Siren Slave

by Aurora Styles

  “I know all about Swan going into the dungeons and freeing the prisoners. I know about that Volos character and his offer to Swan, too. I was glad she showed up. You know Odilia was insulting me by scheduling those executions for my wedding day, don’t you? She knows I hate torture and blood. If you’re going to kill someone, at least do it quick. Give them some dignity. You’re ending a life, after all. Kind of weird, if you think about it, what you’re actually ending. I’m trying to remember that now. But until I do… Even those Druids I killed, they were children once, played chase with their friends in the wood, drank with friends. The latter was probably done while plotting to kill me.”

  She gave the wineskin a shake, as if pretending it was someone’s neck. “But someone…someone was probably waiting for them to come home. That power, the Blood Call, isn’t so quick. I don’t like it. I still don’t want to use it unless it means our lives.” She shook her head. “I don’t have my trident any longer. That’s at least quick. Messy, but quick.” She sighed sadly, still not looking at him.

  He draped a fur over her shoulders when she shivered. “Why won’t you even look at me? What did Julia tell you?”

  “I’m upset because I feel like I don’t know what’s happening. There are layers upon layers of intrigue. You think I’m plotting something, I know it. How could I be plotting anything? You’d know if I were lying, Master. I am bound by a pledge to you. It’s everyone else who’s plotting, and it’s getting worse.”

  How had Siegfried missed that? “I don’t see why Merrick would have anything to do with what’s been happening, but all the same, we are going to be very careful getting out of here, Freya.”

  “How did he get away with your boat so fast? How did he know what happened in Folkvang so quickly. Not everyone has an Enbarr.”

  How had he missed those details? He was getting sloppy. “So this…this is all part of some fey’s plot. We need to get out of here soon.”

  “I don’t know if Enbarr can or will carry three of us. Or agree to carry Julia. We might need—”

  “We are not taking Julia.” She was jealous? Over him? No plot, just jealousy. He considered what she’d said about fulfilling her pledge and what she’d just done for him. She had saved his damned ship and his crew. Right now, he needed to ease her feelings, even if it meant being honest. Was this why she was hurt? Of course it was.

  “I’d thought about her, Julia, when we were together. When I thought of her, it was her…rejection.” He choked on the word. That had hurt his pride, too. Now, he prepared himself for Freya’s.

  “Ooh. Well, if you’re thinking of her and it’s favorable toward me, I can live with that. But you had best tell me the truth. Personally, I didn’t see how you could find the lip curling attractive at all.” She tested out curling her lip, then stuck out her tongue.

  He moved to sit in front of her, feeling her emotions. Uncertainty, shame. “I am still sorry about the Druids Marking you. The scorn I gave you. An apology is not much, but—”

  “Words mean a lot. They can hurt more than blades,” Freya said. “Sometimes things don’t go the way we planned. But if it’ll make you feel better, you can repay me for the boat.”

  “Agreed. And it is a ship. Now, tell me what you want.” He was prepared for a request of jewels or some degree of freedom, perhaps to be released from the sexual part of their pledge.

  “I want soup.”

  He blinked. “Soup?”

  “Yes, soup. Hot and with vegetables. No meat. There are Romans here, and it’s hard to see what’s in the meat if it’s in soup. But that’s not all. I’d like a little help with my feet. Wounds and all…”

  “What happened to your feet?”

  “The shoes Hedwig gave me broke when Idunn yanked me around—the sandals, not the armor boots—so I pulled them off and the rocks cut my feet.”

  So Idunn hadn’t been very kind to his Freya. He sighed, more guilt hitting him. “How in the hell are you so forgiving?”

  “Hoping you’ll forgive me next time I do something stupid, like when I kept speaking around Vercingetorix.”

  “You didn’t lose control tonight, did you?”

  “No,” she said. “It was freeing. It’s that other part of me. That’s how I’d describe it. There’s this angry part of me that wants to hurt, rip, tear…” She bit her bottom lip. “I should be afraid of it, but tonight, it was fun.”

  He mulled over her words a few breaths before tipping her chin up to meet his gaze. “Expect to be in touch with that part of yourself often, then. I’m here. There is no reason you should be afraid of your powers. Enjoy them, Freya.”

  Her response was a crooked smile that tugged at his heart. “That’s nice, Master.” She lowered her voice, doing what he suspected was an impression of him. “‘Have fun sating your bloodlust, Freya. I’ll just make sure you don’t get too carried away.’”

  “Something like that, aye.” He chuckled and bent to examine her feet, lifting them onto his lap. The parts that weren’t cut were soft. No callouses, just like the wealthy Roman women. He should not be surprised. She also had a few blisters on her toes and cuts on the top. “Don’t you wear shoes that fit?”

  “Odilia oversaw the palace’s wardrobe,” Freya said. “For me, that meant no purple and uncomfortable shoes. I’d told her numerous times the shoes didn’t fit, and she blamed my feet. Do you really think the Romans are going to give us good sandals?”

  “There’s nothing wrong with your feet. You’ll have your soup and shoes that fit. You’re going to eat and regain some of your energy.”

  “That’s nice,” she said, smiling. She was as changeable as…the weather. That made sense, didn’t it? “I think shoes are one of the nicest gifts you can give a person.” Was she mocking him? Or did she want expensive footwear, the kind that could not be found here? No, she looked pensive. “People’s burdens always rest on their feet. When your shoulders are weighed down with worry, all that weight inevitably goes to your soles. The ground here is so rocky. Without comfortable shoes, it’s hard to keep pressing forward. So, giving someone shoes is like helping them with whatever’s weighing on their soul and encouraging them to keep going with your support.”

  There was that silly grin again, as if what she said made perfect sense. It sort of did.

  She brought her face close to his, squinting one eye, the tip of her pink tongue poking from one side of her mouth. “What are you thinking about?”

  “I expect people to disappoint me, to betray me by doing something like this, what Merrick did, not you. What Vercingetorix did by contracting with Merrick. I expected this more from you than anyone. I was wrong. This betrayal has happened so many times before.” Why was he telling her this? He’d continue, at least a little, expose some of himself, because he’d exposed her enough. “I always hope that people won’t disappoint me, and such a thing is asinine. Even though I expect it, it never ceases to bother me.”

  “You just haven’t found the right friends you can trust. Maybe you have some already and don’t know it. But I could be wrong. None of my friends came to save me from the assassins, except for the fey that I just met. And you.”

  He shook his head. It was time they left. If Freya’s expressions were any indication, she was feeling calmer. “Come on. Let’s get you your food and shoes.” He’d thought Balder would have met up with them by now, but it was just as well he didn’t have to worry about the bard.

  “If something goes wrong, I’ll pretend to be sick again,” she said.

  “You pretended to be sick when we left the campfire?” How had he missed that, too?

  “Yes. Being able to convincingly pretend you’re going to vomit is one of the most necessary life skills.” She said this as if it were one of the most normal things in the world.

  Why, even in the worst situations, did she manage to make him at least chuckle? She made it easier for him to think though, because it relaxed him. If he were ever going to be surrounded by enemies, he had to
admit, Freya made the experience almost pleasant.

  But how long until she betrayed him, as much as she was capable of betraying him with the bond they now shared? He did not have time to speculate on that, because a certain pale-haired temptress leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. She leveled a brazen smirk at him, swinging her leg.

  He growled low and leaned forward, raising a brow. She raised one right, as if to say, “What are you going to do about it?”

  She made an “eep” sound when his hands circled her waist and gently lifted her onto his lap. He adjusted her so she faced away from him, so her little ass could feel just how much she tempted him. He whispered against her temple, “Damn you, wench. Teasing me when you should be recovering.”

  “I’m recovered enough to tease.”

  “I wasn’t going to punish you for neglecting rules while you rest, but since that seems to be what you want—” He stopped right there on that revelation. She had, with her actions, just asked for his discipline. Was he ruining her? He brushed that thought aside and obliged the wench…and himself.

  He lifted her again, draping her across his thighs. He tugged the blanket from around her, tossing it aside. Her round ass was still pink from the spanking of the previous night. He rested a hand on the heated flesh, enjoying the way she went still, not breathing. He gave her ass a squeeze. “You know where your hands belong.”

  She clasped her hands at the small of her back and looked up at him from beneath the pale strands of her hair that had escaped the winged band. He brought his hand down on the heated flesh, knowing she could feel his cock against her belly. Like the last evening, she squirmed, as if to escape from the spanking. He paused every so often, leaving her to wait for the next and to tilt her chin up to look at her blushing face. He saw no disgust, nothing but lust-glazed, dark eyes.

  A few quick swats on her inner thighs reminded her to keep her legs spread. Her pussy was damp, juices seeping onto his trousers. He watched the flesh quiver as he brought his hand down on her ass again. She gave a loud moan, spreading her legs wider.

  With a wicked grin, he gave her pussy a light pinch. “Keep your legs spread,” he admonished when she started to close them. He ran his knuckles along her damp sex. She arched against his hand, a silent plea for more.

  With a wicked grin, he lifted her again. This time, he set her at his feet, on her knees. She adjusted her position so her bottom rested on her heels, knees wide apart. She watched him from beneath lowered lashes.

  He gave her breasts a swat—first the right, then the left, the pale flesh swaying. She sucked in a breath, white teeth biting down on her bottom lip. He reached lower to graze his fingers along her pussy. She shuddered, hips rocking forward in the hopes for further stimulation.

  Her admonishment came not in the form of words but a pinching of her pubic lips, harder than before.

  “Master,” she pleaded.

  “No mercy for you, little Freya. Not yet. I see how wet you are for me. Keep your hips still.” He continued the light stroking, savoring each soft whimper. Her shoulders trembled as she warred within herself. She struggled so to please him.

  A cough from outside had him immediately on his feet. He draped the cloak over her shoulders.

  She looked up at him for instruction. He placed his hand to her lips and whispered, “It’s best we leave the tent now. I’m sorry, Freya. I was not going to leave you in want for long. Have a few more drinks and talk to Enbarr in your thoughts. When he’s nearby, drunkenly seduce me, and I will attempt to take you to the wood for privacy.”

  ****

  Julia was at Vercingetorix’s campfire with Merrick, unfortunately. It was as if they were waiting for Siegfried. They probably were. Siegfried’s tension was almost palpable, the way his breathing slowed yet his heart beat faster. Freya was against his chest as he carried her to protect her feet

  He settled her on his lap, and she tried to focus on him and not on Julia or Merrick.

  “Siegfried, Merrick has seen to our supplies in your absence,” Vercingetorix said. “An army’s needs never decrease.”

  “Yes, I’ve been providing Roman arms while you were finding your next vict—, er, bedmate.”

  “I’m a victory?” Freya scratched her head, purposely misunderstanding. How dare Merrick insult Siegfried. “I guess I am. That’s nice, Merrick.”

  “Idunn,” Siegfried said, ignoring their banter. “Please fetch Freya a pair of shoes. A pair that fits her well. The best you have. Also some soup. Vegetable.”

  “I’ll have to fit her,” Idunn said. “I can take her with—”

  “I like her right where she is.” His hand traced suggestively over Freya’s torso, a move made to be seen by the rest. “I won’t be staying at the campfire very long, methinks.”

  Freya gave a sultry laugh and stroked his chest, moaning softly. Let Julia see Siegfried had a woman who’d accept him. That cough outside the tent had Freya wondering if Julia hadn’t been spying. She’d smelled the woman’s perfume when Siegfried had been punishing with her, but she hadn’t noticed until they had been disturbed.

  “A pity,” Merrick said. “It has been a while since we’ve spoken.”

  “That is true.” Siegfried slid Freya off his groin and onto his knee. Idunn left the fire. “Last I heard, you were scuttling Roman and tribal ships alike. Have you narrowed your prey?”

  “It seems so.” Merrick stretched out his leather-clad legs. “Oh, I still take tribal ships, only not the ones who have allied with the Vercingetorix. If you’re not our ally, you’re a traitor, after all.”

  “Vercingetorix, this isn’t like you,” Siegfried said. “I gave you enough to wage this battle against Caesar’s forces. Merrick’s a slaver. It doesn’t matter if it’s Romans or tribesmen. I know he takes children, too. How is that honorable?”

  “Honor?” Vercingetorix laughed. “There is no honor in war. It does not surprise me that your pretty ideas are shared by a Remi princess.” He then gestured at Idunn, who approached with several pairs of shoes under one arm and a bowl of soup in her free hand. “She lost her husband and three sons to Rome.”

  Siegfried’s frown deepened. “Why fight if you aren’t going to create something better? Why should these men fight to have more of the same?”

  Freya took the soup and began wolfing it down as Idunn started fitting her for shoes. She kept her gaze on Idunn and the meal, feigning disinterest in the conversation around her.

  “Because, Siegfried, it’s all about power,” Merrick said. “If you want to win, to dominate, there is no room for honor or principle. People like you, who are unwilling to sacrifice principle, are the reason resistance struggles.”

  Freya almost choked on a carrot. She wanted to set the soup aside, but she was ravenous after her exertions and she was going to need her energy.

  “The difference between the resistance and Rome,” Merrick added, “is who is in charge.”

  Siegfried looked as disgusted as Freya felt. He was also nudging her. She wiggled her rump against him and focused on calling Enbarr.

  “I am already here, Bright Mane. I’ve been waiting since the trouble with Julia. Too much human metal for me to be involved here. They would not spare me as they would have in Folkvang.”

  “Then why did you let us come here?” Freya asked. “You knew, didn’t you?”

  Some of those nearby gave her strange stares. Then again, she was pretending to be a little mad. “I’m talking to my horse. I really miss him, and sometimes I like to pretend he’s right here.”

  “That one is…touched,” Julia said with a nod at Freya.

  “Not a horse and do not mention my name. Whatever you do. I had to let the two of you go there. I sensed you would bond. I have just finished preparing the Averni horses to run wild along with a flock of butterflies to further confuse things. They await the command of He Whose Mane Tames the Wind.”

  “Where’s my brother?” The conversation had resumed around her. She only got the
occasional curious stare. But Siegfried’s petting became more intense. Idunn remained quiet, still fitting her with shoes.

  “With the others or perhaps at his hall in the Otherworld. I sense it is a matter of the heart. Come to me whenever you are ready, Bright Mane. Leave camp and I will be there, so fleet of hoof that nary a human arrow can strike my silvery hide.”

  Idunn left her with a pair of shoes that fit well enough, and Freya felt better after her soup. She squirmed in Siegfried’s arms, moaning loudly, letting him know she was ready. She turned to face him, nibbling his lip.

  “How can I say no to this?” Siegfried stood, lifting Freya with him. “I’ll return when I’ve finished with my lusty wench.”

  Vercingetorix rose. “I must insist you remain, given the dangers.”

  Siegfried gave Freya a long glance, as if debating the next course of action. “You have sentries posted at distances from the camp.”

  “Vercingetorix, let me,” Merrick said, holding up a hand. “You are not leaving, Siegfried. Let’s drop the niceties. There are none between us.”

  “Vercingetorix, when did I become your enemy?” Siegfried held Freya tighter against his chest.

  “When you abandoned them for a few months,” Merrick said. “When no one knew how to reach you. Yes, yes, finding a little slave girl to replace Julia was very important.” He took a step forward. “There are enough who would pay to take your head. Your whore is wanted as well. You were a famed gladiator, Siegfried. But I wonder how well the princess would fare in a fight.

  “Now, set aside your woman and prepare to wear chains again. Only this time, you won’t be able to fight your way free. I was going to use your ship to take you to Rome, have my payback before I gave you to your enemies. I took your ship. It is mine by rights.”

  “So, whoever takes over a ship, it belongs to them?” Freya asked.

  “Aye. That’s the law of the sea,” Merrick said. “Is your woman that touched in the head, Siegfried?”

  “Silly, that’s not the law of the sea. I can double check with Hedwig, but I’m sure she’s going to agree with me. Besides, we took it anyways.” Freya called upon the water in the air to form around her under Siegfried’s cape, mingling with night to create a tunic of pale purple and breeches of a darker shade. She faced Merrick. “What? You thought we were going to leave the boat without making sure you couldn’t take it. That’s up to you if you want to take it from the Sea Witch.”