Page 38 of Savage Daddies
Chapter Sixteen
The next morning, DaddyAxel clears his throat over breakfast and exchanges an annoyed glance with Daddy Erik before giving me an affectionate smile. I straighten in my chair, eager for whatever he’s about to say, for I have a feeling it concerns me—perhaps I’ll finally be allowed out of the house. To my delight, that’s exactly what he wants to talk about.
“It’s been brought to my attention, little girl, that you’ve been feeling cooped up in the cabin these last few days.”
I flush and shoot a bashful glance at Daddy Erik, though I appreciate that he’s brought my desire to explore the village, or to at least venture outside around the cabin, to Daddy Axel’s attention.
“Would you like to see the greenhouse and perhaps take a walk into the village today? It’s market day and there will be much for you to see.”
I bounce in my seat with a smile. “Oh, yes, please. Thank you, Daddies.” I make sure to meet each of my mates’ eyes, suspecting they all had to reach an agreement before allowing me out of the house for the first time, particularly in the wake of the outcasts’ attack. Vaguely, I wonder if they still worry I might attempt escape. I’ve told them I have no desire to return to Emerald, but do they believe me?
“You’re welcome. Finish your potatoes and drink your juice, then we’ll set out.”
As we finish our breakfast, I’m giddy with excitement. I’ve only glimpsed the village during the light of day from the windows of the cabin, but our house is situated near the end of a street on the outskirts of this settlement. There is plenty of space between homes, too, making it more difficult for me to see much beyond the three nearest properties.
I’m already dressed, though Daddy Nash insists on putting my hair in braided pigtails before we leave, claiming it’s going to be unseasonably hot today and I’ll thank him later. Once I’m ready, I skip toward the front door.
“Come on, Daddies! It’s time to go!”
Daddy Gage chuckles and presses a kiss to my cheek. His beard tickles my face, making me giggle. He grasps my hand and opens the door. “We’d better not keep our little princess waiting. Let’s show her the village first.”
Chairs are hastily pushed into the table and plates clatter in the kitchen sink. Daddies Axel, Nash, and Erik soon join us. The sunlight warms my face when I lift it to the sky, a sensation I’ve come to love. Even in VR stories, no matter how bright the day, I never felt the sun warming my body. I’m not sure what I love more—feeling the warmth of the sun or hearing the steady patter of the rain hitting the roof and the surrounding trees. I think of my letter to Sheena and hope that if she decides to leave Emerald, she’ll come to love the wildlands as much as I already do.
I glance from side to side as we walk down the dirt street, taking in every little detail. The homes are all log cabins, but they appear sturdy enough to withstand even the strongest storm. Almost every backyard contains a large greenhouse. Daddy Gage explains that some seasonal fruits and vegetables are grown in gardens outside the greenhouses, while fruits and vegetables that aren’t native to this area and require warmer temperatures, like oranges and bananas, are usually cultivated in the greenhouses.
The savages’ ingenuity as a whole never fails to impress me. After I realized savages were in fact real, I never imagined they would live in tidy cabins with running water and greenhouses filled with exotic fruits and vegetables out back. Nor did I imagine they would live in villages with structured market days. As we enter the square where today’s event is taking place, my eyes widen as the platform comes into sight. I stop and stare at it, a sense of self-consciousness and shame sweeping through me.
Just days ago, I was up there on display, my skirts thrown up as I laid upon the padded bench and my daddies claimed me while their fellow savages watched. Daddy Gage notices my hesitation and turns to face me.
“It’s all right, little girl. Every female who comes to live in this village is claimed upon that very platform. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You were not the first and you certainly won’t be the last.” His voice is warm and my other daddies crowd around me, stroking my back as they await my response.
“You promise I’ll never have to go up there again?”
“We promise,” Daddy Nash whispers into my ear.
Satisfied that I’ll never have to step foot on the platform again, I allow my mates to guide me further into the crowded market. Relief settles over me when I realize no one is staring at me and I’m soon able to relax and enjoy myself as we pass by the booths of bakers, artisans, seamstresses, shoemakers, and more who are selling their wares.
“Every Saturday is market day,” Daddy Gage says, squeezing my hand. “See anything that catches your eye?”
“It’s all so... marvelous and unique. In Emerald, the only shop I ever went to was the all-purpose store located on the first floor of my apartment building. It contained any food and personal items I might need. Other essentials, like clothing and shoes, were sent directly to my apartment as needed. I’ve never seen a place like this before.”
Several men greet my daddies as they approach us in the street. There’s a petite blonde woman amongst them, and our eyes meet for moment and we exchange a curious look, followed by a polite smile. I wonder if she’s from Emerald or Achilla or some other techno-city, or if she was naturally born in the wildlands. I’m quickly introduced to the aforementioned King brothers—Allen, Rick, and Robert—as well as the young woman whose name is Sarah. As it turns out, they live on our street, and I’m happy to finally meet some of our neighbors.
“Perhaps you can come over for a visit one afternoon,” Sarah says with an impish grin and I instantly like her. “Since we’re going to be neighbors, we ought to get to know one another better.”
“I would like that very much. Thank you.” I have a feeling we’re going to get along fabulously.
“How about next Tuesday?” Her blue eyes twinkle with a hint of mischief that leaves me wondering just how often she gets into trouble with her mates.
