Chapter 9

He let me go. He let me go!

I scrambled off of the bed and ran for the door, it wasn't easy in the ridiculous dress but I did. I opened the large mahogany doors and ran right into Hadok's firm chest.

I rubbed my nose and met his hard stare.

"The Sovereign wishes for a different girl." I said, trying to keep the relief from my voice.

He grunted and began walking away. I quickly got in step behind him.

My thoughts returned to what had just happened. I'd met the Sovereign. And I do have to admit, he was extremely handsome. His smooth, perfect looking copper skin that had been peeking through his scarlet robe.

And his voice was a deep baritone that had caused a shiver to run through me. I couldn't see what colour his eyes were, but his whole face was perfect.

I would be attracted to him if he wasn't such a pig.

I looked up and saw that we were almost back to my room. Hadok opened the door and I slid in. I began taking the scarves and other apparel off and putting my silk robe on.

I was about to lay down on my bed when two eunuchs came in. I began panicking, 'But he said I was free to go? What's happening? Did he change his mind?'

But instead of coming for me, they went to Bethany's bed.

My heart dropped to my stomach.

"No, no!" I began to object. But Hadok grabbed me by the waist and covered my mouth. I didn't try to wriggle free. I knew there was no point. It was too late.

They dragged Bethany out of her bed and she stumbled, "What? What's hap-" She looked and saw me.

"Hydie?" They started to drag her out of the room, "No wait! Hydie!" She screamed.

I closed my eyes and felt a tear run down my cheek.

Hadok put me down on my bed. He turned to leave but stopped when I said.

"It's my fault, isn't it?"

He turned to look at me, his dark eyes looked sad.

"Just because I didn't entertain him, she's going to be punished!" I was sobbing now.

"Yes." He said, confirming my words. He stood there for awhile, probably not knowing what to say to me in my hysterics, then he turned and shut the door.

I sobbed the rest of the night, thinking about what Bethany was going through. I'd never gotten this upset over one of the girls leaving, but Bethany and I had gotten close over the past few weeks, and her being taken was my fault.

I thought about what the Sovereign had said when he'd crushed me with the weight of his body, "I will have them give you something that will make you… more compliant."

I hated the man.

Was he giving Bethany a drug, to make her more obedient? Or was she willing to receive this humiliation?

Being tortured by my thoughts and my tears being spent, I drifted off into a tormented sleep.

~~~~~~~~

I woke up the next morning with a headache from my sobbing the night before. I quickly glanced at Bethany's bed to see if she'd also escaped.

But she wasn't there.

I got up and exited my room to have breakfast. I sat at my table alone, picking at the fruit and rice pudding that was my breakfast. A few of the girls were pointing at me and whispering to each other.

I did my best to ignore them. I looked up suddenly when I heard a slam on my table, and saw Dorcas. She was one of the nineteen year olds and very beautiful. Her full bosom and thin waist said as much. But her amber eyes and naturally red, pouty lips in her unblemished olive skinned face, also told of her beauty.

"I heard that you saw the Sovereign." She said popping a grape into her mouth.

I just looked at her.

"Well?" She asked, popping another grape into her mouth.

"And if I did?" I queried, idly stirring my pudding.

"What does he look like?!" She squealed.

I paused, "He… was what would be called attractive by most standards." I said evasively.

"What? No! Tell me what colour his hair was, was he muscular?" She looked at me propping her head on her hands.

I rolled my eyes, my cheeks burning in embarrassment, "His hair was black, his body was… well built, I don't know his eye colour, or anything else." I finished and got up leaving my breakfast unfinished.

The rest of the day passed with spa treatments. My hair was washed with fragrant oils and my skin was painted with a thick slime then rinsed.

After that I was taught more about etiquette, for the hundredth time. I knew how I was supposed to act around the nobility.

I'd just conveniently forgotten last night.

Adhira also gave another rundown on how we are expected to be treated.

When she saw me, she laughed, "He sent you back! Well, that's rich!"

I just looked at the far wall numbly till the "lesson" was over. Then I returned to my abandoned room and sat on one of the cushions adorning the carpeted floor.

I took a deep breath and decided to take a dip in the bathing room.

That always calmed my nerves.

Through all the months that I'd been here I'd learned my way around. I walked through silent passages till I entered the bathing room.

You could hear a faint dripping and trickling of water. I took my robe off and hung it by the door, then slowly immersed myself in the cool, soothing water.

My thoughts inevitably drifted to the idea of another being taken tonight, dressed up and sent to his chambers. To his bed.

'Ugh! That vile man.' I closed my eyes and clenched my jaw.

I hope he chooses a girl quickly so I can leave this place.

But what will happen if I leave this place? Will I be sent home? That seemed absurd. And do I even want to go home? I want to see my siblings again, but would they want to see me? I doubt my mother told them what happened to me. She probably told them that I took off with a sailor and they'd never see me again.

After meditating on those dismal thoughts I gathered myself and went back to my room.