“Your highness... Vahn, Kee—I love you with all that I am,” Kee said softly, struggling to use first person. “Yet, because I love you, Kee cannot become the duchess. The people are not ready to have an Itzi ex-slave as their duchess, or even their duke’s consort. My former neighbors know I am Itzi. The marquis told others. Kee could not bear to see peasants ridicule you behind your back. It would threaten your authority and make you a laughingstock, just as Mistress Saerula is now. Lord Jallor isn’t even Itzi nor was he ever a slave, yet look at her reputation.”
She paused a moment, outlining his jaw line with a tender touch. “Besides, would it serve either of us to have Kee sit idly in a throne? Kee would look foolish and incongruous. Most likely, what you love most in Kee would be lost if she had to feign nobility. Can you not love Kee just as much wearing your bands?”
Vahn squeezed her tightly and pressed his lips to hers again. She understood fully. He had the same fears, but discounted them for her sake. “I can, my precious. But why not be as Lady Willow?”
“Master Vahn, would it be proper for the duke to be caught embracing a free servant wearing nothing as Kee is now? Could you stroke her hair affectionately as you sip wine at The Scarlet Dryad? Could you even scowl at someone who gave her unwanted attentions?”
Vahn shook his head. She was right. Slavery afforded a much better guise for a forbidden relationship. “No, my love. You are very wise. I still want you to be more than just my slave, Kee. I want all of you.”
“There is nothing Kee would withhold from you, Master Vahn.”
“Lord Blackthorn told me how you felt about sharing my bed. There is a difference between submitting to something and wanting it. Remember the brand on your arm? It would mean nothing to me if you just submitted. I have never used slaves as toys. I take love more seriously than that.”
“Kee did not want it two years ago when she spoke with Lord Blackthorn. You were married and Kee was not even of compacting age then. Kee is older now, and she has had time away. As you said, it is not until one has lost something that one realizes how much it means to them. Kee never thought you would betray Mistress Saerula’s love, but Kee secretly wished for you... and for your loins,” she said, averting her eyes.
“Kee, I didn’t want you when I was married. I cannot give my heart to one woman and take another to my bed. That’s why I gave all of you away. I had to prove Saerula wrong when she accused me of that. I loved her. Yet, she never loved me. Her father forced her to marry me and she played along only long enough to get what she wanted—my son,” he said bitterly.
“Kee wants nothing from you but your bands. Kee loves you with all her heart, whether you band her or not. If you want Kee, Kee would gladly give herself, but it would be dangerous if Kee is not your slave.”
“I believe you are right in that, my love. I just find it amazing you truly want it independent of the concerns for my reputation. I feel selfish for wanting you as my slave.”
Kee laughed melodically. “Kee thought it was her selfishness to wish for your bands. Kee has always belonged to you Freewill. Kee is happier belonging to you than any other way.”
“If it makes you happy, then of course I will band you.” He hesitated a moment. This was not like the first time. Everything had changed. He didn’t want to be just Master any longer. “Kee, I want it understood between us there is more, even if you and I are the only ones to know. Would you marry me?”
Kee thought a moment. “It is said Itzi are not capable of a marriage commitment. Perhaps a compact would more befit us?”
“No, Kee. As I understand it, compacts are agreements Itzi make for procreation. When the children are born, the union can be dissolved. I was already used for that once. Saerula tore my heart out when she left me. I don’t need another temporary exploitation. I will have strong words for anyone who dares say you are incapable of commitment.”
Kee smiled. “If you find Kee worthy of such an honor then Kee would be delighted to marry you. Kee does not ever wish to leave you. Will you grant Kee your Owner’s Mark as a sign Kee is yours forever?”
“A tattooed Mark would be pleasing, my love. We’ll have no more branding in my house.”
“Whatever pleases you, Master Vahn.”
“You please me, Kee,” he whispered back with a smile. She lowered her eyes. He noted the action with a small frown. “When we are alone, Kee, I want to see your beautiful eyes. You know how to act in public or with the rest of the house, but in my chambers—our chambers—please don’t deny me your eyes.”
She looked back up, her crystal blue gaze shining with purest love. “Kee would never deny you anything you wished, Master Vahn.”
“I knew you wouldn’t. You are forever giving to me. What can I give to you, my sweet dove?”
“Please, take Kee as your own. Band her your slave so she may be free,” she whispered.
Vahn laughed; his inky eyes sparkled with mirth. “You must be bathed first, and there are no other slaves to bathe you. Besides, the bather must be the candidate’s superior. Both Niles and Willow will be under the authority of my new optimess,” he said with a wink.
Kee beamed. She answered playfully, “Well, then either Kee must bathe herself or be banded in her filthy state.” She was not visibly dirty at all.
“I want no filthy slaves,” he said as he scooped her up in his arms. He took her into the master bathing room and set her down inside the tub. He turned the handles to start the flow of water. Kee leaned back and relaxed. Vahn was generous with perfumed oil, giving the entire room an exotic, heady scent. He excused himself as the tub filled.
After a quick trip to his bureau drawer, Vahn returned with her old bands, untarnished and sparkling like new. “Long after Saerula was gone, I sometimes slept with these, imagining you were still in them,” he confessed. He set them near the plush towel.
Kee giggled lightly. Her voice was sweet and lyrical. “Kee is touched, Master Vahn. Not a day went by when Kee didn’t think of you as well,” she said. Vahn knelt at the tub and lathered a sea sponge with some perfumed soap. She blinked. “You do not have to lower yourself like that, Master. Kee can bathe herself.”
“I know you are able, Kee, but I want to do this. Unless it makes you uncomfortable?”
“Kee has not had a hot bath in fifteen months. It has been over two years since anyone gave Kee what you are giving. How could Kee possibly be uncomfortable if you are happy?”
Vahn smiled and slid the foamy sponge over her skin. Kee closed her eyes contentedly and allowed him full access to her body. He caressed her skin with the creamy lather, taking time to appreciate every curve and dimple. Kee purred in appreciation. He rinsed her just as gently, then pulled the stopper and let the tub drain.
Vahn offered Kee his hand. She placed her tiny hand in his and looked him in the eyes as she exited the tub. Vahn wrapped her in a thick black towel trimmed in satiny silver. He turned and drew out one of Saerula’s sleeping gowns. She had taken almost everything, but this particular piece had been dirty laundry at the time. Vahn had paid a handsome price for the intricate lace and diaphanous ivory silk. He could never quite bring himself to throw it out. “This was Saerula’s, but she hardly wore it. Would this please you as a wedding gown, my love?”
Kee slid her fingers over the gossamer fabric with a hushed awe. “It pleases Kee greatly, Master, but wedding gown? You mean right now?”
“Yes. Right now. The Archmage told me not to squander the gift the Heavenlies gave me. You are that gift, Kee. There is no reason to wait. No one else is to know. Are you ready?”
She slipped the cream-colored gown over her slender body and nodded. “Kee is only sorry she has no ring for you.”
Vahn removed his signet ring, slipped it into her palm, and curled her fingers over it. “You have one now. It is yours to use as you please. You could do anything I could if you kept it yourself. Return it to me with your vow of love and fidelity and that will be my sign of our union. What would you lik
e me to give you as your sign?”
Kee smiled. “The bands, of course. They are the same as a ring, only placed about the wrists, neck and ankles instead of the finger. They are perfect, are they not? The Owner’s Mark will signify that Kee will never leave you. What more is necessary?”
“Only your love,” Vahn whispered.
“Kee swears before the Nymphs that she loves you with her whole being, Prince Vahn Rebono, duke of Latoph. Kee gives you this ring with the everlasting promise of her faithfulness to you. May Kee’s very soul be forfeit if she speaks false this day or ever seeks to do you harm.” She held the ring near his finger and looked up for approval. He nodded to her and she slipped the silver signet on.
Vahn took her hand in his and looked deeply into her sparkling azure eyes. “Kee, my love, I promise you before the Heavenlies I will cherish and protect you.” He clicked the first wrist band into place. “I promise you these bands shall never be taken from you as long as we both breathe, just as my love for you shall never die.” The second band found residence and locked. “I promise to love you above all others and to keep my loins reserved only to you.” He guided the largest band around her neck and pressed the ends together until it snapped shut. He ran his finger over the engraving. Kee beamed and repeated the inscription from memory as he read it:
“kee, Property of Prince Vahn Rebono, Duke of Latoph,” they said in unison.
“All of Byntar will know you are mine,” he said. “What will not be known is I shall also be yours.” He crouched to slip a band about her ankle. She lifted her leg to accommodate him and rested her foot on his knee. “I trust you to keep this secret because I know your love is true. May the Heavenlies deal with me severely if I have spoken false this day or ever seek to do you harm.” She shifted her weight and exchanged the foot on his knee. The last band closed around her ankle. The tiny lock ratcheted softly into permanent closure.
She smiled and looked into her secret husband’s eyes.
“You are mine forever, kee,” he whispered.
She shivered, blushing demurely. “Yes, Master,” kee replied. “Forever.”
# # #
Buy Book 2, Nor Iron Bars a Cage
Buy Book 3, Blood and Brine
Visit the series website at:
http://www.Latoph.com
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
enter>
The Duke's Handmaid (Book 1 of the Ascendancy Trilogy) Page 42