by Lorna George
'You will be free,' he assured her firmly, touched even through his muddled thoughts by the sorrow in her voice.
'But at what cost, Sire?'
'Don't call me Sire,' he said, slowly running the pads of his fingers along her throat and shoulder, down towards her soft, warm breast. He delighted in the way her flesh heated with embarrassment at his intimate touch. With his other hand he gently cupped the back of her neck and tilted her head, leaning over her so that his lips were just a breath away from her own. Before carefully pressing his mouth to hers, he quietly named his price.
'Call me Arun.'
Chapter Three
Naomi awoke a few hours before dawn. Instead of laying on the cold, dirt floor of her underground cell, she found herself in a large, warm bed. More disturbingly, she was being cradled gently in the arms of a sleeping man.
Her head shot up in shock as she remembered the night's events. At the sudden movement, he groaned in protest, wrapping her more securely in his embrace until she rested her head back down on his chest. The room was still completely dark, so she couldn't see anything of him, but as her face squeezed into an expression of severe embarrassment, she wasn’t sorry for that.
She felt her cheeks burn at the memory of the previous night, and the intimate way their legs were tangled even now. She ached almost everywhere. Her thighs burned, and the dull throb of the bruises that littered her body where his mouth had been were an insistent reminder of the experience. She couldn't help but wonder how Adrienne would duplicate such blatant signs, then quickly found that she didn't want to dwell on it.
She could hardly believe she’d gone through with it at all, and felt an unpleasant jolt at the remembrance of her own drugging. It was quickly squashed when she realised that Arun had been far more ill-used than she had, and shame coiled in the pit of her stomach. Poor man. He had no idea what he was in for, and despite the need that had driven her actions, she knew she was just as responsible as Adrienne and Cygnus for the deception. If only there were some way to warn him?
Naomi instantly realised what she was thinking and shook it off. No matter the circumstances, Arun wasn’t her problem. She had no claim to him. She didn't want any claim to him! Yet somehow, the very idea of leaving him to Adrienne seemed just so very wrong, it almost repulsed her. Then again, the sickness churning inside her could just have been the side effects of the wine she had consumed.
She'd been more than a little surprised to find last night that there were still traces of an innocent girl lurking inside herself. She had been terrified, she had to admit that, but had known more than most women in her situation. Her mother had taught her how to be a lady, but even then it was only the very basic education of a young girl making rare appearances at Court. Nothing like this. She had passed muster all those years ago, but good posture and being a proficient musician wasn’t much help for things like this.
There had been talk of marriage occasionally, and she'd known that when the time came it would just be another part of life, but it hadn't seemed all that important. Ffionite ladies didn't speak of such things, apparently. Naomi had no idea why they didn’t, considering how important it was; but that was what she had been repeatedly told on the occasions she attempted to find out.
If anything, her camaraderie with the men at arms she trained with had proven more useful. She had heard the talk, of course. It was impossible to spend any length of time in the company of slightly bawdy men and not. They had always tried to be somewhat careful around her, almost all of them having some kind of paternal affection for a wayward daughter, despite it all, but she had been drunk with them more than once, and the stories flowed as readily as the mead did.
The fact was, in Tsumetai, where her mother was from, sex was very openly spoken of. Unlike in Ffion where the idea of women knowing such things was considered indecent, in Tsumetai it was very strongly encouraged. Naomi’s mother had tried to raise her as Ffionite, mostly because her father had despised her mixed heritage, but with yearly visits across the ocean and away from his dark presence, there had been plenty of opportunity for her to absorb the different culture. She’d had to be careful, of course, but her cousins in particular had seemed to take it upon themselves to pass her the occasional book and even quashed quite early in her the shame that Ffionite girls were taught about pleasuring themselves. Naomi knew her body, knew what she liked, and she had been surprised to find that Arun had seemed to know as well.
She could at least be thankful for the fact that he had been such a gentle lover. He'd been so careful of her, she'd felt tears sting her eyes. It had been so long since anyone had touched her with any kind of care, his caresses had been almost overwhelming. He must have heard her breathing alter even in the darkness, and paused to hold her warmly. It had been sheer force of will that kept her from letting go of the tide and sobbing into his shoulder like a small child.
She hadn't shed a single tear since she had first been locked away, not once. She hated that he had damaged that protective wall just by being kind to her. No one had touched her to give comfort for so long though, and never so intimately, she hadn't expected it to move her in such a profound way.
Feeling her throat tighten and her eyes start to prickle once again, she clenched her teeth tightly. This was ridiculous. She was being so stupid and sentimental over nothing. It was just sex. It happened all the time. It hadn't even hurt, despite being told it might, and even if it had, she’d been hurt before. She had fought in a war, for crying out loud. She had a fair scattering of scars over her own body from injuries she had sustained in battle, and on more than one occasion had to sew her own wounds to keep from bleeding to death. This should be nothing to her. It was nothing to her. She had done this because it was the best option for escape.
Looking towards where she assumed Arun’s face was, she found herself curious of his appearance. This man who had no idea of her existence, but whose actions had so dramatically changed the course of her life without even realising it. He would have dark skin, as all Korenians did, and his hair was likely black, but other than that she had no idea. As she cautiously ran her fingers through his long, curly hair, she realised that he was not a large man. In fact, he felt to be no more than half a head or so taller than she was. There was a certain kind of graceful turn to his form and movements that intrigued her, but was still somehow masculine. Again she blushed as she remembered the night. No. Definitely not womanly. But there was something... something graceful about him; compact but strong. Like a predator of some kind. Light, but quietly powerful.
Embarrassed by her own thoughts, Naomi forced herself to pull away, planning to roll so her back was to him. The movement seemed to wake him though, and he again pulled her back.
'No. Not yet.'
She could hear sleep thick in his lilting voice and knew he was only barely conscious. The room was so darkened she had no idea of the time, but there was quiet movement outside the door and that worried her. She needed to get away from him, for her own sanity, before Cygnus came to fetch her back. This man and his careful touch and warm skin was turning her into a soppy child, and she didn't like it one bit.
'I’ll be back,' she lied, trying to ease herself away without waking him too much. 'Go back to sleep.'
Arun made a soft noise of dissent, but his grip slackened at last. As she tried to escape though, his hand slid up her back and cupped the back of her neck. Instead of letting her go as she had expected, he tugged her face back down to his and met her lips with his own in a heated kiss. Naomi felt her insides quake at the intensity, but before she could react he had let her go completely. She sat back, her breath hiccupping quietly in surprise, all plans of escape flying out of her mind.
'Don't be long, little Firefly.' She could hear the smile in his voice as he rolled back over and sighed sleepily. 'I fully intend to have you again before we rise for the day.'
It took a long moment for her to feel steady enough to continue her escape. She didn't want to dwell
on the emotions churning inside herself right now. She didn't want to feel them, and she didn't want to think about them.
Taking a breath, she finally slid off the large bed and began to fish about the floor for the silk chemise she had started the night in. Her soft, sleep tousled hair fell about her face and shoulders, tickling her skin and making her shiver a little despite repeatedly tucking the stray strands behind her ears. She felt cold now that she was out of the bed and away from the warmth of Arun's body, but it was just a little uncomfortable chill. She had been far colder than this.
Finally locating the chemise, she continued to shiver and had to clench her teeth tightly to keep them from chattering. It was like the cold came from inside herself and she wrapped her arms tightly around her body to try to stave it off. Shock, she acknowledged. She wondered if she should wait to be summoned or just leave now.
Thankfully the decision was taken out of her hands just as she began to walk towards the door. Lord Cygnus opened it very slightly, light pouring in as he beckoned her. It took more self-control than it should have, but despite her curiosity, she resolved not to use the faint light to look upon the man asleep in the bed. She didn't want to know. She had no claim to him and now her part was over.
She walked out the door of the wedding chamber resolutely, ignoring the aching of her bones and determined not to let Cygnus see any sign of weakness if she could help it. He said nothing, but closed the door quietly behind her. The chill that had fallen over her body became suddenly worse and she was grateful for the large hooded cloak that was settled over her shoulders by one of the guards. She pulled the hood up and wrapped the thick material close around her far too small body, trying to get warm again.
Not a word was spoken as Cygnus led her along the corridor and up the flight of stairs to his own chamber. He unlocked the door and solicitously held it open for her to pass through. She had to keep her wits about her. If there was going to be a betrayal, it would be now. They owed her the freedom she had sold herself for, and she was either going to take it, or die trying.
Adrienne was sitting on the bed, looking far too pleased with herself. Emotions still too raw, it took every ounce of self-control that Naomi possessed not to just beat the smug look off the woman's face with her bare hands.
Lord Cygnus shut the door carefully, then indicated a small, upholstered armchair for her to sit in. The glee that was radiating from Adrienne was almost sickening. Mustering as much dignity as she could, Naomi simply watched her and took the seat offered. She kept her face a blank, emotionless mask. She could endure any amount of abuse this woman threw at her, safe in the knowledge that soon she would be away from here. The next time they met, she would wipe the smug look from her face, she swore it.
'All went as planned?'
Lord Cygnus sounded only slightly concerned that it might not have done and Naomi shot him a cold look. 'You drugged me too, didn't you?'
'Only a little,' he smiled, as though she were only accusing him of stealing a biscuit. 'You looked as though you might change your mind. We couldn't have that at this late stage of the game, you understand.'
She didn't bother telling him that she had changed her mind anyway, and that it was Arun himself that had talked her into staying. Unconsciously, of course, but she supposed it didn't really matter how it had come about, anyway. It was done now, and that was that.
She carefully touched the third finger of her left hand and pulled off the ring Arun had given to her the night before. In the darkness of the room, she hadn't been able to look at it until now, only feeling its warm weight encircle the tiny digit even as he had pushed into her the first time. She tried to keep the faint blush she felt prickle her cheeks at the memory at bay once again.
Her hands were shaking slightly as she removed the beautiful thing, trying not to stare at the incredibly rare yellow diamond set in its centre. She couldn't bring herself to hand it over, so instead opened her palm out with the ring cradled gently in it.
'Citrine?' Adrienne sneered, looking down her nose at it. 'I'm not wearing that.'
'Now then, my Queen,' Lord Cygnus placated, taking the ring from Naomi's hand. 'If he awakens and you are not wearing it, he might become suspicious.'
'I don't care!' snapped Adrienne. 'I won't wear citrine. They're common. It's insulting!’
Unable to hear her make such a ridiculous mistake twice, Naomi bit out, 'It isn't citrine, it’s a diamond. A yellow diamond. An antique too, if you're interested. It's probably worth more than this whole damned castle.'
The unfailingly greedy woman's demeanour changed instantly, and she snatched the ring from Lord Cygnus, trying to jam it onto her finger. Naomi found she had to look away, an overwhelming sense of disgust chilling her as she thought of the dishonour this little scene would bring to the man she had left sleeping.
'It won't fit!'
'Let me try, my Queen...'
'Ouch! You're hurting! No, it won't go on that one!'
'Perhaps try a different finger, my Queen?'
He was not her concern, she reminded herself. She had other things to worry about, and right now all she should be concentrating on was getting away from this place and finding what remained of her family in Tsumetai. She planned to head to the Southern port of Pearpetal, about ten or twelve days of travel on foot from here when she was in good health. It would give her body time to strengthen, and even if it took her twice as long as it used to, by the time she got there she would be fit to work. When she reached the port, she had enough skill that she could earn her passage across to Tsumetai.
'Is there anything else before her Majesty re-joins her husband?'
The clipped voice of Lord Cygnus interrupted her silent planning, and she found her eyes automatically flicking to the ring now situated on Adrienne's little finger. She tried not to wonder if he would notice, and she refused to ask how they were going to replicate the marks of his lovemaking on her body, instead exhaling slowly and looking back to Lord Cygnus.
'He wants her to call him by his first name.'
'It seems I’ve married a romantic.' Adrienne looked slightly baffled, then shrugged and stood from the bed. 'What a foolish man he is proving to be.'
Naomi's eyes flicked back to the spiteful woman as she bit down a sharp reprimand in Arun's defence. Adrienne seemed not to notice, but stood before her with malice in her face.
'I doubt we'll meet again, but I hope you enjoy what remains of your lifetime.' She smirked, then turned to Cygnus. 'Take care of her fee for me, and see that she leaves from the service doors, won't you?'
The barb didn't miss its mark, but again Naomi kept her peace. Adrienne in her turn didn't seem to want to wait for an answer in any case, and laughing quietly to herself, swept out the door. It was difficult not to sag in relief, her body so tired, her mind so completely blown apart. So much had happened, she simply didn't have the reserves to digest everything, but she also knew that it was Cygnus, and not Adrienne, that posed the biggest threat to her right now. He watched her, smiling to himself, and she forced herself to remain sitting up straight in the chair.
'There now. That wasn't so bad, was it?' He rubbed his hands together in that gleeful way of his, then nodded towards a large changing screen on the other side of the room. 'I’m afraid I can't offer you a bath, but there's a bowl of hot water and a change of clothes for you behind the screen.’
Her body protested loudly as she forced herself back to her feet again and tried not to let her fatigue show. She found she didn't have the capacity to answer him verbally. Behind the screen she found a washstand with clean, hot water and soap, and the promised change of clothes. She was slightly put off that Cygnus remained in the room with her, but she supposed she had to be watched by someone. At this point, all her strength was focused on getting out of here as quickly as possible.
Washing her face, mostly to refresh herself and keep her eyes open, she then rubbed down the rest of her body with the damp cloth and tried not to pay attentio
n to the lingering scent of citrus and mint that was clinging to her skin like an incessant reminder of Arun’s touch. Knowing she would never get truly clean this way, Naomi reached for the clothing and resigned herself to a dunk in the river later.
It was travelling gear, the kind she used to wear, with soft, fitted pants, a shirt, a brown leather jerkin and a pair of quite decent boots. She dressed as fast as she could, her fingers fumbling at the ties from lack of practice, then sat on a small stool to pull on the woollen socks and the boots. Dressed in this way she felt oddly nostalgic. She felt more like herself than she had in years, and with that came a spark of strength and determination. She could almost forget about Arun and Adrienne and what they were more than likely up to in the other room, and found her feet itching to walk, to get out under the big, blue sky, and walk away from all of this.
When she stood, boots fastened, it was with her mind much clearer. The coldness that had settled over her chest hadn't gone away, but she felt comfort in this familiar garb. This was who she was. They had tried to take it from her, incarcerated her in darkness to go mad, but here she was again. Through the blackest night and out into the dawn.
Sweeping her dark brown hair out of her face, she walked from behind the screen and met Lord Cygnus' eyes. He seemed oddly impressed despite the hard look she was giving him and nodded approvingly.
'Now you look like the Naomi I remember. Slightly more haggard than before, of course, but that new darkness in your look actually might make you seem more threatening.'
'You shouldn't underestimate me, Cygnus.' she warned, despite herself.
'I never have, poppet, believe me,' he smiled, absently handing her a dark cloak, then nodded towards the door. 'Off with you, then.'
Naomi had to bite her tongue to keep her drummed-in manners from making her say thank you. He opened the door, and gestured to the two guards who were waiting there. Not that they really were guards, she supposed. Not in the real sense of the word. She tried not to let her disgust show as she realised both of them had been drinking on duty, partly ashamed to see such behaviour by anyone wearing the uniform she had been so proud of, partly glad to see that if it came to it that they wouldn’t present much of a fight.