When I woke a few hours later, Bastian wasn’t in bed with me. I frowned and got up to look for him, but my quarters were empty. I began to worry, thinking that perhaps I hadn’t pleased him after all. It seemed that he had enjoyed our time together, but maybe I was too inexperienced.
Biting my lip, I went to the bathroom to shower, hoping the hot water would make me feel better, but I doubted it. I had finally felt close to someone and then, after trusting him enough to make love to him, he disappeared without so much as a note.
I knew he didn’t have to tell me where he was going, but it would have been nice. For a moment, I had been stupid enough to think I meant more to him than just a slave. I’d always wanted a boyfriend, always hoped I would marry some day. It meant everything to me to belong with someone, not as a slave but as something more. I knew he couldn’t, wouldn’t, marry me, but it didn’t stop me from hoping we could share something amazing. My heart broke a little as I realized I wasn’t special at all. I was just another whore to him, someone to serve his needs whenever he wanted.
Sinking onto my knees on the shower floor, I wrapped my arms around my waist and cried. After everything I’d been through with my family and lack of a love life, I had always tried not to feel sorry for myself, but this one time I decided it was okay. I had just cause for tears. Once more, I was alone.
I don’t know how long I sat there, but the water started to turn cold. I should have turned it off, but found I just didn’t care. Shivering, I rested my head against the wall and tried to figure out what I would do. I couldn’t escape because I had nowhere else to go.
A noise in the other room told me Bastian was back. When he entered the bathroom and saw my teeth were chattering, he cursed and turned off the water.
26
“Enid, what are you doing?” he demanded.
I looked up at him, knowing there was sadness in my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as he knelt beside me.
“Nothing,” I stuttered, my teeth chattering.
“It’s not nothing. Now tell me what’s wrong.”
“You left.”
He gave me a crooked smile and caressed my cheek, and frowned. He reached for a towel then wrapped it around me, and lifted me out of the shower, carrying me to the bed.
“Is that what you thought? That I’d left you?”
“You weren’t here when I woke up.”
“I went to get something for you,” he said gently as he dried me off.
I looked up at him and saw the truth in his eyes. It made me feel incredibly stupid for jumping to the wrong conclusion, assuming the worst immediately.
“Something for me?”
He nodded and walked into the living room, coming back with a large sack that looked like it was made of silk. He handed it to me and I opened it. When I saw what was inside, tears gathered in my eyes.
“You bought me clothes?”
“I know you’re supposed to wear the slave garment, and I bought you something already, but I thought you might like these better. Besides, I heard that Valen bought some for Sorcha.”
I lifted out one dress after another, admiring the soft fabric and vibrant colors.
“Thank you.”
He caressed my cheek and kissed me softly. “You’re welcome. Why don’t you put one on while I go and get your lunch?”
I nodded and dropped the towel on the floor. The dresses were all so beautiful I had a hard time deciding, but finally chose a pale pink one. I slipped it over my head,
27
and felt the material slide down my body like silk. His thoughtfulness touched me and I wanted to cry at his generosity.
Picking up the towel, I took it to the bathroom and put it in the hamper. I looked at my reflection and reached for a brush to untangle my hair. Braiding it and letting it hang down my back, I saw that I looked pretty and fresh for a change. The dark circles under my eyes had faded and the gauntness was gone. My cheeks were rosy and my face was full. While I wasn’t fat, my midriff no longer showed my ribs and my breasts were fuller.
I walked into the living room and sat beside Bastian. He’d picked up something that looked like Chinese food, but I knew they didn’t have anything like that on Vaaden. I figured it was best not to ask what was in it. Besides, I probably wouldn’t recognize any of the ingredients anyway.
He kissed my cheek. “I’m sorry I worried you.”
“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”
“I should have left a note. After everything you’ve been through, I should have known it would upset you when you found out I had left.” I smiled and laced my fingers with his. “Don’t worry about it, Bastian. I’m fine, really.”
With a smile, he handed me a plate full of delicious-smelling food. I dug in until I couldn’t eat another bite, thinking it was a good thing my new dresses were loose.
* * *
Over the next week, Bastian and I made love every chance we got. He went home occasionally, but stayed with me most of the time. It was the happiest I’d been in years.
The dresses were the first of my presents. He brought me books, little figurines of animals we had on Earth, a pretty fan, and other things he thought would please me. It was almost like we were dating. I had to remind myself constantly that I was his slave and nothing more, just another piece of property, no matter how well he treated me. It was the only way to keep my heart from breaking.
28
He brought me news of Sorcha as often as he could. I didn’t really know her that well, but she’d been nice to me the little amount of time we’d spent together, had even come to my defense against Bastian. I would always owe her for that.
I was sitting on a chaise reading a book when Bastian came back from spending a day at his home. I smiled when he walked in the door.
“You’re back.”
He smiled. “Did you think I’d stay away?”
“I guess I’m always a little worried you’ll get tired of me.” It reminded me of something that had been bothering me, something I hadn’t wanted to ask, but I needed to know the answer. “What happens when you don’t want me anymore?”
“That isn’t going to happen.”
“But what if it does?” I persisted.
He stared at me a moment, as if deciding what to tell me. “You would either go into the harem, be given to someone else, or die.” I couldn’t stop the cry that gathered in my throat. Shaking, I tried to absorb what he’d told me.
He knelt at my side and gathered my hands in his. “It will never happen, Enid.”
“It could though.”
He sighed and shoved a hand through his hair. “I can’t see myself getting tired of you.”
“I hope you don’t, but I have to be realistic. I’m just a slave, Bastian. You can do whatever you want with me and I have no rights, no say in what happens to me.”
“I wish I could change the laws, little one, but I can’t.” I swallowed hard and looked around the room, my eyes eventually returning to him. “Would it be too much to ask if I could possibly have a room with a window at some point in the future?”
“I’m afraid there aren’t any slave quarters with a window.” He studied me a moment. “But, I could take you to my house.” My eyes widened. “You could?”
29
“It isn’t as safe as this place. Only I can enter here, but my family can enter my house, as well as my friends. I can’t promise that any men who enter won’t try to…”
“They could rape me,” I answered softly, looking down at my hands. I would end up reliving the nightmare I’d faced at home.
“Yes. I would do everything I could to make sure that didn’t happen, but if they were there when I wasn’t, I couldn’t stop them.”
“Would you move another slave into this place?” He smiled and cupped my cheek. “No, I wouldn’t.” I bit my lip. “There isn’t a way to change the locks on your house?” He laughed. “My home is different from those on Earth.” He thought for a moment. “But, there may be a way to revert the house back to the original settings so that only I can enter. I’ll just have to explain to everyone that I need to tighten my security.”
“They won’t be angry with you?”
He gave me a wry smile. “Trust me. They won’t be angry over the locks. If they’re going to be mad, it will be over you being in my house.”
“Then I shouldn’t go.”
He kissed me and pulled me into his arms. “Yes, you should. Besides, if you lived with me, I would be with you every day. I wouldn’t have to leave you alone while I tended to personal and business matters.” I had to admit that part sounded wonderful, but I was hesitant. What would his family think of me moving into his house? Would it cause problems for him? Even worse, what would it mean for me?
“I don’t know, Bastian. Maybe I should stay here.” He stared into my eyes for a moment, his expression unreadable, before nodding his head. “If that’s what you want.”
“I think it would be best for now.”
“So… now that you’ve eaten, think you might be up for some exercise?” he asked with a wicked grin, changing the subject.
30
I smiled and took his hand, tugging him toward the bedroom. “I think I can handle that.”
“Can we try something new?” he asked while kissing my neck.
“Like what?”
“Let’s take a shower together.”
We’d done that before so I wasn’t sure what was new about it, but I shrugged. “If that’s what you want.”
He grinned and pulled me into the bathroom. After starting the water, he slipped my dress over my head and gave me a gentle shove into the shower. Undressing quickly, he joined me.
He rubbed soap between his hands then massaged my breasts. I moaned and leaned into him, loving his hands on my body. His hands slid down my stomach to my hips and around my back. They trailed down to my ass and then down to my thighs.
He lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his waist. His cock pressed into me, sliding in with ease.
“You’re so hot and wet,” he whispered in my ear.
I shivered. Now I knew why this shower was different. We’d never made love anywhere other than the bed. I knew I shouldn’t think of it as more than sex, but I couldn’t help it. I was quickly falling in love with Bastian.
“I love the way your pussy grips my cock.”
As he thrust into me hard and fast, I bit my lip and pressed against him. “I love the way you feel inside of me,” I admitted. It was the first time I’d ever said anything like that to him. Honestly, there was so much more I wanted to say, but I was scared to.
What if he didn’t feel the same way? I wasn’t sure I was ready to put my heart out there, not yet.
His thrusts were so hard they pinned me to the wall, but I loved every minute of it. Just before he found his release, my orgasm pushed me over the edge, making me feel like I was free falling. When I was able to focus again, I smiled up at him.
31
He kissed me deeply, his tongue tasting every inch of my mouth, gliding in and out. I’d never thought I’d be able to bear a man’s touch, and now I found myself never wanting him to stop touching me.
The next day, Bastian left to go home again. I had to admit that I was disappointed, wanting more time with him. He usually stayed a little longer, but claimed there was something he had to take care of.
I was tired of reading books and trying to amuse myself in his absence. Not having any friends, a television, or a garden to roam made my life rather dull. I lived for the days I spent with Bastian.
A knock sounded at the door and I frowned. Bastian always entered, so who would be knocking?
“Open the door,” a gruff voice demanded.
I froze. A man, other than Bastian, had never come here before. “I can’t.”
“Don’t lie to me, slut. Open the damn door.”
“Only Bastian can open the door.”
There was a curse on the other side of the door and then a thud that sounded like someone had thrown himself against the door. Was he trying to break it down?
Could
he? Where was Bastian when I needed him most?
Running to the bedroom, I curled up on the bed and stared at the door with wide eyes. If the man made it through the door, there would be no escape for me.
Just as suddenly as the noise began, it stopped. I heard raised voices in the hall and wondered what was going on. A moment later, the door flew open and Bastian entered, furious.
“Enid!”
“I’m in here.”
He turned to face the bedroom and strode toward me quickly. “Come on.”
“Where?”
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“To my house.”
“But, Bastian…”
“No buts, Enid. I can’t leave you here wondering if you’re safe or not.” I shivered and slowly nodded. I didn’t want to go to his house, but it seemed I had no choice.
“I’ll make sure the house is safe for you before I leave you alone. Pack your things.”
I retrieved the soft bag from the closet and neatly folded my dresses and laid them inside. Pulling the drawstring tight, I held the bag at my side. “I’m ready.” He walked over to me and cupped my cheek. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t want to go, but it’s no longer safe here.”
“I know. I understand, Bastian.”
He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my fingertips. “I promise everything will be fine. Valen took Sorcha to his house yesterday. I’ll find out how he got permission, but I’m taking you home with me regardless of what anyone says.”
“I just don’t want to cause trouble for you.”
“You won’t.”
I had no choice but to believe him, but doubts still plagued me.
* * *
Bastian’s house was different from anything I’d seen before. The two story structure was made of glass and something that looked like copper. It was unusual, but not in a bad way. When we entered the house, he made sure the doors locked behind us and pressed the button on the wall that would translate his language into mine, and vice versa. “I don’t want any surprise guests until I have you settled,” he explained.
I smiled and followed him through the house, staring at everything in fascination. The house was different than my slave quarters. Bigger, better. I had a feeling I would enjoy being here with Bastian.
“The bedroom is up here,” he said, leading me up the stairs and down a long hall.
34
The room we entered was a large circle with arched windows that overlooked a garden. The bed that dominated the middle of the room was huge, but looked comfortable. If I had thought the bedroom we’d shared previously was beautiful, this room put it to shame. The walls, covered in the same copper material as the outside of the house, had intricate etchings on them. I’d never seen anything like it before.
“You’ll sleep here, in my room,” he said, surveying his room as if trying to see it through my eyes.
“Your home is beautiful, Bastian.”
“It’s just a house, Enid. The only thing beautiful here is you.” I blushed and smiled at him. “Where should I put my things?” He pointed to a set of doors on the wall behind me. “You can put them in the closet.” He pointed to another set of doors across the room. “The bathroom is through there.”
I put my bag in the closet and turned to face him. “Would you mind if I took a nap? I was so scared earlier… I think it drained me a little.” He smiled and stepped closer to me, pulling me into his arms. “I’ll lie down with you.”
We both climbed onto the bed fully clothed, and with his arms around me, I fell asleep almost instantly.
* * *
When I awoke later, I was alone. Stretching, I got out of bed and decided to venture out of the bedroom and search for Bastian. After all, this was my home now and I needed to become familiar with it.
Hearing voices downstairs, I paused, unsure if I should intrude or not. I sank to my knees on the floor near the stairs and listened.
“Prime Minister, I’m sure you can appreciate the position in which I find myself.
I can’t very well leave her in the slave quarters, but I know she isn’t allowed in my home either.”
“I’m guessing you heard about Valen and Sorcha.”
35
“Yes, sir. It’s the reason I asked to meet with you.”
“Did Valen tell you
why
I allowed him to keep Sorcha with him?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“I allowed him to keep her in his home, allowed her to wear the clothes of a Vaaden female because he loved her. He refused to live without her and wouldn’t take his pleasure with anyone but Sorcha.”
“I see.”
“Do you love this woman? Enid I believe you said was her name.”
“I don’t know what I feel for her, sir. I know that she’s different from anyone I’ve known before, and not just because she’s from Earth. There’s something about her, something indescribable. She’s the first woman I’ve ever wanted to protect.” I could hear the smile in the prime minister’s voice when he replied. “It sounds like you care for her, which is a good start.” There was a pause. “I’ll allow her to remain here with you, but she can’t venture outside other than to enjoy the walled-in garden out back.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
“Should things change and you discover that you
do
love her, let me know.”
“I will, sir.”
I heard a door close and realized the prime minister had left. I was relieved he had allowed me to stay with Bastian, but curious as well. What did it matter to him whether or not Bastian loved me? I doubted that would ever happen, and I knew that if he ever married, I would be cast out of the house.
It wasn’t an idea I wanted to think about any longer. I would enjoy my time with Bastian while it lasted.
Rising to my feet, I walked silently down the stairs, hoping he hadn’t realized I was eavesdropping.
“Bastian?” I called out, pretending I didn’t know he was down there.
“I’m right here, Enid,” he said, moving to the foot of the stairs. “Did you sleep well?”
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“Yes, thank you,” I replied with a smile. “Although I missed you when I woke up.”
“I had a guest. An important guest.”
“Oh?”
“The prime minister came to visit and is allowing you to stay with me. You won’t be able to go out into the city, but you can enjoy the garden.”
“That’s more than enough. Just being in such a large, well-lit home is a nice change.”
When I stepped off the last stair, he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me softly. “I’m glad you’re happy with your new home.”
“How could I not be? It’s beautiful, and it means I’ll be with you.” He smiled and pulled me toward the kitchen. “Come on. I’m sure you’re hungry.”