Sold to Serve: The Dark Brothers Book 1

by Kyra Alessy

  ‘Lucian sent you. I should have known. Fucking prick. Unless … perhaps he sent you as a gift.’

  ‘A gift?’ she squeaked.

  Without warning, his lips descended on hers, hard and demanding something she didn’t know enough to give. He drew away. ‘Too good to kiss me back, slave? Shall I tell Lucian?’

  ‘No!’ she said quickly, remembering Lucian’s threats. His lips found hers again and she tried desperately to do as he wanted.

  He pulled back again. ‘I can take what I want, you know. Or do you believe the stories?’

  He ground his pelvis into her, a hardness pressing against her stomach. ‘Perhaps you only ventured in here because you thought I wasn’t a threat,’ he murmured. ‘You shouldn’t listen to rumours, girl.’

  ‘I don’t know what you mean,’ she rasped, but he ignored her.

  He gripped her hair and bared her neck to him, kissing and licking her skin with a fervour she didn’t understand. He smelled like smoke and metal and there was something about it she liked. She moaned and then gasped in embarrassment, pushing at him.

  ‘Please, stop,’ she begged hoarsely.

  ‘Why? You’re mine as well if you aren’t a freewoman. I have a right to you if I choose. Those are your laws, aren’t they?’

  Her lip quivered in the dark. He was right. That was the law. She had to stop thinking of herself as a freewoman. She had no property now, no rights. They could do anything they wanted with her and no one would gainsay them. Dread pooled in her gut.

  ‘You’re scaring me,’ she whispered, wishing she could unsay the words as soon as they were uttered. She sounded so pitiful.

  ‘I am large,’ he confessed, with little humility. ‘It might hurt at first, but I have a feeling you’ll enjoy it.’

  His words didn’t make sense to her. A tear slipped down her cheek. ‘I don’t understand.’

  He gave a low laugh. ‘Never had a good, hard fuck, eh?’

  Horrified, she choked back a sob but said nothing.

  A coarse finger trailed down her cheek. ‘Tears?’ He was silent and unmoving for a moment. ‘You’ve never had a fuck at all.’ It wasn’t a question.

  Again, she didn’t reply.

  Then he a made a noise that sounded like a beast, a growl from deep in his chest. ‘There’s a first time for everything, lass,’ he murmured, and then his lips were on hers again. She whimpered as she felt him bunching up her skirt, moving up her thigh. His fingers were in her smallclothes in an instant and then delving into the slit between her legs. She cried out in shock and he made a surprised sound.

  ‘You’re so wet,’ he growled. ‘You like this.’ He sounded incredulous. ‘You like this,’ he said again, sounding much more determined than he had before.

  She was saved as the door was thrown open. It was too bright to see who it was, but Mace’s voice thundered through the room. ‘Kade,’ he warned.

  ‘Fuck,’ sighed the large man holding her, sounding very much like a boy caught doing something he oughtn’t.

  Kade let go of her and her eyes widened as he put one of the fingers that had just been playing with her into his mouth. He gave a deep, almost animalistic sound of contentment.

  Mace beckoned her. ‘Come.’

  ‘Saved for now, little slave,’ he mocked as she walked slowly to where Mace stood and out into the sun.

  The door closed behind her and she took a breath and fell against it, covering her face with her hands.

  ‘Why were you in there?’ Mace sounded very angry indeed.

  She looked up at him, shielding her eyes from the sun. Should she tell him the truth?

  ‘I was taking him his morning meal,’ she said at last.

  ‘Who put you up to it? Was it Davas or Lucian?’

  She didn’t say anything, not sure which would get her into more trouble. He grabbed her arm.

  ‘Where are you taking me?’

  Mace dragged her into the keep without an explanation, his strides so long that she had to scurry to keep from tripping. They began to ascend a spiral staircase so worn away that it looked more like a jagged chute than a set of steps. He was taking three at a time and she couldn’t. Her legs just weren’t long enough. Her foot slipped and she half fell. He hoisted her up, not saying a word, though it seemed like his pace slowed a fraction.

  On the first-floor landing, he marched her to an imposing door and thrust it open. It rebounded loudly off the wall as he pushed her into the small library. The room was in complete disarray. Some books were on shelves, but most of them lay in haphazard piles or were stacked in wonky towers that threatened to fall should even a faint breeze blow through the casements.

  Lucian sat in a tall chair in front of the unlit fire, a book in one hand and a goblet of wine in the other, looking every inch the proud lord of the manor.

  ‘You’re starting early today,’ Mace commented, gesturing at the wine, his tone just a bit disapproving.

  Lucian hadn’t looked up, not even during their noisy entrance. ‘I’ve told you. I don’t like the taste of the water here,’ he said nonchalantly. ‘Have you come to lecture me on the evils of imbibing before midday?’

  ‘No. I just came from the smithy.’

  Lucian looked up then, a cold smile creasing his handsome face. When he saw her, his countenance turned vicious. ‘No worse for wear?’

  ‘Aye. No thanks to you.’ Mace prowled towards him, leaving her standing in the middle of the room.

  Lucian calmly marked the page in his book and set his wine on the table beside him before he stood to meet his friend. ‘Well? Get it done, then.’

  Mace struck him hard, so quickly that Kora hardly saw his fist move. Lucian staggered and Kora screeched, her hand covering her mouth in shock. When he righted himself, Lucian wiped his lip and spat some blood onto the stone floor.

  ‘There. All is right with the world, Brother. Take the slave back to the kitchen on your way to the yard.’

  ‘We aren’t finished,’ Mace ground out. ‘You know how he is. He could easily have injured her.’

  Lucian rolled his eyes. ‘Gods, why do you care? Because she was expensive?’ He sighed at Mace’s still-furious expression. ‘She isn’t dead. She isn’t even hurt. He didn’t lay a finger on her from the looks of things. It was just a bit of entertainment.’

  Kora looked down, hoping neither of the men noticed her cheeks aflame. The large smith had done much more than lay a finger on her.

  ‘Girl.’ Lucian addressed her. ‘Did our Brother hurt you?’

  Kora continued to stare at the floor, wishing she could sink into it. ‘No, my lord.’

  ‘Look at me when you speak!’ he commanded sharply.

  Kora raised her head and eyes slowly, trying to compose herself until she was looking at both men.

  ‘Your games become tedious, Brother,’ Mace grumbled.

  Lucian ignored him. ‘And did he lay a finger on you?’

  Kora felt her cheeks heating anew. She couldn’t hide it from them. She knew well what her blush looked like, and it wouldn’t be missed. She couldn’t look at them, so she stared past them through the casement that overlooked the hillside.

  ‘Y-yes, my lord.’

  Lucian’s eyes narrowed and he stalked towards her. It took everything in her to face him down. Without warning, a finger lightly brushed her lips. She pulled away with a gasp. ‘Your lips are swollen,’ he muttered sceptically. ‘Did you try to fuck him, slave? I’ve heard about house slaves. Do you seduce all your masters?’

  Kora’s eyes focused on him and her lip curled, a wave of anger momentarily eclipsing her fear. She found herself suddenly sick of their disapproving assertions. Who were they to judge her? Mercenaries were no better than thieves and murderers in her book.

  ‘Of course not!’ she snapped. ‘How would I? I was in there for a few moments, and you sent me to him in the first place.’ She scoffed at him. ‘My lord.’

  He raised a brow at her tirade and looked back at Mace. ‘Such a brav
e little thing, isn’t she?’ His head swivelled back, a look in his eye that she was coming to recognise – and to hate. ‘Do you know what we are?’

  She shook her head.

  ‘Have you really not guessed? I wouldn’t have thought you were simple. Look at me. Look at Mace. What do you see?’

  Kora looked from one man to the other. What was his game now? ‘I see two men who call each other brother, my lord.’

  ‘There are three of us,’ he reminded her. ‘Three men who wear black and call each other Brother. Can you really not see?’

  Kora frowned. Three men; brothers who wore black. She gasped and reflexively took a step back. Dark Brothers! It all made sense. The weapons, their men, the Brothers themselves. The stories she had heard were few and far between, but everyone knew Dark Brothers were not to be toyed with. Members of the Dark Army were dangerous and feared, and they’d do anything if the price was right – and she was stuck in a keep with three of them.

  ‘Yes. You understand now, don’t you, slave? The danger you’re in; all the things that could befall you while you’re completely in our power,’ he murmured in her ear. ‘Now, you’re going to answer every question I have. Aren’t you?’

  She shivered under his hard gaze, her fury gone, replaced in an instant by utter terror. ‘Yes, my lord.’

  ‘Good girl.’ His voice turned low; velvety and smooth. ‘Now, what exactly did my Brother say and do? Tell us everything from the moment you went through the door.’

  ‘Lucian,’ Mace interjected.

  ‘We need to know. It’s dangerous when he isn’t himself. He’s been spending his days and nights pounding metal in there since last spring. He barely speaks to us. He doesn’t see anyone. He doesn’t seem to care about anything yet he has taken an interest in your little purchase.’

  Mace sighed. ‘Very well.’

  Lucian stood in front of Kora, his looming presence even more intimidating now that she knew what he was. She clasped her hands in front of her, trying and failing to stop them from shaking. He was enjoying her discomfort immensely. He was breathing more quickly and he had such a look in his eyes. Anticipation.

  She took a breath. Just tell them and be done. ‘He took me by the throat and asked me who I was. He knew that I was there because of you. He kissed me and then he …’ She trailed off, mortified that she was having to explain what Kade had done.

  Lucian leaned closer to her and she fought the urge to run for the door. Even Mace was looking interested now, albeit reluctantly.

  ‘He what?’ Lucian probed.

  ‘He … put his hand under my dress and …’ She looked down, lip quivering. She couldn’t say it. She couldn’t even form the words. She was so far past mortified, she wasn’t sure there was a word for what she felt at this moment. But it was horrid.

  Lucian lifted her chin, forcing her to look at them. Mace had drifted closer as well. They were both staring at her intently.

  Lucian searched her face, a whisper of an unfriendly smile appearing on his. ‘Did he put his fingers in your cunt, slave?’

  Kora’s eyes widened at the term he used. She didn’t answer him, but he took her silence for what it was. He didn’t seem angry. If anything, he looked pensive. Abruptly, he let her go and strolled to his table to polish off the rest of the wine in his cup. When he was finished, he shrugged at Mace.

  ‘You know he doesn’t tolerate anyone intruding in his lair. Even Davas sometimes gets bruises for his trouble.’

  ‘He likes her,’ Mace finally said.

  ‘He likes her,’ Lucian agreed. He surveyed her and shook his head. ‘The gods only know why.’

  Kora opened her mouth, intending to say something. She didn’t know what, but there was plenty to say at this moment. The fact that Lucian had sent her to Kade intending that he should – what? Kill her? And no one seemed to care that Kade had accosted an unwilling woman. But it didn’t matter. Slaves didn’t matter. She let out a defeated breath. She didn’t matter.

  She looked back out at the impressive view of the hills and tried to rally her spirits. That was what she had always done, even in the darkest days in her father’s house. That was how she had survived. It would be alright. She would escape just like she had before, and she’d never have to see these Dark Brothers again. She would make it back to the cloister in time and she would become a priest and she would finally be safe.

  Someone knocked at the door and Lucian answered it, coming back a moment later with such an angry scowl on his face that she wondered what horror he’d subject her to next.

  ‘There’s been another raid on the local village,’ Lucian muttered to his Brother. ‘We need to talk.’

  ‘Aye.’

  Lucian waved her away. ‘Go.’

  Kora didn’t need to be told twice. She spun on her heel and fled, running down the stairs as quickly as she could. She turned towards the kitchen but stopped so abruptly that she almost fell. The portcullis was open. No one was awaiting her. Without a second thought, she made for the main door, making herself walk slowly. She pasted a mask of self-assurance on her face and stepped out into the sun. The men, quickly having become inured to her presence, didn’t take much notice of her. In a burst of inspiration, she grabbed an empty basket from a cart as she walked past and strolled towards the gate. Now she looked like she had a purpose, she thought triumphantly.

  As she neared the large archway of the keep, her portal to freedom, a guard stepped into her path.

  ‘Where do you think you’re going, lass?’

  She smiled at him demurely. Guilelessly. Her mask was seamless. She’d perfected it long ago. ‘Davas told me to pick some wolfsbane and feverfew. He said the meadow out by the wood was the best place to forage for it.’ Her heart was hammering in her chest. She didn’t know what wolfsbane and feverfew were for or even if a cook would use them in a kitchen.

  The guard frowned. ‘I’m not sure that …’

  ‘He’s in the library with the Brothers if you’d like to ask him,’ she volunteered helpfully, smiling again. He wouldn’t bother them, she was certain.

  He grinned back at her. ‘Go on, then, but don’t be long.’

  She gave a mock curtsey and, with gall she had no idea she possessed, she winked at him and went on her way. She ambled across the bridge and down the track slowly, terrified that she’d hear a bellow and they’d give chase. But no one did. Once she was out of sight, she ran into the forest away from the road and due east; the direction of Kingway. From there she knew she could find her way back to the Temple.

  Chapter 4

  Lucian poured himself another drink and leant back, staring absently at the ceiling. Unbidden, an image of the slave entered his mind’s eye. She was undressed, as she had been the day Mace had brought her to the keep, her breasts swaying with every movement, begging to be kneaded and pulled and bitten – marked by him. He groaned as his cock stirred to life. Fuck. Why was she constantly in his thoughts? Perhaps he should go down to the kitchen now, scoop her up and take her to his bed. Or maybe to the smithy and see if Kade wanted to share her, as they had countless women over the years. Mace would give in as well, he knew. Once she stopped fighting, he’d take his fill of her too. How she would scream and writhe on their cocks, crying out so loudly all the men would know she was theirs.

  He opened his eyes and chuckled. Theirs? How possessive he’d become. She was just a house slave, he reminded himself, and a thief. He’d been one of those once and then he’d joined the Army. No, he didn’t like thieves at all. Weak. Like he’d been once, but no more. Gods help her if she tried that here. He’d flay her pretty body while she screamed before he let her trifle with him and his Brothers.

  And if he did let temptation get the better of him, the most she’d be was a little distraction while they built this keep and its lands up from the ground. There was still much work to be done if this was to be their new existence far from the horrors of their old lives now that they were finished with the Army.

&nbs
p; The Brothers of the Dark Army didn’t like to be called mercenaries, but call an apple an apple as far as Lucian was concerned. That was all they were. They were just better at what they did than your average sell-sword and they had an army of loyal men at their backs. Or at least they had had.

  After what had happened, none of them had felt like going on. They’d left as soon as the Commander had allowed it. Kade was a broken shell, Mace woke the house almost every night with his nightmares, and he himself – Lucian took a long swallow and refused to think of what he’d lost – he was sure he never used to drink so much before. Men did things in war; for honour or loyalty or money. That was the way of all realms, but they weren’t meant to involve family. He shut his eyes as he tried to shut out the memories of that night. He needed more wine.

  Someone barged into the room, breathing heavily.

  ‘By the gods, can I have no fucking peace?’ he snarled angrily.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Davas puffed. ‘I thought she might be here.’ He put his hands on his knees. ‘I didn’t know,’ he wheezed. ‘I came as soon as I realised.’

  ‘What the fuck are you going on about, man?’

  ‘Kora. The slave. She’s gone.’ Davas began to recover. ‘She slipped out of the gate this afternoon. Gave Ren some story about me telling her to pick herbs. Mace is saddling his steed now.’

  Lucian took another swig and grinned so nastily that even Davas retreated a step. ‘Tell him not to bother. I’ll bring her back.’

  As another branch scratched her, Kora remembered why she hated this forest; perhaps all forests, actually. It seemed to her that the short saplings and bushes were trying to hurt her, though such a thing was surely impossible. More than once she’d been poked and scraped after she’d passed one, as if they were reaching for her. Ridiculous. She was simply afraid and half-starved, seeing monsters where there were only shadows. She shivered, wishing she could keep to the road, but they must know she was gone by now. They’d be looking for her. And her feet still had some painful scrapes and blisters that hadn’t fully healed. Better to stick to the leaves and mosses of the forest floor even if she wasn’t being hunted by Dark Brothers. Dark Brothers. Gods, how unlucky could she be?