The Duke's Handmaid (Book 1 of the Ascendancy Trilogy)

by Caprice Hokstad

  “That name sounds familiar. Have I met her?”

  Vahn frowned. “Yes. She had tea with us a while back. Dressed in a blue gown. Listened well. I thought you liked her. You told her you’d love to have her again.”

  “Oh, the mystery girl who’s been haunting our guest cottage, eh? So what did she cost us?”

  “Not a single copper. In fact, she paid me for the privilege.” He shook the pouch of coins. Saerula and Jallor both guffawed. Vahn’s triumph turned to acidity. “You think I’m jesting?”

  “Quite amusing, Vahn. Why would anyone pay to become a slave?”

  “Because my house is unparalleled.” He couldn’t resist stabbing an accusatory look at Jallor. “It is an honor to be part of it. This small pouch of coins is all she had, yet she gave it to me just as unselfishly as she gave herself. However, it was most unreasonable of me to think you could comprehend selflessness.” He glared at Saerula a few seconds, keeping Jallor in his peripheral vision. “Honestly, Saerula, I thought you’d be pleased. You got along so well with her at tea.”

  “Just because I can hold a polite conversation with a piece of fluff you drag in from the Dryad does not make her fit to serve me. Face it, you’d band any cheap wench with a figure like hers.”

  Vahn stood; his blood pounded in his temples. He clenched the sinews of his jaw and bored into Saerula with heated gaze. He was so furious it took a few moments to overcome it enough to form coherent thought. Bad enough she said such a thing, but to say it in front of her sorry pretext of a servant was inexcusable. “After she is trained, I would put her or any of the others up against ‘Majesty-Boy’ here any day.”

  Saerula turned her face from him. “Laban, dear, please refill my water.”

  “Right away, your highness,” he answered, evidently relieved for any excuse to put some distance between himself and the duke.

  “Saerula, I don’t care whom you ask, anyone in Latoph will attest that banding a Freewill is rare and precious. If you and Jallor can respect the ceremony, you’re welcome to attend in Great Throne Hall at the tenth hour. I have business to attend to. Good day.” A swift spin on his boot heel and he was gone. When the door shut, he heard something soft hit the back of it. She’d thrown something at him. He reveled in the knowledge that she missed.

  Chapter 38

  After being around Rebono Keep for a while, Kee thought she was prepared for anything, but the elegant luxury of the female servant’s bathing room surpassed her expectations. The floor was onyx and two opposing tubs were cut from a monolith of the same. Walls were solid marble. A cherrywood armoire dominated one wall. timna showed Kee where all the towels and toiletries were kept. Multiple uniforms in several sizes hung in the closet space. timna gave Kee a scrutinizing look then thumbed through the uniforms. She selected one, held it up to Kee, nodded to herself, and then slipped it over a silver hook on the wall.

  timna turned a polished brass knob. Water flowed from a faucet over the tub without any pumping. Kee wouldn’t have been more impressed if the water had appeared out of thin air. timna took her hand and placed it under the flow. It was warm. Kee’s jaw dropped.

  timna giggled. “It would take ages to heat water for twelve slaves on a stove, wouldn’t it?”

  Kee nodded emphatically.

  “Go ahead and get out of your clothes. This will be much better than the guest cottage would have been.”

  Kee set her brogans down first. She peeled off her worn tunic and discarded it to the pile, followed by the chemise, then grayed and fraying undergarments. timna motioned her to enter. Kee stuck a toe in. It was warmer than the stream in late summer, but not too hot. She plunged her foot to meet stone’s surface. Taking timna’s hand for balance, Kee swung her other foot over the onyx ledge, then eased down to sit. Soothing aqueous warmth caressed her lower body.

  As the water ran, timna disposed of the old clothes and shoes through a laundry chute. She grabbed a glass flask, then knelt on a towel at tubside and shut off the water. “You need to lie back and wet your hair.”

  Kee blinked. “Why? Will it not be uncomely to have wet hair in Master Vahn’s presence?”

  “It would be more uncomely to have dirty hair. Have you ever heard of shampoo?”

  The Itzi farmgirl shook her head.

  timna smiled. “Trust timna. You’ll like this.”

  Kee slipped forward. timna guided her head so it wouldn’t hit stone. Long, dark hair billowed out and filled the water, proving against onyx tub it was not true black. timna helped her up and then poured the flask over her wet tresses. Lilac scent filled the air as the honey-thick emulsion trickled out.

  “You realize that your hair will no longer be your own. Master may wish it cut,” timna said.

  “Kee knows, but Master Vahn already said he wished Kee’s ears hidden. Kee’s hair is at his whim.”

  “How did you become so selfless? You don’t seem to mind anything being taken from you.” timna worked the shampoo into lather, gentle fingertips massaging the scalp as they chatted.

  “Kee minded her family being taken.”

  timna gasped. “Oh, timna is sorry. That was insensitive.”

  “Once they were gone, nothing else seemed important.”

  timna guided Kee to lie back for rinsing. The Elva raked her fingers through sudsy strands. “You won’t have to wash your hair every day, but whenever it feels sticky or oily.”

  Kee nodded. timna gathered her hair atop her head, then slipped a cloth bonnet with a drawstring over her head to keep it out of the way. timna poured scented oil into the water. “Normally, you should only use a drop or two, but this is a special occasion,” she whispered as she motioned to Kee to lie back.

  Kee barely nodded, enraptured in the sumptuous heat enveloping her body. timna applied soap to a sea sponge and washed Kee’s legs and arms. After interrupting the lounge to scrub Kee’s back, timna handed the sponge to her. Kee smiled her thanks for the respect of feminine privacy.

  timna snuck a peek at the hourglass in the hall, then urged Kee to get out. She wrapped Kee’s shoulders in a thick towel. Kee studied the fabric. Terrycloth was another new marvel. Would all these exciting things ever become mundane? She hoped she never forgot how fortunate she was. timna patted her skin dry, removed the cap from her head, and then dried her hair vigorously with another towel.

  timna applied a drop of perfume to Kee’s inner wrists and neck. “This is the last time you’ll be able to put perfume there. After banding, it should go in the well of your collarbone and inside your elbows. Be very sparing with perfume. If Mistress Saerula thinks you use too much, she will not be happy.” timna shuddered.

  She helped Kee slip the silver dress over her head. The crisp broadcloth felt good as it slid over squeaky-clean skin. timna showed her how to tie the front laces. “Master Vahn is very particular about appearances. It is better to be tardy and polished, than to be on time yet lacking perfection. You would be wise never to try his patience with either deficiency.”

  “Kee understands, thank you, timna.”

  “You’re welcome. Now come, sit. We need to brush that hair.”

  Kee sat at the cherrywood vanity across from the tubs. timna plucked up two boar-bristled brushes and handed one to Kee. Each claimed a side of Kee’s head and began to loosen tangles in the midnight locks. At that moment, Kee almost wished Master Vahn would have her hair cut. Kee finished her side first, being less gentle on her own scalp.

  timna finished, then smiled at their work. She guided Kee to the full-length looking-panel of highly polished silver. Kee gazed at the reflection. A tiny gasp escaped her lips and a tear slipped from her eye.

  timna noticed the tear. “Are you still sure?”

  Kee blinked, her eyes torn from staring in awe. “Kee is even more sure. Does it not appear as if Kee was born to wear this?”

  “timna thought you looked beautiful in the sapphire gown.”

  “Perhaps, but it did not belong to Kee nor did it feel right. Kee c
ould not even kneel in it.”

  timna opened her mouth, then paused to look over Kee’s shoulder. Kee beamed, lighting the room with her glow. timna shook her head and walked away. “timna is going to invite the rest of the house staff. Would you please clean up in here and then report to Great Throne Hall?” It was more a statement than a question.

  “Yes, thank you, timna. For everything.” The Itzi lingered at the mirrored surface and turned to find timna already gone. Kee deposited the damp towel into the same chute where her old clothes had disappeared. She gathered the brushes, shampoo flask, bath oil, and perfume and returned them to their places.

  The farmgirl couldn’t resist one last look at herself in the looking-panel. She could hardly believe her own reflection. She wasn’t the scraggly greenhorn she always imagined herself to be. She knew she had much to learn, but what she offered the duke was a gift worthy of him. She smiled and started down the hallway. The polished onyx felt smooth and cool against her bare feet. A glance at the hourglass revealed she had time to spare. She slowed just before she reached her destination. Her heart pounded in her ears. With a deep intake of breath, she made a conscious effort to hold her head up as she entered Great Throne Hall.

  The duke sat in his throne. Four of the house staff knelt in Standard near the perimeter couches, watching her. Kee squared her shoulders, set her gaze toward the throne, and approached.

  Master watched, the barest smile teasing at thin lips. “Turn please, Kee,” he requested. Kee obliged, spinning lightly on her toes and sending her dress to fan outwards. He nodded approval. “You look radiant, Kee. I am a very fortunate man.”

  She could feel the heat rise in her cheeks. “You are too kind, Master Vahn. Thank you.”

  He pointed to the floor at his feet. Kee didn’t imitate the current positions of the other slaves, but folded into a Submissive Kneel on the floor below the dais, remembering the protocol for this room.

  “Standard Kneel, please,” Master Vahn said. Kee lifted her torso to the upright position, but kept her gaze averted. “Thank you, Kee. We’ll wait a few moments if that is all right?”

  “Whatever pleases you, Master Vahn.” She had noted timna’s absence sadly, but she was not about to let it ruin her moment of jubilation.

  Master Vahn acknowledged with a dip of his head. He spoke quietly to the other four in the room while they waited. He greeted each girl by name and gave her individual attention. Ten minutes past the hour, he waited no longer. He finished his last exchange and turned to Kee.

  Summoning that rich voice that always struck her to the very core of her being, he addressed her formally. “Kee of the house of Prince Vahn Rebono, duke of Latoph, by your own submission and acceptance of the name I have given you, you became my Freewill Slave. Bathed and dressed in the uniform of my house, I find you acceptable to enter my service. Be forewarned, to receive my bands, you place yourself under my authority and become my property, subject to the laws and decrees of Latoph. Discipline to the house must be satisfied before you may be unbanded, if you so request. Do you fully understand this?”

  Holding her head high, Kee spoke in a dulcet tone. “Yes, Master Vahn Rebono, duke of Latoph, Kee fully understands the duty to your house and the obligation to your honor entailed in requesting your bands. This lowly girl neither deserves nor expects any special treatment. Kee pledges herself to you completely and without reserve.” She lifted her arms in the Classic Offering Position. “If Kee is worthy in your sight, she humbly begs you for the honor of your bands. If it pleases you, accept Kee and make her yours.”

  Vahn stood and stepped in front of her. “Kee, please look me in the eyes,” he said softly while two gentle fingers urged her chin upwards.

  Kee complied, albeit nervously. One look into those captivating orbs and she was a helpless infant. She became lost in pools of depthless ink. Time stood still; she wasn’t sure whether it was hours or merely seconds that he allowed the gaze.

  It was the command of that matchless voice that called her back from blissful oblivion. “It pleases me greatly to make you mine, Kee. From this day forward, your eyes will not gaze upon mine nor any other among the free without my order. The bands I place upon you bind you to me, but they also bind me to you. You are part of my house, deserving my protection and provision.”

  He smiled and lifted a set of steel Ringed bands. He stepped toward her and wrapped long fingers about her hand. He bent over and kissed the tips of her fingers. Kee felt warm tingles travel down her fingers through her whole body. Goosebumps swept over her face, neck, and chest. Gently, her master wrapped the inch-wide band about her wrist and closed the hinge. The lock clicked into place.

  kee’s heart soared with the joy of the moment. She had been found worthy. She was where she belonged. The “P” was not to be inked into her skin; nevertheless, it was there upon her heart.

  The second wrist band locked into place without further ceremony. Master Vahn slipped the largest band around her neck, being careful not to move hair covering round ears. kee wasn’t sure whether it was frigid metal or the gentle hands of her master that caused her shivering. Without a word, kee shifted and placed her ankle at his grasp. The bands fit snugly enough not to cause rubbing, yet loosely enough to allow her skin to breathe. In more ways than size, they were a perfect fit. She couldn’t help grinning with pride.

  When all the bands were secured, Master Vahn held his hand out to her. kee took the proffered hand and stood. “Thank you, Master,” she whispered. Receiving a gentle nudge, she understood he wished her to face the others. They had been so quiet that kee had forgotten she was not alone with him. She complied, turning and smiling at them.

  “This is kee, your band sister. Please welcome her to the house,” he said as he backed away from her.

  The slaves approached kee, then hugged her and brushed her cheek with kisses. They patted her on the back and praised her eloquence. Happiness was only slightly dampened by the wish: if only timna had come.

  As if on cue to her wishes, timna appeared at the back of the room. She slipped to her knees and called quietly, “May timna please be allowed to enter the honor of your presence, Master Vahn?”

  “Yes, timna, you may enter,” he said.

  timna rose and entered, then joined the group around kee. She embraced kee snugly and whispered a sincere welcome. Without words, kee understood. Forgoing the ceremony was timna’s only legal expression of dissent. No grudge would ever be mentioned or entertained.

  “kee,” Master said softly, “it’s time to go to the ITC. Say your goodbyes and meet me in the foyer.”

  “Yes, Master Vahn.”

  He left Great Throne Hall, giving the slaves a moment of privacy. kee said her farewells quickly then strode into the foyer, holding her head high and displaying her neck band like a bejeweled torque. She dipped her head and stopped a short distance away from where Master Vahn stood waiting.

  He smiled. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, Master Vahn.”

  “Then after you.” He swept his arm as he opened the door. Surprised she was to go first, kee hurried out.

  At Rebono Keep’s gate, he introduced her to the guards as a member of the house. She was delighted that they did not recognize the farmgirl they had admitted before. She waited for him to pass then slipped in behind to follow.

  “kee, I would like to speak with you while we walk. Please come up beside me for now.”

  “Yes, Master Vahn.” She quickly made up the distance between them.

  “I told you that you could be free any time you asked, but there will be times at the ITC it won’t be possible. I will tell them you are a special case, but while you are there, I am not as in control as I prefer to be. Can you accept that?”

  “kee meant it when she said she expects no special treatment.”

  “Thank you, kee. I do trust you though. I would have given you Unringed bands today if not for the ITC. They require Ringed bands. When you graduate, we’ll see about chang
ing your bands, all right?”

  kee was not so sure. timna had two years of experience on her and now wore Ringed bands. She still felt a twinge of guilt for not being able to avert timna’s punishment somehow. While the beautiful Unringed bands were her ultimate goal, she was sensitive to timna’s feelings. However, she was not in any position to tell Master Vahn what to do. Even a suggestion would have been outside prudence for her new station. “If it pleases you, Master. It matters not as long as kee is yours.”

  “You hesitated.”

  She winced. “Please forgive kee. She was thinking.”

  “There is no infraction in that. I don’t wish to own mindless cattle as slaves. I already know you are smart enough to read and write. I don’t wish you to let others know that, but neither must you pretend to be stupid.” He waited a moment, watching her as they walked. Her smile returned quickly. “Let me guess what you were thinking about...timna?”

  “Yes, Master. timna.”

  “You are a considerate person, kee. Never fear. I will take care of everything.”

  “kee never doubted it, Master Vahn.” There was no hesitation that time.

  Chapter 39

  Vahn and kee approached the Institute of Training and Correction fortress. She slipped back into place behind him once he finished chatting with her. It was so refreshing not to have to accelerate his pace to drop the subtle hint that several others in his house needed.

  Only three parties stood at the “Check In” line ahead of them. The first spoke with the scribe at the window. The other two recognized their duke and stood aside, relinquishing their places in line. Vahn nodded and accepted their favor. The scribe directed the man in front to the Blessed Servitude Room. He tugged on the leash of his female slave, dragging her along as she whimpered and begged. Vahn stepped up to the window.

  “Training or Correction?” the Elva woman in purple silk droned. She didn’t look up from the parchment in front of her.