Nikol's Surrender (A World Beyond, #10)

by Howard, Michelle

  He eyed the implements of punishment then glanced at the tutanis. He had not taken her size into account. Marenian females were of a larger stature. The Earth woman was fragile in comparison. He still didn’t know how Nikol sex shared without breaking her.

  “Ten with that one.” He pointed to what looked like the smallest whip. Surely she could withstand that. It was a simple common punishment, after all.

  “Ten?!” Serasin was shocked.

  Tseju stood by his decision. “She’s not built along the lines of our women.”

  “Fine,” Serasin muttered under his breath and grabbed the woman from Tseju to lead her to a hook suspended from the ceiling. Darcy twisted about, her gaze seeking Tseju in desperation.

  “Don’t do this. You’re making a mistake.”

  He remained stoic through her pleas though doubt began to niggle at his gut. Serasin restrained her arms above her head on the hook and ripped the shellam covering her lower half away. Tseju flinched but held his silence.

  Serasin hummed in pleasure. “Her coloring holds true throughout.”

  A red flush stained the whip master’s cheeks and the front of his pants tented with arousal. Tseju clenched his fingers, missing whatever he whispered in the Earth woman’s ears. She cringed and cried out in denial. Whatever it was caused her to pale and resume her frantic struggle.

  “Stop! Please don’t do this,” she sobbed.

  With a dark laugh, Serasin crudely cupped her mound.

  “Stop.” Tseju straightened from his pose against the wall. “She is not yours. She may be a tutanis but she is in a kitse and belongs to another. You can’t touch without permission.”

  There were rules to be followed. The woman was not available for Serasin to touch her so freely without first receiving approval from Nikol. Serasin stepped away with an annoyed snarl. Tseju didn’t care. He relaxed back along the wall. “I’ll observe the punishment and take her back when its done.”

  Serasin glowered and Tseju realized the whip master had hoped he’d leave to take advantage. His lips firmed. Nikol entrusted him and he would do his role well despite being unsure and new to this aspect of it.

  Serasin spun her around, so her back was to Tseju. The whipping started slow and Tseju immediately regretted his decision to stay. The whip master didn’t appear to use more force than necessary, but the woman was screaming by the fifth strike, her voice hoarse and her body soaked in sweat.

  Neat strips of red lined her back as Serasin continued at a steady pace. By ten she wasn’t screaming anymore. She wasn’t making any noise at all as she hung limply from the hook.

  “Done.” Serasin spat on the floor stained with splatters of the Earth woman’s blood and lowered the whip. He’d barely worked up a sweat. “Take her. I have to clean down the room and prepare it for another.”

  Swallowing past the tightness in his throat, Tseju approached from the back. Her body shivered and twitched as if in residual effect but when he shifted to her front, her eyes were closed.

  Red hair clung to her cheeks in clumps and her chest rose and fell with each jagged breath through her parted lips. Something pierced Tseju’s chest. An unaccustomed feeling. Remorse?

  He undid the restraints, waving Serasin off when he offered to help. Tseju gathered her carefully in his arms. Even unconscious, she moaned and whimpered. What had he done?

  Tseju managed to toss her shellam over her bottom half and carried her out. He returned to Nikol’s section of the house. No one he passed gave him a second thought. Punishing a misbehaving tutanis was common. How many times had he watched something similar except the Marenian female usually walked under own steam?

  Another twinge of regret seared his gut. Despite knowing he’d followed protocol why did he have this sense he’d done something drastically wrong? Dread coiled inside of him. Tseju traced his steps back to the kitse and stopped at the locked door. Garmon glanced down at the woman in Tseju’s arms dispassionately.

  Garmon turned his gaze away and opened the door for him. Cecilee was the first to note his return and there reflected in her onyx gaze was the sadness curdling within Tseju’s belly. Her hand flew to cover her mouth as she saw the tutanis hanging limply in his arms.

  More remorse flared through him. He’d done nothing wrong, his mind insisted. He’d followed procedure. Tseju shoved his feelings aside to keep from showing his concern for this woman who had always given a smile freely to him.

  “Show me her alcove,” he ordered.

  Cecilee nodded, tears glistening in her dark eyes. As Tseju followed her hurried steps, the gazes of the other tutanis turned their way. They gasped, and in a rippling tide, they all began to cry. Low mournful wails he wanted to ignore.

  Weren’t they supposed to be pleased? Excited that this younger, more beautiful member in their kitse was brought low? Everyone knew females fought for an exalted position. Yet they did not behave as he expected. No gloating. Only horror and grief.

  Tseju didn’t understand. Nikol’s kitse consisted of Lothar’s cast offs, older tutanis with gray in their hair.

  Each one cried as if her heart was torn. Two hugged one another and broke into loud sobs. One crumpled to the floor on her knees but Cecilee despite the trembles in her shoulders continued to move forward.

  A lump lodged in Tseju’s throat as they walked beyond each alcove only to stop in front of the only one with a drawn black curtain. Cecilee whipped it back and Tseju gasped. Not small like the other alcoves he was used to seeing used by tutanis but a massive space with a bed taking up every inch of the area with thick pillows and the softest furs piled high.

  “What is this?” he demanded as fear beat like a drum in his chest. It was clear this was where Nikol slept.

  Cecilee sniffed and pointed at the bed. “Put her there.”

  Having no choice, he walked to the side and lowered the Earth woman gently on her front. She cried out and curled into a ball. The feeling of growing dread spread.

  Cecilee came by his side and carefully swiped the limp hair back from Darcy’s face as she murmured, “She is to be First Placement.”

  Horror over what he’d done struck anew. First Placement wasn’t to be touched by any. Her punishment and correction were her master’s responsibility alone to address. Tseju stumbled back. “She didn’t say...I would not...”

  He wouldn’t have enforced the rules when Garmon said she’d run off again.

  “It has not been announced.” Cecilee shook her head, tone somber. “She doesn’t understand our ways and will surely blame Nikol for this.”

  Tseju swallowed thickly and made his voice harsh. “Clean and bandage her.”

  It was all he could think to say. When Nikol returned, Tseju’s life would be forfeit and it would be well deserved. How could he have gotten it so wrong? He’d seen with his own eyes Nikol’s fascination with this particular tutanis.

  Chapter 29

  Darcy was hot. Burning. Sweat dripped from her body and the sheet beneath her was damp and uncomfortable. Moans broke through her clamped lips as someone smoothed a hand over her hair. “Easy, Darcy. Relax.”

  Who could relax like this? It was stuffy and she couldn’t breathe. Not only that, her mouth was dry and swallowing was difficult. Darcy tried to turn on her side. “Too sticky.”

  Blazing fire lashed down her spine the moment she rolled to her back. Darcy screamed and arched up. Every inch of her skin felt shredded. “Please, help. Hurt.”

  Hands grasped at her shoulder and waist, turning her back to her front. Tears ran down her cheeks and Darcy took gasping breaths to ease the pain. Nothing worked. Someone had poured acid on her. Who would do that to her?

  “You have a fever.”

  Had she spoken aloud?

  The feminine voice continued, “Amia is going to ask Garmon again if he will summon a medic. He claims Tseju acted appropriately.”

  Tseju. Her heart sped up and drummed against her chest. “No. Don’t...”

  She didn’t want Tseju
near her. There was something...something to remember. Her back. A whip. Darcy inhaled sharply and opened her eyes. They stuck together and itched.

  “Shhh.”

  A wet cloth dabbed at her eyes and she was able to blink them open. Cecilee sat beside her. Darcy gazed around. They were in Nikol’s alcove. She swallowed. “Tseju whipped me.”

  The admission came out hoarse and broken. Cecilee blinked back tears. “He took you for punishment. I don’t know why. He and Garmon wouldn’t say.”

  Punishment. This was what Marenians considered appropriate punishment for disobedient women. Slaves. Never did Darcy think she’d reflect on the day Nikol spanked her with gratitude. Right now, everything hurt.

  “What’s wrong with me?” Weren’t they supposed to have good medical here? Or was suffering part of the punishment?

  Darcy tipped her head to the side and pressed her face into the pillow, catching a lingering hint of Nikol’s scent. Why wasn’t he here? “Nikol. I want Nikol.”

  Cecilee sniffed and swiped at her eyes. “He has not returned yet. Tseju will not comm him. Dain is off world and Garmon refuses to help.”

  Darcy slumped further into the sheets. Another voice spoke. Amia? “I asked Garmon to get a medic. This is not right. Something is wrong with her.”

  “What did he say?” Cecilee asked.

  “He said no. He believes we seek to trick him in order for Darcy to retaliate”

  ***

  Cecilee soothed Darcy until she returned to sleep then stood. She squeezed Amia’s hand, the worry in her gaze similar to the panic flaring in her gut. They could not let anything happen to Darcy. Her death would devastate Nikol when he came back. For too many years the young master had stood up for them and kept them safe. They owed him the same care for this young tutanis.

  It was all he’d asked back then and they’d promised. Gathering her courage, Cecilee stormed to the door and yanked it open. Tseju’s guilty gaze clashed with hers. She wasn’t sure what had happened but he was responsible for the condition of the Earth woman who was like a daughter to her. Her hands clenched. “We need a medic.”

  “That will not be possible,” Garmon said with a stern glance. “Nikol is particular about any contact with the medics without his presence.”

  Cecilee tightened her lips. This was true but only because Crox had been known to overstep and touch them liberally during exams when they had been in Lothar’s kitse, not to mention other atrocities. Cecilee turned to Tseju. “There is a strong chance she may die. We don’t know much about her people but it’s obvious she was not made to withstand a punishment.”

  Tseju looked on the verge of giving in. His fear and worry were palpable.

  Garmon scowled. “We will wait for Nikol’s return. Only he can give us approval to act.”

  “It might be too late!” she snapped, losing her decorum for the first time.

  “We wait,” Garmon said again.

  Failure was a bitter taste in her mouth as Cecilee returned to Darcy’s moaning side.

  ***

  As expected, Renik was pleased to see Nikol and demanded he stay and spend time with him. When Renik opened the gift from Lothar, he grimaced and passed it to a nearby servant with a flick of his wrist. There was no conversation about his brother or his constant actions in opposition of the Majad’s wishes and Nikol didn’t press the issue.

  Normally he would have enjoyed a visit to the palace but Nikol was eager to return home for one reason only. Darcy. Being with her filled a need he couldn’t describe. His uncle begged him to stay longer.

  The strain of missing Darcy decided for him. “I can’t.”

  Two days at the Majad palace were two too many away from his astéri. By the time Nikol left, he was consumed with worry for Darcy. His Earth woman could get into trouble without looking and he had a nagging sensation something was wrong. He wanted to comm his guards to check on her but Nikol didn’t want to risk it.

  As he strode through the halls of his home, he patted his pocket containing the jeweled necklace he’d been given. It was a coveted piece the Majad’s First Placement, Massi, wanted him to have when he had mentioned selecting a First Placement of his own. Both were thrilled at the prospect of Nikol finally settling down. He didn’t have the heart to explain it was a protective measure more than anything. The thought of calling this feeling love terrified him.

  When he arrived at the entrance to his suite, Tseju avoided his gaze with an abrupt nod and Garmon’s expression remained neutral. Nikol’s steps slowed. Had something happened? “Did anyone come in while I was away?”

  “No,” they answered in unison.

  Nikol hesitated, then entered. The mood in his suite was somber. All of the women stood around the fountain and wouldn’t meet his gaze.

  He looked beyond the bowed heads of Amia, Tashire, Stasia and Cecilee. No Darcy. Was she mad at him for some reason? He’d left her with warm kisses and a wicked gleam in her eyes that morning and nothing had been amiss.

  He shifted his path around the tutanis with the intent to search out Darcy. If he had to cajole her about being gone longer than he’d planned, he was willing to do so and much more. He was willing to do a lot for her soft smiles and the feelings she pulled from him.

  Cecilee stood in front of him, blocking his path and the first sliver of fear teased at the edges of his mind. Thoughts of Darcy attempting to escape again and being foiled by Lothar took root. “Where is she?”

  “In your bed,” Cecilee said.

  Then she was unharmed. He exhaled softly. Perhaps it wasn’t anger that kept Darcy from greeting him but her eagerness to wait for him in the way she thought he’d best enjoy. He stepped around Cecilee and her steps raced after him. “Nikol, wait! She—”

  Nikol pulled back the curtain of his alcove. And froze. He couldn’t draw a breath.

  His astéri.

  Darcy was in his bed but it wasn’t joy Nikol felt upon seeing her. Shock gave way to anger. Nikol stormed to the side of his bed. Rage filled his veins as he stared at Darcy’s destroyed back. The slim graceful line he’d licked the night before leaving was covered in thin welts.

  “Who dared?” He knew whip marks when he saw them. Darcy’s face was turned in his direction and even in rest agony creased her red brows. His heart splintered into a thousand pieces as he dropped to one knee and feathered his fingers over her hair, scared to touch her. It took several tries to clear his throat. “Astéri?”

  Darcy opened glazed blue eyes. “Nikol.”

  Clasping one of her hands between the two of his, he kissed her knuckles. “I will fix this.”

  “I hurt.” A single tear rolled down her cheek.

  He fought the urge to crush her to him. “Who did this to you, Darcy?”

  There was no answer. Her eyes closed and she drifted back to sleep. They would pay. Whoever did this would pay with their life. The pain she felt was nothing compared to what he planned to do. “Get a medic to heal her! Now!”

  “I will have one sent for,” Cecilee rushed to say. Then refusing to abandon her position, she yelled. “Amia, tell Tseju Nikol demands a medic. Now.”

  Tseju. The door guard Nikol sensed had a soft spot for Darcy. He’d trusted him to see to her care. How had this happen? Why had no one treated her before now?

  Nikol shook his head in disbelief. This—this was inexcusable. He set Darcy’s hand back down on the covers and eyed Cecilee, hovering in the archway. She was the one who’d suggested the title of First Placement to protect Darcy while he was gone and yet this had happened with all of them around.

  Working to calm himself, Nikol had to take the blame for this. Why hadn’t he forced Lothar to act sooner? Instead, he’d rushed off to run one of his trivial errands and this was what happened in his absence.

  “How did this happen?” If her injuries came from the hands of his father, Nikol would destroy every single person connected to allowing it to happen.

  “Tseju,” Cecilee whispered in a voice soaked w
ith remorse.

  Nikol lurched to his feet. “I will kill him.”

  Chapter 30

  Nikol confronted Garmon alone at the door to his kitse. “Where is Tseju?”

  “He went for a medic.” Garmon’s gaze darted around, not meeting Nikol’s gaze.

  Anger coursed through him but Nikol needed answers first. “Why wasn’t a medic summoned immediately?”

  Folds formed between Garmon’s brows. “You have made it clear Medic Crox is not to see any of the tutanis without your express permission.”

  Nikol grabbed his shirt and slammed Garmon into the door behind him. “She is hurt! You were to protect her!”

  Garmon met his gaze evenly. “Punishment was given. Isn’t that the correct way to handle a defiant tutanis?”

  “Punishment?!” What could she have done to warrant punishment in the little time he’d been gone? Darcy had promised and Nikol refused to believe she would have lied to him. In fact, he was confident she hadn’t. There were many things between them but lying had not been a part of it.

  Breathing deeply, Nikol gritted his teeth and stared at Garmon. Tseju came running with the medic in tow before he could smash Garmon’s teeth down his throat. He flung Garmon to the side and lunged for Tseju.

  Within seconds, he had the younger guard pinned to the wall with his knife pressed to his throat. This was the one responsible for Darcy’s pain. “I warned you. Explain yourself and give me a reason you shouldn’t die.”

  “I did not know,” Tseju rushed to say, leaning his neck away from the sharp edge of the blade. “I was not told she was First Placement.”

  It was not an answer.

  “You were to guard her, not hurt her,” Nikol rasped as his hand trembled with the need to increase the pressure of the knife and end Tseju’s filthy life.

  Tseju’s breath sawed against his lungs and he lowered his gaze. The moment was frozen as Nikol’s heart pounded. For all the lives he’d ended, never had he thirsted more to act.

  Cecilee interrupted the moment. She opened the door behind them and only looked at Nikol. “Darcy is calling for you.”