Deceptive Lord (Lords of Bondage) Page 2

  “Do you enjoy being her companion? Did you never wish for more, a life of your own?”

  Eden did not care for the reminder that she had no life, and who was he to judge her? Flourdan males were not allowed to own land or property and they had few rights. His situation was likely worse than her own, unless he had a very generous mother that would consider his preferences and choices when rendering her decisions. He was considered property of his mother, after all. And she was the property of her depraved half-sister. She was deluding herself to think that a life worth having was in her future. She forced herself to take a deep breath to coax her mind and body into a more relaxed state. She had to stop feeling sorry for herself. Surely Nefertiti had a heart somewhere in that body of hers. She certainly seemed cold, but once she got to know her better, she would eventually treat her as a cherished family member. She was afraid she was only fooling herself, though, and the countess would only worsen in her treatment. “Worry about your own life, Lord Woodcock, for it will not be easy being here.”

  He smiled engagingly and showered her with an attentive gaze. “Spending some time with you would make it much easier to tolerate.”

  Eden rolled her eyes at him. She did not know why he would flirt with her. If Nefertiti noticed it, they would both pay the price. She wondered if this was his first time being loaned out to a peer. Had he served other countesses in other harems? He did not have the look of inexperience, yet he appeared untamed and a tad too assertive. Perhaps his previous mistress was lenient with him, but Nefertiti kept her males on a tight leash. He would learn that soon enough.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Drest spent the rest of the evening trying to learn as much as he could about the lords. He had learned that Lord Jules Beaumont was the former huxor/mate of the previous countess, Ariana, and he was supposed to live a celibate lifestyle to honor her. Lord Valor Assheton was Nefertiti’s only huxor and he was extremely defensive of her. He took it personally when anyone criticized the countess and he wasted far too much time trying to convince the rest of them that she was the most desirable and worthy female on the planet. Lord Payne Hastings appeared to have the respect of most of the lords, as they deferred to him for some inexplicable reason. Lord Vane Honeybone did not seem to take anything seriously and he appeared to be easily entertained. Lord Devereux Langley, who went by Dev, was a bit mysterious. The other males were baffled that he had not yet had to serve the countess sexually, as she had apparently been very vocal in her desires. However, Dev had claimed that she kept changing her mind after being summoned to her chambers, and on one occasion, the countess had become inexplicitly sick to her stomach. He thought that it was suspicious indeed and he wondered if the male possessed hybrid mental abilities. Later, he found Dev alone and decided to question him. “What do you know about the Asstrum?”

  “Not much. Why do you ask?”

  “You have the look of one, that’s all,” Drest said. “Very unusual to see a Flourdan with dark hair.”

  “Unusual, but not impossible,” Dev stated in an irritable tone. “How would you know what the Asstrum look like, anyway. Have you actually met one?”

  Drest looked into his eyes, which were an unusual shade of indigo, darker than any seen in Flourda. Had he seen those eyes before in Ravenwood? He had not been told the identity of the father, but it had to be one of high status. His skin was the right shade for an Asstrumnian, golden and tanned rather than the pale cream shades seen in Flourda. “They do not usually venture out of Asstrumnia, but on occasion, merchants travel to the great cities for trade, and their bards can travel as they please. I did meet one of those once, and he could produce the most beautiful music.”

  Dev looked at him in disbelief. “What was he like? Did he have a name?”

  “He did not give me his name. They are a secretive people. He told me that the eyes reveal their inhumanity, their alien nature. If one looks into them long enough, the eyes will tell. The irises flash red sparks whenever they are over-stimulated or excited, and they deepen to dark garnet pools when they are using their inhuman abilities.” Drest watched him carefully, so he did not miss the instant flash of red in Dev’s eyes, a trait only seen in hybrids. He had to be the one they were searching for, and his King would be glad for the knowledge. He knew he had no good reason to dally. He should return to Asstrumnia this night, when the others were safely abed. Against his better judgment, he allowed himself to fall into a deep sleep, not waking until the morning.

  ***

  Drest spent the next day with the lords, riding horses and fencing with swords. He endured a supper where strange foods were served on silver platters, and afterwards, he reported to the main chamber where the countess held her sordid revels. He was not surprised when he was ordered to line up on the stage and disrobe in order to display his wares more fully. He noticed that none of the other lords refused to obey her command, so he would need to comply as well if he wished to maintain his cover. Transporting himself instantly to Asstrumnia was out of the question, because they would all know without a doubt that a hybrid had invaded the harem. He removed his clothing and joined the line of naked males, and he tried not to think about the way that he would be evaluated in excruciating detail.

  The countess leapt from her throne and began walking alongside the queue, surveying the males with calculating eyes, lingering on those parts that only males possessed. She paused when she reached him and leered suggestively. Up close, the countess appeared monstrously unfeminine, with bulging muscles on a formidable frame, wide shoulders, and a lack of feminine curves. She wore a translucent gold gown, which on a different woman may have incited lustful urges, but on her, produced repulsion. In her hand, she held a whip, and she slapped it against her other hand and smiled. “You must be Lord Kane Woodcock. The ladies told me you were here, and I had no idea that I even had a new paramour.” She began to salivate while she ogled his body in a lascivious manner. She captured the droplets of drool that had escaped from her mouth with one long finger. “My, you are as fine as your name suggests. I must thank your dear mother for sending you to me. I plan to try you out tomorrow night. I just recently purchased some new toys from a Roman shop, including chains and shackles. They are now attached to the bed, just waiting for the perfect moment to be used. I can certainly imagine you being stretched across that bed, bound and waiting in perfect submission.”

  There was no way in hell that he was going to allow himself to be chained for that freak’s enjoyment. He said nothing and glared at her meanly, hoping she would opt for more cooperative prey. She smirked at him and finally moved down the line, eventually stopping in the vicinity of a blond male.

  Nefertiti placed her hand on Lord Vane Honeybone’s chest to indicate her interest in the male. “My Lord Vane, I do hope your honeyed bone is as sweet as your name suggests. I find I have a voracious appetite for a sizeable chunk of meat. Are you familiar with some of the more unique methods of loving the Romans employ?”

  “No, Countess,” Vane said.

  Nefertiti licked her lips and ran her hand down Vane’s chest. “I am going to have the eunuchs restrain you to the bed and I plan to feast on your flesh till you bleed.” She directed the eunuchs to accompany Vane upstairs to her suite, and a few minutes later, she departed the main hall.

  Drest could not help his sigh of relief when the countess left the room. The woman was a nightmare; thankfully such dreadful creatures did not exist in Asstrumnia. He had tried to prepare himself for the culture shock that would be Flourda, but he did not think any of his people could prepare for this particular fucked up scenario. Hybrid males did not subject themselves to the indignity of forced nakedness, especially when the intent was debasement. It was clear that the countess was intoxicated with the power derived from her little games. Was this behavioral pattern specific to the countess or did most of the Flourdan females play such games? He scanned the watching audience and his gaze was drawn once again to Eden. She was watching him with eyes wide open. The
lady had no shame, as her assessing gaze seemed to encompass the entirety of his naked form. Unlike Nefertiti, whose carnal interests reflected in her face, he couldn’t tell whether Eden liked the current view. She acted as if she was attending an art gallery event; she acted as if she attended such events so routinely that the art held only minor interest to her. Asstrumnian females would display a good amount of shock and embarrassment if they found themselves in a room full of naked males. These Flourdan ladies were clearly accustomed to displays of nudity; not only that, they were used to seeing naked males performing sexual acts. Despite his previous research and training, his understanding of Flourdan culture was decidedly lacking. He followed the others into the Red Salon, thankful that he was not being exposed to the special Roman education taking place in the countess’s chambers. “The countess is absolutely hideous.”

  “I take it you may not be staying with us long,” Payne said. “I can hardly blame you. But if you do choose to stay, we would welcome you here.”

  Drest listened as Payne described the highlights of life in Avenal. The only thing of interest he had seen so far was the Lady Eden, who had been making frequent trips to the refreshment table to replenish her punch cup. While conversing with the lords, he surreptitiously studied the young woman. She sported the typical Flourdan features, which were long blonde hair and royal blue eyes. She was dressed in long white robes of a fine linen and she wore gold colored sandals. She was tall and slender, yet her garb hinted at generous curves. Her face was feminine and alluring, with full lips, almond shaped eyes, and a straight nose. Unlike the people of his tribe, she wore no jewelry. He wondered why she kept returning to the refreshment table. He didn’t think she could be that thirsty.

  Drest walked over to the table and poured himself a cup to determine whether it actually was as tasty as she made it appear. That part of the room was packed with people, so he used that opportunity to stand so close to her that their bodies touched. He met her eyes as he took a sip of the punch. Expecting it to be refreshing, he was unprepared when the revoltingly foul liquid assaulted his taste buds. “What the hell is this stuff?”

  Eden laughed as she set her cup on the table. “It’s Nefertiti’s poisonous brew. You really don’t want to know what’s in it.”

  He lifted an eyebrow in question. “Poison?”

  She smiled, picked up her cup, and took a sip of the liquid. “It’s not going to hurt you. It just tastes bad.”

  He placed his cup down on the table. “So why do you drink so much of it?”

  “I don’t usually. I was just really thirsty tonight and it’s the only beverage at the table.”

  “I’ll find you something to drink, something that isn’t terrible.” He left the salon and went into the hallway, where he transported to his assigned chamber and selected two unmarked bottles of Asstrumnian wine. A minute later, he joined her at the table and poured two glasses. He offered her a glass and watched as she took her first sip. Asstrumnian wine was superior to anything they had in Flourda.

  She drank greedily and her lips curled up in a smile. “Wherever did you get this? I’ve never tasted anything so sweet and flavorful.”

  He was glad that she approved of it, as he was proud of Ravenwood’s vineyard and winery. Of course, he couldn’t tell her that it came from Asstrumnia. “It was obtained from a traveling merchant who acquired it from a faraway land.”

  “I’ve never had anything like this. It’s delicious.” She finished her glass and he poured her another one. This time, she sipped it slowly, as if she wanted to savor it. “Tell me about the Woodcock family.”

  He conversed with her, telling her the truth whenever he could and sprinkling it with fabricated details about his fictitious life. He encouraged her to share her life history while he poured her a third glass of wine. She was becoming giddy and was starting to lean against him; he didn’t think she was used to strong drink. When she complained of feeling tired, he led her to a small sofa and he sat down beside her at what he judged to be a respectable distance. He had not missed the warning glance sent to him by a eunuch standing guard. “It seems that watchful eyes are upon us. No one is allowed to have any amount of privacy in this place. Who is being guarded more, the lords or the ladies?”

  “The lords are the property of the countess; they are the ones guarded so jealously. The ladies are watched to ensure they do not amuse themselves with her property.”

  He didn’t understand how the Flourdan males were able to accept being treated as property, but he wouldn’t mind being Eden’s property for the night. “Are you ever tempted to amuse yourself with her property?”

  “Sometimes the temptation is there. I do not give into it. I haven’t amused myself in a very long time. I am especially careful now that Nefertiti is the countess.”

  He could not understand what kept the ladies tied to Nefertiti’s side, as the countess was not the type to inspire undying loyalty. “What is it like being Nefertiti’s sister?”

  She sidled closer to him and whispered in his ear. “I wonder sometimes if I am being punished. Fate was too cruel to rob us of our true countess, Ariana. I sometimes curse the law that makes the eldest the heir, regardless of the character or sanity of the person.”

  He had a feeling that it was unusual for her to ever confess negative feelings about the countess. It was probably the effect of the wine. They talked for a few minutes more, then one of the other ladies collected her and led her away from him. It was strange how the countess was able to openly fornicate with others, yet the other ladies were expected to conduct themselves like vestal virgins.

  ***

  Drest watched Lord Devereux Langley, wondering again why his King was interested in the male. Whatever the reason, it had not been shared with him. He wondered if the King had fathered a child with a human woman, but he didn’t think so. The King was extremely prejudiced against anyone who was not a purebred Asstrumnian. He couldn’t see King Aedan ever having a love child. It was possible that no one from Ravenwood was the father. Perhaps the interest was due to a druid prophesy of some sort; he would have to make inquiries when he got back to Ravenwood.

  That morning, Drest explored some of the wooded areas outside the mansion and he stopped when he discovered a grassy field near a pond. He sat down on the grass and began to play his guitar, which had been a gift from the King. Some of their people were allowed to use a special ancient device capable of opening a portal to a strange land. Like the guitar, the song he now sang had originated from another realm, the place their people were referring to as the New World. Asstrumnia was known for their music, but he also enjoyed the music from that other world. The language was unknown to him, so he didn’t know what the song meant. They did have scholars that were studying the languages and customs of that world, and eventually what they learned would be incorporated into the curriculum taught at the College of Bards. A breaking branch caught his attention and he stopped singing, looking for signs of a possible intruder. The female with the blonde braid standing near the tree line was recognizable to him. With his mind, he willed her to come forward rather than flee into the woods.

  ***

  Eden took a walk that morning so she could spend some time alone with her thoughts. She had to admit to herself that she was experiencing a forbidden attraction toward Nefertiti’s newest paramour. She wished she could stop thinking about him. She had been acting like an infatuated adolescent around him, which reinforced the perception of her as being too young and foolish to be an advisor. If she couldn’t act as a mature adult, the countess would never treat her as one. She had to squelch her inappropriate interest in Lord Woodcock before the countess noticed. She would have to stop watching him so much. She certainly shouldn’t seek him out to talk with him. Her behavior the other night had been atrocious. She had visited the refreshment table so many times that even Lord Woodcock had remarked on her unusual thirst. She wasn’t thirsting for the punch; she hungered for Lord Woodcock. She had been using wha
tever flimsy reasons she could think of as excuses to put herself in his path. She was acting like she was pursuing the man. She wondered why she was so interested in the male. It wasn’t just his good looks. He was different from the other males she had known. He didn’t follow the rules. He had stood entirely too close to her at the Red Salon; it was a breach of conduct that none of the other males would have dared to attempt. She had known that she should have corrected his behavior, but she had chosen to ignore it instead.

  Lost in thought, her attention was diverted by music drifting from the woods. She walked in the direction of the sound, curious as to the source of the music. She was surprised to see Lord Woodcock in a clearing up ahead. As if she needed another reason to be fascinated by the male, he had to demonstrate musical talent amongst his other achievements. She stayed behind the tree line and watched him. She stiffened as he stopped singing and looked straight at her. She should have been well hidden, but it was like he could see through the trees. She had every intention of heading towards the mansion, as it was embarrassing to be caught spying on one of the lords during his private leisure time. Her feet did not obey her mind and she found herself walking toward him. She had been entranced by the sound of his voice while he sang, although she couldn’t understand any of the words. He sung as if it was a love song of some sort and his voice was utterly seductive to her senses. She had never seen an instrument that looked anything like the one he held in his hands. It looked like a box with strings, although it sounded nothing like a harp, which was the only stringed instrument of existence in Flourda. “What is that?” She pointed to the stringed box. “I’ve never heard anything like it.”