Hey guys, I'm sorry this took so long. For some reason I've been having trouble with my muse, so I've kinda been bouncing between multiple projects trying to get it back. I wanted this chapter to be longer, but I got it to a good stopping point, so I decided to go ahead and post. I'm already working on the next chapter, and I promise it will be submitted in a week.
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I woke up disoriented and with a hole in my stomach. My memories came back slowly as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. Trying not to cry, I rolled over and shoved a pillow over my face, screaming into it until my throat started to hurt. Feeling a little better, a little calmer, I sat up and looked around the room. It really was awful, everything made of light wood and pastel shades of yellow and pink. Feminine, but in a disgustingly girly way.
Something stood out though, something black on the end of my bed, drawing my eyes towards it. It took a moment, but as soon as I recognized the object I threw myself at it, tucking it against my body.
"Thank goodness." I drew on my leather jacket, hugging it tight to me. It was familiar, mine, something from my world. It had a soothing effect, allowing me to drag myself out of bed and explore the room. There was a full length mirror on one wall, which I avoided. I probably looked awful at the moment.
There wasn't time to really look at anything else before the door swung open. "Pardon me, miss," a young woman said, walking in as I turned around.
"Uh, hi."
"You slept through lunch, miss, but it's approaching dinner time. The master thought you might like a bath before eating."
Master. The word left a sour taste in my mouth, and I scowled. "Are you a slave too?"
She watched me, eyes wide with surprise. "Slave? No miss! I'm employed as a maid for the master. I'm free to come and go as I please. For now, he has ordered me to take care of you."
My stomach growled, echoing through the room and making the girl laugh. "I'll hurry and bring your bath so you can get to dinner." She disappeared before I could ask her anything, leaving me with my thoughts.
"Great." I dropped down onto the bed, staring listlessly at the door. Being difficult was, well, difficult. And tiring. I decided it would be best for me to just roll with the punches for a little while. Which meant playing nice with this new master. I laughed. Well, as nice as I'm capable of.
I grew somber then, biting my lip. Anthony. That was the name of the man who owned me.
He was attractive, that was for sure. In any other situation, I'd be all over the idea of playing with him. There was just something about the way he had remained cool and collected, even when calling me degrading names and spanking my ass. It sent little shivers down my spine just thinking about it. And contrasted against Drell's playfulness and quick temper? I shifted, uncomfortably turned on at this point.
I jumped off the bed and paced across the room, running a frustrated hand through my hair.
They were both attractive men, to say the least. I still hadn't gotten a good look at Anthony, but I knew he was tall, though not as tall as Drell, who had to be 6'2" at least. And where Drell was broad and noticeably muscular, Anthony was lean and had more of a swimmer's build. The package they made together in my head made me want to-
"Argh! Stop it! They're not men who flirted with you in a bar, they're despicable bastards who bought and sold you!" I redirected my arousal into rage and swung around to slam my fist into the wall, startling the maid who had just entered. She was followed by men carrying buckets of steaming water.
They poured the water into a metal tub I hadn't noticed before and left without a word, the maid looking a little frightened.
"Well that's a lovely first impression Alanna," I muttered, slinging my jacket onto the floor and struggling to pull this damn dress over my head. I flung it finally into the corner of the room with a victorious cry.
My body slumped into the water, warmth slowly sinking into my bones and muscles, sapping away any energy I had left to be angry. It was fucking awesome.
I must have fallen asleep at some point, because the next thing I knew, the maid was back, watching me like I might bite.
"I'm here to wash your hair, miss," she said, not meeting my eyes.
I reached out to take one of her hands. "I'm really sorry if I startled or scared you. I lose my temper sometimes, but I promise I'm usually pretty laid back. I'm just... I'm off balance. I just became a slave a week ago."
The maide quietly listened to my apology, smiling softly at me when I finished. "I forgive you. Your situation is not desirable, but I promise you will be alright here. I'm sorry for being so easily frightened. It's a trait of my species."
I looked her over, startled. She looked perfectly human to me. "What are you? Or is that rude to ask?" She laughed, moving behind me to wash my hair. I didn't protest, partially because I didn't have any energy, and partially because her hands felt really fucking nice in my hair.
"It's not rude, miss. I'm a Seraldi fae. As a general rule, we enjoy taking care of people, so we often become maids, nurses, governessess. Our men take on similar positions." She rinsed my hair, doing an excellent job of keeping the soap out of my eyes. "I've been informed that where you're from is populated only by humans." I could hear the confusion in her voice, but she didn't ask about it. "So any time you have questions about various species or customs, please don't hesitate to ask. And if there is anything else you need, miss, please do the same." Her smile was kind, and the warmth in it almost made me cry.
"One favor then. Please call me Alanna. All this 'miss' business makes me feel weird."
"Alanna then." She handed me a bar of soap, informing me that I should finish bathing and that there was a dress laid out on the bed, and that she would return in half an hour to help me dress and take me to dinner. I thanked her, and she was gone.
Nearly half an hour later, I heard someone enter the room. "Hey, you know, I forgot to ask your name before," I said, assuming it was the maid but not bothering to look.
"You can call me Sir. Or Master. Either works really."
I gasped, jumping to my feet and spinning, nearly falling flat on my ass. "I-I thought you were the maid."
He laughed, the sound sliding seductively over my body. Speaking of, I realized quickly that said body was completely naked, and I tried to hide myself behind my hands, a bright blush spreading across my cheeks. He laughed again, louder, striding towards me.
