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Chapter Eighty-Three - New Beginnings
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The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Four - A Royal Wedding
On the day itself, Eithne was sick several times. If only she could hide behind a veil. But there was nothing else for it, however pasty she looked, this was the happiest day in her young life.She hadn’t anticipated she would be staying in Ormond when she wed and, mere months ago, it had seemed as if this day would never come. Slavery had taught her that some people had cruel natures and some did not. Eithne was only grateful it had been Xander who turned up that day, otherwise Clara might well have made the rest of her short life a living hell.Lysette had been found eventually by a dogged Hengest and was now detained at King Ephron’s pleasure. His sister sighed. She hoped he would become immune to her obvious charms and not be tempted to release her from the dungeon anytime soon.He kept saying no harm had been done, but it might well have been.There had been no compromise and she was suffering the kind of endless ceremony she had dreaded. Illness was one way of gaining respite, a
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Five - Peekaboo
One Year LaterHe had been looking forward to this moment for a while, this private time alone with his new family. Drago had sent word via various couriers who had since gone on to do other, possibly more worthy, things.If he had a sense of shame it was in having left them, after all, to pursue his long held dreams. Had it been worth the possible cost? Did she have another in her bed?The evidence was there in front of his eyes. He could scarcely take it in.This lad was very young and without beard. That would come in time.He watched, fascinated, as they rolled together and she tickled his sides making him laugh. It was an infectious sound, soon echoed by the other person present: a girl.Xander knew the imposter had once stood here watching him and Eithne. This act was far different but maybe no less unworthy. He should have announced his presence straight away.Having heard she was back in her old bedchamber he had been curious as to the reason why. Well, now he knew.She was we
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter One - Invaded
Eithne could no longer stand by and watch the children starve when there was plenty of stew in the pot. It was tempting to pick up the ladle and serve them herself but she wasn’t that stupid. Instead she made her way across to the helmeted guard and knelt at his feet. “Yes?” he rasped. “Out with it and make it quick.” “Surely my brother doesn’t want this?” She gestured behind her at the two seven year old twins, Morgan and Maisie. The latter was pale and fading fast while the boy’s eyes were dull and lacking in hope. “Your point, my lady?” The new deference surprised her and perhaps explained her unbound hands and feet. Then she became aware that someone was standing behind her and it wasn’t Ephron. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw a tall, cloaked figure and smelled blood. It was in the newcomer’s hair and beard and still dripping from his sword. “Clean it.” Eithne remained on her knees, unaware the command was directed at her. “Are you deaf, woman?” She eyed the pail in th
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Two - Mercy
Maisie began to moan, an unearthly sound which filled the small hut and made Eithne’s heart heavy. She was certain Xander would have no sympathy for her plight unless she offered up an incentive. He was busy devouring the rabbit stew with a bent spoon, one arm clamped firmly around her waist.“Please,” she begged. “Let me go to her. I think she’s dying.”There was a clatter as he dropped the spoon on the table. “No tricks,” he warned, releasing her.Cuddling the child, she could not help but notice the drool on Morgan’s face. His eyes were closed and she fancied she could sense his pain.A shadow fell across her. Eithne raised tear-filled eyes to his. “I fear I was too late,” she said.“You give up far too easily, girl,” Xander said. “Am I right in thinking there’s a well outside? Some water may revive them. For sure it will ease their passing, should it come to that. Solid food was never going to work.” He put his hands on his hips. “What are you waiting for?”She found a dipper amon
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Three - Reflection
Watching him do an about-face and stride rapidly back towards the ramshackle dwelling, Eithne was really tempted to let him do it. Her instinct for self-preservation warred with her integrity. She couldn’t just run away from this – from him. Where would she go and, for that matter, how far would she get?Knowing she would not be able to live with herself, that she would be no better than Clara, Eithne raised the hem of her gown once more. This time, her pace was slow and measured rather than rapid and directionless.“I knew you’d come to your senses,” Xander said, as he set to work with a spade.She watched him for a time, wondering why he hadn’t delegated the task to his subordinate. His arms were well-muscled and more than equal to the task. It occurred to her he had probably dug graves before. For fallen comrades, maybe, not little ones.Yet, as she stood there, judging him without mercy, Eithne reminded herself she knew nothing about this Frankish invader other than that he wanted
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Four - Clara
Eithne’s head was spinning as she allowed her captor – nay, her new master – to lead her away from the site of the tragedy. She wasn’t sure what to believe or not believe other than that Xander was a blackguard and certainly not to be trusted. As to the part her mother and brother had played in her father’s downfall, not to mention her own, she could only speculate.She could believe such a thing of Clara but not Ephron, mean though he had sometimes been towards her.The day was melding into dusk, but Eithne kept her head down and refused to look at the devastation all around. In her opinion the halter around her neck was unnecessary, but she supposed Xander was making a point. Whether she’d earned such punishment was a matter of opinion – and disagreement – between them.All she’d said was he was an opportunist and a liar. Had she really disrespected him? Someone with his dubious moral code should have taken it as a compliment.Xander picked up the pace seemingly at random, but it wa
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Five - Bathing
Xander came into the room a short time later, looking refreshed and impossibly handsome. She felt like a traitor even thinking like that. He was clean-shaven and she could not help noticing the sharp jawline and mobile mouth below a hawk nose fit for a nobleman. His green eyes were alert, despite his casual demeanour; she judged him anything but relaxed. Presumably the beard and unkempt appearance had been a result of weeks on the road. How active he had been in the assault on the kingdom was anybody’s guess and yet, hadn’t she cleaned the blood off his blade only yesterday? “Sleep well?” he asked, with studied nonchalance. “My daughter is sulking. See if you can bring her round, Xander. I am going for a nap.” He pulled up a stool and perched his large frame upon it with no sign of being hunched. This was a man comfortable in his own skin. “So, you’re refusing to speak, eh? I can assure you that won’t last long. When I’m done with you, Princess, you will be begging me for more.” “
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Six - Embarrassed
Somewhat naively, Eithne had assumed intimacy only took place at night. Although she had once come across two of the servants lying together in the meadow when she was searching for a suitable spot to sit and read her book. “Are you going to watch me, my lord?” she asked, hoping the answer would be in the negative. “I think I’ve earned the right, don’t you?” he replied, leaning back against the wall as if he had no intention of leaving. “How?” she demanded, arms akimbo. “By treating you gently thus far,” he answered. Those ominous words made her quiver. She could not deny the thought of immersing herself in hot water was tempting but no male had seen her naked since she reached puberty. In fact, she had been given to understand that sometimes husbands on their wedding night saw less of their bride than she was about to reveal to this stranger. At least there wasn’t much to remove. She stepped out of her shoes first, placing them neatly side by side and out of the way before turn
Latest chapter
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Five - Peekaboo
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Four - A Royal Wedding
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Three - New Beginnings
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Two - Unworthy
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-One - Beeveland
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty - Repercussions
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Nine - Divided Loyalties
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Eight - Commitment
- The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Seven - Duped
