Hi guys. I'm so sorry this chapter took so long, but I kinda lost my muse for a bit. Anyways, sexy times in this chapter, which means I can get the ball rolling on more. ;) Almost done with the plot build up for a bit, so once everyone is settled, I'll be taking suggestions for possible scenarios. Hope you enjoy!
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The next couple of days were interesting to say the least. I discovered that the captain, who insisted I call him Drell, was actually a fairly agreeable person when he wasn't capturing people to sell them into slavery. Being angry and difficult all the time was exhausting, and it wasn't getting me anywhere, so I dropped it quickly. I learned that Drell had a wicked sense of humor, and had mastered sarcasm to a level that rivaled my own. He was also very handsy, taking advantage of both our sleeping arrangements and our shared horse. I think I spent our three days of travel in a near constant state of arousal.
I didn't ask questions though, despite my curiosity. Not about this world, nor the creatures in it. I was so strung out about being a slave that I couldn't bear to think about anything else without having a breakdown. And I was so desperately tired of crying.
The morning of our fourth day together, we approached a huge, sprawling city. "This is the capital city, Darova. The castle in the center is where the royal family resides," Drell explained as we made our way through what looked like a marketplace. "The king died recently, so everyone is scrambling to find the heir."
"Has he been kidnapped?" I asked, unable to deny my curiosity any longer.
"Something like that." He didn't say any more on the topic, and I didn't push.
We approached a large gate built into an even larger wall. Through the gate I could see beautiful buildings and even more beautiful people. I looked everywhere in awe as we made our way through the streets. It appeared to be comprised almost entirely of homes, each more elegant and expensive looking than last.
"You might want to close your mouth. I think you're drooling," Drell murmured in my ear. I turned slightly to glare at him. "This is the upper city. Nobles live here, along with the rich merchants. Most of the nobles have their own estates elsewhere, but everyone keeps a home in the city, to stay a part of society. Very upper class and elite."
"I'm assuming the man you're selling me to lives here?" I asked, unable to keep the loathing out of my voice.
"Yes," he replied, pinching my side. "And you'll be respectful. He's a good man, and you will do well with him."
"He's buying a slave, how good of a man can he be?" I snapped, turning to glare at him more firmly. His response was to dismount and drag me roughly from the horse. While I had been glaring at him, we'd entered the gated lawn of one of the houses.
"Look, humans here aren't considered people, you're considered property. So if I hadn't captured you, someone else would have. Someone else would be selling you, and someone else would be buying you. Your new owner is a good man, and he is infinitely better than almost anyone else you could have ended up with." Drell's hands were firmly on my shoulders, forcing me to look at him as he spoke.
"And you?" I asked quietly. "Do you consider humans people, or property?"
He was quiet for a moment. "I don't know," he finally admitted. "Before you, I'd never had a conversation with one."
While my mind processed that, a man approached, a boy following close on his heels. My first guess was that they were probably servants. "Always good to see you, Drell," the man said with a smile. "John, take this horse back to the stable. Drell, please follow me." The man turned and led the way into the house, Drell following with a firm hand on my arm.
We were shown to a sitting room and informed that the Master would be with us shortly. I paced around the room anxiously, occasionally picking up one of the books on the table and glancing at it, before putting it back. I'm not even sure if I was reading the titles, I just needed something to do with my hands.
Drell watched my from where he sat sprawled on a comfortable looking red couch. He opened his mouth to say something when the door opened and a new man walked in. "Anthony!" Drell exclaimed, pushing himself to his feet. "So good to see you again!"
"It's only been a week since you were here," the man replied dryly. I stared at my feet, unwilling to look at the man who had bought me.
"Yes, but a week feels like forever when I'm apart from you," Drell replied in a simpering voice. I shifted, a little startled. I hadn't realized that Drell had that kind of relationship with this man.
"Drell, I don't understand why you feel the need to act as if we're lovers." Oh. So not that kind of relationship.
"Because it flusters you, and I'm hoping that one day you will realize you are attracted to men, and will fall passionately into my- ow!" I struggled to keep from laughing. The men had a similar dynamic as my best friend and I. The thought that I might never see her again struck me hard, and I scrubbed at the tears forming in my eyes. I would not cry in front of this man.
I must have missed part of their conversation, because the next thing I knew there were two pairs of shoes in my line of sight.
"So this is the girl you were telling me about. She seems quite demure, not at all the firebrand you were describing." The man's voice was a pleasant tenor, rippling across my skin and sending a shiver down my spine. It made an intoxicating counterpoint to Drell's rumbling bass.
"You'll see," Drell replied with an ominous tone.
Fingers pressed under my chin, gently tugging my chin up. With a deep breath, I allowed it, determined to show no signs of weakness to this man.
When I met his eyes, all thoughts scattered from my head. They were the clearest blue I had ever seen, and I could feel them piercing me. They were familiar, but I couldn't place why. After a moment, it hit me and I gasped, stumbling away from him. The pair watched me, surprise clear on their faces.
This was the man from my dream. I had seen him every night, the exact same scene, always waking up before he could speak.
Drell was beside me then, looking torn between worry and annoyance. "I told you to be good," he grumbled with no real heat behind it. "Calm down, it's alright."
