“Why didn’t you call me when you arrived?”
“It was late, and I was tired. I wanted to be rested before we met. I bought some new clothes so you wouldn’t be ashamed of me.”
Hassrick’s gaze moved over her. The blue velvet pants and matching softsilk top were obviously new, as were the matching soft leather boots.
“I see. And what were you going to do with him?”
Ashlynne paused. She wanted desperately to look at Falkon, but she didn’t dare. “Keep him, of course. He is, after all, my slave, and quite a good worker.”
“I was told you appeared quite fond of him. Casman said you were quite adamant that he shouldn’t be hurt.”
“Number Four is my property,” she replied. “And all that I have left of value, now that my home is gone.”
A shadow passed over Hassrick’s face. Was it regret?
“Number Four is quite a valuable asset, you know,” she went on, “for all that he can be quite troublesome at times.”
Hassrick grunted softly. “Yes, I’m sure that’s true. Several people have been inquiring as to his whereabouts.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Well,” Hassrick said briskly, “let us be on our way, shall we? Where’s the controller?”
“I have it.”
Hassrick smiled as he held out his hand. “I’ll take it.”
“I’m quite able to manage, thank you.”
“I’m sure you are, my dear, but there’s no need for you to be bothered with him any longer.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m in charge now.”
“What are you going to do with him?”
“I’ve not yet decided. For now, we shall take him with us.” He waggled his fingers. “The controller, Ashlynne.”
She could think of no reason to refuse.
Hassrick took the controller from her hand, stared at it a moment. “I’ve heard of these, of course, but never had the opportunity to use one.”
Falkon went suddenly tense as Hassrick ran his thumb back and forth over the controller.
“Let’s see,” Hassrick mused, “this activates the manacles on his wrists, and this the shackles on his feet. And this…” His thumb hovered over the top of the controller. “What does this do?” he asked.
Ashlynne cried, “No!” as Niklaus’s thumb depressed the top of the controller, but it was too late.
With a strangled cry, Falkon went rigid as the pain reflex was activated. She watched in horror as he writhed on the floor, unable to escape the pain, his body convulsing, his face a mask of anguish. It seemed to go on forever. She looked at Niklaus, stunned to see that he was actually enjoying Falkon’s pain.
Niklaus looked at her and smiled. “It is always wise to remind subordinates who is in charge.”
Ashlynne nodded. “Yes, of course.”
She looked at Falkon. His face was sheened with sweat, every muscle in his body was trembling violently. He lay there, panting, his body gradually relaxing, as the pain decreased and finally ended.
She watched him gather his strength, watched him rise to his feet on legs that still trembled, his face expressionless, his eyes dark with unspoken fury.
“Well,” Niklaus said, slipping the controller into his pocket. “Shall we go?”
Chapter Twenty
Falkon sat on the floor in the back of the shuttle, vainly trying to control his anger. To be a prisoner again, when freedom had been within his grasp, was almost beyond bearing. He felt his rage build as he recalled the sheer enjoyment evident on Hassrick’s face when he activated the controller. The man had done it for no other reason than to watch him squirm, Falkon thought bitterly, and then frowned, wondering if the man suspected something was going on between himself and Ashlynne. It occurred to him that Hassrick had activated the controller simply to watch Ashlynne’s reaction. It seemed unlikely, and yet…he swore under his breath, knowing there would be hell to pay, and he would be the one to pay it, if Hassrick discovered what had happened the night before.
There was no point in dwelling on what might happen, he thought, and turned his attention to the view outside the window. They had left the city behind and were passing through a wide expanse of countryside. Arkata was a fertile land, lush with green grass and a wide variety of trees, shrubs and flowers. Long-haired cattle grazed on the hillsides, or rested in shady glens.
After an hour or so, they passed through a small city and then they were in open country again.
From time to time, Falkon heard Hassrick pointing out sites of interest to Ashlynne.
He shifted on the seat, unable to get comfortable with his hands and feet shackled.
They rounded a sharp curve in the road. Ahead, lay a huge walled jinan. An intricate letter H was woven into the double wrought-iron gates that swung open at their approach.
Falkon swore under his breath. The Hassrick holding was bigger than many of the cities he had been in.
The road was paved with crushed white stones that glistened in the sunlight. Tall trees lined the driveway. Acres of verdant grassland surrounded the house, which resembled a gothic castle. Several smaller buildings were located on either side of the house.
As soon as the shuttle craft pulled up in front of the house, the front door opened and a man who was obviously a servant hurried down the stairs. He opened the door for Hassrick, bowed low and then stepped aside as his master stepped out of the vehicle.
Turning, Hassrick offered Ashlynne his hand.
Hassrick’s two companions got out of the craft. One of them opened the door for Falkon and motioned for him to get out.
“Can’t,” he said.
“Lord Hassrick?”
“What is it, Brill?” Hassrick glanced over his shoulder. Seeing the problem, he pulled the controller from his pocket and unlocked the shackles on Falkon’s ankles.
Falkon slid out of the craft and the two men immediately moved up beside him, Brill on his left, the other man on his right.
“Well,” Hassrick said, taking Ashlynne firmly by the arm, “what do you think?”
“It’s…it’s quite lovely.”
“Yes. I think you’ll be happy here. Brill, take the prisoner to the detention area and lock him up.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ashlynne’s heart constricted as she watched the two men lead Falkon away. It wouldn’t do to make a fuss, yet she had a sinking feeling in her stomach that she would never see him again. She couldn’t lose him now, she thought desperately, not when they’d been through so much. Not when she loved him.
“What are you going to do with Number Four?” she asked as Niklaus led her up the stairs.
“He’s a slave,” Hassrick replied. “We’ll put him to work, of course.”
Falkon paced the floor, cursing his luck with every step. Freedom had been within his grasp, and now it was gone. He paused to stare out the small barred window. He was in a cell again, albeit a much nicer one than the one on Tierde, but a cell nonetheless. He had been surprised to find slaves on the Hassrick estate, but they were there, imprisoned in a long row of small huts located at the bottom of a hill, out of sight of the house.
Several guards patrolled the grounds, along with some of the biggest, meanest looking dogs Falkon had ever seen. Even if he could find a way out of the cell, even if he could get past the guards and the dogs, there was no way over the wall, which was a good fifteen feet high and looked to be lazer shielded.
Damn! He had to find a way out of here. But how?
* * * * *
Ashlynne paced the floor of her room, too nervous to sit still, too worried about Falkon and their future to concentrate on anything else. Niklaus had shown her to her room when they first arrived, saying he would show her the rest of the house later, suggesting that she might like to take a nap after the long journey. But she was too worried about Falkon to rest. In an effort to relax, she had taken a hot bath, then changed into one of her new gowns, a silky soft dress of pale lavende
r that managed to be modest and provocative at the same time. She had bought it with Falkon in mind, would not have worn it now but it was the only thing she had that was suitable to wear to dinner.
Going to the window, she stared out over the grounds, wondering where the detention area was. Falkon was down there somewhere, locked in a cell. He would hate being a prisoner again, hate being confined in a small space.
She turned and looked around the room. She was a prisoner, too, she thought, even though her prison was quite the biggest, most comfortable room she had ever seen. The carpet on the floor was white, at least two inches thick. The walls were a pale, pale blue. There was a small sofa, an enormous bed covered with a silky blue comforter. Large windows overlooked the yard. There was a white brick fireplace in one corner. A tele-screen filled one wall. The adjoining bathroom was equally plush. But it was still a prison, and she was promised to a man she didn’t like, and didn’t trust, though she wasn’t sure why. He treated her well enough, seemed concerned for her welfare, endeavored to make her comfortable, and yet there was something about him that made her cringe. She remembered the look on his face when he had activated the controller. He had done it on purpose, she thought, done it simply for the pleasure of watching Falkon writhe in agony.
Falkon. She glanced at the bed, and wished, shamelessly, that he was there, that they could make love again. Would they ever make love again?
A knock at the door drew her attention. “Lady Ashlynne?”
“Yes?”
“Sir Hassrick requests that you join him in the library in thirty minutes. He would like you to meet his parents.”
“Very well.”
“I shall come for you then.”
“Thank you.”
She had thought it strange she hadn’t met his parents earlier, but Niklaus had told her they were away for the day.
She was not looking forward to meeting them, or to discussing the wedding. How could she marry Niklaus when it was Falkon she loved? And what would happen if she refused, if she told Niklaus she loved Falkon?
She was certain Niklaus would not want her if he knew she was no longer a virgin. And knew, just as certainly, that Falkon’s life would be forfeit if Niklaus learned what they had done.
Briefly, she contemplated telling Niklaus part of the truth, that she was sorry, but that she was in love with someone else and could not honor their engagement. Niklaus was a proud man. It was unlikely that he would still want to marry her if she loved another. But would he let her take Falkon? He had no right to refuse her. Falkon was her property, after all. But could she take that chance? What if she told Niklaus she wanted to break their engagement and he agreed, and then refused to let her take Falkon when she left? She couldn’t leave him here.
With a sigh, she sat down on the bed and put on the soft slippers that matched her gown.
A moment later, one of the servants arrived to escort her to the library.
* * * * *
Niklaus’ father was a tall, imposing man, with iron-gray hair, a clipped moustache, and cold blue eyes. He wore a pair of black trousers and a dark green shirt. He rose as Ashlynne entered the room. His wife was rather plain, with short curly black hair and dark brown eyes. She wore a brilliant pink jumpsuit. A jeweled bracelet sparkled on her left wrist. They both radiated the calm assurance that seemed to be an innate characteristic of all people who were born to wealth and privilege.
“Mother, Father, this is Ashlynne. Ashlynne, this is my father, Rugen, and my mother, Zahara.”
Rugen came forward, smiling. “At last,” he said, “you’re here. Welcome, daughter.”
For all his kind words, she did not feel welcome.
Zahara smiled and held out her hand, and Ashlynne crossed the room to take her future mother-in-law’s hand in hers.
“We were so sorry to hear about your parents,” Zahara said. “You must consider this your home now, dear.
“Thank you.”
Zahara beamed at her, then patted the seat beside her. “Sit down, dear. We have much to discuss.”
“Ah, yes,” Rugen said. Moving to a cupboard set into the wall, he withdrew a crystal decanter and filled four glasses. “The wedding.” He handed each of the others a glass. “Let us toast the bride and groom.”
Ashlynne forced a smile. She was never going to be happy here, she thought. Never. There was no love in this house, no warmth or caring between Rugen and Zahara.
“So, my dear,” Zahara said, “have you thought of a date?”
“No, not yet,” Ashlynne replied. “So much has happened.”
“Yes, dear, of course, but life goes on.”
Ashlynne nodded.
“We were thinking of next month,” Rugen remarked.
“Next month?” Ashlynne exclaimed. “So soon?”
“Well, there’s no reason to wait, is there?” Niklaus asked.
A reason, she needed a reason. And then it came to her. “You seem to forget, I’ve not had time to mourn my family properly.”
Niklaus and his father exchanged glances that Ashlynne could not interpret.
“I’m afraid I’m really not in the proper frame of mind to plan our wedding, Niklaus,” she said quietly. “You do understand, don’t you? Besides, I should like some time for us to get acquainted. We are, after all, strangers to each other.”
“Yes, of course. You must think me quite insensitive to your loss. It’s only that I’ve waited for you for so long.” He smiled at her. “Take as much time as you need.”
“Thank you.”
“How much time will you need?” Zahara asked.
“Six months should be sufficient.”
“Six months!” Rugen said.
“That’s rather a long time, don’t you think?” Zahara said.
“A year is the normal length of time on Tierde,” Ashlynne said.
“I should think three months would be sufficient,” Rugen said.
Niklaus looked at Ashlynne. “Will three months be long enough? We can plan the wedding in that time. It will give you something else to think about.”
“Yes,” Zahara said. She patted Ashlynne on the arm. “Don’t you agree, dear? Keeping busy is the best thing.”
“Yes, I guess so,” Ashlynne said. Three months. Surely, in three months, she would be able to find a way to get herself and Falkon out of here.
Chapter Twenty-One
Dinner was a formal affair, the four of them sitting at a large table spread with expensive china and crystal and gold flatware.
They spoke of the wedding, discussing the menu, the guest list, the food for the reception following the ceremony.
After dinner, Niklaus took her on a tour of the house. She had never been in a place so large, or so grand. One room was filled with expensive paintings and ancient tapestries, another held a collection of blue-green Venusian glass. There were more bedrooms than she could count, each one lavishly appointed, all with fireplaces and tele-screens, one with a waterfall.
He switched on the outdoor lights and they walked around the grounds. She saw rabbits scurrying here and there, peacocks, a trio of deer. The stable held a dozen hot-blooded horses. Long haired cattle and curly hair sheep grazed on the verdant hillsides.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “Simply amazing.”
Niklaus smiled, his face fairly glowing with pride.
“I should like to see Number Four while we’re here,” she said.
“You worry overmuch for his welfare, my dear.”
“Perhaps, but I should like to see him just the same. The man saved my life at great risk to his own. The least I can do is make sure he is comfortable.”
“Yes, I suppose so,” Niklaus agreed.
They walked down the narrow path that led to the detention area. It had become a common practice for the wealthy to keep slaves. Ashlynne had never given it much thought, until she met Falkon. It had been a fact of life on Tierde, as it was in other places. The Confederation had abolished the death sentence;
incorrigible prisoners were sent to the prison planet Jaol with no hope of pardon, criminals who were considered non-violent were sold to those who could afford them. The credits earned from the sale of slaves paid the wages of the prison. She wondered how Falkon had escaped being sent to Jaol. He was a hired mercenary; certainly he would be considered dangerous.
Hassrick’s family kept six slaves. She tried not to notice the faces of the imprisoned men as they walked down the line of barred huts, but it was impossible. They all looked at her through eyes empty of hope.
Niklaus paused at the last hut.
Drawing a deep, steadying breath, Ashlynne peered inside. “Number Four?”
She heard him swear, and then he walked out of the shadows. He stopped several feet from the door. His face was set in hard, implacable lines, his blue-gray eyes were cold when he looked at her.
She wanted to smile at him, to tell him she loved him, but she couldn’t, not with Niklaus standing there beside her, listening to every word.
“Are you well, Number Four?” she asked, unable to keep the tremor from her voice. Why was he looking at her like that? Surely he knew locking him up had not been her idea. “Is there anything you need?”
He shook his head, his gaze moving past her, his hands clenching when he saw Niklaus.
Ashlynne glanced over her shoulder. “He’s very good with horses,” she said. “Perhaps you can find a use for him in your stable.”
Niklaus shrugged. “Perhaps.” He frowned as he pulled his portacom from his pocket. “Excuse me, my dear, I need to take care of something over at the barn. I don’t know how long I’ll be. Can you find your way back to the house?”
“Yes, of course.”
With a curt nod, he turned and headed across the yard toward the stable.
Ashlynne turned back to Falkon. “Are you all right?” she asked anxiously.
He approached the door then, his expression softening. “Yeah, I’m fine.” He grinned ruefully. “This reminds me of the night you and your friend made me a midnight visit.”
Ashlynne nodded, pain twisting through her heart as she thought of Magny.
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