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“Darg’ra, Jakmerah,” Keern muttered under his breath. “Do so
mething to stop this, or I will!”
Keern hated the protective urges compressing his insides. He despised this woman. What did he care if she was humiliated? Of course, he was disgusted at the thought of any woman being put through such degradation. It wasn’t stronger because it was Shena, he assured himself.
Jakmerah nodded and did a throat-cutting gesture to one of his guards. The guard signaled to the auctioneer, who glanced at Jakmerah, then nodded and stepped away from Shena. She hung now, motionless, eyes closed.
The auctioneer started the bidding. Eager men called out their bids, the numbers going higher and impossibly higher. Keern glanced at Jakmerah, wondering if they’d lost her.
After another minute of bidding, Jakmerah lifted one finger. The auctioneer nodded and announced the bidding closed.
Jakmerah drew a horizontal circle with his finger, and the auctioneer rushed to Shena to release her and throw a rough blanket around her shoulders. Keern’s taut nerves eased a little once Shena was covered.
“What happened?” Keern asked.
“One of the advantages of social standing,” Jakmerah responded. “If I see a woman I want, I get her. Courtesy is to let the bidding rise, to see what price she would have brought, and that is considered their tribute to me. I rarely take advantage of such privilege, so they will feel highly honored by this transaction.”
“And how will I repay you, my old friend?”
“With your continued friendship. That is, after all, the true measure of a man’s wealth.”
Keern slapped him on the back and nodded his thanks. He turned to see Shena being led from the stage, clutching at the blanket, just like she had clung to his cape after he’d swung it around her shoulders the first time they’d met. He slammed that memory aside, knowing images of the blood-boiling passion that followed would overtake him otherwise.
Keern watched as two of Jakmerah’s guards went to fetch Shena. She would be transported in the utility vehicle flown by the guards, while Keern rode with Jakmerah in his luxury air car.
When they arrived at Jakmerah’s palatial estate, the guards parked at the back entry with Shena while Keern and Jakmerah stepped out of the comfort of Jakmerah’s air-conditioned car at the front steps of the huge stone home. The oppressive heat of the day had cooled a little as the sun sank toward the horizon.
“Do you want me to send her to your room, or would you like a special suite?” Jakmerah asked.
The guest room Jakmerah had provided was a suite by anyone else’s standards, comprising a sitting room with two adjacent bedrooms, each with adjoining bathrooms. By a special suite, Keern knew he meant a sumptuous room set up for seduction.
“My room,” Keern answered.
“I know you said you wanted her brought to you this evening, but I wish you would reconsider. The woman has endured a terrible ordeal. I’m sure she is exhausted and frightened. Why don’t you let me send her to the women of my household? They will bathe her and give her clean clothing and a good meal. Let her rest tonight, and she will be much more enjoyable tomorrow, I promise you.”
“Jak,” Keern said, through clenched teeth, “it is vengeance I seek, not a passionate romp.”
“So you say, but I saw the way you looked at her, the way you strained to protect her. What has she done to deserve your need for vengeance?”
“She killed my brother.”
Jakmerah’s black brows rose. “This small woman wielded a sword against your brother?”
“Her father actually drove the sword into Will, but it was her intentional lies that forced the act.”
“What form will this vengeance of yours take?”
Jakmerah’s intent gaze unsettled Keern. They both knew Keern had total control over Shena now that she belonged to him, a gift from Jakmerah. Keern could do anything to her, according to the laws of this planet, including torture, mutilation, even death. She was his property.
Jakmerah squeezed Keern’s shoulder. “I know you, old friend. It is not like you to take vengeance on the helpless.”
“You knew me, old friend. Before the wounds inflicted by that witch. Anything I do to her is a reflection of what she did to me.”
Jakmerah sighed. “It is your business, Keern.”
A servant opened the heavy, rounded oak door, and they strolled inside. The marble floors and a fountain splashing in the centre of the foyer added to the cool, pleasant feel of the room.
“You will send her this evening?” Keern asked Jakmerah.
