She dashed ahead of him and grabbed his arm, he stopped, looking down at her with a rumble in his throat, “What do you want?”
She hissed back at him, “It was YOU who betrayed HIM, Mâvis. You WILL make it right, husband. I am weary of your foolish games. He is not a toy and you freed him. HONOR HIM!” With that she shoved past her husband and left.
The rest of the night the king got no sleep. He sat on the great hall balcony watching the village sleep and sipping his tea. When the sun rose the kitchen staff started setting the buffet for breakfast. One of the staff noticed him on the bench and invited him in. He simply answered in a growl. The woman meant to close the door to keep the cold out but before she could Jocelyn wandered out and tried to scramble up on the bench.
He smiled and reached out one of his massive hands to let her take hold, “Hello, love, at least I am still good in your eyes. Come, keep your father company.” She climbed onto his lap and curled up in the fetal position, laying on his chest and sucking on her thumb. He ran his claws through her hair then covered her with one of his hands to keep her warm.
He sat enjoying the quiet time he had with Jocelyn, appreciating the peace she seemed to just carry with her wherever she went. Then a knock came from the balcony door again. Reagan was there, “Sir, a human wishes to see you, the one named Mark.”
“He can come back later, I am busy.” The king quickly brought his attention back to his cozy child.
“He says he has information about Abbott, but he will only talk to you.”
Mâvis let out a deep breath and a low rumble, “I am weary of these games. Send him off.”
But before Reagan could even turn to escort Mark away the human was behind the guard yelling to the king, “It was Kevin, sir! Kevin started the rumor about the doctor!”
Reagan immediately turned and snatched Mark by the throat. “I told you to wait by the door!”
Mâvis was now coming off the balcony, “Release him.” The king quickly crossed the floor and pulled out a chair for Mark, then one for himself, “Come, human, tell me what you know.”
Mark shook Reagan’s grip off and the guard answered with a growl before leaving the two of them to talk. He took the seat offered to him and looked the king straight in the eye. “Kevin started the rumor about Abbott.”
“And how do you know this?”
The king’s eyes were serious and had an air of danger to them making Mark feel uncomfortable. Despite the fact that Mâvis had broken his arm he had never had an actual discussion with the king before. “I-I heard what happened to the doctor from Thomas. I need to set it right. Abbott is a good man. Kevin asked me to help with his plan and I refused.”
“What plan would this be?” Mâvis waited as he watched the human for any signs of dishonesty.
“He said the doctor talks too much about what the human’s do and wanted to kill him. But he feared retaliation and came up with a plan to just have a rumor started. The rumor that Abbott was leaving for King William’s service. He figured loyalty would be a trigger for you and that you would kill Abbott yourself.”
“Tell me why you have not said anything until now?”
Mark swallowed hard at the thought he should have spoken up sooner, “I haven’t spoken to Kevin since then. I had no clue he had gone through with it. Please, I came forward to help. Please don’t hurt me, I have a family to take care of.”
The king was now more preoccupied with Jocelyn than Mark, offering not a care to how much the man was cowering in his chair, “You may go, send in Reagan on your way out.”
Mark left and the moment the door opened, Genevieve and Beatrice rushed in. The queen rounded the table picking up her daughter, “What was that about, Mâvis?”
“It is not your concern, love. Sit, enjoy your breakfast.” Mâvis stood and headed towards the door as Reagan came in, “Bring me the human named Kevin. I will be back shortly.”
Avarr joined the women for breakfast, sitting Jocelyn on his lap to offer her some of his eggs. As the meal wrapped up Kevin was shoved into the great hall. He looked around at the family eating at the table and was now very confused about why he was dragged so abruptly to the palace.
Genevieve stood and pulled out a chair to offer the man, “Come, sit I am sure Mâvis will be back soon. Would you like some tea or breakfast?”
He walked over to the table and sat casually, waiting to see what was going on. “Thank you, ma’am, don’t mind if I do.” He accepted the tea and a biscuit. They were in a pretty friendly discussion when Mâvis finally made his way back into the room.
The king was carrying his battle axe, “Oh good he is here. Reagan, clear the room.” Before anyone could move Mâvis snatched Kevin out of his chair, completely off the floor and slammed him on the table pinning him by his throat.
Genevieve and Beatrice both stood with a shriek coming off of Genie. Avarr was still sitting at the table grinning as he covered Jocelyn’s eyes, “Having fun brother?”
Mâvis didn’t even look away from the human, “Not yet, Avarr, get the women out of here. You can come back and watch if you like.”
Avarr stood and handed Jocelyn to her mother. The queen pulled her daughter tightly to her chest, “Mâvis, what are you doing?”
“Not your concern Genie.” Mâvis said as Kevin squirmed under the king’s grip. Avarr ushered the women out of the room.
As soon as he heard the door close he loosened his grip a little, “Now tell me, was it you who started the stories of Abbott taking leave from my island?” Kevin tried to answer through the vice on his throat, but found all he could do was nod and he could barely do that. Mâvis squeezed again, “I nearly KILLED him for that!”
“You are going to die today, but I plan on taking my time with you.” Mâvis leaned the axe he had in his other hand on the table. He drew his claws through Kevin’s hair, raking off a thin layer of skin as he did it. “You will suffer for the pain you cause my family with your lies.” Mâvis released Kevin’s throat so he could enjoy the screams coming from the creature.
Ben and Lúta were in the hallway and she was trying to help him down the stairs to the door when the sound of torture met Ben’s ears. He froze and looked at his wife, “What is that?”
“What difference does it make, I am taking you home. You will never come here again and as soon as you are better the queen is going to get us off this island.” Her voice cracked as she saw the look on his face, “Do not even think of it, Ben, you are not going in there.”
The sounds from downstairs were bone-chilling and Ben immediately shoved off his wife, “I need to see what that is.” He was practically stumbling on his own pain as he made his way down the winding steps. He stopped just outside the great room where Reagan was standing with his arms crossed over his chest.
The screams continued and Ben gestured to Reagan to move, “I need to get in there.”
“Not after what he did to you, the king wants answers. Go home with your wife.” Reagan looked down at him for another moment and then ignored the rest of Ben’s pleas. The human was far too weak to challenge him right now. Reagan stood confidently knowing the king can finish his work.
“It was the KING who did this to me, now let me in there. This madness is GOING to stop!” Ben was furious and it was something Reagan had never seen from the human before.
Despite the fact that Lúta wanted to leave so badly the need to see her husband’s wishes honored overtook her. Now she got in Reagan’s face, “Let him in.” She shoved at the guard and he chuckled at her feeble attempt. She yanked the spear from behind him and aimed it at him. “You will move Reagan!”
“Woman, do you know who you test?” He growled.
The queen came down the stairs hearing the commotion, “Move Reagan, let him in there.”
“I am sorry, my queen, I am under strict order to let no one in.” Reagan returned to his stance and shoved the spear off, “You need to go home Lúta before you find yourself imprisoned.”
Gen
evieve picked up the spear now, “Really, Reagan, and what of me? Will you imprison me?” He immediately backed off not really sure how to handle the queen shoving a weapon in his face. The moment Ben had enough room to squeeze past, he pushed the door open and stumbled in.
Mâvis looked briefly to see who was disturbing him, “You need to go, Abbott, this is not your concern.”
“But it is my concern, sir, this is about me, is it not?”
Mâvis placed his hand back over Kevin’s neck squeezing off the sound again as Ben approached the table slowly, “This is about a treasonous, inferior and he will be dealt with as I see fit. Now go!”
“Only if you release him, please sir I beg you. Don’t end his life.”
“Abbott, he is the reason I, I hurt you.” The kings voice was somewhere between a growl and a sob at the sound of his own words, “He will pay for his lies the way you nearly did.” The sob was completely gone now and the king positioned himself to snap Kevin’s neck.
“My life for his!” Ben was leaning on the table opposite the king, his hand clutching Mâvis’s arm.
“What did you say?” The king paused and looked warily at Ben.
“My life for his, sir. I wish to negotiate. Enslave me again and let him go. Please. I beg you.”
Mâvis sat in a chair beside the pitiful mess on the table still clutching his throat. He ran his other hand through his own hair as he struggled with the deal offered to him, “You cannot Abbott.”
“Why not? I do it willingly.”
“You own property. Women and slaves cannot own property, you are property. I would have to strip you of it and your wife is with cub.” Again he felt his rage building up as his lip peeled back. He sunk his claws into the back of Kevin’s neck and tightened his palm on the human’s throat.
“Then do it, I will never sleep again knowing I could have saved him and let him die. Do it, please, Mâvis.”
Lúta stood by the door her face covered in tears, “NO Ben, not that! Please, not that!”
It was like he couldn’t even hear his wife despite the pain he knew he was bringing her. “Sir, if enslaving me gives you the peace of mind you need to know I am not going anywhere then that is what I want. I won’t live my life just waiting for this to happen again. I have far more freedom under your rule. Please again, I beg you. Let him go.”
Mâvis shot Ben one last look before releasing Kevin, “Very well, it is done. Your life for his. You will both return in a week to sign your papers...and Abbott?”
“Yes, sir.” Ben was in near collapse at the table with the relief of seeing Kevin let go.
“Should this human ever cross me again it will be your duty to put him to death. Is that clear?”
Ben swallowed hard at the thought that he just became the executioner for any human crimes. “Yes, sir. It is clear.”
Mâvis stood to leave, “Good.” He stopped at the door and addressed Lúta, “Welcome back, Lúta.” She answered with a slap in the face and he grabbed her arm before she could make contact, “Strike me again and I will resume his training.” With that he left Ben to clean up the mess on the table.
Lúta stood in the doorway shaking her head at her husband, “That human wanted you dead and you just gave away your life for him!” She stormed across the room taking a knife from the buffet, “I will kill him myself!”
Ben darted around the table pulling her into his arms and down to the floor as she cried, “I’m sorry, Lúta, I’m so sorry. I can’t help it, I swear. Forgive me, please?”
She dropped the knife and hugged him for a few moments until she could control her rage. Then she shoved off him leaving him on his knees as he watched her walk out the door. She stopped only to give him one last look of pity and anger, “You are property of the palace now, slave. You asked for this, I did not. Stay away from me.” With that she shut the door behind her.
Chapter 42
Ben wobbled up the stairs on the crutch he had crudely fashioned for his leg. It was healing nicely but it was still too weak to hold his full weight. He entered the great room and found both the king and Avarr waiting for him along with Kevin who was seated between the two of them. He took his usual seat by Mâvis and looked over the documents handed to him.
Avarr poured Ben a mug. He then spoke as he set the cup down, “How is your wife, Ben, still not talking to you?”
Ben took a sip of the tea and replied, “Nope. Not in the least.” Then he shuffled through the papers Mâvis had handed him, looking for where to sign.
Avarr pressed, “Well what do you expect, you are taking her house from her. My wife would kill me in my sleep if I did that.”
Mâvis laughed, “Beatrice would not wait until you are asleep for that.”
Ben went to sign the first document when he paused to reference Kevin, “Does he really need to be here for this?
The king sucked on his fang tooth for a second, “Who are you to question your master, human? Sign your papers.” He was being sarcastic but Ben followed his instruction without further comment, wanting to get it over with.
Avarr now answered, “He is here in case you want to change your mind. You still can you know? It would make your wife very happy.”
A chipper rumble could be heard from the king, “Oh please, do change your mind, Abbott. I rather enjoyed my time with Kevin last week.” Mâvis grinned at the human who was covered in scratches and bruises from his claws. The now timid man dropped his eyes to the table, showing how much he feared the king.
Abbott made his first signature with a loud scribble from the quill pen. He handed that paper to Mâvis and looked over the next document before signing away his home.
The next paper made Lúta property of the palace should he die for any reason. Ben struggled on the thought of signing that one knowing it would cause her pain. But feeling Mâvis’s tension rise he signed it quickly before moving on to the next.
Kevin reached for the teapot on the table trying to soothe his still sore throat. Mâvis and Avarr both snarled at him and he immediately backed off the tea and went back to staring at the table.
Ben finally got to the paper that took away his freedom. He didn’t read it, but instead sat looking at it long and hard almost as if he was looking through it. Looking through it to a past where he had been a surgeon who traveled the world with dreams of helping sick children in third world countries. Looking through it to the future he could have with Lúta if he could just bring himself to let this human die for the hell he has caused in Ben’s life. Looking through it to the life he will have to endure as a slave to an unpredictable and dangerous master.
Ben gave one last look to Mâvis, who was fighting a smile. Almost daring him to reconsider. Knowing that the moment he changed his mind Mâvis would torture the man at the table across from him. And now knowing for sure that he was never truly free from the king.
Even if he changed his mind now it would just be a matter of time before Mâvis found some other way to control him. Some other way to eat away at his soul until he broke down and gave in. Ben dipped the quill one last time and signed his life over to his master. He dropped the quill to the table and silently looked at the king waiting his first instruction and praying it wouldn’t be to kill Kevin.
Mâvis grinned, “Excellent, human.” He snatched up the last document and rolled it up to file in his archive. Then he pulled out another document and placed it in front of Kevin. “Your turn.”
Kevin picked up the paper and glanced over it, “What is this?”
The king replied, “Slaves cannot own property. Abbott’s cottage now belongs to me. But he is not leaving it. You will now pay his tenancy for the rest of your days.” Mâvis’s husky voice now turning a bit more gentle, “You do not have to sign it if you do not want to though.”
“I-I don’t?” Kevin asked the question but he was fearful of the answer.
“Of course not. I would love for my slave’s first order to be to kill you.” Mâvis was smiling ear to ear, while Ava
rr was now laughing quietly as he tried to hold it back and be serious. Kevin signed without hesitation and then stood to leave.
Avarr grabbed his shoulder and slammed him back into the chair. “We are not finished with you yet.”
Mâvis stood and motioned to Ben that it was time to go. Ben got up slowly and pointed to Kevin worried that he would be tortured again, “Sir, what is there left to do?”
The king shoved Ben towards the door, “Tell me, human, what is a whore?”
“It’s a woman who sells sex for money.”
Mâvis grunted, “Did he not call you my whore once?”
Ben paused again, “But, sir, that was in Russian. You do not speak Russian do you?”
“I do not, but I have an old client on the island that does. Kevin is going to pay for your first month of tenancy on his knees servicing the palace guard. You are to sit outside the door and collect the payment from each and every one of them.” Mâvis pushed Ben out of the great room door. Ben was in turmoil as he sat on the steps outside of it. He looked down the corridor at the dozen or so guards that had already lined up.
He could hear Avarr haul Kevin out of his chair and shove him to the floor, “I warned you not to test my brother, he has always had a sick sense of justice.”
Ben dropped his head in his hands as the first of the guards entered the room and the door closed behind him. His stomach turning as the screams began again.
When the torture was finally over Kevin was presented at the door looking nearly as bad as he did a week ago at the hands of the king. Ben stood unable to make direct eye contact with the man who nearly cost him his life. And had now cost him his freedom. “If you need medical attention you may go to my clinic, I’ll be along as soon as I have spoken to the king.”
The man wiped the blood from his nose and filth from his face to reply, “Fuck you!”
Ben didn’t even get to answer as Reagan belted Kevin across the back of the head. He then motioned to Thomas to bring the unconscious man home.
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