“Who are you to question the Crown Prince of the Light?” My voice echoes through the room. “I demand her maidenhood, tonight!”
The mistresses bow their heads.
“I know this shrew.” I stride past the mistresses and circle Rosomon, who’s held by two robed women. “I well recognize this formerprincess.” I grab her hair and pretend to pull it. “This hellcat spurned my grandfather. She insulted my family. I will get my revenge by claiming her maidenhood—tonight.” I release her hair.
“Your Highness.” The head mistress’s tone has changed. “That isn’t possible. We don’t yet know if this bride of Othrix is even a maiden. Let us at least perform our inspections first.”
I confront the head mistress, my stance wide and my expression stern. “Mycockwill perform your inspection. If she requires punishment, I will tell you.”
The mistress shifts uncomfortably, then raises her chin. “Your Highness, if this heretic is to fully commit her life to Othrix, sacred rituals must be performed to cleanse her sins.”
“Fine!” I bark. “Perform your thrixing rituals but make it quick. Every moment you stall, makes me more determined to drill this woman to death.”
Rosomon shoots me an angry look, and I hope it’s part of an act. I hope she realizes that I’m trying to save her. Save her from being whipped if nothing else.
And, if I win my wager, I’ll be able to unmask Othrix and save every woman in this room.
The mistresses whisper in low tones, then the head mistress steps toward me.
“We’ve agreed. You may take her tonight.”
“And, if she’s a maiden,” adds another mistress, “we can ensure you are first to penetrate her tomorrow, so the klericks won’t know.”
The Head Mistress glares at the other woman, who clearly wants to save Rosomon from an unfair whipping.
My heart lifts. But I’m distracted as two other mistresses slide a wooden structure across the room. It doesn’t take more than a second for me to figure out what the contraption is for. My father and grandfather used similar rails to punish not only their wives, but also any servant they chose. Clearly these women mean for me to fuck Rosomon here. In this room. Over that rail. And with them watching.
“I will take her to my room.” I have no room. But they don’t know this. I hope.
“Your Highness. The sacramental rack is essential. We cannot deny this wrong doer her chance of repentance and a life serving Othrix. If you take her maidenhood, it must be on this rack. And we must witness the evidence of her pain.”
I scan their faces, trying to find one that might crack. If I go through with this, it’s clear that Rosomon will be bent over this rail, her sex exposed. The only part of this contraption that confounds me is a large looking glass placed in front of it.
“What is that for?” I ask.
“For the witnesses,” she tells me. “During the marriage ritual, when the first klerick forces his goodness inside her, all inattendance must bear witness to her pain. And all must bear witness to her eventual subjugation.”
“Subjugation?” I ask.
“The sacred moment when she yields her resistance and gives herself fully to Othrix.”
Nodding, I glance toward Rosomon, but she’s staring at the floor. Her cheeks have pinked, but I’m not sure whether it’s from anger or humiliation. Probably both.
I’ve taken this too far. But don’t see a way out that doesn’t involve Rosomon being brutally whipped and fucked by strangers tomorrow.
If I let them perform their inspection, they’ll discover she’s no maiden. And my only way to gain access to the altar’s secrets, is winning this wager. I’m certain Ovren and Ham are still watching, and I’m glad I added fucking Rosomon to the bet.
“Come.” One of the mistresses tugs Rosomon by the hair. “We must inspect you and prepare you for the prince.”
“Please, no,” she says, but she shoots me a quick look that gives me some assurance she’s not as scared or angry as she’s trying to seem. She may have already figured out my motivations.
I hope she knows that any humiliation she suffers tonight will save her from much worse tomorrow.
At least I hope that I’m right.
CHAPTER 64
Rosomon
