Carmen was sat on the side of the bed. She ran the back of her hand down Liana's thigh and smiled at her. "You'll have your own room, and you'll never go hungry. There are some advantages."
"I had my own room and plenty of food back in Barodale."
"I know. But I've found it easier if you accept this life and embrace it rather than struggle at every turn. If you do as you're asked, things are simple. Yes, it's...'undesirable', at times, but if you resist, you end up worse off. The Duke is a sick, twisted man, that's no secret, but at least he's not easily driven to violence. If you don't play by the rules, it brings out his darker side. I'd rather the devil I know."
Liana sat up on the bed. She was still unclothed but felt at ease with Carmen. "Have you ever tried to escape?"
"Early on, yes." I was beaten and sent to the dogs.
"Dogs?"
Carmen's face showed little emotion. "Yes. The Duke has a reptile house. He keeps all manner of abominations there including a pack of dogs - well lizard-dogs I suppose they are. Scaled things, huge like hunting mastiffs. Very powerful."
"But you're here?" said Liana standing up. She walked over to Carmen and took her hands. "They didn't kill you?"
"Oh no," a dark shadow crossed Carmen's face. A fleeting memory that had been beaten back into the darkness. "They don't attack, they..."
Liana believed she understood and nodded.
"The Duke likes to watch. He has a room which looks over their cage. When they're all finished, the punishment is over. I've never tried anything since. It's easier that way."
Liana drew her closer and pulled Carmen's head into her chest.
They stayed that way while the shadows inched across the room.
Carmen stepped back, their eyes met again. "I'm glad you're here."
Liana managed a twisted smile. "I suppose if I have to be here, then I couldn't wish for better company."
"We need to dress you. Come on, this way."
Carmen led the way through a low doorway into a long room lined with tall cupboards.
"These are our clothes, they may not all fit you, but there is a seamstress who will make adjustments. The duke requested something from the 'special' selection which means that he is planning something with you tonight. The alchemist will be preparing you some brews as well, one to prevent you bearing child and another one to aid your recovery. Those who come here have often ended up in...uh...poor health, shall we say, and the Duke likes us healthy."
"Will he beat us?"
"No, not usually, but...well, it's best not to dwell on it. It might not happen."
Carmen opened the door of a broad oak cupboard to reveal several hangers draped with straps, buckles, chains and pieces of dark leather.
She lifted a hanger off the rack and held it up. "He enjoys his new arrivals dressed this way. This one should fit you. Put it on and meet me in the hall outside my room. I will go and get the alchemist's brews. Please don't try to escape; it won't work and will likely send both of us to the dogs. Oh, and look in the third cupboard along - you'll find boots in there."
Liana took the offered clothes and watched Carmen's naked form leave the room. She sighed and looked at the items dangling from the hanger. What had happened? Just a few days back she was eating stew around the table, arguing with her father about marriage. Now she was locked in a castle with a bloated deviant, scared to do anything wrong in case she was given to a pack of sex-starved animals.
Carmen was right, focus on the moment. At present everything was okay. She felt a lot better after the food and although thoughts of her family plagued her, she knew that dwelling on them did no one any good. Right now she had to survive and if Carmen was speaking the truth, the best course of action was to comply until an opportunity arose, and when it did she'd grab it with both hands.
The outfit seemed the correct size though it was more lingerie than clothing. She started by putting on a tiny black leather top which pushed her chest together making it look twice the size it was. Then black underwear - there was very little cloth and it slipped between her cheeks leaving nothing to cover her arse. Slim buckled straps hung down and clipped onto garters which fitted snugly around her thighs. She pulled on a pair of black silk elbow-length gloves and finished by clipping a choker around her neck. Something was missing - the boots. She picked out a pair of knee-high black ones with rows of laces down the front.
Liana looked herself up and down in the mirror. It was a striking look and one that hopefully would please the Duke. At this point, if she could make a good impression, it would make it all the easier to gain his trust and that was essential if she was to escape.
Liana picked up a hairbrush from the dressing table. Her hair was still damp from the bath but Carmen's oils had restored its lustre and it fell straight and smooth down her back. She wondered if perhaps Carmen might have time to braid it but she doubted the Duke would notice.
After another turn into the mirror to check her back, she headed through Carmen's room and into the hall. A guard in chain mail sat on a bench. He looked up as Liana entered and seemed to temporarily lose the power of speech. His eyes swam over her, taking in every curve.
"Problem?"
"Um. No Miss. Sorry."
Carmen, now dressed in a slim blue skirt and a white low cut blouse, turned into the corridor carrying a tray. Her eyes widened when she saw Liana and beckoned her over.
"I have seen many women wear that clothing, but no-one has ever made it look so...perefect."
Liana looked down at herself.
