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Both of Edwin’s bushy eyebrows crawl up into his hairline. “You think my color is pretty?” He glances across at Bard, who shrugs helplessly and appears equally confused by this development.
“I also like your hair.” Her eyes take on a deeply admiring gleam. “May I plait it?”
“No,” Edwin and Bard say, in unison.
“Fine then.” Her eyes narrow. “But you are missing out.”
I bite back a smirk—the child is utterly shameless.
Edwin huffs out a breath and leans back in his chair. “She may have lessons with Jendrick every other day. If she appears troubled or unwell in any way, you are to speak to me about it.”
We leave the general’s office, Melody skipping down the corridor and babbling about sweet orc generals. We will be staying home today, so I go and collect my recent mending to return to the seamstress where I can collect more.
I did not sleep well last night. After Doug had wrested many climaxes from me, I had much to think on.
How I wanted to be fully intimate with him. But I also worry about Melody, the danger she represents, and the decimation that sweet child could unleash upon the many portal worlds. Her skills are likely what saved her when the dark fae destroyed her home and snatched her away. Those same skills also likely saved her when the orcs attacked the dark fae.
Her young life has played out in a never-ending cycle of abuse. She would have been better off dead, a dark voice at the back of my mind tells me. Yet who could ever wish such a sweet child dead? If she does wrong under the direction of the Blighten, that is not on her but on the shoulders of the creatures themselves, for they are ever hungry for more, like a disease spreading, their filth into every corner of this world and beyond to other worlds via the portal.
I could weep for the tragedy of it, that I, too, am part of this, that, like every other bondservant, I have become a facilitator in their dark quest.
Only, what choice do I have? Life is precious. I cherish all the moments in between the darkness, when I can forget the part I have played in the destruction of other homes, families, and worlds. I cling to life, like all of us do, praying for something better.
My heart is sore as I head down the narrow passage that leads from the stables to the kitchens and beyond, where there are more servants’ quarters including the room where the seamstress is usually found at this early hour.
And it is here that I bump into Trent.
Penny has gone with General Tulwin. I miss her kind presence and advice. Most of the bondservants I traveled with stayed with Tulwin, save a few who were given over to Edwin’s service. Unfortunately, one of them is Trent.
I wish Penny had come with me.
I wish Trent had not. On the few occasions I’ve seen him, he leers at me, and I recall what Penny said about him currying favors from the Blighten the night the bears attacked. How he was among those who helped the orcs track the humans who fled. And how he has now risen above other bondservants by showing his loyalty in this way.
He has gone from an opportunistic bully, seeking favors from the lasses for a crust of bread, to a cretinous traitor.
I might have been one of those he managed to prey upon, had Doug not been there for me.
“What do you want, Trent?” I ask. He is a muscular, intimidating male. Although he is nothing compared to Doug, he is considerably more powerful than me. I remind myself of Doug’s protection. Trent would be foolish to do anything to raise Doug’s ire. Yet there is something in his expression that unsettles me deeply.
“It’s not me who wants anything,” he says, “but you.”
I frown.
His leering slides to a smirk as he leans in close. “I saw you that night.”
My eyes lift to clash with his. I want to step away from him, but something tells me showing fear to Trent would be a bad idea. My heart is racing. I feel it pulsing against my throat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“So, you have forgotten the night the bears attacked and when you ran into the forest? No one was chasing you, lass. I thought for sure we’d find you with the other runaways in the forest. But you were already back. It was Doug, wasn’t it?” His grin widens. “I’ll keep you a little secret…. for a price.”
My palms turn sweaty, although I’m cold inside. “No one would believe you,” I whisper. “Not after so long.
“No? Well, that’s a risk you could take.” His chuckle is dark and nasty. “Who do you think they will believe? It’s not like Doug can speak to defend you. The mute bastard can’t speak at all.”
My stomach roils. I fear I may empty it over the passage floor.
“Doug should have turned a runaway over to the orc masters, not put you in his bed.” His eyes lower to my breasts and then rise up to meet mine. “I’m held in high regard now. I might even gain my freedom.”
I swallow hard, feeling the noose tightening around my throat. There is already a metal collar there. Trent, I notice, no longer wears a collar, in evidence of his high status—and I know he is not bluffing. What would I do for freedom? It is a hard question to ask. I know I would not sell out my fellow bondservants. I could not. And yet Trent has gone down that path. He’s willing to go further, and use me and Doug in his quest for freedom.
