by Randi Darren
“I spoke to Mistress Anna, by the way. Right before we left,” Rebekah said. “I… explained my feelings… my thoughts… my wants to her. I told her that if you told me to kill her, I would do it immediately. That there would be no end to what I’d do for you. That no matter the command given, I’d make it happen somehow.”
What…?
“She said she was excited to hear that. That she felt the same way,” Rebekah said. “She gave me a kiss and said she liked me.”
“Why’d you do that? Anna is… Anna is my wife, and I love her desperately, but I’m fairly certain she’d murder any of you Numbered if she thought for a moment you were a concern for me,” Alex said honestly.
“Because I want to be her equal,” Rebekah said. “I want to be your comfort wife in every way. And I can only be that if I get Anna’s approval and become her equal, to a degree. So… I told her how I felt. She understood. That’s our plan. One will lead the Numbered, and I’ll be your comfort wife.”
Alex realized it was a pointless discussion. He was surrounded by people with minds and personalities that were stable but had more sharp edges and cracks than a box full of glass shards.
“Okay. Just… be careful. If we’re all in this together to the end of existence, it’d be a bad thing for you to get sideways with Anna,” Alex said.
“I know. But you wanted me to find myself, and I have. Now I’m pursuing it,” Rebekah said, and then she kissed his brow.
Alex said nothing else. There was no point.
Instead he just sat there and enjoyed Rebekah’s attention.
“Dan’s here,” she said softly and slid out of his lap, startling him.
When he opened his eyes, Alex felt like he’d dozed off. He’d been so lost in Rebekah’s attention that his mind had simply drifted away.
“Enter,” Alex called.
The flap opened, and Dan entered along with a squad of his people.
Each person had a sack over their shoulder with boots or shoes sticking out.
They deposited their cargo and then left, leaving Dan alone with Alex and Rebekah.
“Sire, I’ve brought the more interesting prizes for you,” Dan said, bowing his head to Alex. “We did of course capture several of their pay-chests, which were empty and filled with promissory notes. I then gave them the Brit signature gift.”
“And that would be?” Alex asked.
“Fire, of course. Everything that could hold a flame was put to the torch,” Dan said with a smile.
“Right. Any idea who you brought me?” Alex said, pointing to the sacks.
“Indeed. We caught the entire command tent for the right flank unaware, along with a large number of observers,” Dan said, walking over to the sacks.
He grabbed two ankles from two different people and dragged them over to Alex.
“I have for you the niece and daughter of the count of Helit. Both unwed,” Dan said. He dumped them off there. “I recommend the niece, but only marginally. Personal preference, I’d say.
“Next, I have the younger sister of the Baron Stoneson, and his wife,” Dan said. Grabbing two more booted feet, he began dragging them over. “I prefer the sister in this case, as the wife is married and… well… she’s just not really comparable to the sister. That’s all. If the baron dies, the sister inherits.”
“I’ll have you know—”
Dan dropped the booted feet, putting them down next to the first two. Alex realized Dan was also sorting them by his preference, it seemed.
“Be silent,” Dan said simply, addressing the sack before walking back to the remaining four.
“Next, the wife of Count Bellin—he’s who we’re fighting, by the way,” Dan said, grabbing two more ankles. “And his cousin, who is quite young. Admittedly, she’s married, but… I’d pick Bellin’s wife. Amazingly pretty. She had her kids young; she’s probably only in her mid or late twenties but looks younger.
“Doesn’t hurt that she’d technically inherit the Bellin titles, not the kids. They’re in line for a count title. Cousin would get a barony when their shared grandfather dies.”
“You’re a cad, but thank you for the compliment,” said the sack Dan had just set up in his “keep” row. “I’ve tried not to let child-bearing slow me down.”
Curious. She seems rather composed.
Dan let go of their booted feet and moved back to the last two.
“Last but not least, the Countess Aerin herself, and her daughter also named Aerin,” Dan said, grabbing two more ankles. “I’d go for the daughter, but not by much. Her mom’s a real beauty. I think she had her daughter almost too early. They look eerily like sisters.”
There was a soft sniffling noise as Dan dragged the two sacks over and set them down next to the others.
“And there you are, sire. Eight new toys for you to play with. I’d say keep half, kill half,” Dan said. “Last I heard, Gaelis wasn’t taking prisoners anymore. He already executed some family members who were caught up just this morning. I practically caught these at the same time. If the duchess finds out you have these prisoners, she’ll probably just execute them herself.”
“Mm. Thank you for your service, Dan,” Alex said. He was truly thankful, too. “Same rewards as last time. Be sure to get me a list of your operatives. They’re getting rather good at this. Can’t risk letting them leave our service in the future. Make sure they’re taken care of.
“On your way out, please send a messenger to the duchess. Let her know I have prisoners for her.”
He hadn’t counted on the fact that nobles were no longer being taken prisoner when he’d set up his plans.
Nor had he thought to deter Dan from capturing more people.
The duke’s change in hostages was a serious change since the last battle.
I was hoping to keep all eight for myself, but keeping four—with deals against a fate of death—and giving the rest to Regina is definitely a better negotiation tool.
She can do what she wills with them.
Though given how angry she probably is about having her people executed… I can’t imagine her having any mercy.
“Of course, sire,” Dan said, bowing his head and then leaving.
Looking over to the sacks, Alex wasn’t sure where to begin.
It was Mary all over again, he imagined.
Leah? How’s my annual debt looking?
You’re doing alright. If you can convert four of those into contracts, you’d almost fill your quota for the year.
Honestly, if you don’t move on them, it’ll be that much harder considering how long I think this war will be.
Got it. Thanks, Leah.
And if it helps… they would have died tomorrow anyways. Their fates were sealed. Four will be spared due to your actions.
And before you ask, it’s because Alexander Brit was never meant to survive to this point.
Nodding his head, Alex got up and walked over to the sacks.
“You heard my general—I’m keeping four of you as personal pets and concubines,” Alex said. “I’m going to interview each of you and discuss your options.
“If you’d rather not talk to me at all and would like to face the duchess, please curl up into the fetal position.”
There was a pause as the sacks considered his words.
Then the one that had been sniffling curled up on itself, as did another one.
“Okay, you two I’ll have pulled out and turned over to the duchess for execution,” Alex said. “The six of you will remain for your interviews.”
“What?” asked the sniffling sack. “Execution? He was just… bluffing, wasn’t he?”
“No,” said the sack above her. If Alex remembered it correctly, this was the countess Aerin and her daughter. “The duke really did kill hostages. We’re all as good as dead. Now shut up and make sure you’re not curled up. Alive is alive, dead is dead.
“Besides, Count Inferno married one of the last two he captured and made the other a baroness,” Aerin
said aloud. “Didn’t you, sire?”
Alex smirked at that. Apparently news ended up spreading. He wondered briefly if it was Mary who had been the one to let it slip.
“I did. Alright, last chance to curl up,” Alex said.
The sniffling sack, which Alex assumed was Aerin the Second, remained curled into herself. Apparently she disagreed with her mother.
“Alright. Say goodbye, enjoy your fate,” Alex said, and then he marched over to the tent flap.
Poking his head out, he found Nannie nearby.
“Hey, come here,” Alex said to her.
Nannie raised an eyebrow and leaned down toward him.
He promptly kissed her and patted her cheek. “Can you be my big, strong helper and move some prisoners around?” he said when he pulled away.
“’Course,” Nannie said with a smile, like a love-struck teenager.
“…sorry Mother, I can’t. I just can’t,” said the sniffling sack.
“No, listen to me. Just… get through this. Alive is alive, dead is dead. You can’t change dead,” said Countess Aerin. “Anything else is changeable.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t. I just can’t,” said Aerin the Second. Alex indicated her with a hand to Nannie.
“Damn it all, Aer—”
Aerin the Second let out a squeak when Nannie grabbed her by an ankle and started dragging her off.
“Count Inferno,” said Countess Aerin in a loud voice. “Please, just… make a deal with me for my daughter at the same time. I’ll give you anything of myself, my county… anything. Just… let my daughter live. Take me in her place in whatever way you see fit.”
Alex held up a hand when Nannie looked to him for direction.
“Anything?” Alex asked.
Sighing, Countess Aerin went silent for a few seconds.
“Yes. Anything. Just… be gentle with me and don’t hurt me too much,” said the woman. “I’m still a young woman and could give you children if you required that of me. Just… leave my daughter be. Take whatever you need of me, in whatever way.”
“Your soul, first,” Alex said simply.
“My wha—” the countess started, then let out a low moan. “Fine. You have my soul, Count Inferno, but you’ll swear you’ll treat my daughter as if she were your own vassal. And if you get the chance, you’ll give her a title that would protect her.”
“Grand,” Alex said. “Now your oath to be my concubine in any way I see fit, your soul, and your life in my service. To Leah.
“Those things are my price to take your daughter. Because that takes up a spot I would have given to someone else.”
“I agree to it,” Countess Aerin said. “And do so swear to Leah.”
“Five, go ahead and take the countess to my bedroom. Seven, could you take Aerin the younger to One later?” Alex asked.
“Right,” Nannie said, coming back into the tent proper. Grabbing both sacks, she began dragging them away.
“Of course,” Rebekah said.
“That leaves two spots open, and three for the executioner,” Alex said. “Let’s… get started then. Who wants to go first?”
“I will, and I’ll just make it easy,” said the woman Dan had named as Count Bellin’s wife. “I’m young, probably younger even than Countess Aerin. I’m incredibly fertile, I’m beautiful, and I agree with the countess. Alive is alive. I’ll give you all of me in whatever way you wish, just as the countess did. Not my soul, though. I have no daughter to save, but I can give you children to treasure that’ll be beautiful.”
Alex shrugged at that. “I mean, I need to see you first, but yeah, if you’re as beautiful as you say, I’ll agree to that.”
The remaining four sacks immediately began clamoring to offer him the same thing.
One of them sounded like she’d even offer him a lease on her soul, which sounded extraordinary to Alex.
Grinning, he felt like he’d just struck a gold vein.
I’ll just tell Regina I want to keep them all other than those two… she won’t mind.
She can have the one who’s unwilling to barter to execute, and maybe Aerin the younger. She can be a maidservant.
Chapter 19
Alex was brought into a command tent and presented with a chair.
Thanking the older man, Alex seated himself and then folded his hands in his lap.
He hadn’t seen Regina since the day of the battle, which was two days ago. This would be his first chance to catch up with her.
Given the fact that messengers from Duke Gaelis had been busily crossing back and forth over the field of battle, he imagined the duke was trying to broker a peace.
I know I would, or at least I’d try to stall for time to figure out the enemy numbers.
We’re roughly two times his size right now.
Yawning, Alex scratched at his cheek.
He was a bit worn out.
He’d spent most of yesterday and the day before putting his new concubines through their paces. Making sure to fulfill their bargains and take from them to fill up his yearly requirement.
In the end, he’d kept Countess Aerin, the daughter of Count Helit, the sister of Baron Stoneson, the wife of Count Bellin, and the cousin of Count Bellin.
He’d only turned over two to Regina, along with Aerin the younger. The executions were going to be held later today.
Aerin the younger had been sworn in as a handmaid to the duchess directly.
“Ah! It is… so very good to see you, husband,” said a voice from behind him.
Turning in his chair, he found Regina heading his way. She looked tired but healthy.
She walked right up to him and hugged him, pulling his face into her bosom.
“My dearest,” she crooned against his head, her fingers sliding through his hair. “I owe so much to you. The duke is frothing over the fact that you’re here, and with so many troops.
“He’s offered me many terms of surrender, but I’ve declined them all. I remember something you told me once—that if I let him walk away intact, he’ll come back again later.”
Alex did remember telling her something along those lines. He’d told Quinn the same thing.
Leaving a root is a problem.
“You requested this meeting, but you didn’t say what for,” Regina said, still holding him.
Laughing softly, Alex wrapped his arms around Regina’s waist and pulled her in closer. He could feel the slight swell in her stomach now where his child was growing.
“I wanted to see you, for one,” Alex said. “A man should be allowed to see his wife.”
“I’m afraid I’m the duchess first and foremost, but I’m sorry about it. I’ll try to make up for it. Besides, I saw what you had outside. I’d say you’re quite busy,” Regina said.
“Oh, yes, that’s another reason I wanted to come see you. May I introduce you briefly to my new toys? It’s part of the conversation,” Alex said.
“Oh fine, but it does make me just a little jealous. A few are really too pretty,” Regina muttered.
That’d be Bellin and Aerin.
For being the oldest, they were also the prettiest.
“Send in Alex’s guests,” Regina called to the front of the tent, slowly releasing him. “I love you, by the way.”
“Love you too, Gina,” Alex said, laying a hand on her lower back.
“Gina? Gina… mm…” Regina’s voice trailed off, a smile warming her face.
A guard entered the tent, five women following behind him.
They were all wearing Rebekah’s version of the house uniform. It did what it was intended to do and showed off their figures perfectly.
Rebekah was at the head of the column of women, a smile on her face and looking pleased with herself. These five new concubines all reported to her directly.
“Duchess,” Rebekah said, inclining her head to the woman.
“Seven.” Regina dipped her head in return, though a touch deeper.
There was a strange deference to
his Numbered, even amongst his wives. Though that didn’t apply to Anna.
“May I present to you Alex’s newest concubines,” Rebekah said, holding her hand up to the women next to her.
“Countess Elizabeth Aerin,” Rebekah said, indicating a pretty brunette with a great figure. She had calm brown eyes that looked torn, but also resolute.
“Countess,” Regina said, inclining her head to the other woman.
“Duchess,” Aerin murmured, looking at the ground.
“Countess Alexandra Bellin,” Rebekah said, moving to the next woman in line. An amazingly beautiful woman who could actually be compared to Anna. She had a perfect hourglass shape and was actually rather tall. She had tight blond curls, bright blue eyes, and generous lips.
“Duchess,” purred the woman with a smirk. Alex had availed himself of her repeatedly. Several times by her own offer. She’d already figured him out to a degree, and she’d be a danger if she wasn’t so clearly in favor of being his.
“Countess,” Regina said again.
“Countess Bethany Derth,” Rebekah said, indicating the third woman. She was a smaller version of Countess Bellin, but with very similar looks and features.
“My condolences to you and Countess Bellin on the loss of your grandfather,” Regina said.
“Thank you,” Countess Derth said, and Countess Bellin only nodded her head fractionally. Bethany Derth dipped her head deeper to Regina. “The news was sudden and… oddly timed.”
I can hardly imagine. You’ve become a countess at the same time as a concubine.
Though it was good that Coffin could handle your grandfather, Baron Stoneson, and Count Helit in the same day.
Pity I can’t use her on the duke. That’d just be too obvious.
That and Coffin said he was far too heavily defended.
“Baroness Brianne Stoneson,” Rebekah said, moving to the next woman.
She was a dark-haired, dark-eyed, lovely little woman who barely reached five feet. She was calm, demure, and reserved.
And extremely pleasant when Alex got her alone. He imagined she was preserving her honor in public and letting her guard down in private.
