“Can you tell me how you came to be in our realm?”
Oh, damn. We were going straight for the hard shit.
“I was abducted from my bedchamber in the human realm about a week ago by two imps. They blew powder in my face, and it knocked me out. When I woke up, I was naked in a cell. Another imp showed up and opened the door. I managed to knock him out and lock him in my cell. When I tried to run, the collar they put on me pulled me to the floor. He dragged me back by the chain on it. I, uh, killed him and unlocked my collar with the keys he had. Before I could escape, another imp came in and dragged me outside. There were a bunch of daemons around a stage and a bunch of naked human women chained together. He managed to keep me from escaping as he auctioned me off. Bokkan’s second-in-command is the daemon who purchased me. He brought me here, and the soldiers fought to see who would—” My throat closed up in the middle of my sentence. I had to stop and clear my throat. “Who would go first with me. I told them all that I would kill whoever touched me. The guy who won, Talus, offered to fight me for the right to bed me. I said yes because there was no way in hell I was going to do it. We were outside in the ring, and I don’t think he expected me to be able to fight. When we were in the ring, I pulled a dagger out of his boot and cut his hand with it. Then Bokkan appeared. He was pissed. He stopped the fight and asked Guldan and Talus what the hell was going on. After they explained, he brought us all inside and told Guldan that, unless he had a signed contract from me, he couldn’t force me to prostitute myself for the soldiers. Then, he paid them all back out of his own pocket. He fed me, took me to his room, and let me bathe. He kept me warm at night and made sure his men didn’t rape me. He didn’t expect me to, uh, have sex with him or anything because of it. He made sure I was safe because he didn’t believe that I was supposed to be here. He made sure I had clothing and shoes. And offered to help me get home.”
Dryden was listening intently. “You have only been here a short time, and he offered to help you get home. Why did you decide to begin the mating rituals?”
“It happened quickly, but he’s been so kind to me, and he fascinates me. I couldn’t resist him.”
“You consented to it, though, correct?”
I nodded, my heart beating so fast. I was lying, but I also wasn’t. I consented to everything that we had done together, even if it wasn’t truly a mating ritual.
“You consented to bedding him even though you have not held the mating ceremony?”
Again, my face burned, but I nodded. “I did. Is there something wrong with that?”
Dryden shook his head. “No, it’s very common, but it is a question I must ask. There was a time, many centuries ago, when this was not the case.”
I grimaced at his words. I hated that idea for female daemons.
He saw my cringe. “Do not worry, our females soon outnumbered the males. Many learned the hard way that forcing a daemoness into a mating was a good way to get his throat slit in the middle of the night or discover poison in his dinner as he died at the table.”
Good for the female daemons.
“Are you at all concerned about your future with Bokkan?” he asked, changing the subject.
I shook my head. My heart rate was returning to normal. Most of these questions were of the sort I could answer honestly. “What would I be concerned about with my future with him?” I asked.
“Your safety. His ability to provide for you as a human. Possible children.”
I managed to school my features at his final words. I had no idea if humans and daemons could have children together, but it was a non-issue because I had an IUD.
“He’s already proven that my safety is important to him,” I answered. “And I’m capable of ensuring my own safety as well.”
His expression clearly stated he didn’t believe me, but I wasn’t going to argue the point. It was better if daemons underestimated me. If I ever had to fight one of them, it would be easier to get away or gain the upper hand if they thought I was weak and without skill.
“And why would Bokkan have to provide for me when I’m capable of working?” I asked.
Dryden appeared taken aback. “Most humans are not paid for their work here. They are indentured servants that receive a small stipend or a slave who signed a contract for years of service.”
“I am able to work and, if someone won’t hire me, I’ll figure it out,” I said with a shrug.
The daemon nodded and got to his feet.
“Well, I appreciate your honesty,” he said. “And I hope I am invited to the official mating ceremony when the courting period is over in two weeks.”
“Two weeks?” I asked.
Dryden smiled. “Oh, I guess humans do things differently there, too. After the testing of the mates is agreed upon, the mating is considered all but done. The ritual is merely a formality.”
My heart stopped at his words. Somehow, my body still worked, because I also got to my feet and followed him to the door of the office.
Dryden opened the door for me. “I wish you the best, Lady Leda. I think you will be good for the general and for our realm. Please ask the general to come to the office next.”
I walked out and down the hallway to the kitchen completely numb. My brain wouldn’t work. I had no idea what I felt or thought. I entered the kitchen and Bokkan was already on his feet, walking toward me.
As I looked up at him, I could see the concern all over his face.
