Captive of the Stars

by Viola Grace

  "I cannot promise not to seek my freedom."

  "I understand that and so you will be restrained in the most humane way I can think of."

  With that threat hanging over her, he kicked his beast into a run. The scouts had already passed news of the battle and the loss of the bride, so when they made it into the courtyard, there was none of the standard wedding decoration to be found.

  He sighed and handed her to his page who was assisting him with her dismounting. He removed himself from his beast, gave it an affectionate pat and turned to haul her into his arms. "Come along, Haella. First a bath, then clothing and then your restraints."

  He was true to his word. Women who were obviously part of the household scrubbed her until she was clean. They didn't speak to her, but they were careful of her wounds.

  Part of her giggled as they scrubbed her feet but didn't check for marks. No one that she knew of had clan markers on the bottom of their foot. Ithena had placed her mark there to hide it and it was a very successful place. Her father had her family mark placed on the opposite foot for balance when she came of age. She hadn't been able to walk for a week.

  The household tunic that they provided her with was a serviceable weave. It wrapped around her and fastened at the hip and ribs. The rest remained open, allowing the skirt to part as she knelt or bent. "It's a good design."

  One of the women blinked in surprise that she had spoken. "Of course. Lord Kalowell would never have workers in anything that wasn't practical."

  A brush was quickly dragged through her hair and it was braided down her back and tied for her. "There. All done."

  The women left the room and Nasha was alone, but not for long. Lord Kalowell came in with a smith and a length of chain.

  He looked surprised at her appearance, but moved his massive frame toward her with determination. He really was quite an impressive specimen. The bronze tone to his blue skin gave him a look of wild health and vigour. Nasha breathed deep and squelched the hormonal surge at his appearance.

  "This is our smith, Norvil. He is going to create relatively light bonds for you. Right now."

  "Hello, Norvil."

  The older man blushed to the roots of his hair. "Hello, miss. Please put your right foot on this stool so I can verify the cuff size."

  She carefully placed her foot as he requested and slid the dress up to mid-calf.

  "Thank you. You have a very dainty ankle."

  "Thank you. It is part of a matched set."

  He grinned and Lord Kalowell scowled. "Enough. Get to it."

  With the humour sucked out of the room, Nasha submitted to being cuffed and chained so that her legs were never more than two and a half feet apart.

  Her wrists were given the same treatment, but with a three-foot span.

  "Since you are not in the mood to speak about your lady and your hands are still healing, you will serve at all meals. When you are not serving, you will be with a guard and be allowed access to selected rooms in the keep. If you attempt to escape again, you will be shackled to the wall until I get the answers I seek."

  "I understand, Lord Kalowell. When is my service to begin?"

  "Immediately. All staff has been alerted to your situation. You are not to try to sway them to your cause. Norvil, you may go."

  The smith left the room after throwing her a wink. She grinned back.

  "You can engage in courtship after I have what I want." He scowled and moved close to her until she was looking up at him.

  "I will not betray the heir of Fano." She swallowed and met his blue and amber gaze.

  "Then you had better report for duty. A guard is waiting to take you to the hall. The work will not be hard, but you will have to dodge eager hands when the men have been drinking."

  She grew nervous and was afraid she showed it in her gaze. "I thought you said no one would molest me."

  "They know better, but it doesn't mean that they won't try. All men try when they see a prime target right in front of them."

  She swallowed and nodded. "Then I am on my own. Thank you for the warning."

  She backed away from him and bowed. Her servants gave the same bow to her, so she hoped that he would accept it.

  He did. "You have been in service before."

  "Not this kind, but I have witnessed a few formal services. I believe I will be fine, my lord."

  "Good. Go."

  Her third round with wine the room was getting a little rowdy. The fabric of her gown also gave her another bit of protection. It didn't tear easily when it was grabbed from behind.

  Her rounds in the hall had her bringing wine to the highest four tables. A few of the other servers had been irate until they caught a full view of her chains. At that point, she became an object of either pity or ridicule. Whatever their motivation was, she was left alone to refill the goblets of the warriors and their women.

  The general was seated at the high table and he was drinking steadily. She had refilled his cup three times and he was emptying it again. Nasha moved in behind him and asked, "More wine?"

  "From you? Yes, my dear." He held up his cup and she poured it two-thirds full as protocol required.

  She took a few steps away when she was brought up short. The general's foot was on her ankle chain. "Yes, General?"

  He drew his finger down her arm and she stifled the rising nausea. "Why don't you meet me in my quarters this evening? I will ask Lord Thorn to go easy on you. Perhaps remove the restraints."

  "I am afraid not, General. I have duties to carry out. Please excuse me."

  Lord Kalowell raised his cup and she nodded, moving the moment that the general's foot lifted from the chains.

  The silver chain tinkled as she walked, each step bringing her closer to her tormentor. She positioned herself on his left and asked, "More wine?"

  He pushed his chair back and gave her a long look. "Yes. But first, have a seat."

  Lord Kalowell reached up and tugged her into his lap without another word.

  He leaned forward and whispered into her ear. "Kiss me."

  "What?" Her heart was tripping in her chest.

  "Kiss me. They won't touch you if they think you are mine, so kiss me."

  She leaned up and pressed her lips to his, tasting the meal, the wine and the flavour that was Lord Kalowell himself. She reached up and cupped her free hand behind his neck, holding him to her as she breathed deeply of the scent she had enjoyed on the ride in. A hand on her breast shocked her, but she continued the kiss until he slowly drew back.

  Gold was swirling heavily in his eyes and his voice was husky. "That should do it, now on with your work."

  She sat up and turned, pouring his wine with both hands to keep the jug steady. It was the last of the wine so she returned to the pantry for more while grappling with her out-of-control response to Lord Kalowell.

  Nasha was in the earliest stages of her heat. She didn't know what was going to happen when her scent glands started working and every suitable male within her radiating zone noticed. It was bad enough that she wanted the man who had turned her home into abandoned rubble, but to be forced into something because her body had a craving was unacceptable.

  For the ninetieth time since she had been born, she cursed the tampering of the stars that had not only coloured the Hashka race blue but also made their males and females draw to sex for procreation and entertainment. True mates recognized each other in two ways. The females were drawn to the males by scent and sound. The males were drawn to the females by scent alone. It made for a very unfair courtship. The women could be turned into jelly by a casual conversation if he was the male meant for her.

  The stars had made sure that their new race would breed, flourish and seed the stars and they had. There was no way to avoid the obvious and Nasha knew the truth.

  She was screwed.

  Chapter Four

  The public kiss had worked. None of the others tried anything for the next week, though the general still tracked her like a predator
after something small and fluffy.

  Nasha took her meals with the other servants but ate her food in a specific order. Each meal ended with her creating a mash of berries and herbs that left the other women watching in confusion.

  She felt nostalgic. The women of Fano would have known what she was up to. The combination of herbs and berries would act on her body like a low-grade fever. Her heat wouldn't start if she was not physically fit and just knowing that the mild poisoning was working on her body made walking around in chains much easier.

  None of the women befriended her, but neither did they try to sabotage her. She was content with the status quo. Nasha woke up, bathed and served breakfast to Lord Kalowell and his cohorts.

  Because of her chains, an adaptation had been added to her dress. The shoulders laced up so that she could remove the gown to bathe and sleep.

  It was easier now to answer to Haella. A week of it and she didn't hesitate to turn around when she heard the name.

  The servants were eating in the kitchen after morning service and Maida smiled. "The scouts are returning today."

  Nasha asked, "What scouts?"

  "The ones that were left behind to see if anyone tried to return to Fano."

  Dorith smiled. "Maida has been dating one of the scouts. She has been eager for his return."

  Nasha cleared her throat. "Why were they looking for survivors?"

  "To see if anyone had seen your lady, Haella. What did you think?" Maida laughed.

  "I…" She hadn't thought he would send men in search of the villagers. The wall should have kept the scouts at bay.

  Dorith nodded. "Well, they also cleaned out the keep of all portraits and anything that would lead to finding out the identity of the avatar of Ithena."

  Maida tilted her head, "Why does he need that particular woman? There are dozens of girls here who would do."

  Dorith sipped at her broth. "It isn't his lordship, it is the star that wants her and you know what will happen if he doesn't get her."

  Nasha was listening with a sense of understanding as the truth clicked into place. During her years with Ithena inside her, she had experienced a number of occasions when she had been forced into situations that she would not have chosen for herself. A frisson of pity ran through her for Lord Kalowell.

  She swallowed the last of her morning meal, "What will happen if the star does not get the other avatar?"

  "A year of bad harvests at the best, a cessation of children at the worst." Dorith stood and started to clear the table.

  "My hands have healed, may I engage in kitchen duties?" Nasha needed to think and nothing helped her think like smashing a loaf of bread into submission or washing dishes.

  Maida looked at her in surprise. "Why would you want to? You only have to attend meals and serve. Why would you want to do more?"

  Nasha thought quickly before she said, "Because I have no home and want to make a place for myself here."

  Dorith laughed. "Just let General Alsco under your skirts and you can have whatever you wish. We have all seen him watching you."

  Maida chuckled as well.

  "I have no interest in the general or any man here." It was a lie, but she wasn't about to tell them that. Her daily dose of herbs was keeping it plausible.

  "His lordship watches you as well, but there is a different look to him. Like a man in pain." Dorith scraped their plates into the rubbish bin and slid the dishes into the steaming sink.

  Pain? She hadn't made eye contact with him since the kiss. She turned to Dorith, "Do you think I can take up more duties?"

  The housekeeper shook her head. "No. His lordship wants you only to serve and that is all you will do until he says otherwise."

  The noise of a crowd emanated through the keep from the courtyard.

  Maida laughed and darted to the window, looking up at the milling beast feet and wagon wheels. "They are back! That was quick."

  Dorith grinned. "They probably didn't have to stop to recover straying women on the way."

  Nasha blushed.

  Her guard of the day, Tonio, came to her. "You are needed to help the Fano women bathe and dress."

  She nodded and fought a grin as Dorith yelled out, "You got your wish. New duties."

  Nasha walked with Tonio to the guest quarters where she had had her first bath. Pages and kitchen lads were rushing past with buckets of hot water drawn from the hot spring in the lowest level of the keep.

  "How many women did they bring back?"

  "I don't know, Haella. Lord Kalowell just asked me to bring you." He escorted her to the door and then opened it to let her inside. It closed with a grim finality behind her and she looked over a series of welcomed faces.

  "Welcome to Kalowell. You may not remember me, I am Haella." She smiled at the women who looked at her with relief.

  Tish grinned. "Ah yes, the madwoman of the village. You seem to have done well for yourself."

  "I have survived. My duties are light and Lord Kalowell is kind. It makes me regret what brought us all to this moment. Now, ladies, please enter the large bath and I will help you with your hair and scrub your backs."

  Her women looked scandalized, but out of the five that were looking at her, not one would betray her. They all shucked out of their clothing and slid into the pool.

  "How did you come to be here?" Nasha scrubbed each of their backs in turn, her hands rapidly getting wrinkled as she worked her way around the tub.

  The women blushed as she helped them, but she didn't make a fuss, so neither did they.

  Vavi sighed. "We came back looking for you…Haella. There was no trace and the scouts were just waiting for us to emerge from the caverns."

  "That was my fault. I led Lord Kalowell to the gateway. I wasn't expecting him to catch on so quickly. Hence, my jewellery."

  She poured fragrant soap onto her hand and tapped Tish on the shoulder. Tish ducked down and emerged with her hair wet so Nasha could go to town. The lather built quickly and another light tap got Tish to rinse.

  Nasha worked her way down the line to Vavi, Lass, Orial and Mithwai. When all of her ladies in waiting were squeaky clean, she returned to the door and asked for clothing for the women.

  Tonio nodded and reached to the shelf behind him for a collection of brightly coloured clothing. Nasha sighed in relief. Her companions were not to be consigned to duty in a kitchen or menial service.

  She took the clothing with the matching slippers and ducked back into the bathing room. As each emerged from the bath, she wrapped them in a towel and led them to a chair. When all of the women were seated, she went down the line brushing the hair of each of her ladies in turn.

  Each colour went with the woman that it best suited and when they were dressed, she backed away to return to Tonio. "They are dressed and ready. What is my next assignment?"

  He looked confused. "Don't you wish to remain with them?"

  "They are attired as ladies, I am a servant. It is not appropriate." She waved her hands at her damp gown.

  "Wait a moment. Lord Kalowell will be along shortly. He is expecting to find you with them."

  "Then I shall wait."

  She returned to the women who were gathered in a knot and speaking in hushed tones. "Lord Kalowell will be here shortly. He is actively searching for the avatar of Ithena and believes you will know something about it."

  Her companions took seats in the outer room and waited. Nasha gave them all cups of wine and stood by with an empty goblet, waiting for her captor to make himself known.

  Nothing that she said or did betrayed her station or the nervous tension that was shimmying in her belly.

  She was so calm that when the door opened again, her arms jerked in shock and she almost dropped the goblet.

  Chapter Five

  Her portrait was staring at her. Not her face, but her back and feet. It was an image of her in meditation facing the rising sun, the icon of Ithena.

  The men entering the room were bringing portrait after portr
ait into the room, holding them so that they faced the women in the room.

  Each one was a picture of the avatar of Ithena, but none showed her face. Nasha was pleased. There was one portrait in existence with her face on it, but it had been painted when she was a child.

  Something else got her attention. All of her companions were in at least one portrait, clearly recognizable. A ball of lead started to form in Nasha's stomach.

  "Ladies. Thank you for accepting my hospitality." Lord Kalowell bowed to the ladies in the room and Nasha did her best to fade into the background.

  Tish straightened. "We were not invited, we were taken. Hospitality was never offered."

  Nasha winced. She had no idea what his lordship would make of the Fano woman's direct attack.

  "I stand corrected. Thank you for not running from your captors as Haella did. I would hate to have to chain you as well."

  "Thank you for your restraint." She curtsied and the other women followed suit.

  Nasha watched and at his imperceptible nod, she went to serve him a goblet of wine. Her chains clashed and tinkled as she crossed the room and as soon as she finished serving, she tried to bow her way back, but his hand lashed out to grab her wrist. "Stay here, Haella. I think you will be interested in the conversation."

  Turning, she set her carafe down on a short table and stood next to his lordship while her ladies looked at her with worried expressions.

  "Now, ladies, the scouts who found you also found these portraits. Who is the woman in the portraits with you?"

  Her ladies didn't say a word. Poor Mithwai looked as if she wanted to cry.

  Lord Kalowell's hand tightened on her wrist and he started to twist it behind her back. The chain dug into her waist as the metal refused to give and she kept her face impassive.

  "You know, Haella, I am amazed at your stoic acceptance of pain when it would stop with one word from those ladies." He moved her arm up her back and tears stung her eyes.

  Vavi broke. "It is the avatar of Ithena."