Page 9 of Shadows and Roses

Twisting her fingers together, she led him out of the sleeping quarters. The next hall contained bathing chambers, which thankfully appeared nice enough. A few were currently claimed by nobles. Jesamin hurried past them.

She was showing him the towels and soaps when a half-dressed courtier came out of a bathing chamber.

"Girl. Come here," the noble growled. "On your knees."

She wilted. This flower of a girl was the kindest person he'd met so far, likely hiding her fear behind a cheerful personality. The Night Courts would never allow this. Not real fear with no escape or consequence if they were hurt.

Castien stepped in front of her. "Leave her alone."

The noble gaped. Jesamin gasped and pushed at his arm as the length of a whip unraveled to the floor.

"How dare you?" the courtier said with a mix of surprise and affront.

Jesamin managed to slip by, falling to her knees as the man raised his arm. "He's new! Please have mercy, lord! He doesn't know yet. And he's Night Court."

The noble narrowed his eyes and lowered the whip. "A spoiled whore. Apologize, boy," he snapped.

Jesamin's head turned and her eyes were pleading as she mouthed:apologize.

Her pitiful look only incensed him more. Castien glared at the noble. He stepped closer, trying to keep the man’s attention. "I apologize, lord, that you’ll never be man enough to entice a woman of her own free will."

Jesamin whimpered.

The whip snapped around her throat. A hard yank and her eyes bulged as she grabbed at the leather, gasping soundlessly for air.

"On your knees, and I might let her breathe!" the man snarled.

Cold anger twisted in Castien’s chest. He knew better than to touch a noble, but he wouldn't simply ignore blatant abuse. He shouted, "Guard! Release her at once! Guard!"

Jesamin choked as the lord laughed, "Fool. Yes, call a guard. They’ll whip you if I don’t. Kneel, peasant! Do you think I won’t kill her?"

Castien inhaled for another shout. The air stuck in his lungs as he felt a prick between his legs.

"Down," Marlow hissed behind him. His dagger slid between Castien’s ass cheeks. "Get on your knees, or I will bleed you, and to all the hells with yourfancy whorehouse’s complaints."

Castien flushed red, curling his fists as he slowly lowered himself to the ground. The point of the dagger was in his face as Marlow stepped to his side.

"Apologize," Marlow spat.

Castien ground out, "He needs to let—"

The blade flicked. Grunting, Castien lifted a hand to his stinging cheek and brought back a thin line of blood. The Master grabbed his wrist and positioned the dagger at his smallest finger.

"Apologizenow." There was a tremor in his rage and the same fear as before.

Jesamin wheezed. Her eyes bulged. Castien lowered his gaze. The words did not come easy, but he said them without a hint of anger. "I beg your forgiveness, lord. Please spare her; she did nothing. I am the fool. Please."

The whip slowly loosened. Jesamin collapsed into a heap of gasping and coughing.

Castien didn't dare lift his eyes lest the noble see the anger that he was barely containing.

"You're not the first stupid slut I've dealt with. I'm not interested in paying your blood fees, but there are better ways to tame you." He grabbed the girl and half-dragged her into a bathing chamber. Glancing over his shoulder, he muttered, "One more word, boy, and I'll cut her throat."

Stomach in a tight knot, Castien moved to stand as sharp cracks and strangled cries echoed into the hall.

"Where do you think you’re going?" Marlow hissed, his dagger barring Castien’s path. "Stay. You will not stir until she comes out. If she dies, I’ll make sure the Queen knows who’s to blame."

"He wouldn’t kill her!"

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