“So, you just go along with this, ignore what's happening because you got lucky? That's noble of you. You're basically telling me that should just be content that I don't get beaten. You know humanity can be really disgusting at times.” I say with sarcastic annoyance, looking down at the floor.
“Hey, I know it's not noble, but you have to learn your place. The more you fight this, the worse it will become. I was like you when I was first sold into slavery, but Henry, my owner, found me laying beaten and thrown out to die. He saved my life, and he has earned my loyalty. The way I see it, better to serve an honest, caring person, than to be the abused possession of another. I owe him a debt and I am grateful for my position here with him. I had given up on humanity myself, and then he found me, and I haven't felt that way a day since.” Coven bends down on the floor beside where I stand.
“I'm sorry, I didn't know that you went through something horrible like that. That's sad, and I hate that someone would have hurt you like that. I can see why you see Henry the way that you do after what he did for you. I have to ask though, are you planning on staying here permanently then?” I say to him as I bend down beside him.
“Yes, I am happy here. I have food, water, shelter, friends, and Henry treats me well. I know you were an outsider before this, but I have no desire for that type of lifestyle. I have safety and security here.” He looks at me with commitment and content as he shrugs his shoulders.
Well, there goes my master plan. Of course, I understand why he would be loyal to Henry, but that screws up my plans in a big way. No running off into the sunset with him, and he would never help me escape, because that would jeopardize his well-being. Another sigh falls across my lips as I stare down at the floor. While I sit here listening to him, I realize that this is the innocence I have seen in his appearance. He is a strangely sexual attractive guy, but at the same time a content house cat.
“I know what you were thinking, but isn't going to happen, I won't allow it. However, maybe I can cheer you up. I know you're hungry, and Kallem was keeping food from you. So, how about a cooking lesson to start off with, after a quick trip to the market to buy a few things. How does that sound?” Kallem looks at me as he reaches over and places his hand below my chin to lift my head up.
Chills run down my body, as I look up at him and I'm blushing. “Ok, I am starving.”
“Come on then, let's go get you some well needed fresh air and food.” Coven gets up off the floor reaching down and grabbing my hand to help me up.
“Wait, before we go out, what about shoes? I don't have any to go outside, but I see that you do.” I say looking at a pair of brown moccasin style shoes that he is wearing.
“There isn't a rule about shoes, but masters do not have to provide them to their servants. They are considered a luxury since most servants only walk to and from the market to get supplies. I have them because Henry wanted me to keep clean while delivering bread to houses around the entire village and occasionally, I have to help with field work and fetch well water.”
“Oh, okay. No shoes for me then.” I say looking at my bare feet as we walk out the door.
We walk the short distance to the market in the center of the village. It's an unseasonably warm and sunny today, so everyone seems to be outside bartering and socializing. I keep looking over at Coven as he informs me about whom sales what and who to trust. He continues to explain what traders can be rude or even abusive. There is so many people out trying to offer items, I imagine this is due to the warm beautiful weather. Which I am enjoying the warmth of being in the sunlight and the glowing of my skin, I really missed being outdoors.
The thought of running away crosses my mind over and over. However, I know it's entirely too busy to try anything courageous with all of these people to stop me. Besides, I think I would feel guilty if I did anything that would get him in trouble. How could I possibly do anything to hurt him? Just look at him, he is …
“… You need to watch out for him, he is a con and he tries to get servants in trouble. He doesn't have any respect for anyone in a lower social status than him; spiteful old man.” Kallem continues to inform me.
What, who, that was probably important. Nodding my head up and down like I have any clue what he was just saying. I swear I am trying to pay attention to what he is saying but I keep zoning out on all the noises, and my own thoughts are distracting me. There are at least ten carts sit up, with foods. As well as many more carts with other items such as clothes, shoes, soaps and novelties. This market is far more impressive than any other I have seen in any of the past villages or tribes I have been too.
“Maybe you could help me get something to wear that isn't as horrible as this monstrosity of a dress.” I say jokingly as I look down at the floral pattern and pull the material that's tightly conformed to my figure; uncomfortably tight.
“I think it looks good on you, although I can tell you're not the dress type, but it shows off features very well. If it bothers you though, I am sure Kallem will get you something else, well, unless Kallem enjoys it on you as much as I do.” His smirks with a mild blush across his face.
Immediately I put my head down as I feel my entire face turn red. I think to myself; did he just say that? I hate this thing, but maybe it doesn't look that bad on me. I look back up at him, to notice he is still staring at me, waiting for my reaction as I let out a shallow nervous laugh.
“Thanks, I think.” I say with a confused expression.
“You don't take compliments well, do you?” Coven laughs.
“Not so much I suppose.” I say pushing my hair out of my face.
After we purchase some fresh vegetables we walk back to the house in awkward silence. I can't help but to steal a glance at him occasionally as the light reflects on his hair. Around him I drift away and for a moment my situation doesn't seem as dire and hopeless. Today is the first day I felt like an equal to another human that I could have a conversation with since my parents disappeared. It was refreshing and I for the short time on the walk home, didn't have overwhelming thoughts of any kind. There was calmness within me, and I let out a sigh of relief.
When we get inside the house, he starts to prepare a stew for us, as the smell feels the room; I feel comforted as it reminds me of being back at my own home.
“You look hungry, I think you will like this stew. I'm not good at many things, but I take pride in my cooking.” Coven says as he stirs the food in a large pot over the fire.
“Oh, it smells so good. I am starving. Kallem didn't give me anything to eat, that's why I stole the bread when I ran off and I bumped into you. Then the next day he left me here all day without food or water.” My voice changed from a euphoric soft tone to a strong deep voice as I was reminded of the bad things about being stuck here again.
“Really, I have to say that I am surprised to hear that. Kallem is one of the nicest people here in town, and everyone trusts him. You must have done something to really anger him I would think, otherwise I highly doubt he would behave that way.” Kallem pours the stew into two small old dishes.
“It doesn't matter what I did, you can't starve people because you're angry with them!” I quickly defend myself.
“Hey, you're right, but why don't you just try not to compromise with him and try to at least be reasonable? I promise you will see a whole new side of him. It's okay to be defensive, but sometimes you should practice a little self-preservation and restraint. I think Kallem doesn't understand you, and you are first person he has had in his life since he came here and his only servant. He doesn't know how to deal with you I think.” Coven says, looking at me with that same concern that Kallem gave me with his speech about how I can't take care of myself as an outsider.
“You have been a handful by the sounds of it, and you have a lot of attitude for a girl that fits into that package. I think you are a bit for Kallem to handle. I know you can be respectful and nice, because you have been all day towards me.” Coven says lightening the mood as he laughs
a bit.
Coven brings the bowls over and places them on the small wooden tabletop. As I look at him contemplating what he said about Kallem.
“Why shouldn't I make him angry? He told them about me wondering around here; got me caught, and now I'm his own personal slave! He took away my free…”
“Wait, stop! Kallem did not tell anyone about you but me! I know he didn't, because he came and told me about you being out there and he was worried that someone would catch you if you lingered around here too long. He went straight home afterwards and didn't speak to anyone else. He figured that you would move on since you didn't want to try to join the village after he asked you too. He knew the consequences if you got caught, and he would have never said a word. Honestly, I got the idea that Kallem may have been star struck by that one time he met with you in the woods.”
“But I thought that's why you went to tell him about me being captured when you saw me. I thought he had sent you to see if it was me that they had caught? Wait, star stuck in what way?” I sat down at the table and start to stare at the food anxiously as Coven stood across from me, placing a spoon down on the table in front of me.
“No. Like I said, Kallem is not that kind of person. He has never supported as you refer to as slavery, which is exactly your problem. When I saw you there on that stage, I knew I had to let him know. He was so worried, and he needed to know that you were being auctioned. Also, don't tell me that you are not aware that Kallem is attracted to your attitude as well as well everything else about you; it is undeniably written all over his face.” Coven smirks at me as he starts to eat his stew.
I pick up the spoon and start eating before I can even respond, trying to maintain some manners while I reconsider how I feel about the entire situation now that I have some clarity about everything. Maybe Coven is right, and Kallem isn't as bad as I thought. I guess I was very defensive. Honestly, I was scared, and I still am. Kallem might not be the bad guy I made him out to be, but it still doesn't make me any less of a slave or a servant; this is just entirely too confusing. Also, since I am stuck here, I can't continue the search for my parents. I am worried about them, and I don't think I can go much longer without knowing wither or not they are safe. Surely, they are also worried about me for the same reasons. Wherever they are I just really hope they are at least safe.
“Are you okay? You are being awful quite.” He finishes his soup and takes the bowl to clean up.
I stir the stew with the spoon a couple of times, watching the floating vegetables as my hunger dissipates, laying the spoon down on the table. “It's nothing, not important.”
“Is there something wrong with the stew?”
“What, oh, no. I'm just not as hungry as I thought. It was delicious.” I pick up the bowl, stand up and bring it to him.
“Are you sure you're okay?” Coven grabs my wrist as I am turning away.
“Yes. I'm fine, promise. It's just been a long and very informative day already. I have a lot on my mind.” My skin shivers at his touch, as he lets go of my wrist, I look down at his hand.
“Just checking. I know you are probably overwhelmed, but there is still lots more to do and the day isn't over just yet. However, if we get back to work and you can pay attention to me, then we will stop in a couple of hours and relax for the rest of the night. How does that sound?”
“I'm all ears. Let's get this done, and over with.” Then starts the longest two hours in my life, oh how to clean, what to clean, when to cook, what to cook, why I can't wear certain things, what happens if I get caught doing things like stealing, among a million other things that I couldn't have cared less about. However, I listened, done as I was told, and learned a few things I suppose. It took much longer than an hour, but I could happily pass time just looking at Coven go on and on. I noticed that he has a very monotone personality as I listen to him give me all this information today. I enjoy the sound of his voice though, it's so deep and I don't know why but I find his voice attractive. He said Kallem is attracted to me; did Kallem say anything to him about me to make him believe that. Why couldn't Coven be attracted to me, because Kallem isn't nice to me like Coven has been.
“Now, you can do whatever you like. You have earned it. Tomorrow I will take you out and introduce you to a few other people that you may need to know. Kallem would be so pleased if you could run errands for him during the day and help him with his patients.”
“I think after all that cleaning I am going to wash off if that's okay?” I ask as I lean by the bathroom door.
“Nope, that's fine with me. I am just going to go ahead and start making plans for tomorrow while you're doing that then and water the plants.”
“All work and no play, makes for a dull boy.” I tease him as I shut the door behind me.
I strip down and step into the shower for a quick rinse. Nothing like a shower to make you want to crawl under warm blankets and go to sleep. After I finish my shower, I plan on doing just that, as the sun is already starting to sit. Oh, wait, no bed, and there are no blankets for me.
After my shower I get redressed and it occurs to me about the zipper issue that I had the last time I put this dress on. I manage to squeeze myself back into the dress as dance around trying to get it zipped all the way up for about 10 minutes before Coven starts knocking on the door.
“Are you okay in there?”
“um…yeah, this stupid dress. It doesn't zip right, or well it's just about three sizes too small for me and I just can't get it to zip all the way up again.” I huff with annoyance.
“Just come on out and I will zip it up.” Coven says as he leans in talking though the door.
“No, I can get it. I think… Maybe.” How embarrassing. He gave me chills just by touching my wrist, so I really don't trust myself to let him see me like this.
“Fine, I am coming in then.” He slowly opens the door.
“Okay then, just be quick.” I have my back turned towards the door before he pushes it all the way open. I feel his hands brush against my skin as he fights with the zipper, eventually getting it to go all the way up. The feeling of his fingers running across the middle of my back up to my shoulder blades makes my heart race.
“There, I got it.” He lets go of the zipper and steps back.
“Thanks.” I turn to look at him, pulling at my dress.
“No problem, I don't know about you, but I am exhausted. It's dark out already and I think I want to get some rest soon.” Coven says as he takes off his shoes and places them by the door.
“Ok, I am going to go lay down myself.”
I walk over and lay down in the floor as Coven walks goes to wash his hands. I lie there gazing at him. Then he goes and lays down in the floor beside Kallems bed.
“Why aren't you lying in bed?” I ask without really thinking.
“Servants are not allowed to sleep on furniture remember. I know it's a demeaning rule. Some owners don't allow their servants to ever use any furniture, but no one allows you to sleep in the same place as your owner. It's seen as disgraceful to associate with lower class personally.”
“That is a demeaning, but what I meant is that Kallem isn't here, so what he doesn't know won't hurt him. If you're not going to sleep in his bed, then I am. I am tired of sleeping in the floor.” I run over and plop onto Kallem's bed, laying down and crossing my legs in comfort.
“I'm sorry but I can't let you do that. I am responsible for you and to teach you what you can and can't do. You will get use to sleeping on the floor eventually.” Coven says, as he nudges me to get off the bed.
“Oh, come on. You even said it's silly rule yourself.” I say rolling towards him laying my head up on my hand.
“What did we discuss earlier about that attitude?” Coven says as he sits upright tugging on my arm as he stands up.
“Fine, the floor it is.”
He pulls me up and I brush up against him as I slowly pull myself away from his body and walk over to the corner of the floor that I am much too
familiar with, as I lay down on the cold floor and attempt to get comfortable as I possibly can. My back turned towards him to keep me from staring at him all night. As I listen to the sound of him laying back down and getting comfortable as he can.
CHAPTER 4
NO MORE PEACE
“W
ake up! Come on!” Coven bends down shaking Raelia suddenly awake.
“What!?” I dart up quickly, my heart racing as I try to figure out what is going on.
“We overslept, it's already almost noon. I have to go next door to start work by sunset and we need to get everything done before dinner.”
“Are you serious, you nearly gave me a heart attack! Don't ever wake me up like that again!” I sigh in annoyance as I try to get my hair under control, combing it with my hands.
“Sorry, we need to go, I have a few people I need to let you meet. Then I need to go get some more food for Kallem before he returns. When everything is done, I will make you something to eat before I leave.”
“So, I am stuck alone all night?” I really don't like the sound of being alone and chained up.
“Yeah, and yes I have to cuff your ankle. I'm sorry, but that was what Kallem wanted. He did say he may return late tonight or early tomorrow when I spoke with him, but he wasn't sure.”
“Great.” I announce sarcastically as coven helps me up off the floor.
We swiftly got ourselves ready and left out to get to work. Together we walked around the homes and market briskly meeting people, gathering food, and taking orders for Covens bread. I wasn't joking when I said, “All work and no play makes for a dull boy”, and Coven is all work. He is so nice, but he does everything he is told. I am starting to become disillusioned with his disposition. Well until he touches me, then that's a completely different story. There is some serious chemistry when he gets near me, but I'm not sure what to think of him. He is by far the most beautiful person I have ever meet, and he seems kind, generous, and hard working. Call me crazy, but it still feels like something is missing. I'm not sure what, but there is something. Maybe he is too good to be true, or I could be just self-sabotaging by trying to find something wrong with him, since I don't want to trust him. I don't know, but when I look at him, I get weak in the knees, nervous and my heart races; I need to know if there is something between us or if it's just all inside my head.
Revelation of Raelia: Book One Page 6
