Page 40 of Commander's Slave
Edek felt his annoyance with his brother start to fade. He leaned against the wall and stared at the starry night sky, as well as the two bright moons.
“I have disciplined Betsy a few times,” he admitted, “when she has disobeyed me, but the worst she might ever expect from me is a dose of the strap. I am mindful of her small size and I would never truly harm her. Whether I wanted her or not, she is my slave, and it is my right to punish her how I see fit when she requires a firm hand. She belongs tome.” He tapped at his chest, unsure why he was suddenly defending his treatment of Betsy. It wasn’t as though Draken could take her back. Edek had papers stating that Betsy belonged to him and he would never even contemplate selling her.
Draken stared at him for a long time, his visage thoughtful. “You care for the human.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement, and it was one that Edek could not refute.
Yes, yes he cared for her. But the fact remained—she was his slave. He would need to be careful, he would need to make sure she didn’t forget her place, lest she end up in danger in the town.
Nearly every time Edek visited the town, he would see disobedient slaves on the public punishment block in the center of town. The thought of Betsy joining them tore up his heart.
He would do whatever it took to keep her safe.
“I told you I had a feeling that Betsy would be good for you, brother, and I am glad to learn I was right.” Draken exhaled a deep breath. “And I also think she needs you just as much as you need her.”
Edek dropped his gaze from the moons and faced his brother. “You surprised me this evening. I did not expect you to offer for one of General Amak’s daughters. Nineteen is very young.” He lifted his eyebrows in question.
“Call it another feeling,” Draken said with a slight shake of his head. “But I’ve heard stories about the general. He is not a kind man, and he has a gambling problem too and debts he is struggling to pay. I have no doubt he would’ve sold his two youngest daughters without a care for their wellbeing, and the sort of male who’d want a female so young would not make for a good husband.”
“So you did it to save the young females?” Edek had never known a Kall as compassionate as Draken, but to take a wife… that was a bold action indeed. One with lifelong consequences.
“Yes, but to save Lissa as well.” Draken chuckled. “And her other sister, too, whatever her name might be. The general doesn’t know it yet, but I intend to make the contract ironclad and add in a clause at the last moment that says I must approve of the matches for all three of his remaining daughters.” A peaceful look crossed his features. “This might come as a surprise to you, but I have long wished to take a wife. Warriors always get preferential treatment on Kall, even if they aren’t very wealthy, and after the mines exploded and I got wounded…” His voice trailed off and he touched the scars on his face. “Well, if my new bride finds me repulsive, at the very least I hope a friendship will grow between us.”
“I am certain Lissa will grow to love you, brother, fear not,” Edek said, placing a hand upon Draken’s shoulder. “Especially once she realizes how you’ve helped her sisters.” He turned him to face the door and they both entered the house.
“I am sorry for questioning you about Betsy. I should have known with absolute certainty that you would never truly hurt her.”
“It is all right,” Edek said, “but, if you’ll excuse me, I must go to her now. She was left quite shaken by the experience and I wish to ensure she’s all right.”
Edek hurried to the kitchen and directed the cook to prepare a dinner tray for Betsy. But when he saw the cook pouring a strange smelling soup into a bowl, he stiffened and glared at the meal. “Why are you giving her that?” he barked, displeasure rolling through him. He nodded at the trays which still held generous portions of the dishes served as they entertained the general. “Fill her plate with those items.”
The cook gave him a shocked look. “But Commander Edek, she is a slave. She does not even eat before us servants. She must wait until we are finished and then she receives our scraps.”
Edek’s anger resurfaced and he imagined himself tossing the cook against the wall and choking him until he passed out. He curled his fists at his sides and drew in a few deep breaths. He felt horrible and his heart ached for Betsy, for the unkind treatment she had endured in this house, unbeknownst to him. All this time and he’d had no idea Betsy had been eating the servants’ meager leftovers.
It ended today.
“You will fill this tray with the same food that was served in the dining room this evening. And in the future, she will eat the same food served in the dining room. Is that clear?”
“But Commander Edek—” the cook began, his shocked expression revealing his outrage.
“I will cast you out of this house without a reference if you disobey me in this even once.” He stood taller and continued glaring at the cook, daring the male to defy him.
The cook lowered his head, looking abashed. “Yes, Commander, I understand. Please—I need this job. Please do not cast me out.” He hurried to scoop generous portions of the dining room food on several plates which he then placed on a tray. He added dessert, a pitcher of spring water, and utensils and napkins as well. Then he lifted the tray and presented it to Edek as though it were a peace offering.
Edek accepted the tray and made haste for his bedroom, unable to climb the steps fast enough. He was eager to reach Betsy. Eager to start righting the wrongs she had suffered. Eager to take care of her and comfort her with all the tenderness she deserved.
Chapter 20
Betsy satagainst the pillows in bed, gazing out the window at Kall’s brilliant night sky. She’d stopped trembling and was starting to feel better already, but oh what a shock she’d endured. She hoped that awful general never came over again. She suspected if he tried to visit, Edek would not receive him.
Her heart warmed as she thought of her master. He’d brought her upstairs to keep her safe. He’d wanted to get her away from the general. She repressed a shudder at the memory of the gleeful look in General Amak’s eyes as he’d asked Edek if he wished to borrow an electrified baton.But Edek didn’t hurt me. He protected me. He brought me upstairs and kissed me and promised he would return as soon as possible.
She exhaled a long breath and stretched her legs out under the soft sheets. The nearby hearth was brimming with heat and she was quite warm at the moment. The waves of warmth from the hearth always helped hold her shaking episodes at bay and she appreciated that Edek had taken to starting a fire long before they retired for the evening, in an effort to make sure she was comfortable.
But as hard as she tried to remain calm, to remain at peace, she couldn’t stop her thoughts from straying to marriage and the possibility that Edek might one day take another wife. She blinked against a sudden burn of tears. He’d promised not to sell her, but she couldn’t imagine staying here in this house if he took a wife. Worse than the awkwardness would be her utter heartbreak.
Before she could contemplate this problem further, the door zipped open and Edek entered, carrying a tray piled with more food than she could hope to eat in a week, let alone in one sitting.
He placed the tray on the bedside table and handed her one of the plates.
