Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 (3 page)

Cassie’s jaw dropped, but she snapped it closed quickly.
 

I’m to be the Commander of the Queen’s Personal Guard AND of the Army?!
 

She certainly had trained in martial arts, but they really hadn’t been truly
martial
until this morning. She fought back the nausea once again, and her face burned with the blood that was rushing to her head. She had to talk to the Queen—and quickly. There must be some way of returning to her world. Cassie was relatively certain she didn’t want to spend her life in this strange world or in a coma . . . whichever the case may be.

Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.

She chanted those words over and over again in her mind, but it was to no avail.

“Your Highness, I am deeply honored, but—” Nera didn’t allow Cassie to finish as she raised Cassandra’s hand and lifted her arm high, and another wave of applause broke out.

“Come and sit, Lady Cassandra. I know you have many burning questions, but let us be comfortable while you ask them.” Nera pulled Cassie up the steps of the dais and indicated she should sit in the mini-throne to her right as Mika eased forward silently in one fluid, boneless movement to settle at the foot of her chair.

“Are you pleased with your gift?” Nera asked, gesturing to Mika, who had turned to smile at the Queen and his Mistress.  "He is a son of Kyl."

“Very much so."  Cassie had no idea what the Queen meant by son of Kyl, and she smiled to cover her confusion.  "He is beautiful and well-mannered.” Cassie smiled warmly into his golden eyes, and Mika flushed at her praise.

“Has he pleasured you yet? The sons of Kyl are legend for their skill, and he is
very
accomplished in the art of lovemaking. It was always a shame he had belonged to Brunga, for she did not appreciate him as she should have. She was a good fighter, but savage.” The women who were gathered at the foot of the throne nodded, gazed appraisingly at Mika, and smiled.

Cassie was speechless. They apparently had absolutely no compunctions about speaking of intimate matters in a very open manner here.
 

She cleared her throat.

“I have not yet, Your Highness; I look forward to it, however,” Cassie choked out.

“Dara!” the Queen called out and clapped her hands. “The Lady Cassandra needs to fill her household. Go to the procurer, and bring the best of her lot for the Commander to choose from.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” the guard replied before she bowed and swiftly left.

“Lady Cassandra, you have my attention. Ask your questions,” Nera softly commanded as she turned in her seat to look at Cassie, who drew in a deep breath.

“I just don’t understand how I came to be here,” Cassie said in a rush.

Nera replied with a tinge of excitement, “Our history is full of the stories of Travelers from your world. I myself do not pretend to be a student of the cosmos. Truly, what I know is only what I have gleaned from my teachers, who keep the histories of both this country and of the others in our world. Certain Travelers have been able to enlighten us regarding some of the more technical aspects of Portal Travel, but even that knowledge is limited.
 

From those Travelers and their corresponding histories, we know that time runs differently here than it does on your
Earth
.” Nera leaned back in her seat, warming to the tale. “We have been told that the rift opens at random locations in your world in what seem to be ten-year increments. Here, the openings occur only once every one hundred years. According to your . . .” Nera paused, searching for the right word, “
scientists
, these anomalies are caused by trans-dimensional rifts which open in your world—such as the glowing tear in space you described upon your arrival. These rifts in space bring Travelers through to our World. While we receive a new Traveler every one hundred cycles, the rift, as far as we know, has never opened from our side. We have no idea how the Universe chooses the Travelers. They are, invariably, women of great strength and wisdom who enrich our world in some significant way. You are in lofty company as a Portal Traveler,” said the Queen, who suddenly smiled. “I, myself, am a descendant of a Traveler.”

Cassie numbly responded, “So, it is true, then; I cannot go home.”

“Yes, that is true. However, try not to feel too downcast. You are a favorite of the Queen, this is a comfortable place, and all of your wants shall be fulfilled as soon as you speak of them.” Nera laughed before sobering suddenly. “Actually, there are far worse fates you could have suffered. Though we value the Portal Travelers here in Erla, others do not. Our histories tell of the sad fate met by one unfortunate Traveler.” The Queen’s lips thinned. “She landed in a very barbaric country, and she did not live long.”
 

Cassie was duly sobered by that news and replied, “You are right. It could definitely have been much worse. I am just having a difficult time accepting what has happened,” Cassie said with a sigh. She took a moment to regain her composure enough to say, “I am very curious about your country and its customs.”

“Ah, yes. I recall from the histories that your world is very different.” Cassie nodded, and the Queen continued, “Our caste system is one where the Dominant Females (of which you are now one) rule. The Warrior class owns slaves, protects the Queendom, and generally keeps the peace. Male pleasure slaves answer to their Mistresses and are required to serve all women as needed. That being said, it is common courtesy to not use another’s slave without consent—especially for pleasure. A slave should always be offered by his Lady before he is enjoyed.”
 

The Queen continued her instruction regarding this topic with spirit as she said, “Female slaves are usually women born of slaves who do not excel in either combat or training or who are unable to physically or mentally discharge either of those duties themselves. Combat is the only way in which a female born of slaves can ascend beyond her birth. Field slaves comprise the lowest class, and generally speaking, they are the most dimwitted and grossly unattractive men and women in society.”
 

Cassie was trying to assimilate this information when the doors opened again, and the guard, whom the Queen sent out earlier on her errand, walked through. She was followed by a portly, yet well-muscled, middle-aged woman. Trailing behind the woman was a line of gorgeous, completely naked men.
 

One after another they came. Each one was more beautiful than the last, and each of them was utterly desirable. They were all muscular to varying degrees, and their bodies glistened in the lamplight of the room. Every female eye was on the train of spectacular males as they made their way up to the dais to fan out before the Queen.

Cassie sucked in a deep breath of appreciation and found herself smiling in spite of her misgivings, making Nera laugh at the expression on her new Commander’s face.

“Choose. Take as many as you wish. You will need at least four slaves to properly run your household and care for your needs. As a Commander of your status, you would not be remiss in acquiring as many as ten or more. If you require female slaves, you need only ask.” Nera quirked a brow at Cassie, who flushed immediately before shaking her head
no
in response.

The Queen rose and took Cassie’s hand, leading her down the dais to the waiting males.
 

Cassie felt herself go all tingly in the face of so many gorgeous, eager men. The fact that she could have as many of them as she wanted added to her exhilaration.

Somewhere deep inside of her, a voice whispered, “
This is wrong
,” but Cassie resolved to ignore it. This was her psychotic episode, and by God, she was going to enjoy it!

Her eyes scanned the line of men spread out for her viewing and came to rest on a very well-built blond.
 

His hair was streaked with white and buttery highlights, and his skin was a golden tan. She could honestly describe him as well-hung, but most of them were very blessed in that arena—a few impressively so.
 

She reached out and lifted his face, and when his eyes shyly met hers, she was delighted by the beautiful blue-violet color.

“Tell me your name.”

“My Lady, I am called Arn, but only if it pleases you.” His voice, sweet with a deep and rumbling quality, ran down her spine like honey.
 

The Queen nodded approvingly as Cassie took his hand and pulled him from the line. A smile lit his face as he knelt in front of her. Cassie stared at the top of his head for a moment, unsure of what she was supposed to do next, until Nera motioned to her to touch his shoulder and then inclined her head towards the place where Mika now stood behind her.
 

Cassie reached out and touched his shoulder. When he looked up, she said, “Go and join Mika.” He rose quickly to obey her command as she turned her gaze back to the line of waiting men.

Her eyes came to rest on a slave with rich, dark-brown hair. He was tall and lithe with the body of a runner—all long lean muscles and sleek tanned skin. Her eyes dropped to his manhood and found that it was oh, so very nice too. She lifted his face and was met with dark brown eyes reminiscent of melting-chocolate.

“Give me your name.”

“If it pleases you, My Lady, I am Kai,” he responded as he knelt before her.

“Go and join the others,” she said, touching his shoulder. He leapt to his feet, hurrying to join the others.

Cassie found herself warming to the situation, feeling very much like a kid in a candy shop.
 

Nera paused before a slave whose manhood was nearly horse-like (to say the least) and waggled her eyebrows at Cassie suggestively.

“Um, no. I don’t think so,” Cassie choked out with a laugh.

The Queen abruptly stopped, looking at the bowed head of the next slave.

“Linnell, what is this?” she asked, frowning at the procurer.
 

Cassie tore her eyes from the overly-endowed slave to see that Nera had stopped before a handsome russet-haired man. His head was bowed so deeply that his chin dug into his chest, and when Cassie lifted his face, she was met with eyes which were a startlingly vibrant shade of emerald green.
 

Wow! Those eyes . . . 

She had always had a soft spot for handsome, red-headed men. This one was tall with long, beautiful legs. His narrow hips tapered from a broad, well-muscled chest, and his deep russet hair flowed freely over his shoulders, making her fingers itch to touch it, which she did (much to his surprise).

“Give me your name.” Startled green eyes met hers.

“Lady Cassandra, are you quite sure?” Nera interjected.

Cassie turned to the Queen curiously and said, “Yes. Why?”

“There are those who believe red-headed men are unattractive, even unlucky. They are not often favored.”

“We have a saying where I come from: ‘Fire on the head, fire in the bed,’” Cassie said with a grin. She turned back to the slave and smiled, but he just stood completely still—dazzled by her attention.

The Queen laughed heartily at Cassie’s words and turned a more appraising look upon the man before them, suddenly seeing his beauty and value through Cassie’s eyes.

“Your name . . .?” Cassie repeated.

“If it pleases My Lady, I am called Aidan.” He had a rough, whiskey voice which sent tremors through her belly.

“It pleases me. Join the others.” She smiled at him again as he stood.

“Now, Cassandra, which of these remaining slaves would you desire?” The Queen’s eyes lingered on Aidan’s bottom as he passed, bowing to her.

“More? No, I think this should do for now.” Cassie swallowed back an emotion she couldn’t name. “Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness.”

“You have earned this and more by your service to me this morning. I hope you will accept my commission and continue in my service. I do not offer this lightly, nor would I normally offer such positions to someone I know so little about. With you, it is different. You are special, I think.” Cassie suddenly knew that she would take the job, and she would do whatever she could to fully appreciate these circumstances until she either woke up or went home.

“My Lady, I accept your offer, and I hope I can live up to your expectations.” Cassie then bowed to her newly accepted liege.

The Queen clapped her hands with glee and pulled Cassie in for a fierce hug.
 

“I am indeed very pleased!” Nera dropped a kiss on each of Cassie’s cheeks and then released her. “Now, go and rest. Explore your apartment, and settle your household. If there is anything you require, send a slave to my housekeeper, and it shall be acquired for you.” Nera linked arms with Cassie, walking her to the doors. “Get yourself some rest. For tonight, we feast to celebrate your arrival and your new office as my Commander.” The slaves trailed behind the women to the great doors.

“Yes, Your Highness, and thank you again,” Cassie said with a bow, and then turned in the direction of her rooms, trailed obediently by her newly acquired household of slaves.

Cassie strode down the long passage to her quarters. Once inside, she took a moment to have a good look around her new surroundings.

The main chamber contained a sitting area filled with low couches and floor cushions. The pillows on the couches were vibrantly hued and overfilled with down feathers. There were several doors at the back of the room which she opened, one by one, to discover a dormitory-style bedchamber with ten beds built into the walls and a primitive-style workout room.

The final door opened to reveal the most divine bathing chamber she had ever seen. A huge sunken tub dominated the room; it was tiled in pink-hued marble, and she found herself curious about how the plumbing system worked. Cushions were also strewn around the tub surrounding the area, and a long bench sat just inside the door. A rock formation flanked the tub, and Cassie could see a pull-chain which she assumed released water over anyone standing within the alcove.
 

Leaving the bathing room, she opened the last door on the back wall to discover a food prep and kitchen area. She ended her self-guided tour there and turned back to the main room to find that the men were all kneeling near the front door of her suite with their heads bowed.