AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Don’t insult the man.
I tensed, hoping I hadn’t said the wrong thing, but Victor merely laughed. “If Ily had permission to talk right now, I’m sure she’d tell you that that’s exactly what I fashioned my hallways off. Linlithgow Palace to be exact.” He gave me a conspiratorial smirk. “It was a dream of mine to fashion a place where only the deepest, darkest blackness can survive. For example…” He smiled at the beaming sun. “We sit outside on this gloriously sunny day, yet…head downstairs to the dungeons, and you would think you were in a world where no light exists at all. A place where no one can see what we do. A place with no judgement because there’s no light in which to condemn. A perfect metaphor…don’t you think?”
I couldn’t reply.
I hadn’t paid any attention to his disgusting bragging since the moment he’d hinted Ily had been disciplined.
Her head slowly lifted when I didn’t speak.
Her sunshine eyes met mine.
I choked on a surge of fury as my gaze landed on her cheek.
No longer flawless.
Her cheek bloomed bright red with the clear indication of four fingers and a thumb, casting her in punishment.
My hands curled around the chair. “You hit her?”
Victor sighed dramatically and yanked the leash, making Ily tip forward with a small groan. “She was being mouthy as usual. I did warn her that my leniency would come to an end. I can’t have her breaking my rules in front of the other jewels. They might get ideas.”
“Ideas?”
“Ideas that they can get away with insubordination.” Pointing at the chair I currently throttled, he said, “Sit, Ward. Eat. We have much to discuss.” Not waiting for me to obey, he looked at the audience ringing us. “My treasured friends, please…if you will. Allow me some time to welcome our latest guest and present him with his jewel. Once he has established dominance, I will have him parade her for your entertainment.”
Ily hissed something.
I stiffened as Victor glowered at her. “Say something, sweetling?”
Her shoulders swooped back, pride jutting her breasts out even as self-preservation tried to curl in and hide.
Whatever she’d said, she didn’t repeat.
And a sick part of me was disappointed.
She was courageous and venom-tongued. I expected she’d rebel louder and longer than she had. Had I read her wrong? Where was her fight that fed me? Where was the bold disregard to her safety? Surely a simple slap hadn’t tamed her that quickly?
If it has, you should thank your lucky stars.
If she stayed meek and docile, I wouldn’t have to fight my true nature.
I could remember why I was here and do my best to protect her instead of war against the very real, very sick need to break her.
Exhaling slowly, I schooled my rabid heart rate. Silently, I pulled out the chair and sat.
“Is that everything for now, Sir V?”
My eyes snapped to the male slave’s face. Peter, I believed. His skin said he hailed from exotic lands, but his voice echoed with English cadence.
“Yes, yes, you presented her well,” Victor muttered. “I’m assuming she’s clean? Inside and out? Ready to fulfil her duties?”
“She is disease-free and received contraception, Sir V. I personally oversaw her bathing and preparation, as requested.” Peter tipped his chin, his face carefully unreadable. “She is ready to do whatever you wish her to do.”
“Excellent.” Shoving the leather leash into my hand, he smiled. “You may go then. I believe Master U has just woken up and requested your personal services. Go find him and get on your knees.”
“Yes, Sir V.” Peter bowed, kept his eyes down, and left the patio, heading toward the castle.
I twisted the leash in my hands, highly aware I could jerk Ily toward me with a single yank. The symbolism of ownership did its best to scramble my soul.
