24. NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE
Chapter twenty-four
NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE
All the hands that had been hurting Aekeira suddenly stopped.
The finger inside her withdrew, and a cool breeze brushed against her aching breasts, leaving her feeling exposed.
Aekeira wondered what was happening but couldn't look because Grand Lord Zaiper was still using her mouth.
While Aekeira considered herself fortunate that none of these lords had tried to mount her body yet, the sticky residue of cum on her belly disgusted her.
Grand Lord Zaiper's thrusting hips paused, and a smile echoed in his voice. "Look who decided to join us."
Strong hands gripped her thighs, spreading them wider apart, and delivered a harsh smack to her most intimate area.
The pain was sharp. Unexpected and agonizing.
Aekeira's cry of agony was muffled against the manhood in her mouth. When she attempted to pull back, Grand Lord Zaiper's finger curled into her hair and tightened, holding her in place.
The slaps continued, hard and punishing. Each strike relentless, leaving Aekeira in tears.
Her thighs trembled under the assault. The pain was unbearable. Which of these lords was so cruel as to subject her to this torment?
"Fuck, that's hot. I'm going to come," Grand Lord Zaiper's voice sounded distant. Then his sperm came down her throat, and she forced herself to swallow to prevent choking.
His release was thick and plentiful, but at least it didn't taste as bitter as those of the lords King Orestus had lent her to.
Another slap followed, intensifying the already harsh pain.
Aekeira tried to close her legs, but strong hands held them apart as her vulnerable parts were spanked.
Her thighs twitched. Her mind became muddled. She began to go numb.
Just as Aekeira thought she might escape this harsh reality and drift into the comfort of her own mind, the spanking abruptly stopped.
"She is so alluring, don't you think? I wanted to entertain myself with, at least, three slaves tonight, but I will make an exception. Tonight, I will take her alone to my bed," Grand Lord Zaiper seemed to address another male as he withdrew his phallus from her mouth, but his fingers still held tight to her hair. "What is your name, slave?"
"Aekeira," her voice was small, tear-filled, and hoarse.
"Aekeira," he rolled the name on his tongue. "The name of royalty. Is it because of your royal descent that you feel so different?"
He angled her head and leaned closer until his face filled her blurry vision. "You are so exciting. I will enjoy spending the night with you. I have many plans in mind for you."
A wave of nausea rose in her throat. Oh dear lord, not him. Anyone else but him.
A hand on her thigh released its strong grip. "She will go to my bed tonight."
That voice startled Aekeira, and she turned her head toward the source, despite the pain shooting through her scalp.
Grand Lord Vladya's hard eyes bore into hers.
A shiver of dread ran through her body.
The rage bottled up in his eyes terrified her. He would unleash that fury upon her, wouldn't he?
He was the one who had spanked her body.
Suddenly, Grand Lord Zaiper seemed like a better choice to spend the night with.
Grand Lord Vladya circled the table approaching them, and held Grand Lord Zaiper's hand, lifting it away from Aekeira's hair, untangling his fingers.
Grand Lord Vladya then grasped her jaw and tilted her head forward, forcing her to look at him. "Tonight, you will be in my bed, Aekeira. I may not be the grand lord you desired...I may not be the one you broke the rules to strip for, but I am the grand lord you will get. And before this night is over, you will wish it had never happened."
Grand Lord Vladya released her and turned to face Grand Lord Zaiper, his face hard as stone. "Do you have any objections, Lord Zaiper?"
The anger he expected to see in Zaiper's eyes was absent. Instead, he looked smug, confirming Vladya's suspicion that Zaiper had chosen Aekeira tonight solely to spite him.
"No objections," Zaiper raised his hands in surrender, grinning. "You can have her tonight. You need the relaxation more than anyone else in this room. There is always another day." He turned to Aekeira, "Until next time, sweet little one."
Grand Lord Zaiper walked away, pausing to select three female slaves to accompany him as he left the court, his soldiers trailing behind him. Without sparing Aekeira a glance, Grand Lord Vladya also departed.
Aekeira rose, her legs unsteady, and took in her surroundings. Slaves danced, some engaged in sexual acts while others performed oral services. Aekeira wiped her teary eyes and blindly reached for her clothes.
Someone pressed garments into her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist, leading her away from the central gathering.
"I'm s-so sorry. I'm so sorry," Emeriel cried, his body shaking with remorse.
Aekeira shook her head, choosing to remain silent. She allowed Emeriel to guide her as they moved further away from the court, weeping softly.
Emeriel had no idea where he was going, but he knew he wanted to be away from court. His heart broke with every tear that left Aekeira's eyes.
Finally, they reached a secluded area, and Emeriel enveloped her in his arms. "You were right, we h-have to escape from here. I will n-never forgive myself for what they did to you." Tears streamed down his face as he held his sister close.
"This was not your fault, Em. It was bound to happen," Aekeira sniffled. "Besides, you were right. If we get caught escaping, we will face death."
"Is death such a terrible alternative? Our lives are already miserable," Emeriel mused, catching himself, realizing his words only added to his sister's despair. "I'm sorry. Here, let me help you."
Emeriel took the clothes from her and assisted Aekeira in putting them on. For a while, silence hung between them. Afterward, he used his palm to wipe his sister’s tears, and Aekeira did the same to his.
"Come on, let's return inside before we face punishment. The ceremony is almost over," Emeriel suggested, managing a broad, tearful smile intended to lift Aekeira's spirits.
It worked, as Aekeira mirrored the expression with a watery smile of her own and softly agreed. "Okay."
Emeriel took hold of her hand, and they began walking back.
"What am I going to do, Em? Grand Lord Vladya has officially summoned me to his chambers tonight," Aekeira whispered.
"What!?" Emeriel's eyes widened, as he suddenly halted his steps.
Aekeira nodded, visibly shuddering. "The look in his eyes whenever he gazes at me terrifies me, Em. I know he dislikes all humans, but I do not understand why he hates me the most."
Emeriel's eyes welled with tears, and he angrily wiped his cheek. He had never felt so helpless in his entire life. "I do not wish this for you, Keira. I hate that this is happening."
A watery smile graced Aekeira's lips. "Well, the alternative is Grand Lord Zaiper, so I suppose I got lucky, right?"
"They are both wrong choices. When you chose to undress for Grand Lord Zaiper, I noticed an ugly emotion flash on Grand Lord Vladya’s face. I couldn’t quite interpret what it was, but it was…unsettling."
"Yes, that..." Aekeira bit her lip.
"There were so many slaves there tonight. Why you?" Emeriel wondered aloud. "Why did the grand lords single you out? Our luck is ill-fated and filled with misfortune."
Aekeira, always being Aekeira, shook her head. "Don't say that, Em. We will get through this." Though uncertainty filled her eyes. "At least you escaped them tonight."
Emeriel looked away, his voice filled with resignation. "What good does it do when, three days from now, the slaves who were not introduced tonight will have to serve the court for their Treaty Party? Other slaves whisper that there will be another presentation that night, and I fear they are right."
Aekeira anxiously bit her lip. "Let us not worry about the future just yet. The present is already burdensome enough. At least your secret was not discovered tonight, and no harm befell you. That makes whatever will happen tonight worth enduring."
Emeriel remained silent as they arrived at the door of the high court. Something on his face caught Aekeira's attention, causing her to stop. "What happened? Something happened, didn't it?" Panic filled her eyes.
Emeriel hesitated, "A lord inspected me."
“Wha–”
"But do not worry sister, he did not expose me. Instead, he let me go," Emeriel concluded, managing a smile. "I was fortunate."
"Truly?" Aekeira's eyes widened. "He simply let you go?"
Emeriel nodded, relieved to see the worry dissipate from Aekeira's eyes. "Thank the heavens! I was worried--"
"What are you two doing here? Get back inside!" one of the slavemasters barked, glaring at them, and they hurried back inside.
The remainder of the banquet proceeded smoothly. Emeriel couldn't believe the envious looks Aekeira received from their fellow slaves as the celebration continued.
How could they envy something so cruel? So deplorable?
He wished those slaves had garnered the grand lords's attention instead of his poor sister as fresh tears welled up in his eyes.
Night had descended upon the land, casting its dark shroud upon Urai.
Emeriel witnessed Madam Livia and Amie prepare Aekeira, bathing her and dressing her up in preparation for her visit to Grand Lord Vladya's domain.
Then, Madam Livia dismissed him, commanding him to return to his quarters and rest for the night.
"But I could remain here and..."
"No, Emeriel.” Madam Livia shook her head. “Return to your quarters and get some sleep. Trying to stay awake and beating yourself to the point of exhaustion will not help your sister. You are only making matters more difficult for her," Madam Livia admonished.
Her voice then took on a sterner tone. One she employed to ensure the maids fulfilled their duties throughout the palace. "To your quarters, Emeriel. And don't let me catch you anywhere else tonight.”
And so, he had complied.
Emeriel was restless within his quarters, unable to find comfort in that secluded part of the fortress. He felt utterly cut off from his sister, particularly on a night such as this.
However, being commanded to sleep was a far cry from actually being able to fall asleep. Emeriel did not even try too hard; he was too worried, too restless, and his heart felt burdened.
An hour later, Emeriel rose from the bed, gingerly opened the door, and ventured out of his quarters. He longed for solitude and companionship.
He wanted quietness, not to be disturbed, but at the same time, he did not want to be alone.
Before he knew it, his feet guided him to the only place in the entire fortress he could be alone without being disturbed.
Emeriel could not fathom where he had summoned the courage from or when he had acquired such a willingness to court danger, but he found himself journeying alone towards the forbidden chambers.
Upon arriving, Emeriel was relieved to see that the soldiers were not stationed at their posts. The hallway was deserted, but unlike a few days ago, the oak door was now firmly locked.
Emeriel sank to the ground against the metal gates and began to weep.
No sound emerged from inside, but Emeriel knew in his heart that the beast was there. Listening without comprehending.
Yet at that moment, he didn't care; Emeriel just needed to unburden himself.
"Now, thinking of it further, I begin to believe that it might not be so terrible if you were to end my life," Emeriel whispered softly, his voice trembling. "Perhaps death would be more bearable?”
He sighed, tears flowing down his face. “They hurt my sister in that court, and it was not enough. And now, he wants to hurt her again, all through the night.”
“And it does not end there. Before the fourth night is over, I have to meet with a lord, otherwise, he won't keep my secrets. As if that is not enough, soon today will repeat itself all over again. Another introduction of slaves.” Emeriel laid his cheek on the cold ground, sobbing.
“I do not think I've had a peaceful night's sleep since we were brought here, Your Highness, for I live in constant fear. Fear of discovery. Fear of being beaten. Subjugated. Fear of being treated like an animal. I know not what else to do, grand king." His breath quivered upon the frigid ground, as he tried to suppress his sobs.
Grand Lord Vladya strode through the labyrinthine corridors that led toward his domain.
Following the Retaliation War, he had acquired many human slaves, but he never took any of them to his bed. His loathing was so intense that he feared if he did, he might unleash on the female—killing her faster than a feral beast killed its prey.
But, tonight, he would take his first human female to his bed.
"Lord Vladya," a familiar voice called out.
Vladya turned to face Lord Ottai. "What is it?" A touch of impatience tinged his voice.
A semblance of pity colored Ottai's expression as he shook his head. "Do not proceed with it."
Vladya did not feign ignorance; he knew precisely what Ottai referred to. Nevertheless, he remained silent, crossing his arms, staring Ottai down.
"Do not do it, Vlad," his friend pleaded. "Forcing yourself upon unwilling slaves is a line you have never crossed before. That is Zaiper's move, not yours. You have never cared enough to even punish a slave before, but what I saw in court..."
Ottai shook his head. “If you say the word, all the unbonded females of our land would run over themselves just to get to you. You need not mount this girl to seek sexual release."
"I might as well satisfy my desires with that girl and be done with it, Lord Ottai." Vladya’s eyes darkened, a cynical smile tugging at his hardened features. "I am done fighting my urges, as well as my inner beast."
"Your inner beast?" Ottai raised an eyebrow. "I was unaware that it was involved."
"It was not meant to be," Vladya snapped, before he turned away and resumed his purposeful stride.
Ottai quickly followed. "If your beast is indeed interested in her, it is all the more reason why you must resist, Vlad. You might unleash on her.”
"Good riddance then," Vladya stated without hesitation, continuing to walk. In his opinion, her death would be a relief, as it would rid him of these strange and disturbing thoughts about the slave princess. It would be a victory for him.
"Do not succumb to this darkness within you. The time has come for you to fight against it, lest you lose what remains of your humanity."
Vladya halted in his tracks. "Have you forgotten? I lost everything that fateful night. Everything.” He did not turn to face Ottai as he spoke. “When life ceases to matter, mere concepts such as conscience, morals, and values fade away. When one's soul is lost, Ottai, there is nothing else left to lose."
"Vlad... I know this isn't about Daemonikai, but about––"
"Do not even say her name. Don't you dare," came his low, dangerous whisper.
Ottai’s sighed, defeated.
Vladya resumed his determined stride, his footsteps echoing through the corridor. As he neared a turn, Lord Ottai called out once again.
"At the very least, make a conscious effort not to kill her. Remember, she serves the grand king. For the first time, we have a female such as her for him—someone he does not kill after mounting."
Vladya almost retorted that the girl's brother seemed to excel in that regard too. Yet, he refrained. What was the point?
It wasn’t as though he had plans to deliberately end the human girl's life. He simply had no intention of holding back.