Vralius chuckled quietly and then nodded again. “He did,” he told me quietly, “I just wanted to hear it from you. Enjoy your dinner.” And then he left, and I got up, sighing, to go and eat. I pondered Vralius’ words, his guarded expression… I was glad he’d been allowed to come see me. I truly did trust Vralius; he made me feel comfortable and safe. I felt my chances of getting out of this slavery deal were much better now that I had Napius as my master.
I sighed, feeling like I was overthinking things, but then again, I had nothing else to do. When my food was done, I pushed my platter away and went to the window. The moon was full and bright, and it shed silvery light onto the ground and the trees around my quarters. The night was silent, and I wondered where Napius was now, and what he was doing. I groaned, buried my face in my hands for a few moments, and then settled on going to bed. When I woke up, I found Napius at my side with breakfast waiting for me.
“And what do you know, it’s still hot,” he told me which a chuckle, handing me my food. I grinned sleepily and took the food from him, sitting up and beginning to eat slowly. “Thanks,” I yawned, letting the warmth of the food help to wake me up. He just chuckled again and said, “No problem.”
Once I was done, I set the platter down and told him, “Thank you for talking to Gisor. Vralius told me how we shouldn’t technically be allowed to be near each other anymore.” Napius nodded and gave me a small smile. “I told him things were different between you two. I told him you didn’t have feelings for each other anymore.” I nodded, a little absently.
“I’ll try to keep bringing you your food,” he continued, “But if I can’t, now you won’t have to worry.” I offered Napius another smile and then got up, stretching. “Did you sleep well?” Napius asked me softly, running a hand up my back to rest on my shoulder. I shivered at his touch and nodded, saying, “Yeah, I did.” I had a feeling I knew where this would end up going, but I had a lot on my mind. I didn’t want sex.
“Can we talk?” I asked suddenly, turning to face him. He looked surprised, but he nodded and dropped his hand without any argument. I smiled a little and said, “It’s just, I think a lot during the night, and I wanted to ask you some questions.”
Napius nodded again, still looking a little confused. “Sure,” he said, “What is it?” I moved over to the window and stared out of it, able to think better with what little fresh air I got from it.
“How many others are there?” I asked softly, staring up into the trees. Napius moved to stand next to me, and he said slowly, “There’s anywhere from two to three dozen of us in this herd alone.”
I blinked and shot him a sideways glance. “I meant how many other women,” I clarified. I saw him blush and he replied “Oh! Um… I don’t know the exact number, but I think there’s around six, including you.”
Sighing softly, I closed my eyes and crossed my arms. Five other women, at least, in worse positions than my own… Five other women who missed their families, their lovers, perhaps even their children…
“Why, Napius?” I asked, my voice hardly above a whisper, “Why does your kind do this to us?” I opened my eyes to watch him, and I saw him bow his head. He sighed too, and he muttered, “I’m not sure, Nephele. My father says it’s because we lack women of our own kind. He says that our women live in all-woman herds and that it’s their job to bear our children, only. When we… want more, we need to capture human women.”
I shook my head slowly, and I muttered, “Why can’t you just let me go?” Napius frowned deeply and he touched my shoulder gently before he told me, “Nephele… I already told you, I literally can’t. The way our herd works, if you want to give up your slave, she’s given to other members of the herd. I can’t let you go because they would go after us both, and kill us.”
I shrugged his shoulder off and told him harshly, “Maybe that’s what I want! I’d rather die than stay here. Napius, I’m a human being, I’m not a toy and if I stay cooped up in this room for much longer, I’m going to die.”
Napius didn’t respond, but I could tell how angry and upset I’d made him. He stormed out of the room, and I heard the telltale sounds of the lock being put in place, and then I realized that I’d made it sound as if I wanted him dead as well.
Shock poured through my system and I heard him race off. I felt fear constrict my heart and fill my chest, and I worried that he was going to give me up. I couldn’t handle another exchange, another trade – but what if this time they were going to kill me? Shaking slightly, I moved to sit on the bed, but jumped up again as the door opened.
“Nephele!” It was Vralius, looking concerned. I stared at him, wide-eyed, and he told me, “I just saw Napius run off and I knew he was here… are you okay?” I moved over towards him, feeling tears well up in my eyes, and I mumbled, “I… I’m fine, I think I upset him, I didn’t mean it – I was talking about me…”
Vralius gave me another concerned look and he put his hands on my shoulders. “What’s going on?” he asked me quietly, looking me in the eye. I swallowed and looked up into his face, and I felt the tears beginning to slide down my cheeks as I told him, “He thinks I don’t care if he dies. I told him I don’t care if I got caught, if he let me free, I’d rather die than stay here any longer.”
Vralius sighed heavily and then drew me close. Unhesitatingly, I wrapped my arms around his torso, and I heard him say, “Nephele… I’m so, so sorry. It’s my fault you’re even here, I’m so sorry.” I whimpered slightly and choked out, “Just get me home. Please just get me home.”
He sighed again and then he touched my face tenderly. “I will, Nephele…” he told me softly. My crying subdued slightly as I focused on his words, and he continued, “I have a plan… but you need to wait, alright? Just give me some time, and I’ll get you free, I swear it.”
I pulled away slightly to wipe at my face and eyes, and I nodded slowly, feeling hopeful. “Thank you, Vralius,” I sighed, sniffling. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked away. “Is it possible to get some clothes?” I heard him chuckle, and the tension was relieved. “I’ll see what I can do,” he promised. I nodded, and then went back over to my bed.
Vralius stayed where he was, and after a moment, I asked quietly, “Vralius… why did you give me up?” I saw him freeze, obviously not expecting that question, and then he shook himself before he moved towards me. “I want the truth,” I added lowly.
Vralius sighed, and after a few moments, he murmured quietly, “I was forced to give you up. It’s like I told you before, when I would take you out sometimes… some of the centaurs saw us kiss, heard the way we spoke to each other…”
I watched him, surprised, and listened intently. “… and some of them went to Gisor,” he continued in a rather tired voice, “Gisor questioned me, and I told him it meant nothing. I swore to him that it was just a – a method to get you to obey me, but he didn’t believe me. I’d been careless, to risk exposing us to the rest of them.”
He paused and I asked quietly, “Is… is that why you started to act distant? Because they all knew and you wanted to make it seem like that all I was, was a slave?” Vralius nodded slowly and he came to stand by my side. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Nephele, I just… I just wanted to protect you…”
I swallowed, hard, and felt new tears in my eyes. I kept those at bay, and I whispered shakily, “If only you’d been honest with me from the start, Vralius, I… I’ve resented you ever since then, for letting me go to Cazis and Placias… I thought you actually cared for me, and then when you started to ignore me, and act differently…” I sighed, shaking my head and letting my voice trail off into nothingness.
“I did care for you, Nephele…” Vralius muttered, grasping my shoulder, “I always did, even when I was acting like that. I still do care for you, it’s just now our situation is… difficult.”
I looked up at him sadly and then nodded. He gave me a smile and then asked, “So, why did you ask for me, Nephele? I want truth.” I chuckled half-heartedly
, and I told him, “Because I feel comfortable with you, just like I told you. I… I’m not afraid of you, you make me feel safe. And… I still care for you, too.”
Vralius nodded and then smiled. “I knew you did,” he told me softly, stroking my cheek for a moment. “I’ll go find Napius and… and tell him that you’re sorry. Don’t worry, Nephele… everything will end up how it’s meant to,” he continued, trying to comfort me. I nodded and he added, “I’ll see you later.”
Vralius was the first to visit me that night, but he didn’t carry my food as he usually did. I didn’t know what to think when he came into my room, but my heart raced violently, as if it knew what was coming next. He didn’t speak, and neither did I; we both just stared at each other. I rose up from my chair as he moved slowly closer, and he touched my cheek gently. That simple touch sent a violent shiver down my spine – it held a different meaning than before. Love, not comfort – and he chuckled lowly before he bent down to place a tender kiss upon my lips. I felt like my heart was going to burst from my chest, and I knew this was wrong, that I was meant for Napius now, and he treated me well enough… but I didn’t care. I pressed into Vralius, and he wrapped an arm around me. He was so gentle. Despite all that had happened, I felt right when I was with him. Now that I knew he still cared for me, and I still cared for him, I didn’t care about right and wrong. I didn’t care about anything, except for Vralius. My day had been so filled with dread and sorrow… love would balance it.
“Vralius,” I murmured softly, pressing myself against his body, “I’m meant for you, not Napius. He’s… kind, sweet, and honest… but he’s not you,” I told him, reaching up to touch his face. He chuckled and bent his head down to kiss my fingers, and he murmured, “Thank you, Nephele. I feel lucky that you still want me after what you’ve been through, and what I’ve done.”
I smiled and shushed him gently, saying, “It’s not what matters now. All I care about is now, and the future.” Vralius nodded and bent down to kiss my lips before saying, “And I will free you from this place, I swear it…”
I kissed him deeply, a soft moan pushing past my lips. It felt so right, doing this. I wanted more. He fondled my breasts gently, and I laughed softly, pulling away to look up into his face. “Will you take me?” I breathed, my eyes searching his. He gave me a long look, and he murmured, “We shouldn’t, Nephele… What if Napius comes?”
I heaved a sigh, knowing he was right, but at the same time… “I don’t care,” I insisted, moving backwards towards my bed. I let my body be visible to him, for I had no shame when it came to Vralius. Vralius just let his eyes travel my body, and he muttered lowly, “I do… but you tempt me so, Nephele,”
He moved towards me, and I smirked, spreading my legs wide and allowing him to mount me. I thought by now, perhaps very naively so, that every centaur would feel the same. They didn’t – at all. Vralius was large, but he was gentle, and rough when I wanted him to be. Perhaps it was just knowing that it was him, and not some stranger, or someone I tolerated… Or else, perhaps it was because it was simply Vralius, my first. Either way, he was my favorite.
Though I wanted to moan and cry out his name, Vralius warned me, “We must be quiet, I’ve no idea who may be around here,” and so I obeyed, keeping my pleasurable sounds as quiet as possible. I was surprised, but Vralius showed more self-control than I did, at least when it came to keeping silent.
Vralius thrust into me, slow at first, allow his length to fill me. I moaned softly, biting my lip, wondering how on earth I could ever love a man like I loved Vralius. How I could ever love being with a man like I loved being with Vralius. There was no doubt in my mind that he was the best, and the fact that we did this, in secret… it made it all the more better.
“Harder, please,” I begged quietly, bracing myself against the wall. He obliged, and I knew he hungered for me, just as I had hungered secretly, and unknowingly, for him. He was so large, but perhaps I’d grown used to his girth, for I no longer felt too tight. Our love was comfortable, and… amazing.
I was gasping with pleasure, as quietly as I could, and Vralius grunted softly as he thrust deeply into me. He let loose his first juices and I had to cover my mouth with a hand to keep myself from making a noise. He groaned lowly and I whimpered, feeling myself tighten. “Nephele…” he rasped softly, as I squeezed my eyes shut.
He pounded me then, and I could no longer keep very quiet. I had to keep repeatedly biting my lower lip to stop myself, and I had a feeling he was biting onto his knuckle. The only real sound was the sounds of our wetness, and our bodies.
As far as orgasms went, he came first, too soon, and he apologized in a moan, saying, “Ohh Nephele, I’m sorry; it’s been too long…” I didn’t mind it much, because he kept thrusting into me until I, too, reached my climax. I motioned for him to stay inside of me for a while, and my walls clenched and throbbed around his girth. We both panted and moaned softly, and when he did pull out, I sat up and eyed him, feeling a little bit guilty. “I’ve missed you, Vralius,” I sighed softly, shifting to kiss him. He smiled softly and cupped my cheek. “I can… come back. Whenever you want. We’ll just need to be careful of Napius…”
I nodded and let myself slump back into my bed. “Okay,” I murmured, catching my breath. “I wish it didn’t have to do it like this,” I told him, sighing heavily. I didn’t like having to sneak around, especially because of what could happen to us if we were found out. Even so, I didn’t want to run from my feelings anymore. I wanted to be true to Vralius… or rather, as true as I could be.
I groaned a little to myself, knowing I would have to act like I enjoyed it when Napius came back. Truthfully, I would, but at the same time, I knew I would rather it be Vralius.
“What is it?” Vralius asked softly, stroking my face. I heaved another sigh and murmured, “Napius… he’ll be coming soon, won’t he?” Vralius just smiled and nodded.
“I think so,” he said, “I talked to him earlier. How about I go and get you your dinner?” I nodded, and he smiled at me. “I’ll be back soon,” he promised, and then he left.
Vralius was the first one to return. I offered him a warm smile as he handed me my food, and I was about to speak before the door opened once more and Napius stepped in. “Oh,” he said, when he spotted Vralius, “Hey, Vralius.” The other centaur nodded stiffly and then stepped away. “Napius,” Vralius replied curtly. “I’ll be on my way.” He nodded to Napius and then me, before he left.
There was silence for a few moments, as Napius and I watched each other. I looked down at my food, feeling guilty, and I told him quietly, “I didn’t mean what I said, Napius.” I heard him sigh softly, and I looked up. “I only meant it when it was about me,” I continued, for the most part talking into my platter, “I care if you get hurt, because you don’t deserve it.”
He snorted and stepped forward, “And like you do?” he countered quietly. I sighed and shook my head, muttering, “No, that’s not what I meant. I’m just trying to apologize, okay?” I looked up at him and he bowed his head.
“You’re right. I’m sorry, Nephele, I didn’t mean to… to get mad and storm off like I did.” Napius told me quietly. I put my food to the side and stood up, telling him softly, “I’m the one who needs to apologize, Napius. Not you.” He just shrugged and waved a hand.
“It doesn’t matter,” he told me, moving closer and touching my cheek. He had a tender touch, but it wasn’t like Vralius’. It felt friendlier than it did loving, but then again, I didn’t think Napius loved me. I was sure he had a crush on me, but as for it being more? Even if he did feel strongly for me, I knew I couldn’t feel strongly for him. Or at least, not as strongly as I felt for Vralius.
“I just want us to forget it,” Napius continued, smiling slightly, his pale gaze searching mine. I smiled at him and touched his hand. “It’s not a big deal anymore, okay?” I exhaled slowly, and then nodded, replying softly, “Okay. Thank you, Napius.” He just chuckled softly.
“Go ea
t,” he told me, motioning towards the table. I nodded and picked up my food, moving towards the table. “Look…” Napius muttered as I sat down, moving towards me, “Maybe I can get you outside more, I – I’ll ask my dad. I just want you to feel comfortable, Nephele.”
I nodded and tried my best to smile, but I was growing weary of his presence. I worked on my dinner to mask this, worried he would notice something was off. He hadn’t seemed mad when he’d noticed Vralius in here, but then again, the platter of food on my table gave him a reason to be. I took a deep breath and then let it out slowly.
“What’s wrong?” Napius asked me quietly, looking over me with concern. “Nothing,” I replied wearily, “I’m just… tired. I don’t like fighting with you.”
He nodded slowly, and then he said, “Well I’ll let you sleep, then. I’ll visit you tomorrow, okay?” I nodded, feeling relieved but managing to pass it off as gratitude. “Thanks,” I mumbled, forcing a yawn as I finished my dinner. I went over to my bed and then lay down, turning onto my side to stare at the wall. I couldn’t do this. I wasn’t good at pretending… and it was wrong to do this to Napius. I needed to tell Vralius.
“Good night, Nephele,” Napius said, before he left me in my quarters.
The next morning, Vralius woke me. I rolled over to look at him, and I smiled faintly. “We need to talk,” I mumbled, sitting up. He held up a finger and just smiled at me before he opened his satchel. From within it, he drew out a crumpled length of fabric, and one he shook it out, I realized it was my old dress. I stared, shocked, as he handed it to me. It looked freshly cleaned, and I saw that it’d been stitched together painstakingly.
“Did you… did you do this?” I asked him softly as he helped me to slip it on. If I hadn’t have noticed the stitching in it, I would have thought the dress were new – a perfect replica of what Gisor had destroyed. “I did,” he murmured softly, eyes searching my face.
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