Warren was gone and it was dark outside when I next opened my eyes. Someone had stoked the fire and relit most of the candles. I stretched leisurely feeling no pain and seriously comfortable for the first time in a week. Remy hadn't returned.

Carefully I rolled over onto my back, sighing contentedly when it didn't hurt. And thankful Remy wasn't home. That meant no demands on my psyche and body. I lay there for a long while just relaxing in the warmth of the room and the lack of stress at the moment. I considered going back to sleep. There didn't seem much to do. But my body wouldn't cooperate.

Finally I got up and wandered around the room. I stopped in front of the ornate armoire, admiring the intricate workmanship before opening it up to spy inside. Just clothes. Then I took to looking in each of the drawers around the coffee table. Just some envelopes and stationary, pens and a deck of cards. Not much else of interest. Leaving the cards on the table, thinking
I might play with them later, I circled the room again gathering my courage. When I felt calm enough I went to the door and opened it.

Two huge scowling guards were posted there. As quick as I could I tried to analyse their strengths and weaknesses, attempting to gauge the success of getting passed them. One of them turned to glare at me. "Back inside!" He growled. I paused a moment before shutting the door, wanting the guards to know I wasn't afraid of them. I wasn't really, but I didn't think it was the time to press my luck. I'd certainly dealt with more frightening opponents. Losing my mutant power didn't equate with losing my fighting skills and cunning. But they probably had the control box to my collar and that left me with one chance to disarm them and render them unconscious before they could alert others. I didn't like the odds.

Apparently the other rooms were off limits to me for now. I shrugged inwardly and went back over to the coffee table. Picking up the deck, I laid the cards out for a game of solitaire and waited.

After about my tenth game, the door opened  and three slaves came in with a table and trays of food and drink. They only gave me a cursory glance before setting the table in front of the fireplace. They left as quickly as they had come. Then I heard Remy's voice at the door. Probably checking with the guards to see if I had made any attempt to escape.

When he came through the door, he stood just inside the room looking at me as if expecting something. Finally he said, "Is dat de way you greet your master, hein?"

I looked at him blankly. Then I realized what he meant and stood up, giving him a sheepish smile. "Sorry Master."

I went over to him quickly and brushed my lips gently against his. "Welcome home."

He smiled and deepened the kiss. My knees went weak and I reached out for him. Remy drew me in close, grasping my ass firmly and pressing his arousal against me. A small rational part of my brain was screaming "Why?!" Why was I responding to him so desperately?

"Kneel down, cher." I dropped like a stone in front of him as if his voice controlled my body and my instincts, and everything I did was only done for his pleasure. I knew exactly what he wanted even before he said, "Take care of dis, eh?" and pulled out his moist shaft. The way he spoke hurt, as if any slave would do. I bristled with anger and shame, but I couldn't deny him. I
worked swiftly though and sucked him to orgasm in minutes. After I'd cleaned him, kissed the length of his cock and placed it back in his trousers, I knelt back  and hung my head. He was quiet and I could feel his eyes on me.

Suddenly Remy was down on one knee, lifting my chin. I shut my eyes embarrassed by the tears that had sprung up. How could I feel so hurt? How could it matter so much how he treated me? I couldn't believe that how he felt about me made a difference to me. But there it was. The way he'd spoken, so callous and uncaring, had cut me deep.

"Dat was cold." Remy said. "De way I spoke. Did it hurt, cher?" His voice was soft and I thought I could hear remorse.

I found I had no will to lie. I couldn't deny how I felt. I nodded once, sharply. Remy wiped away a stray tear that had escaped down my cheek. "Been t'inking about you all day, petite. Almost came a couple of times t'inking about you lying here all day in m'bed." He gave me a mischievious smile. "Wouldn'  'ave made a very good impression on de ambassador, n'est ces pas?"

I snorted and returned his smile. "Probably not."

He grabbed me then and hugged me tightly, stroking my hair. "Got time now to spend wit' you, mon couer." Pulling me up, Remy led me to the table laden with food. He immediately spotted the cards I'd been playing with. "Where'd you get dese?" I flinched a little at the irritation in his voice, but I answered him calmly. When he only looked at me I added, "I was bored."

Remy chuckled. "D'ccord. But don' you t'ink your time would be better spent t'inking up ways to please me, hein?"

I frowned and he laughed jovially. "Mais, I guess I can' expect everyt'ing. Put dem away. It's time to eat."

Remy didn't take his time with the meal, but he did insist on feeding me by hand. The dinner was a more standard American affair: beef filets, potatoes, aspargus and a light merlot. I was allowed a full glass tonight and accepted
it gladly. I wasn't drunk afterward, but I felt more relaxed.

After the meal Remy wanted to lounge in the bath for awhile. I found out it was a jacuzzi tub. He sat between my legs as he had the night before, bubbles sputtering and darting around our naked bodies. But he ask nothing from me, nor did he talk much. We kissed occasionally. Or I should say he kissed me. I never initiated. But they were sweet all the same, soft and affectionate and lazy. Nothing more than a brush of his lips or a brief caress of his tongue. Inspite of myself I melted under the gentle assault.

From the bath we went to the shower. If I gained nothing else from this ordeal, I smiled inwardly, I'd at least be clean when I made my escape. Remy had me wash him and then myself just as we had done the night before. This time, however, he didn't touch me until I was rinsing under the spout with my back turned to him. He grabbed me roughly then and drew my hands above my head placing the palms flat against a tiled wall, ordering me to hold them there and spread my legs. Sliding a finger inside my ass, Remy stroked my cock and thrust in and out, easily adding a second finger soon after. Finally he plunged his shaft deep into me and rode me hard. The pain was much less intense this time and he soon had me bucking wildly. We came almost at the same time. As we finished, I leaned into the cool wet tile, resting one cheek against it, once again feeling mastered.

Then it was time for bed, Remy insisting on holding me, spooned to my back with one hand cupping my genitals. I soon understood this to be his favorite position. It gave him a sense of dominance and a feeling of protecting his possessions. I didn't object. On the verge of sleep, the warmth of his hands caressing my skin and the pressure of his body up against mine made me feel safe and loved. I couldn't explain the sensation. It wasn't his power. But I relished his quiet nuzzling against the back of my neck and the soft brush of his fingers along my prick. I refused to admit it to myself during the light of day, but in the dark of night I wanted nothing more.

Remy took me several more times that night. And true to his word, he spent most of his time with me over the next five days. He fucked me often, both mouth and ass. And I found it difficult to walk or sit at times. Whenever he noticed this, he'd give me a devilish leer. Oddly enough I found myself laughing at that look. But then he would send for Warren or one of the other
slaves to massage the muscles and apply a cooling get in and around my ass. It was without a doubt one of the more pleasant times of my captivity.

When we weren't engaged in sex, Remy had me rest. Warren would be called again to tend to my welts and bruises with soothing oils and creams. They were healing well. No scarring was developing. And Dr. Sampson came a few times to check up on me. When I wasn't ordered to rest, Remy would have me sit on my knees next to him, or lie with my head in his lap on the couch while he worked, reading documents or writing. He rarely spoke to me. And hardly ever let me ask questions. I think he wanted me to know as little as possible about this world. He didn't trust me. The less I knew, the less likely I'd try to escape.

Twice, during those days, he let me come with him into his study. The first time he had me kneel patiently at his side while he worked. The second time he sat at his desk, but let me wander the room to look at the books and works of art on the shelves. He had books on almost every topic imaginable. I was duly impressed. But what really caught my eye was the inhibitor collar
perched almost out of reach on one of the shelves across from his desk. I took it in hand for a moment, examining it closely until Remy said, "Put it back, cher."

I turned and looked at him, still holding the collar, a questioning frown on my face. "Put it back." Remy nodded to where I'd taken it from.

"Why...?" I began. But he silenced me with a narrowing of his eyes.

"It's to remind me of how fickle Lady Luck is. Now put it back." He replied enigmatically. I did as he said, but it left a mystery for me to unravel. Why would he need a collar sitting on a shelf in his study to remind him of Lady Luck when he was surrounded by slaves with a similar collar fastened around their necks? It didn't make sense. But I let the matter drop and went back to examining the books. Remy didn't bother me again until he was ready to leave.

Those five days were an emotional rollercoaster for me. I was bored a good deal of the time. But then Remy would throw me into a state of ecstasy with his caresses. The sex was amazing. He was an extremely skilled lover even without the empathetic power he wielded. However, after the sex I was left feeling hollow and angry and guilty. I'm sure Remy could see how I felt and I was grateful when he didn't press me to cheer up. He was quiet afterward, thoughtfully saying nothing. But his fingers worked magic across my skin to sooth away the painful emotions after a time. And then the cycle of boredom, ecstasy and pain would begin all over again.

I did what he told me to do. I didn't fight. I didn't see the point. And always the threat that he'd punish Alex hung in the air between us like a bleak chaotic storm seen along the horizon.

"Mais, mon cher," Remy said on the morning of the fifth day, "As much as it pains me to leave you, I 'ave to get back to m'state duties." We were lying in bed in the afterglow of a particularly sweet session of sex. I had my head on his belly, my hands crossed on my chest and my body stretched sideways across the mattress, legs crossed. Remy's hand was stroking my hair, running his long slender fingers through the strands. I gave a soft sigh which he interpreted as sadness. In actuality it was relief. It wasn't that Remy was completely loathesome to be around. He had a few redeeming values, not the least were his skills as a lover. But the cycle of intense emotions was beginning to wear me down. When he was gone I believed some of the stress of
my situation would ease. He could be very unpredictable at times. Remy never punished me, never hit me or lashed out physically, but his words could cut. And sometimes he'd let me feel his anger. He'd let go his power and I would be hit with the intense rage he felt. It could be staggering. And part of my guilt would come from knowing I caused him to feel that way.

"I know, mon couer, I know. I feel de same way." He chuckled. "Sometimes I t'ink it'd be nice to just give dis all up. Abdicate to whoever de Council t'inks would be a good ruler and den retire to m'country estate wit' most of my wealth, a few household slaves and servants and you and Alex." It was his turn to sigh, deep in fantasy of a lazy debauched lifestyle. "But I'd get bored after a time." He looked down at me. "Not wit' you and Alex, me. But I'd miss de parties and de court life."

Remy laughed exuberantly. "What am I t'inking? Dis country would go to hell in a handbasket if I stepped down." I looked at him willing him to tell me more. This was the most he'd ever spoken to me in one sitting. I was intrigued. However, Remy just sniffed and pushed me up off his belly. "Come on, cher. You'll wash me dis morning 'fore breakfast comes."

Another quick fuck in the shower and then we were served the morning meal by Henri. The young valet then dressed Remy in state attire and he left with a word and a quick kiss to my cheek. "You'll stay here for now. Be good, mon ami." Just as he turned to walk out the door, he looked at me over his shoulder. "You can play wit' de cards. And I'll tell de guards you are
allowed to go into the study to borrow a book. O'ter dan dat you're to stay in des rooms. D'ccord?"

"Yes Master." I replied with a cheerful smile. At least I'd be allowed to read. That was something to look forward to. I took him up on the offer immediately. But the guards wouldn't allow me to stay long in the study. I wasn't able to locate a book of history on this country as I'd intended too. I didn't have the time. So I grabbed a few works of fiction by authors I'd never heard of, hoping they were local writers who could give me some idea of the culture in this place. But none of the books revealed anything about this world. They were written about Earth. It was odd to find how fascinated these people were with my universe. The authors were local writers and I learned a few of the names of cities by reading the short autobiographies in the back of the books. But the plots centered on people from my world.

I tried to go back to the study a little later. Unfortunately the guards informed me, none to politely, that Remy's orders were that I could only go there once a day. I didn't really believe them, but I didn't think arguing with them would help at the moment. Better to bide my time and ask Remy about it tonight. As it was, Remy was gone until the early morning. I was asleep when he slipped into bed beside me. He must have been exhausted, because he only pulled me close with a tender kiss and promptly fell asleep. The next morning I forgot all about the study when Remy, having asked me how I'd spent my day, flew into a rage when he discovered that the last time I'd eaten had been at breakfast the day before. I wasn't petulant about it. I just told him
I was hungry. I'd figured I wouldn't be allowed to eat until he was in the room. He hollered for the guards and all the slaves and servants who took care of his private suite, including Henri. I was not to be neglected, he fumed. I was to be treated as well, no, even better than any of the pleasure slaves he brought up here. Were his servants such fools that they'd forget to bring me food?

One of the servants spoke up, somewhat indignant, and tried to remind Remy that he hadn't given them permission to address me. Remy gave him a hard look and then gestured to the guard to remove the man. I saw terror in his eyes as he was led away. No telling what would happen to him. It was then that I realized you didn't argue with Remy about certain things. Even if you were a free-born servant.

After that I was treated better by the guards, allowed go into the study as often as I wished. Unfortunately, my last assessment of the library had been incorrect. I could find no books on the history of this universe. In fact there were no books on the shelves that mentioned anything about where I was held captive. All the works referred to Earth. I wondered if this was deliberate on Remy's part. It seemed a fair analysis. He wouldn't want me or any other 'earther' slave to gain any knowledge of this world. Knowledge could be used to aid in escape. Information about Earth was benign, because first you had to make it back there. This frustrated me to no end, of course. But there was little I could do about it, so I made the best of an irritating
situation.

Meals came regularly. All of them were sumptious affairs. Apparently the lecture and warning Remy had given had sunk in completely. Often during the day a slave, or servant, or sometimes even Henri, came to see if there was anything I needed. None of them laughed when I responded, "My freedom would be nice" the first couple of times they asked. And none of them lingered long enough for me to strike up a conversation. It was soon made clear to me that they weren't suppose to converse with me other than to make sure my needs were met. Another way of keeping information that would be useful away from
me. So basically all the staff ever did was bring me meals.

I rarely was fed by Remy during that week, which was an enormous relief. He was gone all day and often late into the evening. Almost every night when he returned I was asleep. Except for that first day, he roused me with kisses and light strokes, coaxing affection out of me as I slowly awoke to his tender advances. And then he'd fuck me senseless. The mornings usually hailed
another bout of sex. It was often more gentle and loving on his part. I enjoyed it more. He took his time and prepared me more fully, so that there was rarely the pain of his more savage rapes. Don't believe for a moment that I thought of this as love making. I wanted him at times. He could make me want him so easily. Remy knew my body's responses better than I did. But my mind never accepted any of it. Whatever I felt for Remy Lebeau, it wasn't love.