The cart came to a stop all too soon.
“What the fuck? Is that a Neraky?” someone asked.
“Yeah. Our slave,” Baellius said. “We wore him out.”
The man chuckled. “Don't let the King see him.”
“He doesn't approve of slaves?”
“He might think he's a present and take him from you.”
“He already tried that,” I muttered.
Oblivious to me, the men laughed, and the cart rolled on. Oh, yes, it's all very amusing, talking about a slave getting used. At least I wasn't a slave. They could call me one all they wanted, but I wasn't. I was a prisoner, but I wouldn't be slaving for them. Nope. I'd die first. Pretty soon, actually. Baellius had bought me a few hours at most.
Then I was being carried again. I didn't get to go in through the front door this time. Nope, I got carted around back. The sound of voices came, then faded. Someone escorted Baellius to the Captain's guest quarters, and then I was tossed again, this time onto a stone floor. I sighed and stretched out on it.
“You comfortable, pirate?” Captain Aras drawled.
I cracked open my eyes. “Aye, Captain!”
Aras snorted. “Baellius, give him some food and a few sips of water. I don't want him to die yet.”
I jerked upright at the last word.
“Oh, that got your attention, did it?” Aras crouched before me.
Meanwhile, Baellius went to a tray of refreshments atop a low table between some couches. He tossed some things on a plate. The food would be welcome, but mainly for the additional moisture it would provide. It was the water I craved. Like a starving beast, I watched Baellius pour a little water into a glass. Then he brought it all to me.
“Thank you,” I said and took the water. I gulped it without even looking at the food.
Baellius set the plate beside me, then went to make another for his captain. Captain Aras took a seat nearby, then accepted the plate. He watched me as he ate, but I didn't watch him back. The time for flirting was past. Even if I'd wanted to, I wasn't in a state to tempt anyone. Flesh still sunken, dressed in old clothes that threatened to fall off me, and probably as rank as the shoreline. I was not at my best.
Once I finished the water, I fell upon the food, gobbling it up before Aras could change his mind and take it away. Then I sighed as more of my flesh plumped and the remaining pain receded.
“You healed well,” the Captain noted. “Still a bit sunken in the cheeks, but not as bad as I expected.”
I didn't even glance at Baellius. I don't betray people who do me a good turn, even if they're my enemies.
“I'm not going to give you those names,” I said.
He nodded. “I'm a stubborn man. But not to the point of stupidity. I see that your loyalty won't be shaken. That's admirable. But it leaves me in a quandary. How do I make my money back?” He popped a tiny bit of food in his mouth and chewed. “I'll have to sell you.”
A shiver ran down my spine.
“Interesting,” Aras murmured as he leaned forward. “You looked terrified, Zixin. You faced torture with a grin and death with a joke, but slavery terrifies you?”
I lifted my chin. “Of course not. Do what you gotta do.”
Aras narrowed his eyes at me. “I know just where to sell you. Zaru. They have a booming sex slave trade there, despite their King's distaste for it. And you're a pretty fish. Perfect for someone's aquarium. You might even fetch more than the goods your friends stole are worth.”
A sex slave. How ironic. That was the very fate I was trying to avoid by turning down the Sea King. But I wouldn't let these men see how the possibility frightened me. Sex was the greatest part of life for me, second only to freedom. And they were threatening to take away one and taint the other. I had never been raped when I was a slave. That was the one thing my age saved me from. The one line my captors wouldn't cross. But now, as an adult, I'd be valued as a slave for that alone.
I lifted my chin and smirked. “Sounds fun. I love to fuck.”
Captain Aras grinned, seeing right through my ploy. “All you have to do is give me the information I want, and I'll letyou go, Zixin. After I verify that information by finding them, of course.”
I got onto my hands and knees, then licked my lips. “How about I start now? You can sample the goods, Daddy. I could suck you off if you'd like.” I snapped my teeth at him.
