Chapter Five
1153 Words
Opal – Then
I was hyper aware of their eyes on me, all of their eyes on me as I moved around the castle . I didn’t look at any of them , not in the eye anyway. I kept mine downwards as I went about my chores. But every now and then I would let my eyes wander over them when I knew they weren’t looking. And they always seemed to land on the same man.
Wren.
The one who had saved me from landing on my face that very first day. He had seemed nice. But he hadn’t exactly been friendly since. He didn’t talk to me, but then none of them did.
Sometimes they talked at me. They made lewd comments that’s made my cheeks flame scarlet. But they never opened a dialogue. And that suited me fine. I was here to work.
Five years , that’s all I had to endure. When those years were over I would be free to go wherever I pleased. Not that many women or girls lasted that long.
Working for the dragons, even when you had dragon blood flowing through your veins was gruelling. Many humans didn’t last more than a year or two before some ailment took them. Or worse, some dragon decided to take them as a mate and use them to make new baby dragons , who would repeat the cycle. I didn’t want to be one of those girls. My dragon blood, even diluted as it was would make my children more likely to be able to shift. I wanted the cycle of misery to end with me.
All I had to do was last five years , and not draw to much attention to myself. Two things that were easier said than done. And then I would be free to venture out into the human world.
I would be my own person , for the first time in my life. I could last that long. I had to.
“The new one.”
The voice made me stop, and I ducked behind the crates that stood between me and the small group of men who stood conversing by the well. The well I needed to get to.
“She’s a good candidate for a mate. Pretty as well which never helps. I would like to see all that blonde hair wrapped around my fist as I ….”
I blushed. They were talking about me. I was the newest girl here and the only one with blonde hair.
“Too thin, she would break with a dragonling in her belly.” Another said. “Although I wouldn’t mind burying my c**k into her once or twice.”
There was a pause , and I had to control my breathing. It wouldn’t do to get caught here. Listening in on their private conversation even if it was about me.
And it definitely wasn’t a good idea to be see alone and in the dark by them.
“It’s rude to eavesdrop Human.” One stepped out of the shadows and around the pile of crates. His eyes glinted with his dragon in the darkness.
My heart thundered in my ears. This was a bad bad situation.
“Sorry sir.” I ducked my head even further , scuttling backwards until my back hit the wall. “I was just getting water sir, I’ll be out of your way….”
“What is the rush?” The other one, thinner but no less intimidating stepped into my space. “Did you enjoy listening to us talk about you Opal? Did it make you…” his hand dragged my long skirt up over my knees. Finger rough on my skin. “Did it make you wet?”
I sobbed, battering away the hands that had started crawling up my thigh. “No, no sir.” I pushed at his chest. “Please sir, I didn’t mean to over hear….”
“I think we should just check….” His voice was gravelling as he stepped closer still, trapping me between his unmovable body and the wall. His friend laughed. A mocking sound.
I was in so much trouble. So , so much trouble. This was the very thing I had been trying to avoid. I knew that lots of the girls here took lovers. It was better to choose one you didn’t find repulsive then let them choose you but I wasn’t one of those girls. I wanted my freedom. And I wanted to gain it with my virtue intact.
Three months, I had lasted three months without being molested because I was careful and tonight I had let my guard down. And look where it had landed me.
His hand dragged my skirt even higher , and the terror I was feeling intensified. This couldn’t be happening. I kicked out, putting all my strength behind it. But I may as well have been licking granite.
“Your hand gets any higher brother, and you will lose it.” The voice was deep, velvety and full of the threat of violence.
Cold air whooshed over me as my assailants stepped back. “This doesn’t concern you Wren.”
“No?” The newcomer sounded bored. His head c****d to the side. “I think I would like it to concern me though.”
“You would challenge me for the right to bed her , challenge the both of us?”
My heart slammed into my ribs.
“I would challenge you both and win and you all know it. You are no match for me William Bandor. You never have been…. But I don’t want to bed the girl.”
The hope that had blossomed in my chest evaporated. I didn’t want to be taken, not by any man but if I had to be then Wren seemed the lesser of evils.
“So you won’t mind if we do…” The man who had been standing in front of me was suddenly lifted off his feet. His throat clutched in Wrens giant hand.
“Now I didn’t say that did I?” He tossed him away. “Opal is under my protection, make it known no one is to touch her again.”
“You plan on laying your mark on her?”
For a second Wren looked puzzled, his eyes boring into mine. “We shall see…”
“You can not offer her your protection without…”
He didn’t let the man finish. “I just did. Anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with me.”
“Thank you Sir.” Smoothing my skirts down my legs I laid my hand on his bare forearm. His skin was warm under mine. Even though the night air was almost freezing.
“Get your water and go Opal.” His voice was growly , and I would have been scared if not for the warmth in his eyes. “Do not come our side after dark alone again. I won’t always be here to protect you.”
I ducked into a curtesy . “Yes sir.” I scurried away but his voice called me back. “Opal?”
“Yes sir.” I half turned , the bucket clutched to my chest.
“You look very beautiful tonight.”
- Writer
