Page 114 of Owned By the Fae
‘Well, well, aren’t you informed for a breeding slave locked in a bedroom ...’ she murmurs, coming closer, a glint in her eye.
I press on. ‘How will he get there? To the place he needs to go to?’
‘She’s thinking about it. I can see it. A golden orb on a thick chain.’
‘I don’t think a slave needs to worry about such things, Thalia,’ she says sweetly. ‘Once we’re at our destination, I’ll ensure you’re so busy serving me that you never need to worry that silly little head about anything more important than ensuring my wine is the right temperature ever again. But, for now, I will tell you that Vern and I have almost everything we need in place.’
‘So, you have the map?’
Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t answer.
‘Not yet, but she thinks she will soon.’
‘I hope you haven’t put all of your eggs in Vern’s basket,’ I remark cooly. ‘He’s even more feeble-minded than I am.’
The pain she conjures on me has me choking on a scream, my back bowing off the bed, and, from the deep recesses of my mind, the Harbinger surges forward, using strength it should be saving. It still isn’t strong enough to get through the binding, but it takes the pain for me and soothes my body. And, more importantly, it protects the babe.
I vaguely hope that Grey and Dane remember their promise, and I try to keep the fact that the Harbinger is saving me at the forefront of my mind so that Kal hears and doesn’t do anything rash.
When she stops, I know it hasn’t been long. She gazes down at me with a smirk and a tinkling laugh, and I’m struck by a memory of being in the dungeon. Of the pain that was conjured on me and that same laugh.
‘Watch your tongue, slave, or I might just cut it out.’ She lets out a small sigh. ‘You really are quite intractable, you know, and it won’t do. It really won’t.’ She sits on the bed and caresses my face. ‘I think drastic measures are going to be necessary. But, not to worry, the books have quite a few methods to try before culling is considered necessary. I think I’ll try the rings first.’
‘I know it was you,’ I say, ignoring her threats.
‘What are you whimpering about, you pathetic little creature?’ she sneers, bending a little closer.
‘In the dungeon. It was you who tormented me from outside the cell.’
‘Of course it was me,’ she laughs, shaking her head and tittering. ‘Who else?’
‘You were here weeks ago,’ I accuse.
‘So?’ she rolls her eyes at me and stands. ‘Is there a point to this at all, piggy? Because if you keep wasting my time, I’ll make you piss yourself like I did before, and I doubt Dane will give you another blanket once you soil this one.’
‘He never knew you were here. You didn’t tell him. You didn’t see him.’
‘Who?’ she asks impatiently.
‘Dane.’
Her eyes narrow, and she sweeps down, grabbing me by the front of my chemise and hauling my face up to hers. ‘Even if you breathe a word of this to him, it won’t matter. He won’t listen.He’s mine, and he’ll stay mine. BUT, if you do tell him, I promise you that all the torments I’ve visited on you will seem like happy memories,’ she hisses. ‘Do you understand?’
‘Yes, Fiana,’ I say through gritted teeth, and she drops me back onto the bed.
‘Good.’ Her eyes narrow again, and I brace myself mentally for her next barb. ‘I think I’m going to make Dane let me watch him rut you tonight. Would you like that, piggy? Would you like me to direct him? Tell him how best to seed you? Make sure not a drop of his spend is wasted by plugging you up good and tight as soon as he’s finished with you?’
I look away, not answering, and she snorts.
Just then, the door opens, and Skith saunters in. He stops when he sees Fiana and gives her a small bow. ‘My lady. I’m here to ensure the slave has been mounted this morning.’
‘Healer Skith. I’m so glad you’ve come early. Please proceed. I’m finished with her for now.’
Skith’s polite pretence slips when he looks at me.
‘Strip.’
I get off the bed, glancing at where Grey and Kal stand unseen in the corner, reminding Kal silently of their promise not to show themselves no matter what happens.
