Chapter 13

 

“So how do we know if we passed?” Craig asked.

Lloyd shrugged before tearing a piece from the blue bun he was holding and shoving it into his mouth. “If you got a stiffy and shot some of your boys out last night during the testing then you passed.”

“Are you serious?” Kyle said. “That’s all you had to do to pass?”

“Well it ain’t like they got microscopes to see if your boys are swimming, do they?” Lloyd said with a laugh. He took a swig of water and wiped his mouth. “Maybe Naveen does some hocus-pocus shit to it. I don’t really know. But as long as I’ve been here if a guy blew his wad during testing he passed.”

“Have there been guys who haven’t?” Gage asked. He was sitting next to Silas at the table and he grinned cheerfully at his brother. Based on Gage’s mood Silas had a fairly good idea who had tested him last night.

“There was one since I’ve been here,” Lloyd said. “Couldn’t shoot his load no matter how hard they yanked him. Hell, he couldn’t even get his tent to pitch.”

“What did they do to him?” Kyle asked apprehensively.

“They kept him for a couple of months, used him for manual labour like the rest of us and tried pullin’ his tallywacker on a weekly basis. Rumour is that he never busted a nut once so eventually they traded him.”

“Traded him to who?” Gage asked.

Lloyd shrugged again. “Just one of the traders. Don’t know for sure what happened to him after that but I overheard one of the warrior ladies talkin’ to another chick and she said he’d be sold to another clan.”

He swallowed a large piece of pork before studying Evan. “Who popped your weasel last night?”

“She said her name was Dora,” Evan replied. “She was nice.”

Lloyd laughed loudly. “Dora works in the castle and she’s got a face like a dog lickin’ piss off a nettle. She’s one of the rare ugly ones in the clan.”

Evan flushed. “It was dark. I never saw her face.”

“Lucky for you,” Lloyd said. “You’da never got your general to stand if you’d seen it.”

There was a grunt of disgust from Vida who was sitting on the left side of Silas. “Show more respect to Dora or I will remove your tongue.”

Lloyd paled and took a quick look at the others. “All right, all right there, big fella. No need to get testy. I didn’t know you had such a hard-on for her.”

He cleared his throat before nudging Steve. “Who’d you get?”

Silas tuned out Steve’s reply as Vida scowled at him. “I dislike that human very much.”

“Are you – do you have a relationship with Dora?” Silas asked.

Vida shook his head. “Breeders do not have relationships with the females of this clan. But I have been with Dora a few times and she is sweet and kind-natured. Do you believe because she is ugly that the human should be allowed to treat her so disrespectfully?”

His big hands were curling into fists and Silas shook his head hastily. “No, of course not.”

“Good.” Vida relaxed his hands before biting into a purple piece of fruit. At least Silas thought it was fruit. He had tried it yesterday and it had a slightly grainy taste and reminded him vaguely of pears.

“Silas, who did you get?”

He glanced at Lloyd. “Don’t know, she never said.”

“Never said?” Lloyd frowned at him. “Did she talk?”

“Not a word.”

“That’s real weird. I ain’t never heard of a woman refusing to talk during testing. Hell, in my test I had Fionn and let me tell you – that girl’s got a filthy mouth. I almost shot my wad just from the shit she was whisperin’ in my ear.”

“Mine didn’t say anything either,” Gage said quickly.

“You serious?” Lloyd asked.

Gage nodded and Lloyd shook his head. “That’s some weird fuckin’ shit right there.”

“Five minutes,” one of the guards suddenly called.

Lloyd popped the last piece of pork into his mouth before standing. “Well, boys, looks like your vacation is over. You’ll be put to work with the rest of us.”

 

* * *

 

“Shoveling shit?” Craig moaned. “I’m getting my degree in engineering and I’m shoveling pig shit?”

“Could be worse,” Vida grunted. “You could be cleaning the pits.”

“What are the pits?” Silas asked as he pushed past one of the large hogs and tossed the shovel of manure into the wheelbarrow. He studied both the shovel and the wheelbarrow, surprised all over again at how many things in this world were similar to their own.

“Where the human waste from the castle and other buildings collects,” Vida said. A small grin crossed his face. “I believe the babbling idiot human is cleaning it today.”

Craig lightly slapped a pig on the hindquarters. It squealed angrily and took off across the pen. “You know what? Cleaning out the pig shit is just fine with me.”

Silas grinned a little before throwing another shovelful of manure into the wheelbarrow. He stuck his shovel into the ground and stared thoughtfully at the forest beyond the pen. The clan kept two extremely large pens with simple shelters against the elements just outside of the walls. The one they were currently standing in had at least a hundred pigs, maybe more. The second one was smaller and it had a herd of about twenty large, shaggy-haired creatures. One lifted its snout to the sky and made a sound that was half-moo and half-bellow. He nudged Vida. “Those are the graffins, right?”

Vida nodded. “Stupid creatures but the humans here use their bodily fluids in the most creative ways. They give it to the young ones to drink and they make a rubbery substance that is rather tasty.”

“Cheese,” Craig said absently as he shoveled shit. “In our world it’s called cheese.”

“Cheese,” Vida repeated slowly. “I enjoy the taste of cheese very much.”

Silas continued to stare at the forest as one of the guards standing outside the pen frowned at him. “Back to work, breeder.”

“There is no point in thinking of escape,” Vida said to him in a low voice. “They would catch you and even if they didn’t, you wouldn’t survive long. The forest is full of strange creatures.”

Silas decided he was probably right. If Quinn was telling him the truth, he was almost killed by a naked woman no bigger than his finger. He picked up another shovelful of manure as Vida winced.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Vida replied shortly. He rubbed at one of the horns growing out of his temple as Silas gave him a once over. The big man’s blue skin was looking cracked and irritated and his eyes were bloodshot. There were deep grooves in the skin around his eyes and his thick hair and horns looked dull. Silas could feel heat radiating from him in a slow wave.

“Are you sick?”

“No.”

“You look sick.”

“I’m not.”

“Vida?”

Silas’ head snapped up at the sound of Quinn’s voice. She was standing just outside of the pen, dressed in a plain white shirt and leather pants. Her dark hair was braided and she held her sword loosely at her side.

“Good morning, massina,” Silas said.

She ignored him and continued to stare at the blue man beside him. “It’s time.”

A look of relief crossed Vida’s face and he stuck the shovel into the ground and hurried across the pen to the gate. Silas followed him and pretended to shovel as he strained to hear their conversation.

Quinn was studying Vida and she touched the dry, scaly skin on his forearm. “I should have taken you yesterday. I’m sorry, Vida.”

Vida shrugged. “You needed time to heal. Do you feel better, massina?”

He eyed Quinn’s body with obvious appreciation and Silas tried to ignore his immediate jealousy. He liked Vida well enough but he didn’t like the way he was looking at his woman.

Quinn’s not your woman. Stop thinking that way, idiot.

He drifted a little closer as Quinn favoured Vida with a rare smile. “I’m fine, Vida.”

“I am glad to hear it, massina,” Vida said in a low, seductive voice. “If there is anything I can do to help you heal do not hesitate to tell me.”

More jealousy flooded through Silas and he scowled at Vida’s back.

“That’s kind of you,” Quinn said. Without looking at Silas, she said, “Is there something you wanted, danen?”

“No,” Silas said as Vida glanced over his shoulder at him.

“Then get back to work or I’ll have them move you and your shovel to the pits,” Quinn said coolly.

She opened the gate and Vida followed her out of the pen. Silas watched as she and two other women took Vida past the graffin pen and toward the river. When they reached the edge of it Vida stripped out of his clothes. The two women immediately glowed brightly at the sight of his naked body. Silas was slightly mollified by the fact that Quinn didn’t glow at all.

She doesn’t glow for you either.

He ignored his inner voice as Vida dived into the river.

“What’s he doing?” Craig wandered over and stared curiously at Vida.

“Swimming,” Silas said.

“Get back to work.” One of the guards watching them reached over the fence and prodded Craig in the arm.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said before saluting her.

She grinned a little and Craig winked at her. She began to glow softly and gave his body a slow perusal. “I find you handsome, breeder. Perhaps I will bid on you at the claiming ceremony tomorrow night.”

Craig leaned against the fence. “I don’t have a problem with that.”

She laughed and touched his arm again. This time she let her hand linger on his biceps and Silas rolled his eyes when Craig flexed his arm. He burst into loud laughter when the woman shrugged before flexing her own arm. Her muscles bulged and Craig blushed lightly when she said, “I don’t mind fucking breeders who are not as strong as me.”

Silas laughed again and Craig gave him a dirty look before glancing at the river again. “Why are you letting him swim in the river?”

“The blue breeder needs water to live. Without it he’ll die,” the woman replied.

“Why doesn’t he just swim to freedom?” Craig said in a low voice to Silas.

“Why would he?” The woman asked. “He is treated very well here and even one as big as he is would not survive alone in the forest. Now, continue with your work or when the massina returns she’ll move you both to the pits to clean.”

 

* * *

 

“You know, this really isn’t all that bad,” Evan said cheerfully as he sank into the steaming water.

“Speak for yourself,” Craig said from the tub next to him. He sniffed at his armpit before grabbing the soap and rubbing it vigorously over his skin. “You didn’t have to clean up pig shit all day.”

“Hey, it wasn’t exactly easy weeding the crops,” Evan replied. “Most of their weeds have these thorns that are as big as my thumbs. Dora gave me leather gloves but I still got stuck a few times. Hurt like a son of a bitch.

“So you saw Dora, huh?” Gage said. “Is she as ugly as Lloyd said?”

Evan shrugged. “She’s not gorgeous or anything but she’s sweet. She said she was going to bid on me at the claiming ceremony and ask one of the queen’s guard to fight on her behalf. I’m cool with it.”

Gage glanced at Silas. “You’re quiet.”

“Just tired,” Silas said.

Just before dinner, about half the men had been led from the common room to what was obviously a communal bathing room. A dozen metal tubs were lined up in two neat rows of six. There were no faucets but each tub had a hole plugged with a small metal piece of rod. Below each hole in the tub there was a larger hole in the floor. Each tub was filled with steaming hot water and all of the men had stripped eagerly and climbed into a tub.

“Lutan, will the other men bathe after we’re done?” Craig asked the man in the tub beside him.

The dark-haired man shook his head. “Nah, they’re the breeders this month so they have a bath every morning. If we’re not breeding they only let us bathe every couple of days. Except for Vida. He gets a bath every day. He didn’t used to but the massina made a special rule for him. She also convinced the queen to let him go swimming in the river once a week. He swims unbelievably fast. I thought for sure he’d try to escape but he never has. Between you and me, I think the massina has a thing for the blue guy. She’s always getting him special treatment.”

Ignoring his jealousy, Silas stared at the tub to his right. Vida had climbed in about ten minutes ago, submerged completely in the water and hadn’t reappeared since.

“I thought the massina didn’t sleep with the breeders,” Gage said with a quick look at Silas.

“She never bids at the claiming ceremony,” Lutan said, “but I think she gets up to it with Vida even though it’s against the rules. They’re just really careful not to get caught.”

“Why does he get to go swimming and bathe every day?” Evan asked curiously.

“He needs the water,” Lutan replied. “He gets all cracked looking and dries out like a croken in the sun if he doesn’t.”

“Croken?” Evan said.

“It’s a sea creature,” the man said. “Shaped like a star. You don’t have them where you’re from?”

“Maybe,” Evan replied, “but if it’s the same thing we call them starfish. What was your world like?”

Lutan shrugged. “Much more advanced than this one but at least they don’t have vampires.”

“Vampires?” Steve said. He sat up in the water and leaned forward. “You have vampires on your world? Like creatures with fangs that drink blood?”

“Yes. You have them too?” The man said.

“No. They’re just a myth in our world. A made-up creature to scare people.”

Lutan sunk lower into the water as he shuddered noticeably. “They were real on our world. Horrible creatures and their numbers were outgrowing ours. Pretty soon there won’t be any humans left for them to feed from. I’ve been here for nearly four years. For all I know it could have happened already.”

“I guess you’re glad to be in this world instead of yours,” Evan said.

The man shrugged. “Yes and no. I miss my family. I didn’t have a wife but I was close to my mom and dad. Of course, if I hadn’t been sucked into that orb I would have been dead anyway.”

“What do you mean?” Gage asked.

“I was being fed on by a vampire when the light appeared and sucked us both in.”

“A vampire got sucked into this world?” Craig stopped scrubbing his upper body and stared wide-eyed at the man. “You’re kidding me.”

“No. Spit us out into the same field I imagine it spit you into. The vampire was lying dazed a few feet away from me and I took off running for the trees. He caught up to me just at the treeline and started feeding again. That was when the massina and the others showed up.”

Silas paused in washing his face. “Quinn was there?”

The man nodded. “The queen always sends the massina to the orb.”

“What happened?” Silas asked.

“The vampire attacked one of the women – I think it might have been Medina or Fionn, maybe – and the others started stabbing it with their swords. It didn’t help because they weren’t hitting his heart. He was throwing them around like they were rag dolls. I think he might have even killed one of them. It’s how the massina got that big scar on her leg. The vampire dug his nails into her and tore her leg wide open before throwing her into the trees. He had Dacia pinned up against a tree and was about to tear her throat open with his nails when the massina just limped up behind him with blood gushing out of her leg. She shoved her dagger into his back and right through his heart. He burst into ash and the other women started freaking out but the massina didn’t. It was like she knew what a vampire was and how to kill it even though the other women didn’t.”

“Maybe she’s from your world,” Silas said slowly as a light bulb went off in his head.

“She isn’t,” Lutan said. “She’s from this world.”

“How do you know for sure?” Silas asked.

“A few of the women I’ve slept with have told me she is,” Lutan said.

“Maybe they were lying.”

“Why would they?” Lutan gave him a puzzled look.

Before Silas could reply, Vida popped up from the water and reclined against the back of the tub. He grinned happily at Silas, his fangs gleaming in the candlelight. His blue skin was back to its smooth appearance and he radiated an aura of strength and health.

“You look better,” Silas said grouchily. His jealousy over the thought that Quinn might be fucking Vida was overruling his idea of a friendship with the big man.

“Thank you, big human,” Vida said. “I feel delightful.”

Gage and the others laughed as Silas grunted in reply before quickly finishing bathing. It was stupid to be jealous of Vida. Even if the man was fucking Quinn he hadn’t done anything wrong. Silas had no say in what Quinn did. It wasn’t like she was his damn girlfriend or something.

Maybe she glows for Vida.

Jealousy reared its ugly head again and Silas glared at Vida. The man gave him a cool look in return. “Is there something wrong, big human?”

“No,” Silas said. He was tempted to try and force Vida to tell him if he was fucking Quinn, but he had a feeling it was a battle he would lose and lose quickly. Lloyd had said that Vida was a pacifist but who knew what he would do if pushed to anger.

The door to the bathing room opened and a small and slender woman entered the room. She glanced at the men in their tubs and turned a brilliant shade of red before beginning to glow so brightly that Silas had to squint against the light.

One of the guards spoke sharply to her and she blushed again before looking at the floor. As her glow dimmed she spoke quietly to the guard closest to her. The guard nodded and with a final glance at the bathing men, the woman left the room.

“Danens,” the guard approached the tubs and pointed to Silas and Vida, “hurry and finish bathing and then follow me.”

“Why?” Silas asked.

“You’re dining with the queen tonight.”

 

* * *

 

Quinn paced nervously in the large dining room of the castle. The queen had sent her a message instructing her to bathe and dress for dinner with her. She ran her hands nervously over the blue silk of her gown. It hugged her full breasts and flowed over her hips to brush gently against the floor. She knew it fit her well but she wished she was wearing her usual battle outfit. She felt uneasy wearing the dress and she missed her sword. She touched the comforting bulk of her dagger hidden in the pocket. She was never unarmed around the queen. It was foolish not to be.

She continued to pace and wondered why the queen requested her presence. There was a time when she dined nightly with the queen but over the last few years that had gradually ceased to once or twice a month. She sighed softly and stared at the flickering flames in the giant fireplace that dominated the room. She should have murdered the woman then. Their dinners together were often just her and the queen while they discussed the day-to-day running of the clan and battle strategies, and it would have been the perfect opportunity. The queen was growing older but so was she and many mornings there were aches in her body that weren’t there even two years ago.

You haven’t done it because you don’t want Kila to hate you.

Her back was aching miserably and she rubbed lightly at the bruised and swollen flesh. She loved Kila and thought of her as her daughter. It was foolish to deny that she was worried Kila would hate her for murdering her mother. Of course she would hate her. The queen was cruel and that cruelty often extended to her own daughter but she was still Kila’s mother.

What about Kevin? You loved him too, remember? The queen slit your husband’s throat without a second thought and you’re worried that Kila will hate you for avenging his death? Who fucking cares? Kila is not your daughter and never will be. Besides, not two days ago Kila told you she hated her mother. Do what you vowed to do nearly a decade ago and kill that bitch.

She took a deep breath. Her inner voice was right. She needed to take her revenge now. If she didn’t, the queen would take Silas and she would never –

So now this is about Silas instead of Kevin? Garna, Quinn, what is wrong with you? Kevin was your husband and Silas is some guy you fucked once. Get your fucking priorities straight.

Her stomach churned. She was killing the queen for Kevin, not to stop her from fucking Silas. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if she could convince Silas to leave with her once she killed the queen.

Leave? Why would you leave? Kill the queen and take her place as ruler.

She laughed bitterly. She had no desire to be queen. It was Kila’s reign to take, not hers. Besides, the chance of walking out of here alive after murdering the queen was slim. Her own clan might fear and loathe her but not even they would take the murdering of their queen lightly.

Are you sure? This queen took the throne through violence and murder.

That was true but Quinn wasn’t interested in slaughtering all those who opposed her. She wanted the queen’s death but not the chaos it would undoubtedly cause if she stuck around after. No, it was best to murder her and then slip quietly away. She would live in the forest until an orb appeared. She would let the light take her to another world and forget completely about this one.

You would forget Kila and Naveen? Silas?

The door opened and she stared in surprise when Silas and Vida walked into the room.

“Quinn? What are you doing here?” Silas asked.

“What are you doing here?” She replied.

“Dining with the queen, apparently,” Silas said.

“Hello, massina. How are you feeling this evening?” Vida asked. He stepped closer to her and she groaned inwardly when Silas noticeably stiffened.

“Fine,” she said shortly. She was lying. Her back was really throbbing tonight. She had skipped her dose of pain medicine. While it helped with pain it also made her feel a bit dull and slow-witted. There was no way in hell she was taking it when she was going to be around the queen.

“You’re pale,” Vida said.

“I’m fine,” she repeated.

The door opened again and Kila and the queen entered the room. Quinn automatically dropped to one knee as Vida did the same beside her. After a moment, Silas followed.

“Rise,” the queen said.

She studied the three of them before smiling. As always the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Come, let us sit together.”

They followed her to the large table. She sat gracefully at the head of the table as Kila and Quinn sat on her left and her right. Vida took the seat beside Quinn and Silas frowned before sitting next to Kila.

She gave him a tentative smile. “Hello, danen.”

“Hello, princess,” he said politely. “How are you this evening?”

“Very well, thank you.”

Five women entered carrying large platters of food. They set them on the table as a sixth woman poured wine into their glasses. When they retreated, the queen lifted her glass. “To a successful clan, healthy children, and,” her cold eyes travelled over Silas’ face, “new breeders.”

The others dutifully lifted their glasses before drinking the wine. Quinn took a tiny sip before setting her glass down. The wine on this world was very potent and she needed to keep her wits when with the queen.

“Tell me, danen,” the queen said as they began to eat, “are you enjoying your new life?”

“Yes,” Silas said. He winced – Quinn had the feeling that Kila just kicked him - and added, “my Queen.”

“Good. You have been treated well by the clan?”

“Very well, my Queen.”

“We are the largest clan in the province. You are lucky that we took you from the orb,” the queen said.

Silas didn’t reply and the queen smiled at Vida. “You are looking well, Vida.”

“You grow more beautiful by the day, my Queen,” Vida said.

She laughed, a cold sound that sent shivers down Quinn’s back. “Thank you, Vida. Are you trying to earn a place in my bed this evening?”

“It is a great honour to be in your bed, my Queen,” Vida replied.

The queen studied him. “You do please me well when we are fucking.” Her gaze slid to Silas. “Of course, I am eager to see what the new danen will do for me.”

Quinn’s hand tightened around her knife and she stared grimly at her untouched plate of food. She knew the queen would take Silas but to hear her say it sent waves of jealousy over her.

“What do you think, danen? Would you like to fuck me?”

Silas glanced at Kila and the queen arched her eyebrow at him. “You think ill of me for speaking of such things in front of my daughter?”

“No, my Queen,” Silas replied.

“You do. I can see it. Kila may be young but she knows well of my appetite for sex. It is not something to be hidden or ashamed of. Is it, my child?”

“No, mother,” Kila said.

“Perhaps I will give you to Kila for the claiming ceremony, danen,” the queen said thoughtfully. “It is her first claiming ceremony and I’m sure she would enjoy having a danen like you between her legs for her first time.”

Kila flushed and cleared her throat. “That is kind of you, mother, but I believe I would prefer someone,” she paused, “smaller for my first time.”

Her mother laughed loudly. “Perhaps that is wise. I would imagine the danen’s cock is as big as the rest of him.”

She touched Kila’s hand in a loving caress. “May I suggest you do not choose Vida then. His cock is the largest I’ve ever seen.”

She smiled at Vida who said, “You flatter me, my Queen.”

“Have you decided who you will bid on, child?” The queen asked Kila.

Kila shrugged. “Not yet.” She glanced quickly at Quinn. “Maybe I will try one of the new breeders.”

The queen frowned. “That may not be wise, child. They are untested. You want your first time to be memorable. Perhaps go with a breeder who has been proven to please a woman.”

“Perhaps,” Kila said noncommittally.

“Quinn, you’re quiet this evening,” the queen said.

“Just enjoying the delicious meal, my Queen,” Quinn said.

“How is your back?”

“Nearly healed, my Queen,” Quinn lied.

“I doubt that, massina. Akia was brutal in her punishment. But you deserved it. Did you not?”

“Yes, my Queen.”

“You never did thank me,” the queen said.

A muscle ticking rapidly in her jaw, Quinn cleared her throat. “Thank you, my Queen, for showing me the error I made in disobeying you.”

“You’re welcome, massina,” the queen said. They ate in silence for the rest of the meal. Quinn forced a few bites past the pinhole her throat had become. When the castle servants returned to clear their plates, she threw her napkin over the uneaten food and took another small sip of wine.

The queen held up her glass and studied the red liquid in the candle light before smiling at Silas. “Did you have a mate or young ones in your world?”

“No, my Queen,” Silas said.

“Naveen tells me that you provided a large sample of seed. Why did you not breed in your world?”

“I hadn’t found anyone I wanted to breed with,” Silas said.

The queen laughed. “In this clan it matters not if you want to breed. You are mine to do as I wish and I wish for you to breed. Do you understand?”

Silas stared at her for a long moment and Quinn was just about to give him her own kick under the table when he nodded and said, “Yes, my Queen.”

“Good. Tell me, do you please women when you’re fucking them?”

“I haven’t had any complaints,” Silas said shortly.

Quinn put her hands in her lap and clenched them into tight fists as the queen said, “I am very particular, danen. Perhaps I will take you to my bed tonight and see what you can do.”

“My Queen,” Quinn said in a low voice, “the rule is to wait for the claiming ceremony.”

“I am well aware of that, massina,” the queen said in an icy voice. “But I am the queen.”

“You are,” Quinn said, “and your people look to you. What will they think if you do not follow the same rules that govern them?”

The queen slammed her fist down on the table and Kila made a low noise of fear as her mother snarled, “I am the queen and I will do what I want. Do you hear me, Quinn?”

Quinn stared steadily at her, the muscle still ticking in her jaw. “If a queen does not follow the rules that she has put in place, why should she expect her people to follow them?”

“Massina, stop,” Kila said in a horrified little voice as the queen rose to her feet.

“Do you seek further punishment, massina? Is that it?”

“No, my Queen,” Quinn said.

The queen turned and threw her wine glass into the fire. It exploded and Kila flinched as her mother stared into the flames. After a few seconds the queen relaxed and returned to her seat. She smiled serenely at Quinn. “Perhaps you are right, massina. Perhaps a queen rules best when she follows the same rules as her people.”

Quinn’s head would have spun at the queen’s mood swing if she had not witnessed it many times before over the years. The queen was a sociopath and a person never knew what would set her off.

You knew trying to stop her from fucking Silas would set her off! What were you thinking?

She touched the dagger in her pocket before taking a small sip of wine. It was dangerous to disagree with the crazy bitch but she had spoken out loud before she could stop.

She’s going to take Silas and there’s nothing you can do about it. Garna! Get it through your thick skull before you get yourself and Silas killed!

“Come,” the queen said, “let us sit by the fire and get acquainted with one another.”

 

* * *

 

Quinn stalked angrily down the wide hallway of the castle. Silas trailed silently behind her. A guard standing at the end of the hallway smiled at her. “Good evening, massina. I will return the danen to the breeders’ quarters.”

“I will do it myself,” Quinn snapped at her.

The woman recoiled and Quinn forced herself to smile at her. “I’m sorry, Belda. I did not mean to snap. I will return the breeder to his quarters. Stay at your post, please.”

Belda nodded and watched silently as Quinn and Silas turned the corner into another empty hallway.

Garna, Quinn. Get a hold of yourself.

After dinner, the queen forced Silas and Vida to sit on either side of her. She spent most of the evening running her hands all over Silas’ body and glowing lightly. With every touch Quinn’s jealousy and anger grew. She was acting foolish and dangerous but it was driving her crazy watching the queen touch him.

It could have been worse. She could have taken Silas tonight.

That was true and, honestly, she was surprised the queen hadn’t. She broke the rules by keeping Vida with her for the night – he wasn’t supposed to be a breeder this month – but she sent Silas back to the breeders’ quarters.

“Quinn?” Silas said in a low voice.

“What is it?” She answered without slowing her pace.

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s nothing wrong. Keep moving, danen.”

“I am,” he said patiently. He caught up to her and tugged absentmindedly at the collar around his neck. “Why are you so angry?”

“Stop asking me questions,” she retorted.

He laughed. “You might be forcing me into some type of breeding program but you can’t force me to shut my mouth.”

Her temper snapped and she grabbed his arm before opening a door and shoving him into the room. It was one of the many bedrooms in the castle and she ignored the very tempting urge to push him onto the bed. Instead she pushed him up against the wall and glared at him. “Are you deliberately looking to be punished?”

“That depends,” he said cheekily, “are you going to spank me?”

She bit back her laughter and scowled at him. “You’re trying my patience, danen.”

“Tell me what’s wrong?” He said. “Is it your back? I saw you wincing a few times tonight.”

“Did you enjoy the queen’s touch?” She asked suddenly.

He blinked at her. “What?”

“The queen was touching you all evening. Did you enjoy it?” She hated the jealousy she could hear in her voice.

“Of course I didn’t.”

“You weren’t stopping her,” she said waspishly.

“What’s going on with you?” He said. “Of course I didn’t stop her. I assumed she’d be pissed if I did.”

She stepped closer to him, her nostrils flaring angrily. “So now you’re afraid of a woman?”

“Are you going crazy, Quinn? Is that what’s happening?” He said.

“No,” she said. She folded her arms across her torso and a twinge of lust went through her belly when Silas’ gaze dropped to her breasts.

“You’re jealous,” he said.

“I am not jealous,” she hissed at him. “Let’s go.”

He grabbed her arm before she could leave and pulled her against his body. “You are jealous,” he said. “I like it.”

“My jealousy will get us both killed,” she said sullenly.

He touched her dark hair before running his fingers through the soft strands. “I like your hair tonight and I like your dress.”

He ran his rough fingertips over her exposed collarbone and she shivered violently. It sent a throb of pain through her back and he frowned when she winced.

“How bad is your back, Quinn?”

“It’ll heal,” she said. “We have to go, danen.”

“In a minute,” he whispered. He put his arm around her, being careful to rest it against her ass and not her lower back, and squeezed her hip. “Are you going to bid on me tomorrow night?”

“You know I can’t,” she said.

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t,” she repeated.

“Why?” He dipped his head and tasted the tender skin of her throat. She moaned quietly and squeezed his arms, digging her fingers into the hard muscles.

“Why?” He asked again before sucking on her earlobe.

“Silas,” she whispered.

“Quinn,” he muttered before pressing his mouth against hers. They kissed hungrily as he pushed his hand into the bodice of her dress and cupped one full breast. He kneaded it roughly before tugging her nipple into a hard little bud. He sucked on her bottom lip sending shockwaves of desire through her entire body. She wanted him so much it hurt and she didn’t object when he used his other hand to unbutton the back of her dress.

She waited for him to push her dress down but instead he turned her around and gently spread her dress open.

“Silas, what - ”

“Oh my fucking God,” he said in a horrified whisper. “Jesus Christ, Quinn, your back – it isn’t any better.”

She tried to pull away but he hooked his arm around her waist and held her in a tight grip. “Fuck,” he said.

“It’s better than it looks,” she said.

“I fucking doubt that,” he said. “How are you even standing let alone walking around?”

“I have a high pain tolerance,” she said impatiently. “Danen, are we doing this or not?”

He shook his head before pressing a tender kiss against one of the purple blotches on the back of her shoulder. “Not with your back like this.”

She sighed impatiently. “I told you, it isn’t that bad. Silas, I want to fuck you.”

“I want to fuck you too, Quinn, you know I do. But I can’t with your back like this. There’s no way I won’t hurt you.”

“We have to be fast and quiet,” she said, ignoring his last comment. “Can you do that?”

“I’m tired of fast and quiet,” he said before pressing another light kiss against her bruised back. “Wouldn’t you like to see what it’s like when I take my time?”

She shuddered all over before shaking her head. “No.”

“Liar,” he whispered. “Bid on me tomorrow night, Quinn, and I promise I’ll show you.”

“The queen will take you tomorrow night,” she said dully. “No one will have the chance to bid on you.”

He sighed and buried his face in her hair and she squeezed his arm. “Fuck me right now, Silas. Please. It’s our last chance.”

“It isn’t,” he said. “You can bid on me at the next claiming ceremony.”

He quickly buttoned her dress as Quinn stared at the floor. He turned her around and pressed a kiss against her mouth. “Your back will be healed by then, Quinn.”

“Aye,” she said in defeat. She couldn’t tell him that once he’d been with the queen she would never see him the same way again. It wasn’t his fault but she couldn’t imagine having him between her legs after he’d been with the queen. Not after everything that bitch had taken from her.

So now you’re just going to roll over and let her take Silas from you too?

She closed her eyes as Silas pressed another brief kiss against her mouth. “Maybe she won’t choose me tomorrow night.”

“Maybe not,” Quinn replied.

“If she doesn’t, promise that you’ll bid on me,” he said.

“Sure,” she replied. He smiled happily at her and she forced herself to return his smile. It was easy enough to agree to something that would never happen.

“Let’s go, danen. We have lingered too long,” she said.

“Quinn, what about the women who were with us? Are they okay?”

She studied him carefully. “Are you dating one of them?”

“No,” he said patiently. “We just haven’t seen any of them and I’m worried.”

“They all live,” she said. “They’ve been working in the kitchen and doing housework in the women’s quarters.”

“Are your people being nice to them?” He asked.

“I would imagine they are. The one named Veronica is making it difficult. She’s a spoiled brat and if she doesn’t learn to hold her tongue she’ll be punished.”

“Like you were punished?” He asked.

She nodded and he sighed. “Maybe if you let me talk to her I can convince her to keep her mouth shut.”

“You’ll see her at the ceremony tomorrow night,” Quinn said. “The breeders are allowed to visit with all of the women the night of the claiming ceremony.”

“Will we be chained?” He asked.

“No,” she replied. “Do not think of escaping, Silas. You will be given your freedom tomorrow night but only to a certain extent. If you try to escape, you’ll be punished.”

She eased open the door and looked up and down the empty hallway as Silas said, “What’s the worse they can do? Beat me?”

“The queen doesn’t like to harm the breeders, you’re too valuable” Quinn said absently as she checked the hallway again. “Most likely she’ll make you watch as she mutilates one of the women that came with you.”

“Mutilate?” Silas said quietly.

“Yes. She’ll cut out their tongue or maybe one of their eyes,” Quinn said solemnly. She stared up at him before touching his face. “The queen is neither stupid nor blind, Silas. You would do well to remember that. All right?”

He nodded and kissed her again before she could stop him. “Remember your promise, Quinn,” he said. “If the queen doesn’t choose me tomorrow night you have to bid on me.”

A look of fleeting sorrow crossed her face. “Aye, I remember, danen.”