Page 37 of Commander's Slave
“Well, I’m glad to hear it. And even if you were angry, I have a proposition for you that I am certain will lift your spirits.” The general gave a broad smile and looked quite pleased with himself, causing Edek’s stomach to clench.
“What kind of proposition?”
“One of marriage,” General Amak said, still carrying the conversation in English, as if he wished to taunt Betsy, damn him. “I have four daughters, you know, two of whom are already of age, and it is my opinion that you would make a fine match for any of them. If you like them young, I would even be willing to let you have one of the younger two, I suppose.”
Before Edek could respond, something shattered to his right and the strong scent of wine permeated the air. He jumped to his feet and regarded Betsy. She stood against the wall, her face drained of all blood, as she stared down at the jug of wine she’d just dropped.
General Amak emitted a gasp of outrage and Edek glanced at the horrid male. “Why are you just standing there, Commander Edek? If ever a slave needed a good beating, it is now. Here,” he said, fumbling with something at his waist. “Take my baton. It’s been fitted with a twice amplified zap. Give her a few hits with this and she won’t dare drop another jug of wine.”
Edek stared, aghast, at the general’s offering. He still wanted to strangle the foul Kall, if not for the way he’d treated Betsy today, but for his cruelty in offering his two youngest daughters in marriage, well before they’d even come of age. The general disgusted Edek. And yet, General Amak was his superior and Edek needed to be careful, lest he attract unwanted suspicion in regard to his treatment of Betsy.
“Thank you, General,” Edek said, taking a step toward Betsy, “but I have my own baton. If you’ll excuse me, I must discipline my slave now. Please, stay and enjoy dinner with my brother. I will return soon.”
“Edek, are you really—” Draken stopped speaking when Edek shot him a quelling look.
“Please entertain our guest in my absence, brother,” Edek said in a sharp tone. He was furious with the general and at Kall customs and yes, even at Betsy at this moment. Why had she made such a grave mistake in the general’s presence?
He faced Betsy, who was leaning against the wall, wide-eyed and still quite pale. As he approached her, she lowered her head, and he noticed her hands had begun to tremble, and the coldness of her fear hit his nostrils.
Just before he reached her, her legs gave out and she collapsed to the floor. She wrapped her arms around her legs and huddled inward, as if trying to make herself small.
“Get up, disobedient slave,” he snapped, ever aware that the general was watching.
When she didn’t comply, he roughly jerked her to her feet and dragged her out of the dining room, feeling General Amak’s perverse glee and Draken’s judgement as he forced her up the stairs.
Chapter 18
She was so stupid.So stupid to trust Edek. So stupid to have believed they might share a future of some kind, even if she was his slave. And even stupider not to realize that he might marry again one day.
Of course he would.
He was still young, and from what Layla had told her, most Kall marriages were arranged or entered for political reasons.
Fathers sold off their daughters.
Strong warriors were rewarded with pretty, young virgins.
Her days with Edek had been numbered from the start, and she’d been too foolish to realize it. And now he was going to beat her. Severely.
I have my own baton.
His words rang in her ears, reminding her of her place in this world.
The grip on her arm tightened as he dragged her into his bedroom. She heard the door sliding shut behind them, sealing them in together. Well, at least he would punish her in private. At least he wasn’t going to hit her with an electrified baton while General Amak and Draken watched.
She shivered and tears burned in her eyes. It wasn’t long before they slid down her face. She kept her head lowered, trying not to incur Edek’s anger any further. Maybe he would only hit her with the baton once or twice. God, she could only hope.
He guided her toward the bed and her stomach lurched.
But before they reached the bed, he released her and stepped away from her. A glance up showed he was pacing back and forth on the rug and repeatedly running his hands through his hair. She couldn’t be certain, but she thought Kall curse words were falling from his lips. Some of the words sounded similar to the words the cook used to scream at her.
Sorrow consumed her. So did fear. She’d never feared Edek as strongly as she did at this moment.
I have my own baton.
It would break her heart when he took an electrified baton to her, and it would break her heart all over again when he married one of the general’s daughters.
The elderly Kall judge who’d sentenced her had promised her misery.
