Morning couldn't come soon enough for Merrie. She spent the entire night in the locked room with the taxes, her mind dwelling over the hurt look on Bass' face and the joy she felt at devastating the man who raped her. She knew that her emotions was false, that it was Haviston's fault, but she couldn't seem to get a grip on her anger. She tried to think of the goods things Bass gave her: comfort, shelter, and passion. But, every time, her mind focused on the pain and submission. She remembered the first night, being raped on the ground in front of the others, but it wasn't the pleasure that brought a shuddering breath but the memory of pain.
Even the most precious of her memories, of her forcing Bass to rip into her ass, had lost the joy. She remembered the pain and agony, the crimson pool beneath her body, and the stench of blood in the air. The lust was gone, forever erased by Haviston's compulsion.
She screwed her eyes tightly tight and searched for the spell inside her mind. But, it was just out of her reach, an impermeable seal over whatever she felt for Bass and the rest of the mill.
But, she couldn't.
In the darkness, she could cry. The hot tears ran down her cheeks and splashed down on the canvas and the fresh blankets Eolis gave her when he set her back into the wagon. The smells of man, musky and thick, but then she thought about Bass' scent and it just brought up the harsh anger boiling in her veins.
There was a flash of magic as Eolis released the lock on the door. She looked away as the bright light of morning came streaming in. The smells followed soon after: smoke, meat on the fire, and the morning dew.
“It's about time, girl. Want some breakfast.”
She almost shook her head, but didn't. Trembling with the effort, she pushed herself up on her knees and crawled over to the edge of the wagon. Sitting down, she looked up at the suited thriban.
Eolis looked down, his yellow eyes softening. “Bad night for you too?”
Merrie sniffed. She wanted to tell him what happened, but the words couldn't come out. Haviston's compulsion tightened around her, like the dog suit being clamped down around her body. She couldn't think why she ever liked Bass. She hated him. She always hate him and would always hate him.
But, among the seething and uncompromising hatred, she felt like she just lost something. Something precious. She cocked her head as she tried to figure what she could have lost in that moment.
“The duke, count, and all the puppy mill folks are back in their camps and sleeping off the night. Rakin is staying confined to his tent. For once,” he crossed his fingers, “things are quiet.”
He reached out for her and Merrie crawled into his arms. His thick arms wrapped around her as he carried her to the fire and set her down on the ground. A moment later, the submissive servant set down a plate of eggs, bacon, and toasted bread.
“Go on, girl, eat. The auction is in an hour. I figured you wanted this over as soon as possible, right?”
Merrie's heart ached at the hatred that gnawed at it. She wanted to escape Bass and the mill, to never think about them again. It tore at her guts that the auction couldn't be immediately, but she just nodded mutely and bowed down to eat.
Eolis sat down next to her and then took a plate from the young man. “Thank you, Zeob.”
The man nodded, saying nothing.
Merrie stared at her breakfast as she wolfed it down. Her body was tense and her chest hurt. Her mind refused to shift away from the hatred, it dominated her thoughts. And she was going to make sure she never came back.
“Excuse me,” asked Captain Dormit, “is the count here?”
“No, Dormit, why?”
“My lord count asked me to go to the campsites of everyone who bid on the alpha there. To make sure they were aware that she would be back on the auction block.”
“And…?” Eolis' voice was a rumble. His chair creaked as he leaned forward.
“I can't find them.”
“Them? Which ones?”
“Any of them. I tried Mister Tobb first, he was the runner-up bid, but he packed up only an hour before. By the time I got there, the fire pit was hot but he was gone.”
“And the others?”
“All gone.”
Eolis shrugged. “Makes sense, I guess. Rakin ruined it for everyone.”
“No, that's not it. I mean, they all left in the last hour or so. Every single one, even the trivial bids.”
Merrie felt a shiver down her spine. She looked up at the captain with a frown of confusion.
The thriban next to her stood up. “What do you mean every one?”
“Something is going wrong and I don't know what it is. I checked the high bidders at the other auctions too, all gone. I think anyone who would have bid on the alpha is missing.”
“Do you think… they were kidnapped?” Eolis sounded concerned.
“No, but it is fishy.”
“What about Count Rakin?”
“Still in his tent. I asked my men but none of them have seen him leave.”
Merrie heard a strange tone in the captain's voice. She reached out with her mind, pulling on the energies inside her. The captain was competent, but his shields were nothing compared to the others. She delved into his chaotic thoughts and felt the frustration and concern boiling in his mind. It dominated his expression, but she pushed past the thick of his emotions and watched the images flashing by.
The captain noticed something, but was didn't want to mention it. One of his men seemed happier than normal, with a spring in his step. The captain saw the same behavior during pay day, but he dismissed subconsciously. Merrie drew her mind through his memories, bringing up more images of the guard and his behavior. After a few seconds, she knew there was something wrong. The guard had just gotten a money, she was convinced of it.
She swallowed before speaking up. “What about Perry?” Her voice was still rough and her throat ached to speak.
The captain paled. “Perry? I'm sure he's… I don't know.”
Eolis leaned over. “What about Perry? Who is Perry?”
“Sir, Perry is just excited, I'm sure.” But there was something in his voice, a doubt.
“Girl?” Eolis asked, “What is it?”
Merrie shivered and looked up at the looming thriban. “I think Perry was bribed.”
“Captain?”
“Shall I get Perry?”
Eolis shook his head. “No, get me Kessler.”
“Kessler? Um, yes, sir.” The captain gave a short bow and rushed off.
“You were in his thoughts, weren't you? You saw this Perry?”
Merrie blushed and nodded.
“Good. Anything you can do to help would appreciated. I'm guessing it was you who found the duke?”
She smiled at the compliment. “Yes, sir.”
“Thank you. I was about to do it myself, but I find it difficult to find him when he's hiding.”
Merrie sat on her heels, her breasts heavy on her chest. “Um. Why didn't he show up earlier?”
Eolis looked stricken for a moment, then he sighed. With a groan, he sank back down in his chair and leaned back. He toyed with the arm for a moment before answering. “The duke believes that the counts should lead by example and stand on their own. Rakin is good at that part—too good actually—but the duke feels that Blood has the ability to stand on his own, just not the experience.”
“Was there really nothing Blood could do? There was no right answer?”
“Maybe? Maybe not. What was important is how he tried to answer it.”
“Did he pass?”
Eolis chuckled. “There are no right answers, just ones that get you overthrown, ones that strip you of title, and ones that get you arrested. But, it is pretty hard to get ones title stripped off. Don't worry about that part, girl. Right now, we're going to focus on getting you sold for as much money as possible and see if we can get this part of your life behind you.”
Merrie smiled shyly. “Thank you.”
“Go on, finish your breakfast. I bet you're anxious to find a new master.”
“Yes, sir.” She settled on the ground and cleaned off her plate.
She was almost done when Kessler strolled up by himself. “Eolis, you summoned me?”
“Yeah. You see prices, don't you?”
Kessler nodded.
“Do you know a guy named Perry? One of Count Blood's men?”
Another nod, but Merrie caught a smirk on the corner of his lip. A bad feeling hit the bitch as she looked at Kessler's almost unreadable face.
“How much would it take to bribe him? Does Count Rakin have enough?”
The smirk grew. “It would takes sixty-five marks for him to look away for someone to have a discussion with the count. At the time, the count had sufficient money for that bribe.”
Kessler's words were too precise for Merrie. She reached out, but Kessler's thoughts were guarded and well-shielded.
Eolis' face darkened. “Do you know why everyone who bid on the alpha left the fair?”
Kessler shrugged and stuck his hands in his pocket. “I have an idea.”
“What?”
“My services aren't free.”
Eolis growled, a deep sound in his chest. “Are you really that much of an asshole?”
Another shrug. “Everything is profit.”
“How much?”
“You're going to pay one thousand five hundred by the time we're done.”
“Fine. Why did everyone leave?”
Kessler held out his hand.
Still glaring, Eolis stomped to the furthest door of the wagon and opened it. It was living quarters with a large bed in the middle. Merrie saw a tapestry hanging from the wall before the thriban closed the door and brought over his wallet. Counting out the money, he handed over a thick stack of small bills. "Going to count it?'
Kessler handed back a twenty. “You gave me too much.”
“At least your honorable.”
“Just strict, sir.” Kessler looked down at Merrie. “The count may have come into a small amount of money recently, about two hours ago.”
Merrie's veins turned to ice. She knew where Kessler was going and it frightened her.
Eolis rumbled as he regarded the merchant. “You lent him money, didn't you?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Hundred day loan at four percent for ten million dollars.”
Merrie whimpered, her tail and ears pressing against her body. Every time she thought she was free of Rakin, he managed to find some way of getting her.
“Kessler,” said Eolis in a pissed tone, “you know you are a complete and utter asshole, right?”
“A profit is a profit.”
“Well, there is a huge difference between making some marks and what you're doing. I take it that Rakin is ensuring that no one can out bid him?”
Kessler nodded. “That would seem reasonable.”
“Is there anyone at the fair who can beat him?”
The merchant shook his head.
Merrie dropped to the ground. She felt sick to her stomach. She wished she could have just gone home with Bass, but even as she considered it, the bitterness and hatred soured her stomach. She realized that she hated Haviston just as much as Bass, but it wasn't a magical compulsion that brought up the searing loathing, but the realization that his attempts to keep her away from the mill that had doomed her to a life of torture and misery.
“Kessler, get out of here.”
“Anything—”
Eolis rose out of his seat. “Leave!” His roar echoed across the campground. Merrie spasmed at the sound of it, her pussy grew hot at the echoing rumble.
Kessler stepped back out of the camp. “Good day, sir.”
With a groan, Eolis sank back in his chair. “Damn it. You should have gone home with Bass, girl.”
Merrie wanted to cry and cower, but she shook her head sharply. “I need to leave. Please?”
“I hope you know what you're doing.”
She wanted to scream with frustration and anger, but she just gave him a nod. Even Rakin would be better than returning with Bass. She was finally going to be free of him. She didn't even know why she ever wanted to stay.
Eolis looked concerned. He shook his head. “I need a beer, how about you?”
Merrie nodded. “Yes, please.”
“Zeob?”
The servant nodded and went to the back of the wagon. When he came back, Borias was following.
Merrie wondered if Haviston's compulsion who cause her to hate him too, but she felt no anger as the mage sank down to his knees in front of her.
“You be okay, Merrie?”
She didn't know how to answer.
Borias peered into her eyes for a moment, then reached up to stroke his fingers along her collarbone. “You can talk, you know.”
With a blush, she smiled sheepishly. “Feels wrong,” she whispered, “talking to you.”
“I know, you be a good girl, aren't you?”
Merrie panted and nodded, the edge of sexuality caressing her nerves. “Yes.”
Borias grabbed her head with both hands. She flinched at first, then felt the smoldering heat as she wondered what he was going to do to her. She didn't know if he was going to fuck her face or pee in it, but she realized she would happily accept either.
“You sure you not be wanting to go to the mill?”
Choking hatred rose up. She tried to jerk out of his grip, but Borias' fingers clamped down. “No!” She flailed at him, trying to force his hands.
“No, no. You be calming down.”
“No! No, I can't go back. Never!”
Borias' eyes hardened and his hands gripped her tighter. “No, girl, you be calming down. Calm down. No, you not be going back to the mill.”
Merrie whimpered and relaxed. She trembled with the effort, inwardly screaming. “I can't go back, Bori, I can't.”
“Haviston be doing this, didn't he?” His voice grew softer. “He be keeping you from the mill, right?”
“N-No,” she said as she tried to scream otherwise.
“You be lying, girl. I can see it in your eyes.” Borias released her and she slumped to the ground. “That be why he collapsed and bleeding out of his ears. Bastard almost killed himself to keep you from us.”
She wanted to ask if he could do anything, but her throat froze.
“No, I not be able to break this. I'm sorry, Merrie,” his eyes were growing wet with unshed tears, “Haviston be the only one who can break it and he is barely conscious.” He stood up to address the thriban. “Eolis? Can we stop this? I be needing to get this compulsion off her.”
“I'm sorry, Bori.”
“Eolis? Please, she not be hating Bass. I be knowing it. I just need to—”
The thriban held up his hand. “I can't, Bori. I already have one botched auction and everyone knows that Rakin failed to pay. By all legal rights, he should have been arrested, but rules are different for royalty.”
From Borias' thoughts, an image came up of Borias standing in a courthouse, shackled to a table in magical cuffs. In front of him, Cici was buzzing loudly in an iron cage. Beyond the heavy stone table, the judge read off his sentence.
"For the crime of willful destruction of intelligent life, I sentence you to thirty-five years in Abbinkey."
To his left, the man who refuse to give up gave a harsh, barking laugh. "Finally!"
Borias looked over at him. The father was a count now, but he wasn't when his little girl had begged Borias to kill her. It was suppose to be a closed case after the third time the man dragged Borias into court, but now they were back. Reopened for extenuating circumstances; in other words, he was a count now.
Borias wanted to wipe the tears from his face, but the shackles caught him for movement.
(Don't worry, sweetie,) Cici's thoughts were the purest rush of blood against naked skin. (I'll be there to take care of you.) She peered up through the cage, her black wings fluttering, and blew him a kiss. (We can do this.)
His thoughts ended with a sour feeling. “I know. Everything is different for royalty.” He clamped his hands together. “How long?”
“We're about to leave now, main stage.”
“Damn it!” Borias spun and stormed out, but he didn't get more than a few meters before he stopped. Turning around, he rushed back to Merrie and dropped to his knees.
Merrie stared at him in shock. When he swept her up in a tight hug, she squeaked. She wrapped her arms and legs around him.
“I be loving you, Merrie. Don't ever forget it. And Bass—”
She tensed.
“—just remember, I'm going to miss you girl.”
Merrie leaned into him and sobbed. She clutched to him, never wanting to let him go, but she knew it was too late for that. It was too late for anything but to face her fate.
Borias kissed her on the lips and she kissed back.
“Bori, we have to go.” Eolis was standing next to them.
With a sigh, Borias broke the kiss and stood up. His cock was hard and she reached out for it, but Eolis set a heavy hand on her shoulder. “Sorry, girl. Be safe. I be seeing what I can do.”
He got up and hurried away.
Eolis shook his head. “He may be a criminal, but there is a good heart in that boy.”
Merrie nodded.
“Well, I wish I could stop this, but….”
She shook her head. “No, I need to go. Please? I can't stay at the mill. I'll… I just can't.”
“Come on.” There was a sad look on Eolis' face. The thriban straightened his shirt and held out his hand. Zeob handed him his suit jacket and he shrugged it on. With a sad look on his face, he gestured for Merrie to talk.
It was one of the most agonizing crawls of her life. Eolis walked behind her, but she could real his thoughts of where he was going. They took the long way, to gather the most attention for the final sale of her life.
The fair was ruined. Stalls were destroyed and some were smoldering. Swetin's, the chocolate place, was being disassembled around the wreckage that remained. One of the women stopped with a smear of chocolate on her face and watched with sad eyes.
The man next to her glaring at her, blaming her for all of the destruction. More people stopped as they walked in silence. She could feel the anger and blame on her shoulders, pushing her down with the weight of their accusations.
More thoughts came trickling through her mind. People swearing they would never return and others nursing injuries. They blamed Rakin, but many of them no longer saw Merrie as anything but his bitch. They hated them, therefore they despised her.
There was none of the sexual excitement and joy from the previous day. There was just exhaustion and pain and hatred.
She bowed her head as they came up to the stage. Without being told, she crawled to the center and up on the small platform. There was only a murmur as she settled into place.
Eolis' heavy tread shook the platform. He came up next to her and held up his hands. “Attention!”
The crowds didn't quiet, but there was little noise to start with. They were watching her with accusing eyes. Merrie was despaired to see that only a few hundred people bothered to see her auction, not the thousands watching the night before.
“Last night's auction has been forfeited.”
“By who!?” yelled someone in the back.
Eolis hesitated. “The duke was summoned and he put a stop to it. The winning bid was invalid and it will be dealt with.”
“Was that before or after he trashed our stalls and hurt our people?”
The thriban started to answer, but then footsteps came up behind Merrie. She turned to watch as Count Blood strode past her, stopping on the edge.
“Folks of Blood Count,” Blood sounded exhausted, “I failed to protect you.” He bowed to them. “I apologize. I should have done something sooner, but I was trying to save you and I choose poorly.”
Maddy pushed her way to the front. “Count. I speak only for my farm, but I know what Rakin can do and it was your men who stopped him. It could have been far worse.”
A ripple of noise coursed along the crowds, bitter and angry.
“Thank you, Maddy.” The count raised his voice. “There is little I can do to make amends, but there is something. For the rest of the fair, there will be no taxes on services or goods. Sell what you have and buy what you can.”
Those words echoed across a suddenly quiet crowd.
Maddy frowned. “What about the duke's takes?”
“I have money. I will pay it. But, if it comes down to taking care of my people or worrying about a bit of money, I know what way I have to go. I'm not going to abandoned you because of some obsession. I'm not going to kick you when you are bleeding on the ground. This fair is the critical time for this county. We don't have seasonal ones like other counties, we have one. And if this fails, then the farms,” he pointed to Maddy, “the mills,” his hand swept to include Merrie, “and everything else crumbles. I can't do this without you, so please,” he bowed again, “forgive me and don't give up.”
One person began to clap. The count jerked at the sound and slowly lifted his head. Merrie followed his gaze, then gasped when she saw who it was.
Duke Natis stood in the middle of the crowd but separate from the others. His withered hand smacked against his palm and he had his staff hooked in the crook of his elbow.
A ripple of surprise ran along the other people as they realized who was applauding and that the duke had just given his wordless approval. A moment later, Maddy joined in. A second later, others joined it.
A woman held up a beer. She was in the middle of a cluster of people who were all carrying mugs. “The Brewers of Blood Count have decided to open up bar. Free drinks on the house until we run out!”
This time, the cheer was louder.
It died quickly, but the brief show of support brought a smile to Count Blood's face. He held up his hands. “Thank you. Now, let's get this bitch sold.”
Eolis started up the bid. “Why don't we start low? Do I hear a million?”
No one answered.
Merrie's shoulders slumped. That wasn't a good sign.
“How about three hundred thousand.”
“I'll take that,” called Maddy.
“I hear three hundred, do I hear four?”
A hand went up.
“Four, four, is there five? Come on, five? And we have five from Malcom, that will be one drunk bitch. And six from the man in black glasses. Glad you can see the quality of this bitch. Seven? Seven? I hear seven!”
“One million.” Rakin was standing at the corner of the stage, a glower on his face. He had dark shadows underneath his eyes and his guards were surrounding him with drawn weapons.
Merrie's sphincter tightened as the exhausted anger in his voice. She shook at the images that spun through his mind, thousands of fantasies hone sharp with a night of fighting and blood.
Eolis turned on him as an angry noise filled the crowd. “You aren't welcomed here, count.”
“I was given one day by the duke and that day isn't over. You put the bid for this morning and I have money.” He held up a leather envelope and handed it to Eolis who took it reluctantly.
Merrie drew her attention back to the duke, half expecting him to disappear from sight. But, the duke didn't. He shook his head sadly and started his way toward the stage.
Eolis paged through the money but he wasn't counting it. He already knew how much was in there. “There is ten million marks here.”
An angry growl ran along the crowds. A few of them were backing away from the Rakin, but others were scowling at the man at the corner of the stage.
Duke Natis stopped near Rakin. “What are you doing, count?”
Rakin's face was stone-faced and tense. He bowed to the duke. “You gave me a day.”
“Yes, but you also know that you failed to pay for your bid yesterday.”
“I have the money.”
“Don't do this, Mard. It won't work out for any of us.”
“All I care about is getting that bitch.” He pointed at Merrie.
Merrie gulped at the tightness in her throat. She felt sick and wished she could stop it. But, she couldn't. She could never go back to Bass and she hated every second she knew that.
The duke shook his head. “You should be concerned about your men, your people, and your lands.”
“I will get my bitch.”
The duke leaned against his staff. “Turn around, Mard. Go home.”
Rakin turned to the stage. “Get it over with. Ten million.”
His voice was loud in angry silence of the crowds. The air was tense and seething, but there was nothing Merrie could do. She was aware of her nakedness on the stage, but there was no comfort in the eyes that watched her.
From the side, Kessler stepped into the crowd. She had hope that he would bid on her, but she knew he wouldn't. Kessler only cared about money. A moment later, Tabitha and Bass joined him. Bass pulled Kessler aside and spoke sharply.
“Mard, walk away.” The duke's voice cracked but his eyes were narrowed.
Rakin shook his head and pointed to Eolis. “Finish it.”
With a sigh, Eolis handed the money back, but Rakin refused with a shake of his head. “Keep it in sight. I'm not going to lose her again.”
The duke's thriban straightened. “I have ten million. Do I have eleven?”
Silence.
“Ten million one?”
Still nothing.
Merrie felt the bile rising up. It was happening again. She was seconds away from being doomed to be Rakin's bitch.
“Ten million one? Going once?”
A tear ran down her cheek.
“Ten million. Going twice to the fucking asshole?”
No one disagreed with Eolis comment, even though it was inappropriate. There was a sharp-edged hatred for the count.
“Damn,” whispered Eolis. “Last chance. No? Then the alpha has been—”
“Eleven million,” yelled a familiar voice. It was Kine, the thief.
Merrie gasped and looked around. Her eyes scanned the crowds but she didn't see him.
Eolis frowned. “Who said that?”
Rakin spun around, his face darkening.
And then Kine was there, standing as if he was there from the beginning. He was only a meter from the stage. In the light, she could see him clearly. His short blond hair was plastered to his head, almost a buzz cut except that it glistened with moisture. He wore a tight black shirt and jeans that molded to his body, setting off his pale skin.
Eolis shook his head. “Eleven million to the dark gentleman at the last second.” A smile grew across his lips as he turned to Rakin. “Count?”
Rakin's hands balled into fists. “Twelve.”
Merrie frowned as she heard the lie. She whimpered and looked up at Eolis, who tensed up. “Twelve million from the count… if he can provide the money this time.”
“I'm good for it,” snapped the count.
Merrie whimpered.
“Thirteen mil,” said Kine with a smirk.
She started to turn back to Rakin, but then caught Bass yelling at Kessler. His hands were waving as he snapped at her.
Kessler held out his hand.
With a snarl on his face, Bass gave a sharp nod and shook Kessler's hand.
With a smile, Kessler spun on his heels and strode through the sparse crowds. “Excuse me,” he said loudly.
Rakin turned on Kessler. “What are you doing? Keep out of this.”
The duke joined in. “What is it, son?”
Kessler pointed at Rakin. “That man doesn't have twelve million marks on him.”
Outrage rose up.
Rakin growled. “What are you doing!? We had a deal!”
The merchant shrugged with a smile. “I made a more profitable one.”
“You'll never get your money.”
“Actually, Count Rakin, I will. Paladin Puppy Mill and Blood County has made a generous offer,” he smirked, “to pay for my services to confirm your ability to pay. In fact, they agreed to match the winning bid if you made an offer you can't afford. Which is,” the smile grew wider, “eleven million marks in cash.”
“I will kill you,” announced Rakin.
“No, I believe by the laws of Franome provides a disinterested third-party, such as myself, to require you to confirm your ability to pay. So, you have five minutes to add one million marks to the money Eolis is holding.”
Rakin stepped back and looked around, but there was no one looking at him.
Merrie glanced at Kine, but the thief's presence was pushing her away again. She reached out for his mind and worked her way through his repulsion. He was amusement. She clamped down on his emotions and used that to pull focus on him.
Kine smiled at her and the presence dropped away, allowing everyone to see on him again.
Rakin stepped forward. “Lend it to me, Kessler. Any rate you want.”
Kessler gave a mocking smile. “I'm sorry, my lord count, I no longer trust your credit. I believe you have thirty seconds remaining.”
Flushed with anger, Rakin looked up at Merrie and she could feel the frustrated anger boiling inside him. He would never forgive her any more than he would forgive Bass for Sable.
The seconds ticked past.
And then, the duke cleared his throat. “Count Rakin.”
Shaking with emotions, Rakin turned to his duke.
“You have embarrassed the crown with your actions.” The duke's cracked voice was sad and angry, a bitterness that Rakin had forced his hand. “Please place yourself under arrest.”
“No.”
“Are you refusing, Mard?”
“That's my bitch! I bought her! Twice!”
The duke scanned the guards surrounding Rakin. “If you defend the count against arrest, then you will join him in Abbinkey for treason.”
The men did not need a second guess. Like smoke, they sheathed their swords and stepped away.
“Give up, Mard.” As the duke spoke, a massive burst of magic rose out of him.
Behind him, three summoning circles spread out along the ground. The grass ignited from the power crackling along the brilliant white runes as they seared themselves into the earth. Smoke curled around three columns of light, each one centered in the circle, expanded from the center until each circle was a column of blinding brilliance.
Merrie felt the energy snapping at her skin and the hairs on her body rising up from the energy that threatened to choke her. Her eyes blurred from tears as she stared at the light. It was a spell far too complicated for her to understand, her mind refused to focus on the components of the spell. She was humbled by the sheer power that came from the withered duke.
From the light, three figures stepped out. They were skeletally thin but wearing silvered armor. They looked both feminine and masculine as they stopped outside the circles. As one, the three figures stretched out four arms. Each one was tipped with three large, metallic claws.
There was no question that they were the duke's guards. They had the Franome signal burned on their chest with the duke's symbol below it.
“Mard,” the duke said tiredly, “don't make this any worse.”
For a long moment, energy crackled around Rakin. And then, the count swore and lowered his arm. “I submit.”
A cheer rolled across the fields.
And then Rakin, the duke, and the three armored figures were gone. Disappeared between one blink and another. A crack noise rolled away from the impact and then the ground exploded up into a column of dust and rock.
Merrie shielded her face from a shock wave that slammed into her. Rocks and pebbles smacked her skin, leaving tiny cuts and bruises. more of them lashed at her exposed nipples and breasts, thudding against her skin.
Ears ringing, Merrie stared at the dust in disbelief. She kept waiting for Rakin to appear again.
Seconds passed.
Then minutes.
Eolis spoke up. “Sold for the dark man for eleven million.”
The crowds exploded into cheers and Merrie slumped forward with a gasp of relief.
It was over.
She was bought.
“Let's just hope he has the money,” muttered Eolis as he gestured for Kine, “otherwise I'm buying you myself just to get you sold.”
Kine jumped up on the stage and followed Eolis into the back. It much quieted behind the wall. Eolis took a few steps to the side and turned around.
Merrie noticed that Kine's feet made no noise as he entered the darkness. There was a sense of relief in the shadows of the back stage.
“Do you have the money, boy? It's going to get ugly if you don't.”
Kine nodded and pulled out an envelope. Merrie caught sight of Rakin's seal on it but Kine kept it tilted away from Eolis as he pulled out a thick sheaf of money. “Here,” he said as he shoved the envelope back into the shadows of his pocket.
“He's off by ten thousand marks,” Kessler said as he walked in with Bass, Borias, and Tabitha.
She gulped at the idea that she was going home with Kine. She had a master. A man she would bond to.
Kine handed a ten thousand mark note to Eolis. “There,” he said, his voice somehow blurring, “is that enough?”
Kessler nodded, but his eyes never left Kine.
Eolis pretended to count it. After a few seconds, he sighed. “Why bother? Kessler's never wrong.” He counted out a stack of notes and handed the rest to Bass.
Bass looked at it, shook his head, and handed it immediately over to Kessler.
Kessler gestured to the money that Eolis took out. “I'll get the rest when we talk tonight.”
A growl rumbled in the air, but it came from three sources: Eolis, Bass, and Tabitha.
Kine stepped back, his hand dropping to his side. “Should I be afraid?”
Kessler chuckled. “No, they just think that the duke's takes should somehow be exempt from a legal agreement.”
Looking over the silent people, Kine grunted. “So, how many taxes does the old man take?”
“Four percent.”
“I can do something about that.” He pulled out a matching stack of money from Rakin's stolen envelope. He started to handed it to Bass, then added a few more bills and gave it to Eolis. “Everyone has to get their taxes, right?”
Eolis frowned with confusion but took the duke's share and handed it to Bass who handed it to Kessler.
Kessler watched Kine warily as he stuffed the money in his pocket. “Awful free with your money, aren't you?”
“I don't need it,” came a casual response.
“As if it wasn't your own.”
“Yeah,” Kine said with a smirk that never reached eyes that Merrie couldn't focus on, “imagine that. And I'm feeling awfully generous with the rest of it. Do you know an enchanter around here?”
“Enchanter?” Kessler frowned. “You want an artifact?”
“No, someone who does enchantments, charms. You know, geas. Yeah, that's the word. I need a geas.”
Borias flinched.
“What,” Bass said carefully, “do you need a geas for?”
The smile dropped from Kine's face. “Bitches don't talk.”
Merrie shivered at the hard voice. There was something terrifying about the man who just bought her and she didn't know what it was. She could feel his body against her own and it was growing cooler by the second.
“She won't talk, I trained her better than that.”
“Bitches don't talk. I don't want to hear another word every come out of her throat. And I see a lot of people out there that need money. I'm sure on of them could give me a geas, what do you think?”
“No one can,” growled Bass.
“I can,” Borias said.
“Borias!?” Bass spun around to face the mage.
Tabitha just punched him hard, throwing him into the back of the stage.
Borias folded over Tabitha's arm, gasping for breath as he slammed to the ground on his knees. The impact shook the stage.
Bass grabbed Borias by his arms and lifted him off the ground. The side of the stage shook as the former paladin slammed the mage against the diver between the front and back stage. “What are you doing!?” His voice deafened Merrie.
Merrie's world spun around violently. She saw what happened to Haviston when he was breaking his own geas. And she heard Borias' description. The spell scared her, scared her more than anything but Rakin. She took a step back, but froze when Kine rested his hand on her head.
Soft fingers ran along her hair until he caught her ear. He caressed the ridge with his thumb, stroking from end to end. The pleasure of the touch mixed in with the horror she felt in her stomach.
“I be doing this, boss.”
“It's a geas! Why would you do that to her!?”
“Because, I must do it.” Borias said. “Please, trust me.”
“It's a geas!”
“Trust me, please.”
Kine spoke up. “Now I'm wondering if you'll actually do it. You sound like you are cheating me.”
Kessler raised his hand. “I can confirm the geas… for a fee.”
“How much?”
Kessler pointed to the envelope. “Ten percent of what's left in that.”
Kine stroked the paper through his pocket. “Sure, why not. I'll give the rest to that guy if he can spin it, or whatever you do to put spells on.”
Borias struggled to pry off Bass' fingers. “It be called casting.”
“Oh, cool. So, you cast a geas and I give you the money. There's a couple million in here.”
“Why,” Bass growled at Borias, “why would you do that?”
“If someone be doing this, boss, make it me. That guy be getting a geas even if I not be casting it. I'd rather it be someone who loves her put it on. You don't know be scary it was in Abbinkey when they be putting it on me.”
Borias slipped from Bass' fingers. Tears ran down the thriban's cheeks. Without a word, he walked away. Merrie watched him go down the stairs and out of sight.
She was glad he was gone but sad at the same time. She wanted to call out for him but couldn't.
Borias gasped for breath and rubbed his neck. “T-Tabby?”
“Yes?” snarled the shapeshifter.
“Be getting Haviston?”
“He's sleeping.”
“He be having a debt to pay to me. I not be caring if he still be bleeding out the ears, he be coming.”
Tabitha scanned Borias face for a long moment. Then she transformed into a wolf and was gone.
“Damn,” Kine said in a whisper, “that was the chick who ripped your arms and legs off?” He knelt next to her, still stroking her ear as he spoke just to her.
Merrie nodded.
“I think I need to unscrew my asshole after that. I saw that wolf ripping men apart last night. I thought it was someone's monster.”
Merrie worried her lower lip. “Why?” She whispered. “Why are you doing this?”
Kine leaned into her, his lips tickling her ear. “I have a lot of secrets, Merrie. And my name is one of them.”
She felt ice wash through her veins.
“Yes,” he continued, “I heard you say my name. You did it in shadows. I hear a lot in shadows. So, I turned around and bought you to keep my secrets. The geas is to make sure you will never say it again. To anyone.”
“I—”
“My master always told me to keep my name close to my chest. I can do that. My first thought was to cut your throat as soon as we left the fair—”
Merrie whimpered softly.
“—but then I remembered that mouth of yours. And I'm looking forward to fucking that ass of yours all night long. Trust me, even if you can't talk, I'll do a good job of taking care of you.”
She started to pant as the heat curled up inside her.
“Actually,” he grinned, “it occurs to me. I'm going to be fucking your ass for the rest of your life. I like that. You'll do everything Rimmy won't do. And when I'm done with you, I'm going to stick you in the prettiest cage I can find.”
A soft moan filled her throat. She could feel his desires against her mind, hot and slick. He was energetic and fantasies were already painting themselves against his consciousness. Her body tingled as the bond struggled to form, but it was still sealed away by Haviston's spell.
Borias rubbed his throat. “I be needing a quiet room to be doing the spell. Something with a door.”
“Use my wagon,” Eolis offered. “It is well warded against spells. If that is okay with you?”
Kine shrugged.
Together, they all headed straight back for Eolis' wagon. Haviston and Tabitha joined them just as they were entering the campsite again. Tabitha was seething, but Merrie's attention was on Haviston.
The psion was wearing fresh robes, but there was dried blood on his throat and neck. He looked haggard and drawn, as if the life has been drained from him. His one good eye twitched as he leaned against a makeshift staff. His limp was also more pronounced as he struggled to keep up.
Merrie felt a joy at his misery, but it faded quickly when she realized that he was going to do something far worse to her.
At the wagon, Eolis opened the back door and picked up Merrie to set her inside. She crawled away from the entrance as Borias and Haviston joined her.
Eolis lead his head into the room. “Don't go looking through my stuff. How much time do you need?”
Haviston and Borias looked at each other. Borias answered. “Ten, maybe twenty minutes.”
“You got it.” And then Eolis shut the door.
Eolis' private room was comfortable, with a large bed on one wall. It had a large flowered bedspread over it and almost as many pillows as Bass had on his floor. The smell was a strange mixture of thriban, flowers, and perfume.
Borias looked around surprise. "This not be what I think Eolis' room be looking like."
Haviston shrugged. “Everyone has secrets.”
“Yes,” Borias snapped, “and your secret almost be killing Merrie.”
Another shrug. “I said I was going to do it.”
“Yes, and now you be helping me with this spell.”
“Are you sure about this, cousin? Geas are nasty spells.”
“Yes, because that guy not be saying the knot condition.”
“Ah,” a smile crossed over Haviston's face. “Now I see. Very well. Which variant? Cross? Bannerstan?”
“I be thinking Dremiol-Thorn. There is less backlash and it has a magic with a psionic component.”
“But she won't remember the knot.”
“At least she won't be having her organs spewing out of her pussy and ass.”
Merrie clenched her body at the image.
"Very well.
She spoke up, feeling ashamed for asking. “What is a knot?”
Borias chuckled and held up his hand before Haviston started to lecture. “Geas spells be a knotted spell. That means they be very powerful, but they be having a simple way to break it. For one of my geas and Haviston's, the knot be a pardon from the royal family. For my other,” he sighed as he patted the bed for her, “I don't know. He not be telling me, so I not be knowing what I have to do to go back to Franome City.”
“And,” she breathed, “you'll tell me the knot?” She crawled on the bed and into the center.
“Yes, but this version won't let you remember. But, since we be casting the knot, we be remembering it. And, if things ever change,” he smiled and kissed her head, “then we can be releasing you and giving your voice back.”
Her tail wagged back and forth. “Thank you,” she shot a glare at Haviston, “Borias.”
“So,” asked Haviston, “what is going to be the knot.”
“There is a stake outside the fence. It is to the—-”
“Her stake?”
Borias' eyes widened.
Haviston shook his head. “I'm a psion. I just read your mind.”
“Oh, and you be wandering around my thoughts?”
Haviston opened his mouth and then shook his head. “You scare me, cousin. Your thoughts, though bound by a geas, will give me nightmares for… days at least.”
There was a brief silence, then Borias chuckled. “Probably the best I can be hoping for.” He turned to Merrie. “So, the knot will be the stake. You be touching it and you be free.”
It seemed so simple. Relief flooded through her. “Thank you.”
“Anything I can be doing. Like… we take care of bitches after they are sold.”
“Is it going to hurt?”
Haviston hiked up his robes and crawled on the bed. “It will be uncomfortable but not painful. It will take about ten minutes. Put her on the bed, it will be more comfortable than the floor.”
Merrie crawled over to the bed, but it towered over her. Borias stepped up behind her and wrapped one arm around her breasts and the other up between her legs. She let out a whimper of need as he lifted her up, the pressure crushing her breasts and labia against him. She scrambled on the bed as soon as she could, her smooth wrists giving her no traction on the quilted bedspread.
She watched as Haviston sat down with his legs spread. Her pulse was pounding in her ears as she felt the magic gathering around the two men.
The bed shifted as Borias crawled on. He positioned himself opposite of Haviston. Carefully, he spread his legs until their ankles were crossed and there was a small gap between their legs.
Merrie took a deep breath. “What do I do?”
Haviston tapped the space in the middle. “Kneel here, back to me.”
A flush burning along her skin, Merrie obeyed. She crawled over their legs and turned around. Her tail smacked Haviston in the chest as she spread her legs as if she was begging. Her knees and ankles formed a square against the diamond of the two men's legs.
If she was being trained, it would be a precursor to being double-penetrated. She smiled even though she knew it was a false smile.
Borias grinned back, his eyes just as dead. “Don't be worrying. We love you, Merrie, no matter what happens.”
Haviston adjusted her legs. She could tell that he was making them perfectly square and helped him; she knew she got it when there was a surge of approval from Haviston.
Magic crackled off Borias and Haviston. There were spells already taking effect and she could feel the psychic patterns forming behind her.
Borias reached out and pressed one hand against her throat. “Any last words?”
Merrie took a deep breath. She almost shook her head, but she realized she had a question. “Why don't I hate you?”
Borias cocked his head. “What?”
“Bass, Tabitha, Piffin, I hate all of them. They raped me and tortured me.”
There was sadness in Borias' as she spoke. “But I don't hate you, Bori. Why?”
Borias leaned to the side to look at Haviston. Merrie turned her head to follow his gaze.
Haviston looked up and shrugged. “Borias Kivas is family. One does not cause magical beings with the potential to raise armies to hate family. It simply isn't wise.”
Borias chuckled. “You are pathetic, Havi.”
“My name is Haviston.”
“Whatever you say,” a smirk, “Havi.”
“Could we finish the spell?” muttered Haviston.
Borias looked at Merrie and she took a deep breath. She nodded. “T-Thank you.”
“I'm be quite fond of you, Merrie. You be bringing me more joy than I have had since Cici died. You be giving me hope and I will never,” he cupped her chin, “never be forgetting you, k?”
Tears burned in her eyes. “I love you.”
“Good, now be making that your last word.”
She nodded.
Borias returned his hand to throat. He pressed his other hand to her stomach, right above her pubic bone.
Behind her, Haviston rested two fingers on the nape of her neck and his other hand right at the junction of her tail and spine.
Her tail shivered and gave a way.
“Keep that as still as possible.”
She dropped her tail, then reached down to thread it between her legs. The furry limb rested against her right inner thigh and she felt it jerking from her emotions.
“Acceptable. Prepared, cousin?”
“I be ready.”
And then power poured into her. It tasted like metallic shit, a ugly trembling that focused on her throat and ran down her spine. More of the sickening spell pooled at her spine and reached up for the foul energies filling her.
“Be adjusting the delta on six.”
Haviston replied in a monotone, “Check the chain patterns on the lateral. And the other one. There, you have a fluctuation on fifteen.”
“Okay, good?”
“Yes, more power along the cross-break.”
Merrie fought the bile as she felt the energy filling her. It was rushing up in her head, filling her body with the foul taste. She wanted to cry out but she couldn't move. As the sensation of cold, metallic feces rushed past her nose, she felt the spell erasing how to release the spell, the knot. She tried to cling to it, but it was already gone. With a sob, she let out her breath.
“No, not yet. Don't talk,” said Haviston.
She felt the spell complete. It was a sudden surge of being filled, like Bass ramming his hated cock into her ass. But it remained, a pressure against her mind and body, filling her from head to toe.
The hands released her and she slumped forward, her face smacking the blankets on the bed. She morbidly felt a urge to speak, but tore her thoughts away in fear of her insides spewing out.
“Damn, that be a nasty spell.”
Merrie whimpered and then froze in fear that it would hurt. She could still taste the spell on her tongue.
“The conditions allow for normal bitch noises. Whimpering, whining, and barking will all be allowed.” Haviston stood up and jumped off the bed.
She turned to follow his movement, then crawled over to the edge when he pointed.
Borias crawled off and stood next to Haviston. He peered at her, his eyes slightly unfocused.
Haviston cupped her chin. “Now, try to say your name.”
Merrie's eyes widened and she shook her head.
“No, don't worry. The spell has a mild punishment.”
“Meaning,” Borias said as he wiped the sweat from his brow, “that your insides won't be coming out. Go on, be saying your name. Or my name.”
She took a deep breath and tried. She opened her mouth, but her throat froze. A panic coursed through her.
“Again,” ordered Haviston.
She tried again, but her throat refused to form the words. She tried to just breath hard and curl her tongue, but her muscles refuse to allow it to move. All that came out was just a shuddering gasp.
“Now, bark.”
She inhaled and barked. It came out clear and bright.
“Good girl. Now, be saying your name again.”
Merrie tried again.
“Harder.”
She tried.
Borias and Haviston shared a look. Borias gave a sharp nod, but he looked torn.
Haviston pressed his hand right below her sternum. “I want you to say your name. And if you don't say it in five seconds, I'm going to inflict you with a very sharp pain that has the potential of ripping your stomach open.”
Merrie gasped and shook her head.
“Five.”
She whimpered and tried to push him away. Borias caught her arms and pushed them back, his fingers digging into her elbow.
“Four.”
Merrie cried out, her voice making the whines of a bitch. She tried to ask him to stop, but she couldn't.
“Three.”
Tears ran down her cheeks. She sobbed and flailed harder.
“Two.”
Her sobs shook her body. Merrie was terrified. Her bladder release, jetting hot liquid against Eolis' blankets.
“One.”
She screamed out her name, or tried to. The metallic energy rose up and she felt her entire insides twist violently as every organs tried to rip itself out. She clenched over in pain, clutching her stomach though every part of her ached.
Her movement tipped her over the edge, but Borias caught her and wrapped his arms around her. “No, no. It be okay, Merrie. It be okay. I be holding you.”
“The geas is in place,” announced Haviston.
Merrie sobbed on the blankets, her body wet from her own urine.
“Then you be telling Eolis that she be peeing on the bed.”
Haviston only grunted.
Borias pulled her close, ignoring the moisture clinging to her body. “You be okay?”
Merrie sobbed and buried her face into his shoulder.
“I know, I know. Don't worry. Some day, you'll be coming back and we be releasing that spell. But until then, you be a good little bitch and make me proud, k?”
She nodded into his arm.
“Now you be going to your new master,” he pushed her back and kissed her lips, “be remembering that he not be Rakin. And at least you be safe from that man.”
Merrie sniffed, the tears on her cheeks. Borias helped her off the bed and lead the way to the door of the room. When it opened, she stared out at the gathered people.
Eolis stepped up and picked her up. He sniffed once, then looked up at Borias and Haviston.
Haviston said, “There was an accident on your bed.”
Eolis glared at Haviston as he set Merrie on the ground.
Haviston shrugged and hopped down.
Kine was sitting in a chair, a beer in his hand and watching curiously. He seemed uncomfortable being the center of attention.
She crawled over to her new master. Like a good bitch, she knelt down, spread her legs, and then brought her wrists up to her throat.
Kine drained his mug and looked over at Kessler.
Kessler inspected Merrie for a long moment, then looked up at Haviston and Borias. After a few painful minutes, he nodded. “Yes, she has a geas.”
“Can she talk?”
Merrie tried to say “no,” but the words didn't come out. She tried again, not hard enough to trigger the twisting but just to show that it wouldn't come out. She stopped with a bark and a whine, lowering her ears to the side of her head.
“Good enough for me.” Kine announced and stood up. “But, I need to be going.”
Bass held up his hand. “Excuse me. If you don't mind, I'd like to check on her in a few years. At the mill, we—”
“No,” Kine said.
“But, I'll pay for—”
“Don't worry, big guy.” Kine rested a hand on Merrie's ear. He caught the ridge with his fingers and stroked it. “I'll take care of her and you don't need to worry.” He tugged lightly on her ear. “Come on, Merrie, let's go.”
Merrie didn't look back as she let Kine lead her away.
(Just remember,) Haviston's thoughts chased after her, (the inability to speak does not affect your ability to project.)
A slow smile crossed her lips. Maybe it wasn't going to be as bad as she thought.