She smiled. “Why?”
“I might be gone for a year.”
“So? I don’t need you to be here to give birth.”
He frowned, but followed her to the room. “I’ll sleep with you tonight, but not every day.”
“Oh... missing your boy?”
His face darkened at her words. “What...? Don’t you...” He then noticed the kneeling slave girl next to the bed and his words caught, his eyes wide. “What the fuck?”
Seraphina frowned at him. “Language? This is Thais, my slave. Get up and show your face to your dominus.” She obeyed and raised her head, her green eyes looking behind him. She had long honey colored hair and a slender body.
He looked at Seraphina. “What’s she doing here?”
She sat down in front of her mirror and Thais went to undo her hair and comb it, shying from him. Seraphina’s eyes gleamed in the mirror. “You have a slave, don’t you? So what’s the big deal?”
He sighed. “Nothing...”
“Good... she is an able little nymph... ouch! Watch what you’re doing!” She swatted the slave’s hand with her brush and the young girl didn’t even flinch, though her skin had turned red.
Marius blanched. “Why did you hit her?”
“She pulled my hair.” She rose, letting Thais undo her dress. “Don’t be such a softy, dear. Slaves need discipline. Thais knows when she’s done something wrong, right?”
“Yes, domina.”
Seraphina smiled at him. “Maybe a bit of discipline wouldn’t hurt your loose-mouthed slaves, either. You’ve spoiled them, especially your pampered little pet.”
He stepped to her, his face dark with anger. “Watch your mouth, wife.”
She smirked but kept her mouth shut and dismissed Thais, who flew out of the room. She looked up at him, mocking. “So, husband, should we do our duty?”
He looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time...who is this woman?His anger bathed him like a warm flame, but he just smiled. “Of course, my dear.”
She gritted her teeth against the pain when he entered her, even if he had tried to be gentler at first.
He searched her eyes. “Is it better?”
She pulled a face. “Just be done with it...”
Marius’ heart sank, and for a split second, he thought of stopping altogether, but then his rage took over, and he fucked her hard, spilling into her.Fuck her and her duty!
He got up, slipping his tunic on, his eyes blazing. “Was it fast enough?”
Seraphina looked at him, her eyes shining with tears. “Where are you going?”
Marius laughed through his anger. “The fuck do you care?”
She pouted. “I thought you’d stay with me for our first week together, at least?”
Marius pointed a finger at her. “You, you don’t want to be with me... this... this whole duty thing... what the actual hell?!”
She widened her eyes, all of a sudden seeming very innocent, and he wavered, her voice thin. “This is all new to me and you’re not very gentle...” She lowered her eyes and tears spilled down her cheeks.
Oh, fuck me... He sat on the bed, pulling her into his arms. “You want me to stay?” She nodded into his chest, and he sighed, his mind on Kyle and another night apart.
A week had passed, and Marius could not leave her alone. She was always crying and begging him to stay, even though during the day she was a real pest, constantly teasing and making comments.
