That was when I was reminded that everyone here thought I was a slave. A possession of Jann’s. My skin crawled.
“Y-yes.” I forced myself to leave it at that. To not lecture her on the fact that I wasn’t a chattel, I was ahuman being—and she was too!
But she only looked relieved. “That’s much better,” she said, nodding. “You’ll be much safer that way. Makecertainhe knows when it’s confirmed. He’ll protect you—but he’ll also brag. You’ll gain more attention from the others. So, stick close to him.”
As she went on, mostly telling me things I already knew—because Jann had fiercely and darkly explained how the Neph regarded women, and those who were able to provide offspring—my head reeled, and my throat pinched. I didn’t know why, but I needed her to stop talking about how many men here would try to steal me.
“How did you come to be here?” I blurted. “You’re obviously an educated woman and… and very kind. How did you end up here? Were you stolen from Meyrath?”
Teen took a breath, and looked away from me for a moment. At some point, we’d settled on either end of her only couch. She folded her hands in her lap, then turned back to me.
“I was raised in a home where the men were… violent. But also weak in their minds—you understand?”
I did, and I nodded, hoping my expression spoke of the sympathy I felt for her.
“I fled when my father threatened to marry me off to one of his friends. I had nothing. I didn’t have the fortitude for prostitution, and I wasn’t refined enough to be a lady’s maid. I’d always heard the legends of the Nephilim, but living outside the city as we did, I’d never seen them up close. Only flying overhead. They were very handsome and… well, I was young, desperate, and a little bit silly. I told myself that I was used to violent men. That their strength would keep me safe, and their wealth and power was worth the exchange of my freedom. I went to the city and got word to a slave trader. I… volunteered,” she said with a sad shrug. “Of course, I learned quickly that my romantic ideals were naïve.” Her eyes grew distant, and her expression faltered. When I reached for her hand, she gave it a squeeze, then let go and waved me off. “It was many years ago now. I’ve found my place. I’m no longer at risk—I can’t have children, you see. So I have learned other ways to become valuable to them. They mostly leave me alone now.”
Mostly?I wasn’t sure whether to ask.
She looked at me from the corner of her eye, and I couldn’t tell if she wanted to soothe me for her own comfort, or mine. “I’ve done well for myself, to be housed in the palace. It has provided me a lot more freedom than most would have in my position. Now, I’m able to help many other women.”
She turned back to face me and took my hands, and I knew her personal revelations were over. “I rarely lose a mother whosees me, and takes my advice through her pregnancy. So, keep coming back.”
I was shocked by the pinch rising in my throat again. What the hell was wrong with me, that a simple kindness and reassurance brought me to tears?
“Thank you,” I croaked, then cleared my throat, forcefully swallowing back the rising lump.
Teen’s smile grew. “You aren’t alone here, though as it’s so early for you, I’m sure it feels that way. But, please—there are so many of us here. We stay close. Help each other. We must. It’s a way we cling to ourselves. And each other. If we are known and loved for who we are, they cannot touch our souls. These males… theywillprovide for your physical health—but if you have no one else, they’ll strip you of dignity and… if you aren’t careful, they take what makes youyou.”
I swallowed again, but with discomfort this time, because this woman assumed I’d been abused and harmed as she had. While I didn’t want anyone to think ill of Jann, we couldn’t afford to start rumors that our relationship was anything other than the expected.
I hurried to change the subject, and endured her pity. Let her believe I couldn’t bear to face the truth about the situation in which I’d found myself, and that we shared the degradation and violation. But it made me sick. I did, at least, understand the fear that came with thethreatof that. I shuddered to think what this woman had endured as a young, naïve girl among these… beasts.
It made me sick. And to know the experience was so widely shared, that they had created a community for support… As Teen continued to gently, carefully step around the obvious, to offer advice and reassurance, I grew more and more uncomfortable… and more and more angry.
The floors of the palace trembled once, again and we both turned our heads instinctively towards the Coliseum.
“I should go,” I whispered, getting to my feet.
Teen didn’t argue, but stood as well, and offered me a sweet hug until I was blinking back tears again.
“I’ll send word to Caelan when the frogs have revealed… whatever they will reveal. If the message includes the wordpeace,it means the frogs haven’t responded. If it includes an invitation to see me, it means that the frogs detect a growing babe. I do hope that, no matter the result, you’ll come visit again?”
I was touched. “Of course. And if there’s anything I can bring you as a thank you, or—”
“I have everything I need,” she said, indicating the chamber that I gathered was quite spacious for a slave. I thought of Jann’s expansive apartment and felt embarrassed. “However, I would love to share your company again. In the meantime… be careful. Come back if you have any need for… help.”
Our eyes met. We both knew what kind of help was likely needed in the short term. That thought brought my rage roaring back.
I thanked her again, hugged her briefly, then fled.
Halfway down the corridor, I turned a corner and found myself entirely alone, so I could walk the shadows. The floors trembled with another distant roar, and something in my heart went cold.
Jann?
He was too distant for us to link thoughts. Which meant Yilan was as well.
I knew I should go back to the rooms, and wait for him to return and tell me what had happened. Instead, I turned down the corridor that I knew would lead to the servant’s exit.
