The Contract (18 page)

“Come along, Katrina, we must retire for the night.” He gave me significant look at it hit me—we were going to watch them. My hand flew to my heart and Callista looked from Max to me, obviously noting my anxiety.

“Of course, my lord,” I said as calmly as I could. “Until tomorrow, Callie.” I let Max lead me out of the hall.

Max leaned close to my ear as we walked sedately down the hallway. “I thought you might just faint. Should I be prepared?” He sounded warm and amused. He steered me down a hall that I’d rarely traveled.

“You might,” I said softly. “Max, I’m…this…” I looked up at him as he stopped.

“If this is too much for you, my lady wife, tell me and we’ll go back to our room.” He waited with unusual patience as I thought.

Finally I shook my head. “No, I will manage.“Max tried not to smile at my expression then gave up and kissed my temple.

“Katrina,” he said, chuckling. “Come along.” He led me down another hall, this one only used by servants as far as I knew. He stopped at a door, unlocking it with a key. He turned to look at me warningly. “We must be quiet—if you make any noise, they will hear us.“I nodded, my eyes wide. Was I really going to do this? As he led me into a shadowy set of steps, I realized I was. The hallway was barely light enough to walk along, narrow and dusty, obviously rarely used. He led me past several screens, pulling me along when I would have stopped to investigate. Where were these other screens located?

Finally Max put a cautionary finger to his lips and almost silently slid a screen made of crossing wooden pieces along a groove in the floor. The screen was part of another screen, and no doubt looked solid from below. And usually the two screens made a solid surface with one behind the other. Now, however, as Max slid it to the side, diamond-shaped gaps appeared, and as I looked, I saw I was above a room. The screens must be at the very top of the wall. Interesting, since I thought that many of the rooms had similar decorations. Were all of them able to be opened?

The room was empty, and Max said into my ear, “They were still there when we left, but I’ve no doubt they will be here soon. He blew out the candle he’d used to light our way here and moved a small block next to her. “For your comfort, my lady.“I sat down numbly, and he moved another, doing the same. “I’m afraid you’ll be quite dirty after this. I’d nearly forgotten this all existed.“I looked over at him. He chuckled softly and pulled me to him, kissing me gently. He kissed me again, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing myself closer to him.

“Maybe I should have chosen going back to our room,” I breathed in his ear as he kissed my neck, nibbling deliciously. 

“Have no doubt we will end up there eventually,” he promised, and we both looked at the room as the door opened and Gregory ushered Kasta inside. I swallowed nervously, and Max took my hand, lifting it to his mouth to kiss the back of my hand, twined with his.

Gregory barred the door and turned to study his wife in the meager light. “Disrobe,” he said in a stern voice.

Kasta stared at him, not moving. “My lord?” she asked.

Gregory went over to her and taking her hair, pulled her head back so she was looking at him. Kasta yelped. “You will learn much this night,” Gregory promised. “The first lesson you’ll learn is that if I give you a command, it must immediately be obeyed.”

Kasta tore herself out of his grasp. “I am a lady! You think me spineless? Weak?”

Gregory considered her. “You will be punished for each word you speak from now until you’re without clothing and on your knees before me. One lash per word.” He watched her turn away from him and cross her arms angrily. But she didn’t say anything, and since she was facing us, I could see her face was uncertain. I was glad to see it.

Gregory went to where some his belongings had been placed. Looking through them, he pulled out a solid-looking riding crop. Hitting it against his boot, he watched Kasta turn to see what he was doing and what had made that noise.

“You wouldn’t,” she said.

“Two,” he said softly.“I’ve been with the Regent! He’ll never allow you to treat me so!”

“Fifteen,” Gregory said. “And to put your mind at ease, the Regent himself told me you needed a strong hand.”

“No! I don’t believe you!”

“Twenty.”

Kasta stomped her foot but said no more.

“And now I am considering how hard I’ll hit you. I am not a patient man, Kasta, and the longer you make me wait, the harder I’ll strike.“Kasta took two heaving breaths and then changed her approach. She began to undress, making each move as seductive as possible. Gregory watched her, looking unmoved. Kasta became more frustrated as she went, until at the end she simply took off her clothes. Soon she was standing in front of him without clothes.

“Perhaps you forgot my instructions. I dislike repeating myself. I said ‘on your knees.’”

Kasta glared at him. “Never.”

Gregory shrugged, going to the door. Kasta let out a squawk and grabbed her dress to cover her as he opened it, calling to someone out in the hall. A burly man came in, a veritable giant, and stood waiting for instructions. He didn’t seem to notice Kasta or her state of undress.

“Ford, my new wife is feeling rebellious. Please secure her and hold her for her punishment.

At his words, Kasta tried to run to the door, screaming obscenities at him. I didn’t even know all the words she used, but I could certainly tell they weren’t compliments. I made a mental note to ask Max what they meant. I looked over at my husband, and he turned to look at me, raising an eyebrow in question.

I leaned closer and, as I’d done before, I licked his lip. His arm tightened around my waist, and his hand squeezed mine. Then a sound brought my attention back to the room and Kasta’s predicament.  She was fighting the giant, Ford, and not making a dent in him. He patiently caught her arms one at a time. He held them together and dragged her over to Gregory. He turned her so her back was presented to Gregory. Kasta was still swearing and nearly incoherent with rage.

Gregory raised the crop and stuck her across the backside. Kasta screamed as if her head had been severed. Gregory ignored this and hit her again, striking her in nearly parallel stripes along her back, butt and thighs. Then he shifted position and began to hit her again, at a different angle this time, so that the new welts crossed the old.Kasta was still shrieking, but her tone had changed from rage to fear and pain. Although it had to be difficult holding Kasta up on her toes like he was, Ford never even moved. In her desperation to escape the blows, she was pressed against Ford, her tears wetting his shirt, where her head only came up to mid chest.

I was feeling very odd. I kept swallowing, and was completely unable to take my eyes off the spectacle. Gregory finally finished, and waited a minute for Kasta to quiet. When she didn’t, he spoke in her ear. “You will silence yourself now. On your knees, wench.“Ford let go of her wrists, and Kasta sank to her knees, trying to stifle her cries. She quieted, and Gregory patted her head as if she was a dog. “Now, undress me.”

Kasta raised shaking hands to her task, and apart from having to rise off her knees briefly to reach the top of his shirt, she stayed on her knees the whole time. Her back was to us now, and it was painful looking with welts in an almost perfect diamond pattern. Gregory certainly had done this before, many times. I could almost feel sorry for Kasta. Almost.

As his clothes came off, he looked down at Kasta. “Take me in your mouth.“Kasta sighed and leaned forward to take him into her mouth. She’d apparently done this before, and she quickly had him breathing more quickly. Suddenly he grabbed her hair and pulled her face hard against him, forcing himself deep into her mouth and throat. He pulled back, and she gasped for a breath. Then he shoved himself deep in again. He began to do this faster and faster, and Kasta didn’t look at all in control now as she had at first. She was making little whimpering noises as Gregory stiffened and with a tremendous push, disappeared fully into her mouth, Kasta writhing on her knees in front of him. At last he sighed and pulled away from her, giving her another one of those ‘good dog’ pats on the head.

Kasta looked up at him.

Gregory said, “To bed with you. I’m done with you for now. Tonight you’ve learned that my every order is to be obeyed immediately. You’ve also learned one of the penalties for disappointing me. Tomorrow night you’ll learn more.” A glint entered his eye. “I look forward to it.” So saying, he smiled at the man who’d held her—Ford. Ford simply stood there emotionless.

Max gave my hand a squeeze and tipped his head the way we’d come. I quietly rose and as silently as possible made my way back along the dirty passage. I felt my way along until I came to the steps, then went down. At the bottom I waited for Max. He’d been slowly sliding the screen closed as I’d left.

He appeared mere seconds later, and we were silent as we went into the hall, Max relocking the door. He took my hand, and we retraced our path to the more occupied area of the castle. I kept looking at Max until he stopped me and put his hands on my shoulders firmly. “What is on your mind, wife?”

“They…he…it was so different from how we are. Is that normal?” My eyes were wide and my face flushed. My entire body was shaking. I felt warm and wished we were already back at our room.

“No, Gregory is rather unique, I think. How do you feel about what you—” He stopped as Devlin limped down the hall towards us.

Devlin smiled at us and stopped. He started to speak but then stopped abruptly. He slowly reached forward and pulled a cobweb out of my hair. He looked us up and down, taking in my flushed visage. He opened his mouth and laughed, a surprisingly rich sound. He finally managed to say, “Max, you’ve been in the upper corridors.“I shot a glance at Max to see he was chuckling. Devlin said, “I haven’t been up there since…well, we were teens, I think.”

“I think that was probably the last time I was up there as well.” He looked at me. “As you can imagine, when we were boys we thought we had perhaps found heaven itself.“I smiled to think of Max and Devlin as boys together.

Devlin thought for a moment. “Gregory. Of course.” He gave me a speculative look, and if possible, I blushed even more. Max pulled me to his side, still amused.

Devlin grinned at him. “I won’t keep you,” he said knowingly.

Max inclined his head and we resumed our walk, only a little faster now. I couldn’t look at Max, afraid I’d burst into flame if one more iota of heat managed to find my face.

Max opened the door and pushed me through, barring it behind him. He turned to me but I was looking around the room, wondering…“Fear not, Katrina. We’re quite alone.”

I slowly turned to look at him. Dear God he was handsome. I was shaking again, but strove to keep my voice steady. “Ford is not waiting to subdue me?”

Max walked over slowly, stalking me. “No, and for the record, I would handle such a thing myself.”

“You would?” I said, barely aware of what I was saying.

“Of course,” he said, suddenly pulling me until he lifted me into his arms. “Your need for revenge has been satisfied?”

I nodded. “I almost feel sorry for her—going into the bedroom each night with that man. But…when I watched them…” I swallowed. “It was…exciting.”

Max set me on the bed and followed me down. “Was it?” he murmured, kissing my neck. 

I nodded again, closing my eyes. “Some time I think, maybe, I’d like to play at being
your
slave.”

Max froze, very slowly looking up at me. He swallowed and took the neckline of my shirt and pulled. Buttons flew and his hands flew over me in a kind of fever. I moaned and found my teeth suddenly in his shoulder, biting him hard as he pulled up my skirt, tearing it as well. As he thrust into me savagely, I let my teeth sink in deep. He growled something and pounded into me even harder. I suddenly arched against him strongly, releasing his shoulder to scream his name. He didn’t stop, just continued that relentless pounding. I started to come down but was catapulted back up again, even harder this time. Tears came to my eyes as he finally stiffened over me, giving two more deep thrusts before collapsing over me, his breathing as heavy as mine.

He moved to the side to spare me his weight, and noticed my tears. He immediately rose to one elbow. “Katrina, did I hurt you?”

I shook my head.

“Katrina, tell the truth. Where are you hurt?”

He sounded worried. Worried for me. I began to cry even harder.

“Katrina?” he asked anxiously, sitting up.

“I’m not hurt,” I managed to say.

“Then what?” He pulled me into his lap and wrapped his strong arms around me. “Tell me right now,” he demanded.

I gulped and tried to calm myself. “I’m sorry, Max,” I said.

He shook his head. “Is it so bad? Being here as my wife?” That vulnerable look flashed again, and horrified, I rushed to explain.

“No! Never!” I said, twisting in his arms to look at him, to lock my eyes with his. “The tears—they’re because you’re perfect. You’re everything to me. I never in my life had ever thought I would meet someone like you who is so very amazing that every day I think, ‘it can’t get better. This is the best now.’ And then it does get better.”

Max was silent for several moments, studying my face. He pulled me back into his lap, and I turned to burrow into his chest. After a minute he said, “I knew about Gregory because he was one of the men who was with my second wife. He’d marked her up quite a lot, and she hadn’t been able to hide that from me. I thought to kill him, but he and she both insisted that he hadn’t taken her, just tried to master her. I was so heartsick at what she’d done that I let him live. A part of me was glad he’d given her all those welts. Lord knew she deserved them and much more.”

I swallowed, “Did you kill her?“At Max’s sharp look, I explained. “There are those here who say you did. And once you held a knife in front of me, and I thought you were going to kill me then.”

“I wouldn’t have. I was furious, though. I had hoped you might have some honor, and thought at the time you were acting just like my second wife.” He sighed. “I wanted to see your fear, and although I knew you were afraid, you refused to show it. You earned some respect from me that day.”