Leola frowned, worried that she’d done something to upset the only friend she thought she had amongst these strangers.
“You must have pleased my lord last night to be bestowed with such an honor,” Dorva said, her voice filled with tension. “Did he seed your cunny?”
Leola started, then turned her eyes toward the ground at the question. Shame and humiliation welled through her. Even though Dorva said her people were not shamed by such intimate conversations, Leola couldn’t help the way she felt.
“Nothing to say? What’s the matter? Didn’t like the way his cock felt in your pussy?” Leola asked. She gripped the back of the dress and yanked the two sides together before threading a button into an eyelet.
“He didn’t… we didn’t…” Leola stammered before realizing it would probably be best to just stay silent.
Dorva stepped around to look at her with wide eyes. “He didn’t?” she asked quietly. She folded her arms across her chest. “Well,” she said. “You must have charms that aren’t immediately apparent to make my king so happy without welcoming him into yourself. Did he put it in your ass then?”
A fierce blush to Leola’s cheeks and she looked down at the ground again. She wondered what had angered Dorva, who yesterday had seemed so friendly, but didn’t dare ask.
The tent walls fell around them just as the silence was becoming awkward.
“Lord Sedrak’s waiting for it up front,” a soldier grunted at them before starting to fold the heavy canvas over itself.
Dorva put a hand on Leola’s elbow and spun her around. “Come then. Let’s see how long it takes before he puts you back into your cage,” she said. She marched Leola through the camp and to the head of the line of men and beasts that was forming along the road.
As they approached Sedrak, now dressed in full battle gear, Leola saw him speaking with Barval.
Barval seemed agitated. Respectful, but gesturing with his hands as if to emphasize a point. He stepped away and cut off the conversation before she could hear what they were talking about.
When Sedrak noticed she was approaching, he too straightened and put a hand on the hilt of his sword. “You are dismissed, Barval,” he said. “Thank you, Dorva. Has she been fed?”
Dorva bowed her head. “We didn’t have time before they called us, my lord,” she said.
“Bring bread and cheese,” Sedrak ordered.
Dorva and Barval retreated and Sedrak turned to look at her.
Leola glanced at the two figures walking away, shoulders hunched and now engaged in conversation. She suddenly felt as alone and worried as the night they’d taken her. “Is something wrong, Master?” she asked, unable to resist. “Dorva seemed… upset. Did I…”
“You did nothing,” Sedrak said and his tone implied he wouldn’t tolerate any further questions on the matter. His expression softened when he looked at her again. “Politics as usual,” he grumbled. “Nothing to concern yourself with. Now come.” Putting his hands on her hips, he hoisted her up toward the saddle of the massive beast that was snorting and stomping at the ground with a hoof.
Leola gasped but got a foothold in a stirrup and swung her other leg over the saddle.
Sedrak hauled himself up and settled in behind her.
A warm shudder whispered through her at the feeling of his hard chest against her back. She looked back at the line of soldiers behind them to see all had assembled.
Sedrak dug his heels gently into the animal’s sides. “Forward! Ha!” he shouted. The beast lurched forward and they were soon swaying to the rhythm of its stride in the saddle.
Behind them, the column began to move. Pans and weapons clanked and ungreased axles squealed as men and beasts began pulling their loads.
From her perch, Leola felt as if she were dreaming. It was surreal, seated at the head of this mighty army, its king with his arms wrapped around her. Just days ago she felt her life was over. Sitting there in that moment it seemed like it was just beginning.
They rode until past noon. As the sun crested past its peak in the sky they turned around a bend in the river they’d been following.
The sight of a fortress so sturdy and massive, seated on a hilltop in the distance, took Leola’s breath away. The castle she’d called home paled in comparison to this. Mighty spires reached up toward the heavens, crowned with dazzling gilded rooftops.
Along the battlements spearmen and archers roamed. The drawbridge was easily twice the size of the one she’d ordered opened when Sedrak and his army had arrived in the middle of the night.
Sedrak leaned over her and whispered, “Impressive, isn’t it?”
“It’s… stunning,” she replied, breathless.
He let out a soft chuckle and reined the beast in, raising a fist toward the sky at the same time.
Behind them the long line ground to a halt.
Sedrak turned in his seat. “We rest until the sun touches the spires!” he shouted. “Barval!”
His faithful servant came running up moments later.
Leola couldn’t suppress the squeal that rose from her as Sedrak plucked her from the saddle and lowered her to the ground. She blushed and avoided Barval’s stern gaze, embarrassed by the sound.
Sedrak hoisted a leg over the animal’s back and jumped to the ground with a firm thump. “My horse, please, Barval,” he said.
Barval muttered a quick “Yes, m’lord,” before jogging down the line. He returned with a white stallion with fire in its eyes.
Sedrak smiled.
The restless mount stomped and snorted, shook its head and whinnied.
For a moment Leola thought it was going to rear up on its hind legs and trample them.
It calmed as soon as Sedrak laid a hand on it. Shook its head one more time but took a step toward them. It was easily half again as tall as Leola and she backed away, somewhat terrified of the animal.
“There, there,” Sedrak soothed, taking the reins from Barval and
