A Lair So Sinful

by Zoey Ellis

  “Then what happened?”

  “I was ill,” I’mya said, somewhat forcibly. “The heat overwhelmed me and I panicked.”

  The girl stared at her for a long moment before turning back to rinse herself off at the stream.

  “You can only keep things to yourself so long,” she said when she finished. “But if you want us to all be a close-knit team, you have to be open and honest with us. And that means telling us what happened.” She turned and stalked away from the streams, grabbing a towel.

  The other woman, Tiiu, glanced at I’mya and Elora sheepishly. “She is from the South,” she said quietly, as if that explained everything.

  “Where are you from?” Elora asked, almost too brightly. “I’m from the North.”

  “I’m from the South,” Tiiu said. “From one of the smallest provinces.”

  “They say that the South is not as war-torn as the North.”

  Tiiu made a face. “Actually, I suspect it’s worse,” Tiiu said as she turned, then lowered her head so the stream of water splashed over the back of her neck for a few long moments. “But the queen makes sure each of the provinces uphold at least some of their beauty,” she said when she raised her head again, “so that it looks as though the South is surviving the war. And she also uses a lot of charms, which I understand the king of the North doesn’t bother with.”

  Elora shook her head. “No, it’s not that. We have a lot of ember. It’s everywhere.”

  “I would hate that. Where I come from isn’t great at all, but at least I didn’t have to deal with ember.”

  “We can’t not deal with it. It’s a constant threat.”

  “For us too,” Tiiu said insisted, scowling. “The queen actually tried to weaponize it! Can you believe that? She is hailed as the smartest, bravest omega who ever lived, to hear her minions talk about her, but she’s obviously not smart enough to not meddle with ember. It caused more damage than if she’d just left it alone.”

  Tiiu froze after her outburst, as did Syb in the corner. They both glanced around the room, then Tiiu slowly relaxed.

  “It’s strange to be able to talk openly about her without any… consequences,” she breathed.

  Elora nodded, her expression sober. “The king has his spies and torturers too… but I hear the queen is worse.”

  “How about we just don’t talk about them at all?” Syb growled from the corner of the room. “We have a new life now. There’s no need to talk about the king or queen or their fucking war.”

  The other girls nodded, Tiiu gratefully, Nureen and Elora somewhat reluctantly. Once they’d finished washing and toweling themselves dry, they stepped back out into the corridor.

  “I think the dining room is this way,” Nureen said, pointing to the left.

  Syb and Elora agreed. They made their way down the corridor, but the mood between them had sobered.

  “How much about the North do you know?” I’mya asked Elora quietly.

  “I lived there all my life,” she said wryly. “Didn’t you?” Without waiting for an answer, she beckoned Nureen closer to them. “I know the Southern girls don’t want to talk about the war,” she said to them both, “but I’m happy to talk about it if the two of you want to. I know it was traumatizing and horrible, but it’s the one thing we all share. And I don’t ever want to forget why I’m grateful to be here.”

  I’mya kept quiet as Nureen and Elora talked while they made their way through the corridors. She needed someone from the North to tell her about the place that had been her home, if only so she didn’t seem out of place. But she didn’t know who she could trust. Both Elora and Nureen seemed nice, but it would be a risk to trust someone she’d only known for a few hours.

  In the dining hall, long redwood tables with matching benches filled the space, and an incredible feast had been laid atop of each table.

  People had already gathered, clothed and unclothed, to eat, and lively chatter filled the room. The girls, led by Syb, chose an unattended table and piled their plates high with everything they could reach.

  And what a meal it was! Even without all her memory, I’mya knew she couldn’t have ever feasted as well as this. Whole roasted fowls, salted fish, pickled eggs, mashed and roasted roots accompanied thick gravies, slabs of cheese, and hunks of soft bread. Among these, sweet treats like sugared nuts, fruit jellies, assorted cakes, and black custard were laid out, causing the group to refill their boards multiple times.

  No one spoke while they ate—completely engrossed with eating as much as possible.

  I’mya had no idea she was so hungry until she sat down, but then set a goal to test every single plate. Eventually, as she ate her fill, she slowed refilling her board. She was contemplating whether she could survive just one more honey cake when she glanced up and saw the same expression on the other girls’ faces. Elora and Tiiu caught her eye and they all laughed. Even Syb cracked a smile.

  Tiiu got up and poured them all wine from a bottle on the table. “It seems we all forgot we need to drink too.”

  They laughed again.

  “I don’t remember the last time I ate anything other than moldy bread,” Nureen sighed, after savoring a mouthful of wine.

  “My last meal was about three days before I came here,” Syb murmured.

  “I’m so glad to be here,” Elora said quietly. “But I think about all the people I left behind and…” She swallowed, brushing tears from her cheeks.

  Silence fell over the group, and I’mya watched each of the girls retreat to their memories, haunted expressions on their faces. After a long moment, Tiiu began to sob, and Nureen rubbed her arm to comfort her, wiping tears from her own cheeks.

  Clearly life outside the mountain was horrible, and I’mya suddenly wondered if it was smart to try to leave when she didn’t know what she would be heading out to. If she did find a way, she would be choosing to go back to the life they had all escaped from—a life they clearly found unbearable. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong with her being in the lair—and she couldn’t shake the memory of the young girl. She needed to find out more, but the memories she’d managed to recall this morning weren’t enough. She needed to remember everything.

  Over the next few days, the group explored their permitted area within the lair, familiarizing themselves with it until they had an idea where everything was. They’d also had an opportunity to meet the other, more experienced kon’ayas. The other women seemed nice and offered to talk once they’d all had their turn with the master. A couple of the girls in I’mya’s group made sure they visited the temple every day, while others were more interested in taking up an activity they’d never tried before.

  I’mya spent most of her time examining the edges of their permitted space, seeing if there was anything she recognized or could see as a way out. During the time she had been running wildly from Dayatha with magic in her face, there was a moment when she recognized where she was. If she had never been in the lair before, and no one ever left the mountain alive, how could she recognize anything? Yet she’d felt sure she knew where she was going.

  Questions continued to pile up that she couldn’t answer. For example, why she knew each of the Seven Goddesses names but not the ritual to pray to them. She managed to avoid making her lack of knowledge about the North too apparent, but she was sure it wouldn’t be long before Elora became suspicious.

  One evening as they headed back to the sleeping room, Nureen asked, “Did you two know each other before you came here?”

  When I’mya and Elora shook their heads, she raised her brows. “Oh! I thought…” She glanced up to I’mya’s nook. “I thought I saw you in the same nook together.”

  “Oh.” Elora glanced at I’mya sheepishly. “I was in your nook the first day we came here. Sorry. You were unconscious, and I was trying to see if they’d done something to you.”

  Nureen laughed and began climbing up. “No, my mistake. I should mind my own business.”

  “What
did you think they’d done?” I’mya asked Elora as they climbed up higher to their nooks. “Do you have experience with medical conditions?”

  Elora shook her head. “I saw a lot of dead and almost dead bodies back home,” she explained. “I just wanted to see how bad you were—if you had any bruises or injuries.” She shrugged. “If they’d done something to you, then….”

  I’mya settled herself at the edge of her nook, her legs dangling over, silently finishing Elora’s sentence. “Safety is really important to all of you,” she muttered, watching Syb below glancing around the room before climbing into bed.

  “Of course, it’s the main benefit about this place.” Elora shifted to sit on the edge of her nook. “Syb was right about that. The North is a no place for anyone to live.”

  I’mya shot her look. “Worse than being a sex slave?”

  Elora frowned, turning to her in disbelief. “That’s not what we are.”

  “No?”

  “No,” Elora said firmly. “kon’aya are treasured by Thrakonds. It’s an ancient service that only a few were chosen for. kon’aya are considered to be very special to the dragorai clans in particular, especially the unmated.”

  “You know a lot about it.”

  Elora shot her a strange look. “Everyone knows about this position. It’s part of the history of the Twin Realms and the Seven. Everyone is desperate to secure the role.”

  “To get away from the war.”

  “Exactly.”

  A loud ringing bell interrupted I’mya thoughts.

  The atmosphere in the room became suddenly alert. Voices quietened, and those who had been lying down sat up, looking toward the door, as though they were waiting for something.

  Below, Syb and Tiiu moved to stand near each other, and Nureen, who was in a nook in the row below I’mya and Elora knelt at the edge of her nook, looking down over the room.

  Elora drew a sharp breath in.

  “What is it?” I’mya asked, alarmed.

  “That has to be the bell Tvesha talked about,” she said in a hushed tone. “The bell for the master.” She glanced at I’mya, uneasy. “He is in need of one of us now.”

  Before I’mya could even make sense of what she said, she saw Dayatha enter their room and head straight for their wall.

  I’mya’s heart pounded in her throat as she watched her navigate through the room.

  Dayatha’s eyes were bright, her face determined, and her stance suggested she would not be debated with. “I’mya.” She stopped at the wall, looking up. “You are first.”

  4

  “Quickly, quickly.” Dayatha hurried ahead, leading I’mya out of the sleeping lounge.

  “Why do I have to go first?” I’mya said, panic clawing at her chest as the resounding chime of the bell faded in her ears. “Why aren’t you choosing someone else? At least until I get used to being here.”

  Dayatha shook her head. “Newcomers are always offered first,” she explained. “It helps to eliminate lingering anticipation and stress once one has been through it.”

  “Have you been through it?” I’mya snapped. “Have you even done any of the things that you are expecting all of us to do?”

  “Not all of us are kon’aya,” Dayatha said nonchalantly. “We all have our role to play here; this is yours.”

  I’mya was silent for a moment, almost running to keep up with Dayatha as she sped along the corridor and turned into another that sloped upward. “I’m not ready!”

  “You are lucky he’s been hunting for the last few days,” Dayatha said darkly. “Some kon’ayas see him the day they arrive.”

  I’mya probably had seen him the day she arrived, but she didn’t say that. “Why do I have to go first? Why can’t one of the other girls go?”

  Dayatha shot her a side glance. “You are the one who provides the highest risk.”

  “What do you mean?” I’mya said, struggling to keep up. “Because of the magic?”

  Dayatha spun around abruptly and grabbed I’mya by her shoulders. “Master does not know that any kon’aya has exhibited signs of magical ability, so you have a choice. If you choose to display that in front of him, he will deal with it accordingly.”

  I’mya frowned. “What does that mean? Will he… hurt me?”

  “I don’t know what he will do,” Dayatha said. “That’s why we want to get you out of the way first.” She turned on her heel and began walking again, I’mya staring after her. So she was throwing her into the deep end with an animal of a man. “Why don’t you just tell him, then?” she said, hurrying to keep up. “So he knows what might happen?”

  Dayatha chuckled, her voice echoing against the craggy walls. “Master is skilled at dealing with problems as they arise,” she said wryly. “He does not need to be forewarned of anything like this. Recently he was even asking about unexpected or unusual new recruits. I hadn’t told the rest of stewards about you yet at the time, so the head steward didn’t know. We decided to see if you can settle here before we say anything. And that is part of the reason you are going first. In any case, Master never makes adjustments—it is you who must adjust to him. You are the kon’aya, he does not serve you.”

  “So I’m rushing in there without any preparation at all,” I’mya shot back, bitterness entering her tone. Dayatha said nothing for a long moment, winding up through a smaller corridor before reaching another large one. The air was different up here… dry, but with a cool breeze that swept along the walls.

  Dayatha turned left and walked along until they reached a set of double doors.

  “Inside you will see a small ledge next to one of the walls. It looks like a table,” she said in a hushed voice, turning to I’mya. “You are to bend over it, stomach down, and remain there. There are two handles that stick up out on the table that provide support if things become too… overwhelming.”

  “What does that mean?” I’mya said, panicked.

  “Do not linger when you enter his chambers,” Dayatha said, ignoring her. “Head straight to the table and position yourself—make sure you are there waiting when Master arrives. Make sure your knees are spread wider than your hips. Now, be aware—he may not approach you at all. You are simply an offer of pleasure for him if he chooses it.”

  Annoyance sparked in I’mya. “What? So I’ll just be lying there spread out, just in case?”

  “Yes!” Dayatha’s cool attitude snapped, and for a moment a flash of anger burst through her cool exterior. “That is your job!” She stilled, closing her eyes as she forced her shoulders down. Opening her eyes, she said, “It is better for you to get this is over with. It only need be once for now; a different girl will go in next time. And he may not be interested in having you at all. His appetite has waned of late.” She paused. “Do you remember ever having sex before?”

  I’mya swallowed, her throat fluttering as horror clogged every pore. She was asking her if she was a virgin. Her answer came out hoarse. “No, I don’t recall.”

  Dayatha nodded, her face grim. “Use the handles.”

  I’mya’s throat was so tight, she could barely get the words out. “And how will I know when I’m dismissed?”

  “You will know,” Dayatha said. “When you are released, someone will escort you back to your area. You are permitted to use the washrooms before you return to the sleeping lounge.”

  I’mya nodded, although she was disturbed by the sudden concern in Dayatha’s eyes.

  “In you go,” she said.

  I’mya took a deep breath and pushed open the doors.

  Inside was brighter than she’d imagined. The evening sun flooded the room with red-tinged golden rays from an enormous aperture along one side of the room. It offered a view of yet another, different part of the range than I’mya had seen previously.

  The room was enormous. A huge bed filled out the main space while the rest of the room was furnished with the most quality pieces. Various archways leading to smaller spaces and even a washroom made the space seem like a mini-r
esidence. It was filled with a large desk made of gold-laced bark, a wide wardrobe made of crisp wood, and other small chests and items that suggested the high quality of the furnishings. As she padded in, she stepped on thick rugs spread across the length of the room, tightly woven and intricately patterned. Another door was positioned at the other end of the room, and clearly it was the door for the master because it was patterned with a crafted frame.

  I’mya walked around the chambers examining everything. Dayatha may have given her orders to follow, but she was not going to lose an opportunity to explore and learn. The room was spectacular. The craftmanship that went into the fine details and intricacies of the decorations, the quality of the tightly woven bedsheets on the bed that looked like it had never been slept in, and the clothes in the wardrobe of the finest silk and cotton, clothes that had to belong to the master. With high ceilings and smooth walls, the room was the picture of wealth.

  I’mya looked around in wonder. There was no doubt that the dragorai were wealthy; although, she didn’t automatically assume that when she’d recalled them. Based on the wealth spent on the decorations in the servant area, it made sense that the master’s chambers would be drenched in riches. She was surprised there wasn’t a stack of golden coin in the center of the room.

  She made her way to the opening, or the windows as Tvesha called it. This view of the mountain range was spectacular. Mountain peaks spread far and wide into the distance, and somewhere in that distance, a dragon soared, its black silhouette clear against the blue sky. I’mya frowned as she spotted another dragon far to the left, and an unease stirred in her stomach.

  How many were there? And would they all attempt to attack the mountain like the one a few days ago had? For all her insistence that they were safe, Dayatha had practically agreed that everything I’mya said about them could be true.