“Why are you doing this to me? What did I do to deserve this punishment?”
A huffed laugh made my gaze snap to my asshole barbarian. For just a flash of a second, he looked like he was laughing at me. I’d seen that expression a few times, usually when I was mocking him. He wasn’t intimidated by me in the slightest. Instead he found me… amusing.
“I hate you,” I snapped.
He hummed like he understood me, then picked up the bowl again. I couldn’t take another lesson, flopping over and burying my head in my arms. “No more! I don’t wish to hear more!” I whined.
He sighed a lot like my guards did when they were annoyed with me. That bothered me even more. He wasn’t allowed to be exasperated with me. He was the one keeping me here. If he wanted to keep me so badly, then he had to accept me as I was.
Thankfully, he didn't continue his lessons, instead leaving me to my own devices while he returned to looking at some papers the teacher had given him. He’d dragged me along to a lesson or two, hoping I’d learn something, but because I didn’t speak the common tongue and the tiny teacher didn’t speak mine, it was just another place to be bored. I wasn’t sure how much more boredom I could take. I could laze around at home if I wished, but never for days on end. I had training and meetings with my father and brothers. And sex! Oh, how I missed sex. I’d already gone without during the trip to that stupid town that betrayed me. Now because the barbarians were more noble than I expected, I’d gone even longer. It was the best way to pass the time, and I was pissed I had to go so long without.
Peeking out from under my arms, I studied the barbarian. While I’d wanted him to keep away from me when we first met, it was starting to annoy me that he wouldn’t touch me. Was I not attractive enough for him?
I scoffed at my internal thoughts. Of course I was attractive enough. Everyone said so. Even my older brothers said I was the pretty one of the three of us.
An idea formed in my head. I could seduce the barbarian, then when he was cum drunk and sleeping, I could get the key from him. I’d made a few attempts to get it, but both times he removed the key from his pocket and put it out of reach and then stayed away from it so I couldn’t get close without pulling on the shackles and alerting him. If he was too out of it to notice, I might be able to reach the key.
Shifting to my hands and knees, I stretched like a cat, giving my ass an extra wiggle to get his attention. He barely glanced atme, his focus on his papers. It annoyed me, and I sat up abruptly, scowling at him.
“Don’t ignore me, asshole.”
“Uttin.”
I growled, crawling over to him and sitting close enough that our knees touched. “Pay attention to me,” I demanded.
He said something in response, but I didn’t understand him. All I knew was that he didn’t look up from the stupid papers. With another growl, I made an attempt to snatch them away only for him to jerk them out of my reach before I could grab them. I gaped at his bored expression but shook off the shock quickly and returned to my original goal. Now that he wasn’t looking at the papers, I had the space to crawl into his lap, giving him a sultry gaze that had seduced countless men into my bed. Including Abdul at least twice. I was just that irresistable that he’d risk beheading to get fucked by me.
Before I could even speak a word, the barbarian grabbed me by my hips and moved me off his lap, shaking his head. And when I tried again, he patted my head like a dog and stood, returning to his papers while staying out of reach of me.
That asshole!
Eight
UTTIN
Irecognized the tribute’s attempts at seduction, but I refused to acknowledge him. Even if he was a true tribute, which we still weren’t sure he was, he didn’t understand his place here. I refused to have another misunderstanding like Godr and Ambrose had endured. I wouldn’t acknowledge the tribute’s attempts until he could understand us enough to know he wasn’t required to lay with anyone.
He didn’t make it easy on me. For the rest of the night, he flashed me sultry looks and stretched in ways to put his body on display. I wasn’t immune to his charms, and I considered for a long moment giving him what he asked for if only to have him behave for a little while. But then I thought about Ambrose and the mindset he’d had when he arrived. I wouldn’t allow that to happen with my tribute. Perhaps it was better to distract him.
With that in mind, I set the papers Finn had given me down. I spoke the common tongue but could not read it. Finn had created papers for me with the letters and easy words for me to practice. We’d begun this before the latest group of tributes had arrived, and he didn’t have the time to teach me more now, butI studied the words he’d given me diligently so the next time a town sent along a letter without explanation, I would be able to read it. If I was allowed to return to my duties, of course.
The tribute, who had still not given me his name, no matter how many times I taught him mine, looked hopeful when I turned my attention to him. That hope disappeared in a flash when I tipped my head toward the tent flap.
“Let’s go.”
He shook his head vehemently, clutching the blanket tighter around him, but I didn’t let him dictate when we went somewhere. If he had his way, he’d stay in bed all day under the covers. He didn’t know it yet, but he’d be more comfortable once we were through.
After Verus had informed me that the tribute was from Al Nuzem, I realized his aversion to the cold wasn’t just because he was used to milder climates. Al Nuzem was hot all year round. They had no winters. Even the chill of the autumn season was vastly different from what he was used to. And there were rumbles around the clan that winter would come early this year. It was no wonder he refused to give up my winter tunic or the blanket he wore like a cloak. I’d requested new clothes from Kirn that would keep him warm. They should be finished by now.
Hauling the tribute to his feet, I ignored his complaining, tucking the blanket tightly around him and guiding him out of my tent with a hand on his back. I’d decided to test him that morning not to have the shackles on during the day. He hadn’t tried to run off yet, and I was hoping that was a good sign, but I still didn’t trust him fully and plucked him off his feet and carried him where I wanted to go. The smug look on his face said he enjoyed the treatment very much. Little brat.
When I was given entry into Kirn’s tent, I set the tribute on his feet and nudged him inside. He almost didn’t let me pass, but when I ducked my head in, I realized why. Kirn’s sons werewrestling on the floor and if we weren’t careful, we could trip over them. I urged the tribute inside enough for me to join him before stopping to watch the young boys try to best each other.
“Who’s winning?” I asked Kirn’s bondmate, Clarissa. She had recently given birth to her third and was feeding him from the comfort of her bed. She rolled her eyes at the wrestling and shook her head.
“Neither.”
Kirn snorted. “Lies. Haem is winning, though Judak doesn’t wish to admit it.”
