by Kat Brewer
The women were jostled over the roads, but fortunately the grain sacks absorbed most of the shock. The temperature became colder and colder, so the women wriggled into the sacks as much as they could for warmth. Eventually, with the onset of darkness, Cassie saw Nera’s eyes drift closed and not long after, she too fell asleep.
They were awakened by bright light assailing their eyes as the wooden slats above them were removed and the gags were pulled from their mouths. They lay blinking, disoriented and as cold as ice.
The sky above was a vivid blue as Cassie sucked in the welcome fresh air.
Strong hands grabbed the women, and before they got a good look at their captors, they were flung over broad shoulders.
Cassie’s nose was buried in a stale-smelling fur, and her heels were up in the air, tied to her hands. She turned her head to see Nera looking at her from the shoulder of another man. Cassie caught glimpses of some of the other men, and that did nothing to calm her nerves.
They were huge, brawny men, who were covered in furs and leather. They had the look of ancient Vikings on Earth. Long hair flowed down their backs, and many of their faces were covered with beards.
She gazed around at the snow-covered landscape and shivered violently. She could see Nera’s teeth were chattering, and she saw she was pale with cold as well.
“Let’s get them inside before they catch their deaths of cold,” the rough voice of the man who carried her called out, and the men strode quickly into a one-story stone lodge. Once inside, the warmth enveloped them.
They walked through a great room and down a long corridor. A chamber door was opened by a servant girl, and they entered, tossing Nera and Cassie down upon a bed. The men drew knives and cut the binding ropes off of the women, but they had been tied so long that they were unable to move their arms and legs at first. Needles of pain shot through them as the blood returned to their extremities.
Rolling onto her back, Cassie sat up slowly, feeling dizzy. Nera had rolled sat up also as the two large men stood, looking down at them indifferently.
“They appear to be no more than normal women. This Erla will indeed be easy to conquer if this is the best they have.” The men laughed and left the room, sliding the door’s lock closed as they went.
The women quickly rushed to a water pitcher to rinse their mouths before drinking greedily.
“Nera, do you know what happened? Where are we?” Cassie croaked out.
“I do not. Cassandra, when Nyles left, you were nowhere to be found. Kara immediately suspected foul play, and she believed Darien or Nall had kidnapped you, so we rode them down. We held the Kings at sword-point while we searched their caravan, but of course, we did not find you. When we returned to Erla to mount a force, I was taken while I was getting ready for the search.” Nera said.
“The last thing I remember is a foul-smelling rag,” Cassie replied. “Why take just the two of us, damn it?” Cassie had tentatively stood and walked haltingly, getting the blood flowing to her legs again.
Nera stood also and stretched out her legs “I don’t know. It is clear they intend to attempt to conquer Erla. I have no idea who these people are, Cassandra. First of all, we must find out where we are, and then we can figure out how to get out of here.” The women walked around the room, assessing any possible exits or weapons.
The room was comfortably furnished. There were furs scattered in front of a roaring fire and two stuffed chairs sat with a table to one side of the blaze. The large bed took up one part of the room, and adjacent to that, there was a door to a privy.
They froze when they heard the bolt slide and the door open. Two male servants brought a copper tub, and they were followed by several others who carried buckets of steaming water. Cassie and Nera stared at each other with perplexed expressions.
A woman entered and shooed the men out after they had poured the water into the tub. An armed guard stood at the open door, assuring the servant’s safety while in the room with Cassie and Nera.
The woman turned cold eyes on Cassie and Nera. “You will wash the road filth from yourselves, so you will be presentable when you are before the King.” Her voice was clipped, and it brooked no argument, nor did it invite any questions.
Another servant came in with an arm full of clothing that she dropped onto the bed. She then handed each woman a toweling cloth and a bar of soap. The women withdrew, and the guard closed the door and slid the bolt home again.
“Nera, you go first. I will look at the clothing and see what they have brought us,” Cassie said.
She went through the garments and found two soft woolen gowns in a russet brown. They were long sleeved and floor length. Two capes in the same color and some furry knee boots completed the pile. The clothing was serviceable, warm, and well made, but it was nothing like what they were accustomed to wearing.
Cassie sighed. Anger and frustration burned inside of her, but neither did anything to warm her cold flesh. She moved to the fire and listened to the sounds of Nera washing.
“I am finished, Cassie,” Nera said tightly.
The strain of anger was clear on her face as she dried off and wrapped the towel around her before moving to the bed to inspect the garments Cassie had laid out.
Cassie slipped out of her clothes and sank into the hot water. The warmth penetrated her, and she wished she could close her eyes and then open them to find her beautiful men looking at her. She sighed again, washed quickly, dried herself, and then joined Nera by the fire as they dried their hair by the fire’s heat.
“Nera, I wish to God I knew what was going on.” Cassie vented.
“I feel we soon will, my friend. Let’s get dressed,” Nera said. They moved to the bed and assisted each other in putting on the foreign clothing. “I wish they had provided some pants, these dresses are ridiculous.”
Cassie agreed and looked at a table next to the bed. Seeing a brush, she picked it up and ran it through Nera’s hair before brushing her own. Her friend smiled in thanks, and they moved to sit in the chairs near the fire.
“Nera, I will be watching carefully for anything that will help us get out of here. If I die trying, I will see you returned to your rightful place in Erla,” Cassie said.
“We will both get out of here, Cassie. We are strong and intelligent women. These barbarians will not best us.” Nera tried to smile but failed.
Their stomachs rumbled, and, as if on cue, a serving girl entered with some bread, meat, and a pitcher of stout red wine. Cassie asked the girl what country they were in and was ignored as the girl left without a word.
Nera and Cassie looked at the food skeptically, but hunger won out in the end and they ate. Mentally, Cassie was trying to gauge how long they had been gone from Erla, and her best estimate was at least three days.
They sat by the fire for a long time before Cassie got restless and started pacing. The not knowing was driving her insane.
“Give me a sword and an opponent, anything but this nothing.” she fumed aloud. Nera sighed and joined her in her pacing.
After what seemed an eternity later, the bolt slid open, and a huge man strode in. He was at least six foot-four and massively built. His chest was broad, his arms well-muscled and rippling, displayed by the sleeveless leather shirt he wore. His waist narrowed into impossibly small hips for a man his size. Long, well-muscled legs strained at the leather pants he wore tucked into furry boots.
He had butter-yellow hair that was long and hung down well past his shoulders, and a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. A golden circlet set atop his head, and his sky-blue eyes surveyed the women closely.
“Welcome to Ambria. I am King Ston, and you are now my slaves.” A chuckle rumbled out of his chest at the look of anger on the women’s faces. “You are naturally surprised I am sure, given the ridiculous way your country is run. Women in control? Ludicrous! Here you will now learn how to be proper women.” A smile spread across his face. “The both of you would do well to behave and accept your fates, for there
is no going back,” he finished smugly.
“How dare you treat me so? I am the Queen of Erla, and I demand you release me at once.” Nera’s voice was venomous as she rounded on the man.
Ston frowned and stepped forward, slapping her across the face. Nera’s head whipped to the side, her hair flying.
Cassie leapt at him and landed a punch on his jaw, sending him staggering backwards. Fury flashed in his eyes as he cradled his jaw.
He reached for her with his large hands, meaning to strangle her, when the door flew open as guards came in to investigate the noise.
“Be glad for this intrusion, woman. That blow could have cost you your life. Know that you will pay for this insolence.” Cassie moved to stand next to Nera as she looked at the five huge, armed men.
She knew there was no way she could take them all without a weapon. Ston approached her and grabbed the back of her hair, pulling her head back. “I will take true pleasure in breaking your spirit, lovely one,” he rasped out before he ground his mouth against hers.
Cassie gagged as he shoved his tongue into her mouth. When he released her, she spit and wiped her mouth on the back of her sleeve as he laughed at her disgust.
“I will return later to taste my new slaves,” he said, his voice heavy with threat, as he leveled a menacing smile on them before he and the guards left the room.
“Are you all right, Nera?” Cassie pushed Nera’s hair out of her face and checked for injury.
“I am fine, Cassie. Don’t fuss. I appreciate your defense of me, but I think hitting him was a mistake, my friend.”
“What was I to do? Stand here and watch him abuse you?” Cassie asked.
“No. I wouldn’t have stood still either, but we have to accept that, for the moment, this man controls our fate. We have to be wise, we will never get out of here using force. We must find a weakness and exploit it and until the time is right, we will have to submit to certain indignities,” Nera said, looking at Cassie with meaning.
“If you think I will stand by and let him rape you, then you have lost your mind.” Cassie ground out.
“Cassandra, understand me. I will not have you getting yourself killed over something so insignificant. I am no virgin, and neither are you. I have been with countless men. He may force himself upon me, but I am not afraid of him, and I refuse to give him that kind of power over me. Perhaps I will lay back and imagine he is your Aidan. Now, there is a man!” Nera’s sad attempt at humor, could not calm Cassie’s fury.
“I swear this to you, My Lady. I will kill him! If I cannot do it as we escape, then I will bring a force back here, raze this village, and burn his great house to the ground. Then he will feel my blade!” Cassie seethed.
“Calm down, my friend. I know we will triumph.” Suddenly, the bolt flew back again, but this time a different man entered. He had the same build as the King, but his hair and neatly trimmed beard were deep red. Brilliant blue eyes sparkled as they beheld the women.
He made an attempt at a courtly bow.
“Welcome, Ladies. I am Lord Sern, brother to the King. I could not resist the chance to meet the famed female ruler of the beautiful land of Erla.” The women stood and looked at him, making no response.
“When my brother makes me Overlord there, perhaps I will let you visit.” His smile was wide as he surveyed their figures. He locked eyes with Cassie, and she glared at him. Laughing, he said, “How delightful! A woman with the fire and courage to stand up to me! I am enchanted.”
“You will be dead before this is over, and I will hang your worthless carcass from the gates of Erla!” Cassie hissed at him.
Sern’s eyebrow shot up, and he nearly doubled over with laughter.
“My Lady Cassandra, I am delighted that your reputation is no myth! I will go now and petition my brother for the right to have you to myself. Such passion! Such daring! To spit in the face of a man who could so easily break you . . .”
“I warn you now that I am not so easily broken, and you will soon find yourself at my feet along with that pig brother of yours,” she ground out.
“Cassandra, hold your tongue!” Nera growled low. Her Commander was going to get herself killed at this rate.
“Indeed, Cassandra. I can think of many better uses for that tongue,” he chuckled. Reaching out and grabbing her chin, he moved close and she thought he meant to kiss her as his brother had done, but thankfully, he did not.
He put his lips so close to hers that they nearly touched. He then ran his tongue along her lower lip and Cassie jerked away, wiping her mouth, much to his delight.
“I will see you soon, my beauty. Prepare yourself for me.” With a grin, he left them and closed the door. They listened as the bolt slid home.
“Cassie, do not antagonize them anymore. They will kill you or lock you in a prison, and then we will never get home!”
“I am sorry, Nera. I will try to curb my tongue,” Cassie ground out, wiping at her mouth again.
“He is right. You do need to prepare yourself. How will you react if he forces himself upon you?”
“I will kick his ass for him. That's how I will react,” Cassie fumed.
“As your Queen, I order you to not fight him. They will kill you if you do, and I could not bear the loss of you, Cassandra.” Amethyst eyes drilled into Cassie’s.
“Nera, you cannot order me to let someone rape me.” Cassie paced agitatedly about the room.
“I am, though. It is just sex. Please do not forfeit your life over it. Remember, we are not victims, not frightened virgins to cower before a man’s penis. We are women of strength who can and will do what we must to survive and save our people.”
Cassie sighed. “You are right. The thought of being forced to lay with a man is just so disgusting and galling, though.” Cassie spun around, fists clenched tightly.
“Be calm, Cassandra. We will get through this, and our country will as well. Kara will stand us in good stead. She will defend Erla and keep our country safe.” Cassie nodded and collapsed into the chair by the fire again.
She was not afraid of the man forcing her to his bed so much as she was afraid of being trapped here forever. When Nera came and sat next to her, the women joined hands and stared into the flames.
Hours later, Ston and Sern returned to the room, and at the sound of the bolt, the women stood.
King Ston bowed mockingly as did Lord Sern.
“My brother has asked me to make a gift of you to him, Lady Cassandra, and I have grudgingly agreed. I owe him much and am loath to deny him anything he truly desires. So, woman, you now belong to Lord Sern. Enjoy her, brother,” he laughed.
Sern approached Cassie and took her wrist, daring her to fight him.
Cassie met Nera’s pleading eyes and bit back the blow and angry words she wished to throw at him.
As Sern pulled her along with him out of the chamber, Cassie caught Nera’s eyes one last time as the King moved towards her. The door closed abruptly, and Sern pulled her behind him towards his own bedchamber.
Once inside, he released her hand and locked the door.
Sern leaned back against the door and watched her as she looked around the room. She clearly sought a means of escape or defense, and it amused him to think that she would fight him.
She was beautiful and he wanted her badly. The thought of those flashing eyes and the passion she had shown had driven him to demand her from his brother. Ston had laughed at him before relinquishing the woman to him, making Sern squirm before he granted the woman to him. Now, however, he could look forward to tasting her passion in his bed.
Cassie looked about the chamber trying to find some means of escape and then quickly discounted the idea. She would have to succumb to this man, as hateful as the thought was.
She refused to go willingly though.
Sern advanced towards her, exuding power, and she mentally compared him to Darien. There were some similarities, but she had genuinely desired Darien, and she felt no attraction for this man, o
nly a slowly building hatred festered within her.
As he approached, he discarded his shirt, His muscular chest was hairless and riddled with old scars. The only visible hair on his body started below his navel and disappeared into the waistband of his pants.
He was all muscle, and his biceps bulged as he moved. When he reached her, he bent and snatched her dress quickly over her head, leaving her naked except for the boots she wore.
Cassie gasped, shocked at how fast he was. She forced her hands to rest by her sides, rather than moving them to try to cover her body.
She stood before him, unashamed. Her eyes were trained on a spot on the wall behind him, and her head was held high as he looked his fill.
His big hands reached out and encircled her waist, pulling her flush against him. Her flesh was warm and smooth, and he ran his hands down to her behind, squeezing and caressing. His eyes sought hers, but she refused to meet them.
“Look at me,” he demanded.
Cassie was silent and still, not responding. He sighed and lowered his mouth to her ear.
“Regardless of whether or not you choose to look at me, I promise you that soon I will be so deeply inside of you that you will not know where I end and you begin. Before long you will be begging for my touch and screaming my name over and over.” He punctuated each word with his tongue in her ear.
Ripples of goose bumps flowed across her skin and her nipples hardened as Sern swung her up into his arms and carried her to the bed, laying her down gently.
He stood for a moment, taking in her beauty. He pulled the boots from her feet before running his hand up her legs to the juncture of her thighs. It cost Cassie a great deal to remain still when she wanted to grab a knife and plunge it into his black heart.
The bastard!
His fingers penetrated the folds of her womanhood, and finding no moisture, he frowned, looking at her closely. The little bitch was not going to give an inch.