Chapter two

Reuben, the King's son , was not an exceptional master , but he was not a cruel one either. In fact I served basically as entertainment for him and his friends. Nothing perverted! Just singing and dancing , things like that. He had many mistresses which he showered with gifts and attention and felt no attraction at all to men.

A couple of his friends however were a different story. I had a hard time avoiding the Duke of this, and the Count of that. Was it too hard for them to understand that I was not a courtesan, or a whore. Just like a wife ,I owed respect to my master.

One of my skills did catch his eye. Magic. He was fascinated with all things magical. While I lived with him I honed my skills. Reuben himself had a decent telepathic skill and could handle lesser spells.

During that time I learned to create my illusions. A fairly common trick for my family, though some are true masters of illusion, feared and revered by the people. My powers were just dawning and, with no proper teaching, very crude.

Non of my former teachers had discussed this topic. Probably fearing I would use my powers to escape. Everything they taught me about magic could be described as parlor tricks.

Fond memories come to mind. How we would frighten the poor maids. I would create lifelike images of us within a room; and the looks of confusion they would have when they exited the room only to find us in the hall. Or , he would send some object to follow them around as they worked. The screams they gave when they noticed. More than one bolted down the corridor never to return.

But, Daren had to ruin our fun!

He was the Crowned Prince. Publicly he denounced his dislike of Miahatep's oppression on his lands and his people. A very stupid move for someone with such a military disadvantage.

Miahatep did not agree with his views on the subject of dominance, I guess.

So, one day the kind King was our ruler, the next day we were the newest acquisition of the Keoshian Empire.

The entire royal family, about fifty of them were slaughtered. Even the women who had slept with them recently were killed. Thank the gods Reuben never touched me or I would have died too.

New officers came from Keosh to fill the vacant offices. These men claimed the spoils from the invasion. I was part of the loot.

Somehow the new governor had heard of my beauty and had claimed me as his prize even before his arrival.

Jarnae Al'Sabel , was a very handsome man , but rumors of his cruelty to slaves had traveled fast to Esberil. They were all true.

The man was a sadist. I think the only thing that turned him on was pain. Some people enjoy playing rough, but they know when to stop. He did not . A whole cadre of prisoners was kept in the dungeon for his pleasure.

At first he would just tie me up, or play lightly with whips and other such toys. Yet , when he found out I could heal fast from his games ( another trait of my family), he became brutal. The beatings I received left me hurting for days.

No doubt I was his favorite lover. Who else could take such punishment without getting scarred or crippled.

Even I have my limits.

He came to my chamber one night , having just pummeled me senseless a night before. Two of my ribs were broken and I was still sore from him. I was certainly in no mood for more abuse, I had had enough!

I told him so. His answer? A quick slap in the face that sent me reeling unto the bed. He wasted no time straddling me. I flinched when I saw the huge emerald ring in his upheld fist. He meant to strike me with it.

A whip was dangling behind him, it was attached to a hook on the bedpost . It was always accessible in case he might fancy it. When I saw it I reached out with my mind. Silently it slipped around his throat like a serpent.

His terror was palpable as the whip became taught over his neck. I gave him an option.

''Either you lay off or I will kill you!" I told him.

He nodded apparently he accepted my offer. Yet, a tiny voice in my head plainly told me he meant none of it. As soon as I released him he would have me killed.

I tightened my eyes and the whip moved in accord.

The expression on my face must have been fierce because he froze in panic. He went limp , not struggling, not even moving. He just stared at me terrified. I guess he could not handle been dominated as well as he handled subjugating others.

I killed him. Not my smartest move I know. I almost died because of it.Jarnae had been too important for my trial to be conducted at Esberil, so the Emperor ordered me brought before him .

At once a military caravan was dispatched to take me to Inaira, the capital of the Keoshian Empire. It was feared that I was an agent for a dissident faction trying to overturn the new regime and that my masters might try to dispose of me before I could betray them. Hence they surmised that the heart of the empire was the safest place for me to be.

The trip was slow and , thankfully , uneventful. It lasted three long months.

The Divine Court of Emperor Miahatep ( How pompous can you get?) gathered in a gigantic temple like structure to witness the proceedings. I can tell you one thing about them ; if you removed their fine clothes and jewelry they were just a pack of bloodthirsty ket'tares.

I stood before him , my face covered by a veil. Standard fare for all women of some social standing in Keoshian society, and sex slaves as well it seems. No commoner could gaze upon us.

I still laugh when I remember the gasps of appreciation from the crowd when I uncovered my face to the emperor's scrutiny.

Being a prisoner I could not gaze up at the emperor, but he could, from his position , ogle me over; and believe me, he did.

Questions were made as to my crime and motives. Time and again they would ask if I had accomplices; if I had killed him for political reasons. By the end I was worn down by the incessant questing. I had told the truth as best I could, and I most confess, I answered a bit rudely. I was past caring what they thought. The only possible outcome was my execution, and maybe, just maybe imprisonment.

Needless to say I was scared shit less.

When they took me away I assumed it was to execute me. What happened next left me perplexed.

I was escorted by a squad of Miahatep's personal guards to a majestic building placed in the very center of the palace grounds. If it was a prison it was the most opulent one I had ever beheld.

Tall walls surrounded it almost in it's entirety. We entered through a massive wrought iron gate. It depicted a fight between two dragons, fire and all. Truly a masterpiece of metalwork. Inside , trees lined the space between the outer walls and the building.

The entranceway, I noted was covered by clinging rose vines. The lower floors had tiny windows , while the other floors had large arched windows, but all were barred.

sweet aroma and the giggling voices of girls coming from within felt very out of place. What sort of jail was this?

Hesitantly ,I stepped through the threshold to be approached by a blonde woman. She presented herself as Sheriz, Keeper of the Royal Harem.

I nearly fainted, I had become part of Miahatep's personal harem!

Original story by Angela M. Meléndez

E-mail [email protected]

1998