by Ramona Gray
Fascination? Is that all it is? Watching Quinn fight makes you so horny you can barely think straight. Admit it, Silas.
Fine. He could admit that watching Quinn fight was a huge turn-on for him. He had no idea why but the contrast between the Quinn who commanded the queen’s army and the Quinn who submitted so sweetly to him in bed made him ache to have her again. Not that it would do him much good. He’d be in that bitch of a queen’s bed tonight and if he couldn’t get an erection she’d probably lop off his head.
So think about Quinn when you’re in the queen’s bed. It’s the only way you’ll get through the night.
That was probably true but he didn’t think there was any way in hell he could pretend the queen was Quinn.
If you don’t, you’re a dead man.
“Last fight of the night!” Zeeda shouted. The smaller crowd cheered, although there was a hint of apathy to it. Silas watched as Kila bit at her bottom lip nervously when Akia stepped into the light. Kila was good but Akia was better. Just watching the two of them in the claiming ceremony had made that more than obvious.
Kila glanced at Gage. He gave her an anxious look and she bit at her bottom lip again before staring at her mother.
“You’ve done well, child,” the queen said. “But you still have one fight remaining if you wish to lose your innocence tonight.”
“Are you ready, princess?” Akia asked.
“I…” Kila trailed off, staring hesitantly into the crowd before her desperate gaze fell on Quinn.
“Massina, will you fight for me?” She almost whispered the words and Silas and everyone else turned to stare at Quinn.
Quinn nodded and walked slowly toward Kila and Akia. “Aye, Kila, I will.”
Kila gave her a grateful look. “Thank you, massina.”
“You’re welcome, sweet sandora,” Quinn said. She smiled at Kila but little lines of fatigue were apparent on her face.
“I’m sorry,” Kila murmured.
“Do not be,” Quinn said. She squeezed Kila’s shoulder affectionately before smiling stiffly at Akia.
“Are you ready, Akia?”
“Aye, I am, massina,” Akia said. She grinned smugly as Quinn took the wooden sword from Kila.
“Go on, sandora.”
Kila joined her mother. The queen gave her a look of disapproval. “You ask the massina to fight for you?”
“I cannot defeat Akia,” Kila said.
“Because you are weak,” the queen replied.
Kila flushed bright red and her mother scowled at her. “If I see you show such weakness again in front of my people I will have you punished. Do you understand?”
“Yes, mother,” Kila said.
The queen took her wrist in a tight grip and squeezed. “We can not afford to show weakness, Kila. Ever. I will forgive you for it this time because I know of your desire to lose your innocence. Fail me again and I will not be so forgiving. Do you hear me?”
“Yes,” Kila said before ripping her arm loose of her mother’s grip. Her face still red and her eyes shiny with unshed tears, she stared resolutely ahead as her mother studied her with a cold look.
“Good. Now let us see if the massina can win one more fight.”
“She will,” Kila said.
“She has fought many tonight and she does not hide her pain as well as she thinks,” the queen said. “I don’t know what has come over her tonight. She is acting very oddly. Wouldn’t you agree, Kila?”
“The massina enjoys fighting,” Kila said.
“Aye, she does,” the queen replied. “Fighting but not fucking. Sometimes I wonder if her brains are addled.”
Kila didn’t reply and the queen clapped her hands before smiling at Akia and Quinn. “The night grows long and my people are tired. Begin your fight!”
Silas tried not to flinch when Akia and Quinn clashed swords. He leaned forward, watching anxiously as the two women circled around each other. Despite her exhaustion it was quickly apparent that Quinn was better than Akia. They fought for long moments, their swords banging against each other as the crowd watched with bated breath. Silas frowned as Akia danced away. It was obvious the woman was using Quinn’s fatigue against her and drawing out the fight for as long as she could. When Quinn stumbled and fell, Kila made a sharp noise of worry. Sweat pouring down her face, Quinn quickly rolled away from Akia’s sword and stood. Before she could turn to face her opponent, Akia slammed the flat edge of her sword against Quinn’s back. Quinn’s shriek of pain was drowned out by the cries of outrage from the crowd. Shouts of ‘cheater’ and ‘unfair’ were thrown into the cold air and Akia gave the crowd a dirty look as Quinn staggered away. She was panting harshly, her arms and legs shaking wildly, and there was no colour at all in her face.
“Mother,” Kila said. “Akia is cheating and does not deserve to - ”
“Taking advantage of an opponent’s weakness is not cheating,” her mother interrupted. She stood and glared at the still booing and hissing crowd. “Hold your tongues!”
They quieted down as Quinn glanced quickly at him. Silas tried to give her an encouraging smile. Truthfully, he believed there was no way Quinn would win this fight. She was too weak and in too much pain.
Quinn turned to face Akia. Her chest heaved as she gulped in air and Akia smiled at her. “Do you yield, massina?”
“I do not,” Quinn said quietly. She raised her sword. “Begin again, Akia.”
Silas squinted at Gage. His younger brother was standing still with his hands clenched into tight fists. His gaze flicked back and forth between the fighting women and Kila. His eyes widened and Silas turned back to the fight just in time to see Quinn charge at Akia. The women cheered as Quinn swung and slashed her sword at Akia in a frenzy of controlled elegance. Akia was the one sweating now. Her cheeks were red with exertion and she did her best to defend against Quinn’s assault. It was pointless. A switch seemed to have been thrown in Quinn and she fought like a mad woman, swinging her sword so quickly it was just a blur of movement.
There was a shout of pain from Akia as Quinn slipped past her blade and slashed her wrist with her own sword. The wooden swords were blunt and no blood flowed but Akia dropped her own sword as a bright red blotch appeared on her skin. Quinn kicked her legs out from under her before dropping on top of the smaller woman and pinning her to the ground. She pressed the end of her sword against Akia’s throat.
“Do you yield, Akia?”
“Never!” Akia hissed at her. “Get off me, massina, before I - ”
Silas flinched when Quinn punched her in the face. Blood flowed from Akia’s lip and she screamed in pain and outrage when Quinn punched her again.
“Yield, Akia, or I swear I’ll break your jaw,” Quinn snarled before punching her for a third time.
Akia’s head rocked back, slamming against the ground, and she gave Quinn a dazed look.
“Yield!” Quinn shouted and slapped Akia viciously across the face.
Blood trickled from Akia’s nose and she whispered, “I – I yield.”
Kila screamed triumphantly as Quinn heaved her body off of Akia’s. She dropped her sword and walked stiffly to Kila. Kila threw herself at Quinn and wrapped her arms around her. Quinn winced and Kila gave her a stricken look. “Massina, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, sandora,” Quinn said. She touched Kila’s hair with a trembling hand. “Enjoy your evening with the breeder.”
“Thank you, Quinn,” Kila whispered before squeezing her hand.
“Kneel before me, massina,” the queen demanded.
Quinn dropped to her knees in front of the queen. She was very close to Silas and he wanted to touch her but he kept his hands folded in his lap. He stared at the ground as Naveen slipped out of the crowd and joined them.
“You have done well, massina,” the queen said softly.
“Thank you, my Queen,” Quinn replied.
“You fought so bravely for so many this evening and yet you will not receive your reward.” She leane
d forward and placed her fingers under Quinn’s chin, tipping her head up until Quinn’s gaze met hers.
“Is there really no one you wish to claim, massina?” The queen said.
Quinn’s gaze flickered to his face. It was nothing more than a fleeting glance before she was staring at the queen again but a cruel smile crossed the queen’s face.
“You want the danen,” she said.
“I do not,” Quinn replied. “Please, my Queen. It has been a long day and I am very tired. If you will excuse me, I would - ”
“Do not lie to me, massina,” the queen said as her fingers tightened on Quinn’s face. “You desire to have the danen for yourself.”
She glanced at Silas before dropping her hand from Quinn’s face and rising gracefully to her feet. “My sisters, your massina has fought well this evening. Has she not?”
“Aye, my Queen!” The crowd shouted.
The queen turned her cold gaze to Silas and he shuddered inwardly at the cruelty that shone from them. “She deserves her just rewards for fighting. Does she not?”
“Aye, my Queen!”
“She will have it,” the queen said. “The massina will take the danen for the month. He will warm her bed and perhaps she will find herself with child. A child who will grow to be as strong and courageous as her mother.”
The crowd cheered loudly as Silas stared wide-eyed at Quinn. She refused to look at him and kept her gaze on the ground as the queen placed her hands on each of their heads. “Am I not a kind and generous queen, my sisters?”
“Aye, my Queen!”
“Quinn, do you agree?” The queen asked.
“I do. Thank you, my Queen, for your generosity,” Quinn said through clenched teeth.
The queen laughed before patting both their heads. “Go. Get out of my sight, the both of you.”
Not completely sure what was happening, Silas stumbled to his feet as Naveen helped Quinn to stand. She shook off his hand and without looking at either of them started toward the castle.
“Come, danen,” Naveen said in a low voice. He gripped Silas’ arm and the two of them followed Quinn through the crowd. The women were grinning at Quinn and reaching out to squeeze her arms as she pushed through them. She ignored all of them and Silas breathed a sigh of relief when they were finally free of the women and walking down the dark street. The castle loomed ahead of them and he nudged Naveen.
“Has that ever happened before?”
“Never,” Naveen muttered. “The queen takes what she wants when she wants it. I don’t know why she – massina!”
Ahead of them, Quinn was weaving unsteadily. As she crumpled to the ground Silas rushed forward and caught her. She cried out and he winced before shifting his arm away from her back.
“I’m sorry, honey.”
Her eyes rolled up in her head and she went limp in his arms.
“Naveen!” Silas shouted.
Naveen was already holding Quinn’s wrist and he pressed his other hand against her forehead. “She has passed out from the pain. Can you carry her, danen?”
Silas nodded and carefully cradled Quinn in his arms. She moaned in pain and he pressed a kiss against her smooth cheek.
“Quickly, danen,” Naveen said.
Silas was surprised when instead of leading them to the breeders’ quarters Naveen took a sharp right. They hurried toward the small stone building to the right of the castle and he followed the old man into the home. Naveen quickly lit the candles on the wall using flame from his fingers before hurrying Silas through the house.
“Naveen, aren’t we supposed to go to the breeders’ quarters?” Silas asked as Naveen opened a door.
“No. The queen and the princess take their breeders in the castle and the massina takes hers at her home.”
“How many breeders has Quinn taken?” Silas asked as he placed Quinn on her stomach on the bed.
“None before this night,” Naveen said. He unhooked the leather bustier Quinn was wearing and eased it from her body.
“Fuck,” Silas muttered under his breath.
“It’s getting better,” Naveen said as he probed gently at the bruised flesh.
“Bullshit.”
“It is,” Naveen replied. He pulled a cloth bag from somewhere deep in the folds of his cloak and opened it. It was filled with a grey-coloured salve that he rubbed gently into Quinn’s skin.
“What is that?” Silas asked as he sat on the bed beside Quinn.
“It’s the same mixture that was in the poultices,” Naveen said. He finished spreading it across Quinn’s back before placing the bag on the floor beside the bed. He stood and gave Silas a cautious look.
“What?”
“If I leave, I am trusting that you will not harm the massina while she is unable to defend herself,” Naveen said quietly.
Silas scowled at him. “You know I won’t hurt her, Naveen.”
“Aye,” Naveen said as he leaned over Quinn. He shook her shoulder gently before slapping her lightly on the cheeks. “Massina, open your eyes.”
Quinn groaned and Silas squeezed her hip as her eyelids fluttered open. She gave Naveen a blurry, confused look. “Naveen? Where am I?”
“You are home, massina,” Naveen said. “You fainted from the pain.”
Quinn’s eyes widened and she struggled to sit up. “In front of her?”
“No, massina,” Naveen said as he pressed her back onto the bed. “There was no one but the danen and me when you fainted.”
“Garna,” Quinn said. She twisted her head to stare at Silas.
He gave her a small smile. “Hey.”
“What have I done?” She whispered. She gave Naveen a look of panic. “Naveen, what have I done? She’ll use this against me, you know she will! I have to return him to her. I can’t – I can’t keep him.”
“Whoa, slow down,” Silas said. “I’m not a dog you can just return. Besides, I’m not going to the queen. She said you could have me for the month, remember?”
“Naveen,” Quinn was clutching the old man’s arm, “why the fuck did she do this?”
“I don’t know, massina,” Naveen said gravely, “but you need your rest. Take this.”
He produced a packet of the yellow powder and Quinn opened her mouth obediently. He poured it onto her tongue before reaching for the wooden cup of water on the nightstand beside the bed.
“Drink, massina.”
She drank and made a face as she swallowed the powder. She gripped Naveen’s arm when he stood. “Where are you going?”
“The danen will stay with you tonight, massina,” Naveen said gently. “Send him over if you need me.”
Silas waited for Quinn to argue but she simply nodded and closed her eyes. “I’m so tired, Naveen.”
“I know, massina,” Naveen said soothingly. “Sleep. The danen will keep you safe.”
“Will he?” Quinn mumbled.
“Yes,” Silas said before pressing a kiss against her shoulder. “Sleep, Quinn.”
He followed Naveen down the narrow hallway to the front door. Naveen handed him another packet of powder. “Give this to her if she wakes in the night.”
“I will,” Silas replied.
Naveen hesitated. “Danen, I know the purpose of the breeders is for fucking but the massina is injured. She is in no shape to - ”
“I’m not going to try and fuck her while she’s unconscious for God’s sake,” Silas snapped. “Jesus, Naveen, what kind of guy do you think I am? I know she needs sleep and to heal.”
Naveen regarded him silently for a moment. “Good night, danen. Come get me if Quinn needs me in the night.”
“I will,” Silas said. “Good night, Naveen.”
He closed the door behind Naveen and returned to the bedroom. Quinn’s breathing was slow and even and he removed her boots before sliding her skirt down over her hips. He stripped off his clothes and climbed into the bed beside her.
He rubbed the back of her neck lightly, frowning when she tried to shift to her
side to face him. She groaned in pain and he pressed on her neck. “Stay still, honey.”
“I want to sleep on my side,” she mumbled sleepily.
He helped her turn to face him. He was stupidly happy when she snuggled up against him and he stroked the strands of hair that had loosened from her braid. She rested her head against his chest and he kneaded the back of her neck again.
“Good night, Silas,” she whispered.
“Good night, honey.” He pressed a kiss against her forehead before blowing out the candle.
Chapter 16
“Danen, move your arm.”
Silas squinted at Naveen in the early morning light. He was lying on his back in Quinn’s bed with Quinn sprawled across him.
“Move your arm,” Naveen repeated patiently.
Silas lowered his arm. It had been resting against Quinn’s lower back and he strained to see around Quinn’s head. If he made the bruising worse he would never forgive himself.
“Did I hurt her?” He asked.
“No,” Naveen said absently. He had the grey salve out again and Silas wrinkled his nose against the smell.
“Did she wake in the night?”
“Yes. I gave her more of the powder.”
“Good.”
As the old man rubbed the salve into Quinn’s back, Silas stroked her hair back from her face. Her nose crinkled and she frowned before blinking sleepily at him. Naveen dipped his hand back into the bag of salve as Quinn smiled at Silas.
“Silas,” she sighed before pressing her mouth against his thick neck. She licked him and his hips twitched helplessly. She giggled – God, a sleepy, mostly-drugged Quinn was adorable – before kissing him firmly. Her tongue stroked across his lips and she traced her fingers down his ribs.
“Kiss me, Silas,” she said as she reached for his rapidly-hardening cock.
He caught her hand. “We’re not alone.”
“What?” Despite the pain and being drugged, she was sitting up in an instant. He had a quick glimpse of her full, firm breasts before she whirled around. Her arms caught Naveen in the chest and knocked him to the floor. He muttered a curse and Quinn groaned in pain before sliding out of the bed.