For an instant, I thought someone was shaking me awake. But no, the pressure of strong muscles against my stomach, and the rough fabric scraping my bare skin, brought me back to reality. I was draped over the shoulder of my captor, his pace brisk, each step sending jolts through my aching head.
I fought to hold onto my mind, my own sense of self, but they kept slipping away, my head constantly filled by foreign thoughts. Amusement, lust, and an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction. The Courtesan bond was invading my consciousness, confusing me for now, but I knew it would in time turn me into an extension of my new owner's desires.
Then, without warning, I was tossed into a coach, landing hard on a rough wooden bench. To my surprise Cassander was already sitting opposite of me, his rapier slung over one of his lap, the sheathed blade resting between his feet, probably as sharp as his smirk.
Before I could gather my bearings, the figure that had carried me climbed in, and I found myself staring up at the tallest woman I'd ever seen. Her body was muscular and imposing, struggling to fit inside the small enclosure, cropped black hair framing a sun-worn face.
Settling into the seat beside Cassander, she knocked sharply on the coach roof, and we jolted forward, the wheels clattering over Corméliane's uneven cobbled streets. Flashes of the city passed outside: gray stone, narrow alleyways, as well as an impossible collection of colorful clothes and people.
Inside, my captors had their eyes trained right on me. The woman's were black and unwavering, filled with an indiscernible mix of emotions. Meanwhile I knew exactly that Cassander's green gaze was eagerly waiting to gauge my reaction, to enjoy our first interaction with me as his magically bound slave.
He would have to wait, I was still too stunned. For the first time in days I was wearing a skirt, a flimsy piece of white fabric tied around my waist, falling just under my knees. My hands, that were now free, save for the silver bracelet inhibiting my powers, flew up to cover my chest, in an unconscious and futile gesture. With great effort, I brought them down on my lap.
"I can't believe it, a Courtesan contract. Why'd you do that to her?" Her words, aimed at Cassander were full of anger, and spoken in a strong Imperial accent, which matched her appearance. "That was not the deal."
"Truth be told Daphne, your little Magisterium friends needed a reminder that I work with them, on my own terms. And certainly not
for
them."
His answer came in the Coastal accent I had grown accustomed to. I had recovered enough of my mind to be gutted by his admission. He had decided to bind me in the most cruel way possible simply to spite the Imperial Agents?
"It's just what they do." The three of us were surprised by my muttered outburst. "Coastal barbarians."
Cassander's smirk spread into a broad, almost gleeful smile, lighting up his handsome features. Through our bond, I felt a sudden surge of excitement.
"My mother," he began, his voice dropping into the cool, clipped tones of high Imperial nobility, "was the daughter of a Baron of the Emperor." The aristocratic disdain in his words, unmistakable and impossible to fake. The revelation startled me, explaining his dark hair and Imperial name.
He leaned closer, his gaze steady and unyielding, his voice low and mocking. "You will learn how to address your betters properly." He paused, letting the words hang before adding with a sardonic smile, "It's 'Master Barbarian' to you."
The woman, Daphne, rolled her eyes, but I caught the faintest flicker of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Despite herself, she wasn't immune to Cassander's eccentric charm. Clearly she'd spent too much time in this savage land, fawning over the man that had enslaved her fellow citizen. For his part, Cassander was shamelessly laughing at his own joke.
"Well, not much we can do about that now. Are you feeling better?" she asked, her voice softened by genuine concern. "Less foggy?"
I nodded, feeling small but somewhat comforted, and was rewarded by her warm, calloused hand gently squeezing my knee.
"I work for Leander," she then pointed her thumb towards Cassander, who was now silently observing our exchange. "I pose as a Van Lemmet guard."
It clicked in my head. The name 'Cassander Van Lemmet' and the rapier, I had heard of him before. He was a duelist of some renown, who had recently won a big trial. The entire city seemed obsessed with these violent judicial combats.
"When we get to the mansion, do you think you'll be focused enough to go back to being Lucia? No one else can know who you really are Elena."
I took a deep breath, closing my eyes, trying to find on the part of my mind that was still mine, to summon the naive Provincial girl.
"Sure, I'm ready." I answered, putting a lilted accent in my voice.
The rest of the short trip passed in silence. Cassander was gazing out the window, absorbed in his own thoughts. Through the bond, his contemplative mood bled into me, a deep unease prickling just beneath the surface of his calm exterior.
The carriage jolted with a sharp turn before coming to a stop. I heard footsteps across the roof before the door swung open to reveal a man marked by battle scars and a brash smile.
Cassander and Daphne had already stepped out by the time I shifted to leave, and the man offered his arm, his eyes lingering on my chest a moment too long. I accepted his help, swallowing the urge to pull away.
"Thank you Jason." Cassander dismissed him and took my hand, his fingers intermingling with mine. The unexpected closeness sent a faint flicker of tension through the bond, I could sense his growing hesitation. We were waiting in front of a wrought iron door, specked with rust, which creaked and groaned as Daphne opened it.
