests? Nari, perhaps? He is a charming young man, and very well suited to your position. It would be an excellent match, and I'm sure he would enjoy your . . . Liera's company as well."

  Maash laughed. "You are incorrigible. Nari is a charming young man, but Liera is sufficient to my needs."

  "Is she?" asked Jalah. "Will she also provide you with an heir? You have added a considerable sum to the Enari coffers—do you wish it all to go to your cousins?"

  Maash laughed again. The way Liera was arranged, she could only see Maash from the corner of her eye. But she didn't seem that offended by the idea.

  "Maybe," she said, finally. "Not Nari, though. Someone a bit more . . . I don't know."

  Jalah clapped her hands. "At last, some sense! Now, about this gathering. Nari, perhaps? And maybe the Eraath? The Lady Arith was so delighted by your piglet's performance that I would have to be heartless to exclude her, and there is your—"

  "I haven't agreed to this at all!" said Maash. "Tell me more about Liera's performance while I think about it."

  Jalah did, in great detail. The Krin, it seemed, had been more amused by Liera's enthusiasm than her skills, though he had greatly enjoyed her orgasm, and Jalah had been so pleased with Liera's suffering that she had done a week's work in a day.

  "And she has made a friend!" added Jalah. "My flute-girl Tsui was very taken with her; if you need someone to look after her while you are gone, I am sure I shall be able to spare Tsui for the necessary times. She is very good with girls, and has a great future ahead of her, though I fear she does not give sufficient attention to her music, and is unfortunate in her station of birth."

  "She sounds like a fine match for Nari," said Maash. "He is very good with girls as well, and is overly fortunate in his station of birth."

  Jalah laughed. "Fine, very well. Perhaps you will find the Eraath more suitable. Or I could invite Taril; from what I have heard, your piglet would meet his needs admirably, and if he had someone on which to spend those energies, he would make a fine husband."

  Maash had moved her hand down, and was toying with the hollow of Liera's knee, so she might have missed her reaction to that. Taril—Taril Aden—if that's who Jalah was talking about—was also with them in school. And he'd been . . . well, boys weren't Liera's favorite, and he'd definitely been a boy. And also sort of imposing, even though he was the same age as them. He'd stayed on for graduate work, when the rest of them had left, and was getting a reputation as a scholar. Liera had always felt a little frivolous when talking to Taril, like a child being humored.

  "Hm," said Maash. "Perhaps."

  "Oh, you must agree," said Jalah. "Six guests, let us say, and when we are not using her, Tsui to keep her ready."

  "Well, Liera, what do you think?" asked Maash.

  "Tsh! You can see what she thinks!" said Jalah.

  "I can see that she is aroused," said Maash. "But I want to hear what she chooses."

  "Young people!" said Jalah. "You always complicate matters. Very well, piglet, what do you choose?"

  It was a difficult question, and Liera didn't know the answer. "Does Taril have to be there, lady?" she asked.

  "When you are addressing two or more of your superiors, you are to say, 'ladies,' or 'lords', or 'lords and ladies,' as appropriate," said Jalah.

  "Yes, lady, thank you, lady," said Liera, and Maash chortled.

  "I suppose you do have a point about the old manners being charming," she said. "And did you have a question, Liera?"

  "Does Taril have to be there, ladies?" asked Liera.

  "Yes," said Jalah. "I believe he does. If he is to be a prospective husband for Maash, it would be best for him to see what he would gain by this alliance. And as you should be included in this arrangement, he ought to know your capacities."

  "Jalah," said Maash, warningly.

  "There is no commitment! There is not even a suggestion. It is merely a convivial gathering, in the traditional manner. And as a scholar of high reputation and poor funds, your friend Taril needs to be seen at gatherings of this sort."

  "Perhaps," said Maash. "Liera?"

  The sensible thing to say was no. Jalah would
punish her for it, perhaps, but then she would go home, and Maash would know that she didn't want . . . Maash would think that she didn't want that sort of thing, and they'd go on like they had, which was great, and she wouldn't have to suck Taril's cock, and that cruel-eyed Ossian woman wouldn't hurt her, and Tsui wouldn't make her . . .

  "I would like to be available for use at a gathering of this sort, my lady," she said. "But only some of the time, please—not always like this."

  "Oh, piglet," said Jalah. "Speaking out of turn, and ignoring me in your response!" But there was affection and pleasure in her voice, and that made Liera want to kiss her feet, and rub against her ankles.

  "No, not always," said Maash. "I am not as traditional as Jalah would like, and I never shall be. But it will be a little easier if you are like this, some of the time—people will understand us better."

  "And perhaps more of the time when you appreciate your place," said Jalah. "It is in many ways an enviable one. Good! It is decided."

  "Is it?" asked Maash. "I didn't expect you to take Liera's decision instead of mine."

  Jalah laughed. "My apologies, Lady Maash," she said, and gave a seated bow. "It would be so grand, but I was indeed too forward; what have you chosen?"

  "I think that she may serve at a small gathering," said Maash. "Given how enthusiastic she is about the idea."

  "And yet?"

  "And yet, I do not wish to see that enthusiasm impaired, Jalah. If she is brought to orgasm before the end of the gathering, I am afraid I shall withdraw my permission."

  Liera groaned. That was dinner, and breakfast was still on the table, and given what she'd gone through the day before, there'd be no way she could keep things together that long.

  "Oh, but Maash," Jalah started, and Maash laughed.

  "I think that both of you need to learn that you do not always get exactly what you want," she said. "And no more than five guests, not counting yourself, the Krin, and your flute girl. I shall be there, of course, and I will take Liera with me when the evening is over. And your flute-girl is not to handle my Liera until the dinner is served."