Stolen (The Blueblood Stories Book 1) Read online

  The woman called Kotty nodded, moving over to a small mousey girl standing right next to me. She reached into her tunic, retrieving a tape measurer and began taking the girls measurements. When she was done, she hobbled over to a stack of fabric and retrieved a long salmon colored silk dress, handing it to the girl.

  “Well, don’t just stand there — put it on,” Catena ordered, appearing suddenly in the entrance of the door.

  Everyone in the room, apart from Kotty, jumped in surprise. After some moments pause, the mousey girl removed her towel, turning to face the wall as she shimmied into the dress. Her fingers reached for the leather collar, uncertain of how to do it up. Kotty tapped her on the back of her knees with her walking stick, silently instructing the girl to kneel and then did the buckle up for her. I couldn’t help grimacing.

  “Let’s keep this moving along Kotty,” said Catena, placing a strong hand on the old woman’s back. “I need to have this lot in the courtyard within the hour.”

  Still Kotty didn’t speak; rather she staggered over to the next girl and began taking her measurements. I was the last one to be dressed. When Kotty finally made her way to me, the elderly woman looked weary. When she looked at me to take my measurements, her eyes enlarged, and she faltered, the tape measurer falling from her hands. I stared back in surprise; had I done something to upset her? Without preamble, I reached down and retrieved the tape measurer. When I handed it back to her, the elderly lady reached out to hold onto my hand. Her grip was desperate, almost fearful.

  “What’s wrong Kotty?” Catena snapped. “I don’t have all day.”

  “You know she can’t speak Sindra,” Sindra said, looking at the elderly lady in concern.

  “Oh please,” said Catena, rolling her eyes. “She can speak, she just choses not to. We’ve all heard her moaning in her sleep, calling out to someone — speaking of curses and blood magic and what not. I’ve even heard her called a witch.”

  “Just nod your head if you’re alright Kotty,” Sindra said, ignoring Catena.

  Kotty broke eye contact with me to nod at Sindra. Sindra let out a flamboyant sigh and stepped back, looking relieved. A moment later Kotty was measuring me, her very thin and shaky hands seeming to move like lightening as her tape measurer traced its way across my bust. Every now and then, she would stop to stare at me. The sensation was eerie.

  When she was done, Kotty moved back over to the wardrobe, pulling out a long silk dress, the exact same cut as all the others. The dress was aqua in color, contrasting drastically with my dark eyes. Leaving my towel in place, I lifted my arms and pulled the dress on. When Kotty buckled the leather collar around my neck, I hung my head in shame.

  “Alright, everyone back into the courtyard,” said Catena. “It’s almost time.”

  To my surprise, it was already dark outside. Walking out into the sandstone courtyard, the evening night’s sky greeted me. I relished in the twinkling stars, comforted by the familiarity of the constellations I had spent so long learning as a child. The moon, while bright, was incomplete. As I stared at it, I could make out a tiny slither missing from its side.

  “In a short while, Master Drake will select some of you to join his harem. You would do well to be on your best behavior and not embarrass me,” said Catena, addressing the candidates. “And make sure you eat something.”

  The other five girls just about dived at the table, while I hung back. I was not familiar with eating anything without first saying my prayers — a custom it seemed the rest of my kingdom did not share. Water on the other hand, that was a different story; I was desperately parched. Reaching eagerly, I poured myself a tall glass of some sort of bubbly drink and began gulping it down, desperate to quench my thirst.

  Three or four glasses later, a strange fuzzy feeling swept over me. There was a ringing in my ears and I couldn’t really focus on anything. I sat listening to the other girls speaking, uncertain of how much time had passed since we’d entered the courtyard.

  “— I was shocked at first but after speaking to so many of the girls here and what with all the lovely dresses, the food, even Master Drake . . . I mean, maybe it isn’t so bad after all. What do you think?”

  “It’s a little weird,” someone replied, “but if this spread is anything to go by, it looks like we could be living like queens if we’re selected. When I was getting my face done, I spoke to one of the harem girls and she seemed to think it’s the best thing that ever happened to her.”

  How could they . . . how could anyone think that way? I stood, determined to move away, but suddenly the room was swaying in and out of focus; it felt as though I were on a swing, gliding through the air.

  “Are you alright?” someone asked me. I swayed on the spot, almost falling as I made to place my glass back onto the table. “How many drinks did you have?”

  “Huh?” I said, squinting at the person speaking to me.

  “The wine — how many cups did you drink?”

  “Wine?” I echoed back. I’d gulped down about a gallon of the stuff. What’s worse, it was my first taste of alcohol.

  Staggering away, I moved further into the courtyard, desperate for fresh air. One of the guards posted near the entrance turned to watch me. My eyes widened when I realized it was Marcus. How had he managed to get assigned here? I made to move towards him when I found myself suddenly off balance.

  A second later, I was on the ground, my eyes once again plastered on the twinkling stars in the heavens. A thick hand reached down for me. Not thinking straight, I grasped onto it — then I was flying. When my feet found solid ground, I blinked furiously, trying to bring the courtyard into focus.

  Something was wrong — why was it suddenly so silent? Looking up, I realized why everyone was so quiet. The man everyone referred to as Master Drake, had entered the courtyard, but more than that — he was the man who’d helped me to my feet — he was the man who was currently keeping me upright.

  “Oh no,” I said, not realizing until Master Drake was laughing, that I had spoken out loud.

  Still holding onto me tightly, he walked towards the table and sat me down in a long couch. I stared dumbly up at him. Even though he no longer wore armor, he looked just as impressive as the last time I’d seen him. Now he had leather pants on and there was a long fur draped across his back, covering a white tunic. But why was he staring at me?

  “You — insolent — little — tramp!” Catena exploded, rushing at me and raising her hand. “How dare you just sit there — how dare you not thank Master Drake.” Catena swung her hand down towards me.

  In my present state, all I could do was close my eyes, waiting for the impeding attack. After a few seconds of waiting and nothing happening, I opened my eyes. Drake had moved right in front of me and had caught Catena’s hand in his.

  “There’s no need for that my pet,” he said to Catena.

  Catena’s eyes were thin and angry when she glared at me. Hurriedly I looked away, avoiding her stare and glanced instead to where Marcus stood. His fists were bawled at his side.

  “Tell me Catena, has your day been productive?” said Drake, moving away from me and towards the long table filled with food and drinks.

  “Master,” she breathed, moving over to him lovingly, “I’d hoped it might be more productive. There were only six girls I could find that —”

  But Catena was cut off before she could say anymore. The master held his hand up and she fell silent immediately. “As I said in Massion, I’m not concerned with expanding my harem. My sole focus is getting this region into a satisfactory state. The cold has almost left this land and there isn’t nearly enough grain sown.”

  “Forgive me my lord,” apologized Catena, bowing low. “I only wish to please you — forgive me.”

  “Catena,” he said, cupping her face, “you’re a loyal little one. Try not to let such things upset you.”

  She nodded, gripping his arms tightly. The spectacle just about made me sick. How could a woman who had been forced to be
a slave, be so loyal to a monster like this? And why were so many of the Carnell girls who had been chosen to join the harem just as enthusiastic to be a part of it? It made no sense.

  “Alright,” called Drake, moving towards the center of the courtyard again, a large glass in his hand, “let’s make this quick — I don’t have all night for this. Catena, have the girls line up.”

  Catena didn’t even have to ask. At Master Drake’s words, all the girls were in a line — all of them that was . . . except for me. The alcohol had left me feeling paralyzed. When Catena realized I hadn’t moved, she stormed towards me. Before she could reach me however, Drake let out a loud laugh. The sound resonated through the room, drawing goose bumps to the surface of my skin.

  “My, my,” he mused, turning to look at me, a smirk plain on his face, “you are a rebellious little one — aren’t you?”

  If it weren’t for the glimmer of fury in his eyes, I might have thought he was making a joke. But the longer I stared into his cold eyes, the more I was certain that I was in serious trouble. Before I could give him a reason to act on his anger, I stood quickly and moved into line next to the other girls, tripping slightly but managing to remain upright.

  “Looks like our little rebel can be taught,” he said, smiling at me — a smile that spoke volumes.

  “I will make sure of it,” Catena hissed.

  “The six of you are here because Catena has selected you to be part of my harem,” said Drake, surveying each of us in turn. “I don’t have a lot of time for this sort of leisurely pleasure; we plan to march south just as soon as the army re-groups. That being said, it’s a thick Spinton tradition for women from a conquered land to join a harem. So, I will make this simple — every girl here who is under the age of eighteen, take a step backwards.”

  The girl immediately next to me, the one who had talked about being treated like a queen, stood back, not saying a word.

  “And . . . anyone here who has a husband or is promised to another — take a step back,” he added; one of the girls stood back, looking confused. “Finally,” he said, pausing to stare the remainder of us in the eye, “anyone who does not wish to be a member of my harem can also take a step back.”

  Was he being serious? Without hesitation I took a step back before I could question his motives. But why were there still three girls standing at the front? Why would they willingly want to be part of a harem? It made no sense. Had they not understood him, or did they genuinely want to be sex slaves?

  “Very well then,” said Drake, sounding disinterested.

  While Catena handed out purple wrist bands to the three girls joining the harem, I watched Drake. There was something strange about his expression — what was it? Loneliness? Disappointment? I wasn’t sure . . . but it reminded me of how he’d looked after branding the blacksmith. That expression vanished however, the moment his eyes fell on me. I had been so distracted, trying to work out what he was thinking, that I startled when I realized he was staring at me.

  “You three will join my household staff,” he said, his eyes still fixed on me. “I always have need of an extra pair of hands to cook and clean for me and my own.”

  “But — but Master Drake,” Catena bleated, moving in front of Drake, “the assigner placed this one,” she flicked her head in my general direction, “to work the fields. Didn’t you just say that —”

  Drake’s eyes darkened, the green slowly being swallowed up by large dark pupils. Clearly, he was unimpressed that Catena was questioning him. “And I am placing her to work in my household,” he said simply. At once Catena was on her hands and knees, bending forwards as she bowed her head — a picture of complete submission. Drake ignored her and moved over to where I stood. “Catena is the head of the household, so you will report to her for all your duties.”

  “Yes, Master Drake,” said the girls on either side of me. It wasn’t until the master looked at me, that I realized I had made a mistake by not answering him.

  “Hmm,” he said, running his hands through his dark hair as he considered me. “What’s your name girl?”

  My eyes widened. “Nat.”

  “Well Nat, in this household you’re expected to address me as Master Drake. Let this be the first and only time I need to tell you this. You won’t want to find out what happens if I have to remind you of this.”

  I nodded. When his eyes narrowed, I quickly added, “Yes Master Drake. It won’t happen again.”

  “For your sake, I hope not,” he said, moving over to the table to top-up his goblet. “Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll retire for the night.” Catena’s eyes shone hopefully, until Drake added, “Catena, ensure you and your ladies remain in the courtyard; the men have earnt a night off.”

  “Of course, Master Drake,” Catena cooed. She waited for Drake to leave before turning to glare at me. “You three wait here. I’ll deal with you soon. The rest of you, time to earn your keep.”

  Soon a steady babble of talk broke out as soldiers swarmed on the table filled with provisions. I took the chance to slip away from the two dumbstruck girls to find Marcus. He was standing guard near the entrance to the courtyard.

  “How exactly did you find yourself in the running to be part of a Spinton Harem?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper and yet it was soaked with contempt.

  “Let’s not worry about that right now,” I said, suppressing a hiccup. “I’m only part of the cooking and cleaning crew. But how are you here, playing guard? Surely they didn’t trust you straight away with such a post? Unless . . . oh Medeina please — tell me you haven’t been branded.”

  “What? Me bound to a Spinton scum bag? That’s not going to happen. After Mr. Pince-nez put me in the guard, I was posted here. It was luck more than anything. Some other young men from this village were put in a similar position. To be honest, I think the Spinton’s hope to make their numbers look more impressive should any rebel force try to re-take the kingdom. There’s not much chance of us acting out though; we’re totally outnumbered.”

  “Did you find out what happened to my family? Have you heard anything?” His expression turned somber. It made me nervous; I searched his face for truth, desperate to know more.

  “I don’t know exactly,” he admitted. “I’ve only heard rumors and who knows how much of those are believable. Apparently the explosion we felt from the palace was your brother’s doing. The Spinton guard I spoke with, told me that Esrael lost control and destroyed the palace. Most of the Spinton soldiers who are here were charged with rounding up people in the city, so it’s all still hearsay.”

  “Esrael . . . he caused the explosion? But how — how is that possible? His affinity for earth is less than a week old. He’d only just mastered the movement of small stones; it doesn’t make sense.”

  “It’s all rumors at this point.”

  Glancing carefully around the courtyard, I made sure we weren’t being observed. “Until we know more we’ll just have to remain here and wait for —”

  “Are you joking?” he exclaimed, cutting me off. “You think I’m letting you spend a single night in this place? I left you alone for a few hours and you were just about put in a harem. How exactly did you avoid showing the healer your injury?”

  “About that . . .” I mused, taking a careful step towards him and pulling aside some of the fabric of my dress, revealing my leg. “I’ve got no idea how it happened, but my injury is gone. No cut means no blue blood, so they shouldn’t be able to identify me.”

  Marcus wasn’t looking at my leg however. His eyes were wide . . . and was he blushing?

  “Natasha that dress . . . I can see . . .” his words trailed off as he took a deep breath. “I don’t care if you’re only cooking and cleaning . . . there’s no way I’m leaving you in this house — filled with these vile men — wearing that. I’m getting you out of here tonight.”

  “No!” I commanded, sounding for the first time in the last twenty-four hours, as though I were a blueblood, rather than a peasa
nt girl. “Marcus, do you still consider me a ruling heir?”

  Marcus nodded, bowing his head as low as he dared with the rest of the guards so close by. “Yes, of course I do.”

  “Good, then I expect you to follow my commands without question. There may be a time and place for you to assert authority over men, but you do not have that luxury with me. I’m the daughter of the High Priest of Carnell and as such, I expect you to do as I say.” Though I spoke with authority, I was careful to whisper. “You will do nothing to put yourself in danger. You’re to keep yourself alive and close to me. I can handle some arrogant Spinton war lord dressing me up — I can handle cleaning and cooking. But I can’t handle losing you. Don’t you understand? You’re all I have left. And, if we’re going to get out of here, then I’ll need you by my side. And let me be clear Marcus . . . I intend to get out of here. I intend to find my family. And, I intend to fight Spinton and regain control of the kingdom. Now — swear to me that you will do as I say.”

  “I swear on Medeina,” he said without hesitation. He was looking at me with a kind of wonder in his eyes. It made me feel strange and yet empowered; a feeling I’d never had before. “Natasha,” he whispered, speaking my name so softly I could barely hear it, “do you remember what you said at the feast, about not being gifted? Well . . . you were wrong. You have the spirit to lead our men to reclaim Carnell. I swear to you my allegiance my lady. I am yours.”

  Chapter Five

  The rest of the night passed by in a blur. The celebrations were well underway when Catena came for me and the other two girls and led us down to the kitchens. She gave us each a blue ribbon, and then we were placed in the care of madam Kracker, the house cook. She was quick to assign us the duty of cleaning pots and pans.

  “I can’t believe we’re down here, scrubbing dishes, while them other girls are up there, drinking nice wines and eating like queens. I bet we have to give up these silk dresses and all — finest thing I ever wore . . . It’s just so unfair.”