“I’ll be fine waiting here.”
He smiled and walked into the bathroom, and a moment later I heard the water start. I lifted his shirt from the floor and put it back on, covering my naked body. The morning air was cool and I shivered.
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The sound of the front door opening made me stiffen. When two official-looking men in uniforms walked in, I eyed them warily. I had a feeling the men were here because of the report Sylon’s father had filed.
“Are you Susan?” one of them asked.
I nodded.
“Where’s Sylon?”
Before I could answer, Sylon walked out of the bathroom, dressed in a clean pair of pants, a towel slung around his shoulders.
“I’m right here,” he said, coming to stand by my side.
“We’re here to take you and your slave before the council,” the second one said.
Sylon ran his hands through my hair. “She gets her bandages off and will be allowed to shower in another few hours. Could it wait?” He looked down at me tenderly. “I know she’d feel better if she were clean when she went before the council.”
“Are you sure you aren’t just trying to make her look whole?” the first official asked snidely.
“I won’t deny what I did,” Sylon said. “But I also won’t do it again.” The second one snorted. “Like we’re going to believe that? This isn’t the first time you’ve been called before the council, Sylon, but I have a feeling it will be the last.” Sylon tensed, but didn’t dignify the remark with a response. He toyed with the ends of my hair and stared at the men. “I guess we’ll find out when I go before the council.”
The two officials looked at one another and then looked down at me. “Do you wish to wait or do you want to see the council now, while your arms are still bandaged?”
“I’d like to wait, if that’s okay?”
They nodded. “We’ll be waiting outside of your living quarters. Once you’re ready, we’ll escort the two of you to the council.” Sylon watched as they turned and walked away. Once they were gone, he relaxed and sat on the bed beside me.
“I’m sorry you’ll have to go through that. If I had controlled myself better…”
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“But you didn’t and we do have to go before the council.” I leaned into him. “It will be fine, Sylon.”
“I’m not so sure. You aren’t the first slave I’ve harmed. I have a feeling the council officials are right. This time might be the last time.”
“You mean they’ll punish you?” I asked.
“They’ve punished me before, but this time they may lock me up and strip me of my holdings, my wife… everything.”
“Me?”
“Yes, even you,” he answered softly.
I swallowed the knot in my throat. If that happened, I could only hope Randar would step forward and take care of me, but I knew there was no guarantee who would claim me. I didn’t want to go through all of this again. I’d finally gotten used to Sylon, had finally come to a point where I thought I could be happy, and now it was going to be jerked out from under me. Why did my life always have to suck?
* * *
After my shower, Sylon pulled out a bag from the closet. I hadn’t seen it before and looked at him quizzically.
“I had this delivered while you were showering.” I gently took the bag from him and opened it, and gasped. Inside was a beautiful sapphire blue silk dress. It was still short, but longer than the slave garments I’d worn thus far, with short flowing sleeves.
“Sylon, it’s beautiful.”
He took it from me and gently slid it over my head. Pulling my hair back, he pulled something else out from the bag. He wound my hair into a loose knot at the nape of my neck and clipped something in it.
I reached back and felt a hair clip. Walking into the bathroom, I turned my head sideways, hoping to get a good look at it. A golden clip, decorated with iridescent feathers similar to a peacock’s, was nestled in my hair. I’d never seen anything so beautiful before.
With tears in my eyes, I turned to face Sylon.
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He frowned and moved closer to me. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“They’re happy tears,” I said softly.
“Happy tears? I’ve never heard of such a thing.” I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him. My arms still ached slightly, but the pain was bearable. Rising up on tiptoe, I kissed him.
“Thank you.”
He smiled and hugged me back. “You’re welcome.” He grasped my hand and led me to the front door. When it whooshed open, the two officials turned to face us. One looked surprised at my attire, but the other didn’t show a flicker of emotion.
With them leading the way, we made our way to the council.
Chapter Nine
I felt nervous when we reached the citadel in the center of the city. I wasn’t sure how I would be received by the council, but having Sylon by my side gave me strength.
I only hoped they didn’t take me away from him.
Making our way through the winding hallways, we finally came to a set of golden double doors. They opened inward, soundlessly, and I sucked in a breath, startled by the countless number of people present in the large room. I hadn’t anticipated quite so many Vaadens to be present at the hearing.
Sylon led me into the room and handed me off to his father, who waited patiently at the front of the room. A panel of men, whom I assumed were the council, sat behind a long paneled table, like judges. I shivered and shifted from foot to foot.
This wasn’t at all what I’d anticipated, nor what I’d thought the council would look like. I recognized one of the men from the holding cell, but I wasn’t sure whether he had claimed Sorcha or Enid. He still seemed chilly, his violet eyes boring into me.
“Take it easy, my dear. They won’t bite,” Sylon’s father said quietly.
“What’s going to happen?”
“They’ll ask you some questions, ask my son to answer, and then they will pass their judgment.”
I bit my lip. “Will they take me away from him?” He looked at me in surprise. “You sound as if that would be a bad thing.” I looked up into his kind eyes and let him see what I’d kept hidden from everyone, including myself. Love. I’d gone and fallen in love with the impossible man.
Sylon was far from perfect, but I loved him just the same.
“Ah. I see I was right,” he said with a gentle smile. “You are good for my son, and perhaps he’s good for you as well.”
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“Please call an end to all of this,” I implored.
“I can’t.”
Before I could say anything more, the council called the room to order. Facing them, I took a deep, calming breath.
“May I say something?” I asked clearly and loudly.
I could see the shock on their faces, all but the one from the cell. He didn’t look surprised. If anything, he seemed amused.
He waved his hand. “Go ahead.”
“I know we’re here because of what happened to me.” I met each of their eyes.
“But what happened was an accident. Sylon wouldn’t hurt me.”
“And yet he did,” one of the councilmen said.
“Not intentionally,” I responded.
“It isn’t his first offense. What makes this time different?” I glanced at Sylon and saw that he watched me intently. I only hoped he wouldn’t argue with me. There was only one way to save him, only one way I knew of anyway.
I faced the council again and lifted my chin. “Because he cares for me.” A murmur ran through the room, which escalated to a dull roar. The council calmed everyone once more and stared at me as if I were a strange specimen of insect.
“Has he said as much to you?” one of them asked.
I opened my mouth to respond, but I felt Sylon’s hand grasp mine. I looked up at him in surprise. In front of everyone, he gently cupped my cheek and k
issed me. His thumb caressed my jaw as he pulled away. It was the first time I’d ever seen anything close to love in his eyes.
“Yes, I’ve told her I care for her,” he said, his attention focused on the council again. “I would never intentionally hurt Susan. She means the world to me.” I nearly melted at his words, even if they weren’t entirely true. I could only hope that one day he would say I meant the world to him and mean it. Until then, I’d take what I could get.
“Why is this one different?” the violet-eyed man asked.
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Sylon frowned. “I don’t know.”
The man smirked. “You love her, don’t you?”
Sylon opened his mouth and snapped it shut. “Of course not.” A woman in the crowd stood. “This is an outrage!”
“Sela, sit down,” the councilman in the middle said.
“No, I won’t! How dare you put my family through this! And all because my husband hurt his little slave. Who cares?”
I sucked in a breath. The woman was tall and thin, her features pinched, platinum blonde hair pulled back in a tight bun. But her eyes were a striking icy blue.
Sylon’s wife was prettier than I had thought she’d be, and very upset.
“I demand that you end this trial immediately,” she said.
“Sela, I won’t tell you again. Sit. Down,” the man thundered.
She lifted her chin and refused to sit.
With a tilt of his head, the man sent guards after Sela, and they carted her out of the room kicking and screaming. I tried really hard to hold back my laughter, but I snickered just the same.
I’d never seen a grown woman throw a tantrum before, and it wasn’t something I was like to forget anytime soon. Sylon looked down at me, amused by my reaction.
Apparently, he thought his wife was acting childish as well.
“Now that the disruption is gone, we may continue,” said the man with the violet eyes.
“If you do not love her, why should we leave her in your care?” asked the councilman in the middle. His clothing seemed superior to the others and I wondered if he was in charge.
“Is it not enough that I care for her?” Sylon asked.
“No, it isn’t,” the councilman responded.
Sylon swallowed hard and looked down at me. I couldn’t read his expression and it worried me. Now that I knew I loved him, the thought of parting from him pierced my heart.
“I’m sorry, Susan,” he said softly.
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“What was that?” the councilman asked.
He lifted his chin and stared at them defiantly. “I told her I was sorry.”
“For what? Harming her?”
“For whatever is to come.”
The councilman studied him for a moment. “I’m recommending that you be remanded into the council’s custody while we discuss this matter further. During that time, your slave will be removed from the slave quarters.” I felt panic welling up inside of me and stiffened. Sylon’s father must have sensed my inner turmoil because he patted my hand in comfort.
“May I ask a boon of the council?” he asked.
The councilman nodded.
“I would like to take Susan into my home until matters are resolved with my son.
Does that meet with the council’s approval?” The men conferred with one another before nodding their consent.
I sagged against the doctor in relief. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“You’re the closest thing I have to a daughter,” he responded. “It would be an honor to care for you until my son is able to do so again.”
“Daughter?” I asked in surprise. “But… you have a daughter-in-law.” He shook his head. “That cold, spoiled creature? I would never claim kinship to her.”
I fought back a smile, but it disappeared quickly when I looked at Sylon. He looked resigned to his fate and looked at me sadly. It seemed as if he didn’t think he’d see me again. And maybe he wouldn’t, but I refused to admit defeat yet. There had to be a way to have the charges dropped.
Chapter Ten
Early the next morning, I woke feeling sick. I barely made it into the bathroom before I was ill and I sagged against the wall. The stress of the trial was obviously getting to me. Other than feeling nauseated, I felt fine.
“Susan, are you okay?” Sylon’s father asked through the door.
“I’ll be fine. I just wasn’t feeling well when I woke up.”
“Why don’t you come to my office when you’re ready? I’ll just check you over to make sure nothing is wrong.”
“I’m fine, really,” I assured him.
“Just the same, I think I’d better check. Sylon would be angry if you were sick and I didn’t do anything about it -- especially with me being a doctor.” I smiled at that. “All right. I’ll be there shortly.” Slowly rising to my feet, I waited a moment to make sure I wouldn’t be sick again. Once I was satisfied that I would be okay, I rinsed out my mouth. Looking in the mirror, I wasn’t surprised to see dark circles under my eyes. Sleeping hadn’t been easy without someone by my side. I’d gotten used to Sylon staying with me.
I pushed away from the counter and walked out of the bathroom. In the bedroom, I opened the closet and flipped through the various slave garments inside. A long, rose-colored tunic at the back caught my eye. It wasn’t a Vaaden-style dress, but it wasn’t a typical slave dress either. Lifting it off the hanger, I held it reverently. I’d never seen anything so beautiful before.
Pulling off the sapphire gown I’d fallen asleep in, I dropped it on the floor and pulled the rose-colored tunic over my head. It clasped on one shoulder and left the other side bare, cinching slightly at the waist. The dress reminded me of the old Roman togas and I smoothed the material, admiring it.
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I started to leave the bedroom, but I felt queasy. A moment later, I knew I was going to be sick and I ran to the bathroom, barely making it in time. When I was finished, I rested my head against the wall and took slow, shaky breaths.
Rising to my feet, I rinsed my mouth once more and made my way to the doctor’s office. Maybe it was a good idea for him to see if anything was wrong with me.
I’d obviously come down with a virus or something.
* * *
“Well, don’t you look pretty,” he said with a smile. “If only Sylon could you see in that dress.”
“I hope you don’t mind. I found it in the closet.” He shook his head. “It’s perfectly fine. I haven’t kept a slave in a while. That particular dress belonged to Elana, my last slave.” He smiled sadly. “I loved her in a way, but she died from a nasty virus that swept through Vaaden two years ago.”
“I’m sorry. If I had known it would bring back bad memories…”
“Nonsense. It’s meant to be worn and it looks lovely on you.” I felt my cheeks flush. “Thank you.”
“Now, sit in the chair over there,” he said with a nod toward a white chair across the room, “and we’ll do a quick bio scan. It should tell me what we’re dealing with.” I nodded and did as he bade. The scan was painless, merely a blue ray of light skimming over me from head to toe. A moment later, I heard a beeping noise and a machine spit out a piece of paper.
Sylon’s father looked surprised but happy. What was going on? Why would someone be happy that I was sick?
“What is it? Do I have the flu or something?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I need to do one more test.” I fidgeted, but nodded. I watched with trepidation as he approached with a needle. “It’s just a simple blood test. One little prick and it will be over.”
“I just realized that I don’t know what to call you. I always think of you as Sylon’s father, or the doctor,” I said.
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He chuckled. “My name is Dorne.”
I nodded and took a deep breath, preparing myself for the prick of the needle.
True to his word, it barely hurt and only lasted for
a moment. Whatever test he was going to run, it didn’t require much blood.
“I’ll have the results in just a moment,” he said with a smile.
I sat, tense, waiting on whatever news he was going to give me. As long as he didn’t tell me I was dying, I could handle anything. Or so I thought.
“Aha!” he exclaimed. “It’s just as I thought. You’re pregnant.” My eyes widened. “I’m what?”
“You’re going to have a baby with Sylon.”
“But… but… he said he couldn’t have children.” Dorne nodded. “And yet, it seems the two of you are going to have one just the same.” He smiled. “This may be the very thing we need to ensure you and Sylon stay together.”
“He won’t be happy about this,” I said softly, standing. I began to pace the small area. “He said he can’t have children. He’ll automatically assume it’s Randar’s. He’ll never believe me!”
Dorne placed a hand on my arm to stop my frantic back and forth motion. “He’ll believe me. And so will the council.”
“What if you’re wrong? Couldn’t the machine have been wrong?”
“No, it can’t. You’re going to be a mother, Susan.” I gulped and sank into the chair once more. A mother. I was going to be a mother. I’d never been more terrified in my life!
“It will take a few days before the council will see us again, but I’ll get things in motion with them.”
I nodded, unable to do much else at that point. I was still stunned that I was going to have a baby. It wasn’t something I had ever planned, and yet, knowing I carried Sylon’s child made me feel warm inside.
“There’s breakfast in the kitchen if you’re hungry,” he said as he gathered some papers. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
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“Will you get to see Sylon?”
Vaaden Captives: Susan Page 5