The Harem Chapter 4-The Master's Garden

1

If there was ever such a thing as one crying till the tears fell no more, Cassandra had an idea how it was done. She had laid in her bed and cried till every splinter of her hard had dissolved. She was too exhausted and her eyes were too dry for her to work up some more. After the tears had dried and useless sobs had silenced, she laid there staring off at the wall as pictures of Stephen flashed through her mind. Had she truly been so worthless? Couldn’t he just love her without the gain of treasures? No, she wasn’t worth that much, but she’d wanted it so bad. What a fool she had been. She’d left her families estate to run off with a man that seemed to had been in an endless rapture of love with her. She’d never seen herself being a naive woman; she could run her home and an army of servants without breaking a sweat plus keep up with the popular balls of England. She could sew, cook, clean and she was wonderful with children. So smart, and yet she was so dense. It all made sense to her now, the way Stephen acted. He had dragged her from home to home in three separate countries with the compliant that the homes were not good enough for them to raise their children together. He had made her a fool...no, she’d made herself a fool.2

After she couldn’t stomach thinking about Stephen any longer, her eyes had become heavy and sleep claimed her. This sleep was so different from any other though. It was an absolute pull that demanded her to close her eyes and be still. She felt her consciousness suck itself from her body and she tried to hold on. But it grabbed hold of her and dragged her into the darkness that was far away from her mind. This place was cold and empty. There was nothing to see and nothing that could be heard. Just darkness that left her panicked. She tried to look all about her and realised that her feet felt as if they touched no bottom. She was suspended in thick darkness that sucked at her and made her cold and weak. She couldn’t move; all she could do was become still and...and what? What could she do? How could she escape this? She felt that she was too weak now to even be afraid. Odd enough, she felt a familiar sleep over take her. The sleep that was optional that said one could lay there and dream if they wish or awaken if they desired it. How could she sleep in the void of darkness? She didn’t know how, but her lids shut and she was drifting off to sleep. 3

I’m awake...but why am I still in this darkness? Cassandra heard her voice echoing in the darkness, travelling further from her and reaching her again in waves. She felt about in the empty dark space that she felt she’d been trapped in for quite sometime and still there was nothing. She gasped when she saw something white flash before her eyes. It wasn’t long she’d realised that it was her hand. She could see her hand and it was glowing with the rest of her arm. She looked down and saw that she was still naked. Even in her deranged dark dream she was naked. She frowned at that and pushed it aside. She was glowing and the light under her skin made her look pale. She held out both arms and examined them, trying to get some idea where the light was coming from.4

“Cassandra, blood of my blood...” Her heart gave a violent thud in her chest, making her stutter in a breath and grab her chest. She keeled over and held onto to her body as her skin felt as if it was being stroked by beguiling hands that needed her flesh more that she did but in a debauchery sense of need. She found herself moaning and squirming at the touches and wished for them stop and never do so. 5

“Child of my Kiss...hear your master...” the voice commanded and Cassandra’s eyes snapped open with another quaking thud of her heart. At any moment she expected it to burst from her chest and leave her hollow. It reacted to this voice and she had to do so as well.6

“Will you answer?” She heard the bottomless voice ask of her. She had to answer or she would surely die here. She needed to be from this place, from this darkness and into the light.7

“I answer!” She yelled into the hollow darkness. Light ripped from her body and she felt herself being sucked at. She felt her body and hadn’t realised till then that she couldn’t before. 8

Cassandra’s eyes opened with a start and she found herself sitting up staring with obvious shock at blue coverlets. She touched her face, her chest and grabbed her shoulders as she held onto herself. What a horrible dream that had been! She’d never felt so lost and inutile in all her life. Where she had gone was a place she could do without being. She blinked and suddenly felt that she wasn’t alone. She looked up tardily, her hair dragging down her skin and reminding her of the many fingers, and saw that she was in a different room and no longer alone. Sitting about her, staring and grinning at her with an enamour that left her gawking, were beautiful women of many varieties. She looked from each woman and saw that they all were dressed alike minus the different colours and there were at least twelve of them. She recognized two; the optimistically poetic Yara and the cunningly vindictive O’lyn. O’lyn was the only face that was not so greeting as the others. Cassandra wasted no time looking her way but looked to see the others that seemed fascinated with her for some reason. Something told her to look down and when she did, she saw that her breasts were exposed to the room. Her cheeks felt hot as she snatched the coverlet up to cover them with a gasp. Cassandra senses rolled at the many sounds she heard in the collective giggles about the room. She heard the light hiss of the wind, the soothing patter of rain on the grass, Nightingales singing and tide against the reefs. She heard all these sounds and more, all from their laughter. She couldn’t help but relax; it was simply too hard to not do so. It was as if they were asking her to do with that one act.9

“Isn’t she adorable?” A brunette asked with a smile that matched her awe filled expression. 10

“Indeed! Our master always chooses wisely.” A tiny rich voice exclaimed. It was thick with an accent that sounded more Eastern . Cassandra looked to where it had come from and saw a woman with an almond like complexion with black silk like hair that fell over her right shoulder and into her lap. She was beautiful and made Cassandra hold her gaze till she heard the next voice complimenting her beauty. How they call her such a thing when they were the real thing? She paled in their presence as especially since she hadn’t been groomed in God knew how long. Surely they were just being overly polite or cruelly and sarcastically mocking. 11

“My, my you do blush a great deal, now don’t you?” A woman with red curly hair asked with a light chuckle that sounded like fire crackling in the hearth. It brought a visual to Cassandra’s mind that left her feeling warm. Her voice was easily recognizable to Cassandra. She was of America. She knew this because she had been to the country once and had enough audible memory of the even tunes of their voices. 12

“Where am I?” She asked and watched as they shivered and closed their eyes to the sound of her voice.13

“Fire...” They all said, with eyes closed in what Cassandra assumed was ecstasy. She frowned and looked from each enraptured face, skipping quickly over O’lyn’s and back to the red haired beauty. She was the first to recover with a smirk and hooded eyes.14

“A bit of competition I see...” she said with no signs of hostility. 15

“What do you mean?” Cassandra queried, ignoring the light giggles from the women.16

“You died by fire did you not?” She asked as she rose from the many cushions she sat upon in the centre of the room. Cassandra took in the clothing she wore with astonishment. There was barely enough cloth covering her to call it clothing. Sheer and obviously weightless gauze draped her body in a teasing fashion. Her breasts were nearly not covered from the emerald silk that held them. The top exposed her midriff, shoulders and cleavage. Cassandra thought that was bad until she looked at the pants-or at least it had seemed to be what the seamstress had wish to make, that this woman was wearing. Long, tawny legs were covered with a translucent cloth that tightened just above her ankle and was bordered by the same emerald silk that covered her chest. Despite the lack of proper covering, she was beautifully mouth watering. As she walked closer to Cassandra, the little charms around her ankles chimed to the rhythm of the dance she called walking. Her hips swayed brazenly and screamed for attention to be placed there. When she came to stand over her, Cassandra saw that her eyes were more emerald than her clothing and they pulsed with a intensity that was unavoidable. They were darkened with coal and rogue was applied to her full lips. And they’d called her beautiful when this woman was in the same room. Yes they’d been mocking her.17

“Well?” She prompted but Cassandra couldn’t seem to remember the question.18

“I’m sorry...what was your question?” she stuttered.19

“Now Beth, she can not take all of your glamour at once. Be more lenient with her, though she is a threat to you.” The small voice said. It was the same beauty who’s hair fell in her lap.20

“Ah but you too must be fair Yasmil, for you do the same as I.” Beth corrected looking over her shoulder.21

Cassandra heard the women giggle again and again she was taken aback by the sound of it.22

“Now...Cassandra is it?” The one called Beth asked. Cassandra swallowed and nodded her head.23

“My name is Elizabeth...Beth will do. I am the first of this garden. Do not think it bad of me to ask so many questions. It is what I do when a new flower is planted amongst us. We are only curious. Now, fire; was it the element that stole your life?” Beth asked again.24

Cassandra swallowed again and tasted the flames at the back of her throat. She feared that the torture her throat had been under for days was about to arise again.25

“Yes...yes it was.” She choked out.26

“Oh please tell us how it happened!” A woman with curly blonde hair exclaimed. Cassandra looked at her as if she’d asked her to light herself afire again so she could see how it was done. 27

“Kyuri! Have you gone completely mad my darling?” Beth asked in a sweet yet simmering hot tune. The one called Kyuri had the grace to bow her head and apologies. She went silent and continued to smile at Cassandra. Cassandra had to look away and down at her hands clasping the covers. There was just something so thick, charged and deliciously suffocating about the room. She was trying to breathe pass it all but was nearly choking. She cleared her throat and still not sure when she’d closed them, she opened her eyes when the bed gave under Beth’s weight. She looked up and those intense pools of emeralds pierced her mercilessly. Once Cassandra could swallow without choking and meet her gaze without flinching, she saw that the look Beth was giving her was one of curiosity. Cassandra leaned back against the headboard and tried to regain composure.28

“You are good. Already you are becoming adapt to the Pull.” Beth said.29

“The Pull? What is that?” Cassandra asked as she attempted to run her fingers through her hair and failed. She took the moment that Beth gave her to untangle them and sighed as she finally won the battle with the tangles.30

“It is the very thing you feel when you look at not just me, but all of us. Some call it Glamour, but what we can do goes further than beauty and appeal. We possess the magic to draw men to us from all corners of the earth, and make them worship what and who we are. But...our master forbids us to do so, and what he desires, is our command.”31

Beth leaned forward in a flash and sniffed Cassandra. Just as she was about to react and pull away, Beth’s hands clamped down on her arms and pressed further into the pillows.32

“What are you doing? Unhand me now!” Cassandra exclaimed as Beth licked up her neck and then her earlobe. Cassandra moaned in fear and pleasure. Two things that seemed to odd to be mingled together.33

“You still have your last sent of humanity lingering just under this skin Cassandra. How I wish to taste what it is before it burns away under the fire that slowly consumes it. Please...like you begged, all I want is just a taste...”34

Cassandra never knew rage before. She was angered quite a few times in her life, but rage was always different and just something she’d never felt until that moment. She let out a snarl that made her question the humanity that Beth had smelled inside her, and slammed her forehead hard into the other woman’s. Beth’s head flew back and her grip slackened. Cassandra stole that moment to ball her fist and let Beth feel her under her chin. The other woman flew back and...laughed? Of all the things she could do, she laughed. When she looked up at Cassandra, those emerald eyes glowing with a light of their own, she licked the blood from her lips. Her fangs were stained with blood and that helped them to seem more menacing that they were before. The ferocity of her apparel did not take away from her beauty but it gave the fear she was looking for. Cassandra crouched in the bed and felt all her muscles become charged and tight with the anticipation to attack, but she would not make the first move. Elizabeth would have to come to her and if she did, Cassandra would make her rue the hour she was born. It was startling for her though. Where had all this power come from inside her? She was always timid, but strong willed. Always was she calm and quiet, now she was naked, growling and waiting to rip the red haired enchantress’ throat apart. What had he done to her?35

“Okay, okay my little buds, that will be all for today. Honestly you are ladies, not the beasts of the fields...” Cassandra looked to where the voice came from. A man of 5’6 in statue strolled through the door that she had failed to notice, and was tailed by three women who were dressed more modestly than the others. He and the three women were headed right to the bed in which she inhabited. It was then that she remembered that she was still naked. Honestly, she was sure everyone in the castle had seen every inch of her skin by now. What was so wrong with giving her clothing? She scurried under the covers and heard Beth and the other women join in a laugh on her account. That didn’t help to make her feel any better either. Cassandra watched him pause to look over Beth. There was no heat in his eyes as a normal man should have when they stumble across a woman like Beth with almost nothing on. This confused her in some ways. She saw that he was dressed in brown pants that were wide to his thighs, but fitted to his calves. It was almost like the ones the other women wore only the length and material differed. Where there’s were translucent, his was opaque. That was relieving in more ways than one for Cassandra, though she heard the little voice at the back of her mind saying how it would be delicious to see the flesh that lied behind the cloth. She silenced that thought immediately. When had she inherited such a filthy mind?36

The only thing that covered his top was a black vest that had one button that fastened at his midriff. The vest stopped just about there with a tan sash wrapped about his waist and fall to his side when tied. He was beautiful. There was no denying this. His long black hair was so glossy in its tight ponytail. It was only when he shook his head at Beth she saw that it stopped at his hips. Breath taking and Cassandra found that that was what he was doing to her. She licked her bottom lip slowly and he took that moment to look at her. Cassandra gasped when she saw the stormy grey of his eyes, rimmed and darkened by coal. How could a man be this beautiful? Now she was truly ashamed to be amongst them. Even the men made her wither in comparison. She would weep forever if she was forced to stay here under such scrutiny. Damn Julius.37

“And as for you, never take Beth so seriously till it escalates to the point of violence. Understood?” Cassandra frowned and wondered how she had missed the moment when he’d spoken to Beth. She felt the heat in her cheeks and that was all she had to do to make the women giggle again.38

“She does that so well, doesn’t she?” Beth chuckled. It was all Cassandra could do to not let Beth taste her fist just once more. She averted her eyes and looked down at her knees as she pulled them into her chest. She didn’t want to see the mocking and taunting eyes of the beautiful women, nor did she want to see the disapproving glare of the man that stood next to Beth. This was all a nightmare to her. To be mocked and teased while naked and filthy for the rest of her life. Just wonderful.39

Cassandra smelled the forest; evergreens, wet wood, rich soil, crisp fresh air and something else that made her stomach knot...blood. She looked up with careful eyes and found him standing over her. Looking into his eyes was like falling head first into the sky. It seemed ridiculous to her, but it was accurate to how she felt. He smiled and Cassandra wanted to as well. The moment didn’t quite call for it but she wanted to smile with him. 40

“Don’t do that little bud, you will get me flogged if you do.” He said with a hint of an accent.41

“I beg your pardon...” Cassandra said, finally finding her tongue. She listened again as the others laughed. Does every thing she do amuse them? It was getting rather annoying to be on display and entertainment for them. 42

“Never mind that, and never mind them. Come I will take you to the baths now. We can’t have you just laying here naked all day without proper grooming.” 43

In one swift moment that Cassandra hadn’t seen coming, he yanked away the covers and pulled her up from the mattress. She felt her feet on the ground and she was still trying to see when he’d pulled away the covers. When she regained her bearings, she tried to shield her body from there eyes, only to be rewards with more laughter. She felt her tears stinging her eyes and all she wanted to do was let them come as they wished.44

“There, there, you have no need to weep little bud.” He said as he tried to turn her face back to him, but Cassandra didn’t want to see those stormy eyes. They must be filled of unspoken disdainful words.45

She felt soft fabric over her shoulders and enveloping the rest of her body. She turned quickly to see that one of the servant women had draped a robe about her. She was so grateful that she gave the woman a smile that spoke her thanks.“That makes you feel better little darling? Then come, let us see to your bath. Tonight will be a busy one for you.”46

Cassandra had been too afraid ask him what he had meant by that. In a way she felt it was best she just didn’t know. As they walked out the room of chuckling women, she saw O’lyn’s lips twitch with something that was most definitely not amusement. She shivered and looked away. It was best to just steer clear of that woman. She meant her no good health and that was all the encouragement she needed to comply.47

For the first time since her arrival-which was lost to Cassandra- she walked down a wide and dimly lit hallway. The walls were made of golden roasted bricks and they seemed as if they would feel the same way they looked. She reached her pale fingers out from under the robe and trailed them along the bricks; they were as she hoped. It would be nice to place her cheeks against them and just revel in the feeling, but she was sure her entourage would not grant her the time to do so. So she settled for her fingers. Why she loved the rough warmth of the stone was beyond her but she did.48

“Hana see to it that you use the rose and vanilla mixture on her hair.” The strange man said before her. She realized just then that she didn’t know his name.49

“Yes sir. Should we soak her in the milk as well? Her skin can use a bit of loosening.”50

“Yes milord she does seem rather tense and the milk will help sooth her.” The woman who had gave her the robe said. Hana nodded in agreement and waited for their leader to give his ok.51

“Unfortunately, not tonight. We have much to do and that my darlings will be too much of a luxury. Some other night, yes.”52

“Very well…” 53

Silence again and Cassandra’s fingers were tingling delightfully as she caressed the wall. She realized remorsefully that she was about to run out of wall. She sighed and opened her palm to feel the full effect before there was no more hope.54

Cassandra could hear the silent footfalls of the women behind her and the light sighs of their clothing. Then there was the man before her. Though he was short, his shoulders were broad and built. She thought this would be a perfect time to examine his every curve without having to blush and look away. She looked from his silky black hair in its neat long ponytail. It fell to the centre of his back and moved like a real ponytail whipping back and forth behind him. It would be wonderful to rub her fingers through those thick strands as he…55

She stopped short on that thought and nearly choked and stumble on her robe. What in the name of all that was holy was she thinking? She hadn’t even thought about it clear enough but the thought was there in her head. She had seen herself riding atop of this stranger, naked and sweating with him deep inside her. Her fingers tingled as her imagination tried to manifest what the feel of his hair was like on her fingertips. She could really feel the sensation of his body against his. Their skin smacking against each other with her juices dripping from her with each thrust of his hips. 56

“Oh God, stop…” She murmured to herself not quite noticing that she had spoken out loud. She bumped into something unyielding and her eyes opened-she was again, losing the track of time when they’d closed. When they did open she was greeted with a sensory onslaught. The scent of his hair poured into her head and filled it with the orchids and evergreens; pine, moist wood and rich soil. Then there was the feel of his warm skin against hers. The fantasy she was having before her collision exploded into bright red spots in her head and she moaned in wicked pleasure as she became wet between her legs. What was going on? She was not understanding what her body was trying to tell her or trying to do to her but she was about to collapse if she kept touching him.57

No I will do worst if he continues to touch me so…58

No. She had to pull away. Question was; when had she wrapped her arms around him to begin with? He turned slowly in her hold with grey eyes building up a storm right before her. She looked closer and saw that they were more silver than grey and she knew then that he too was not human. That did it for her. She pulled away and grabbed at her robe which had been slowly falling away from her body. Cassandra, forgetting Hana and the other woman, collided into them and had a vivid memory. Memory? This was not a memory of hers but it was definitely a memory. She was sure of it.59

Hana lay in a dimly lit room, naked and full of lust with her bottom lip between her teeth. She was gesturing for Jiya-yes that was her name- to come to her. Jiya had been shy, uncertain even but she came regardless. Placing one knee up into the bed, she crawled slowly to the other woman, her small pouting breast heaving with her short breaths. She trailed her hands along Hana’s thighs and let her take down her hair. Long amber hair, rich and feather like against Hana’s stomach. Cassandra knew how it felt, how it smelt of coco and buttermilk. She knew and felt as if she was there in not just one, but both of their bodies. Hana stole that moment to surprise Jiya and flipped her onto her back with ease. Jiya yelped and giggled from the sudden change in position. She knew Hana would take over; her lover had always preferred to give her pleasure than to accept it. Jiya had no qualms with this; what pleased Hana pleased her. 60

“I thought it was my turn to have you Hana.” Jiya said with a breath-taking grin. Truly she was a beautiful woman and her body was simply glorious. Cassandra wondered if it would taste as wonderful as it looked. 61

“No!” She pulled away from the two women and found herself pressed hard against the wall. The touch of their memory was like spider webs against her skin. Cassandra felt as if she was covered from head to toe in them. Her eyes were slowly uncloaking as if they had thick wool over them. She was trying to stop smelling coco and buttermilk and that damn mouth watering taste of chocolate on Hana’s lips. Cassandra held her head and squeezed her eyes shut in hopes that the memories were not permanent. Heaven help her if they were. 62

“Interesting…” She heard the man say. She didn’t look at him, because immediately she felt her first fantasy begin to stir in her again like a hungry wave. Instead she looked to Hana and Jiya and nearly whimpered. What were they doing now? Hana had Jiya up against the opposite wall with her tongue worming about in her mouth. Jiya’s gown was hiked high enough to reveal stockings and a long leg slowly lifting to wrap about Hana’s waist. She was grinding her hips against hers and griping her as if for dear life. The sounds of their moans bounced of the walls and echoed all the way. Were they not ashamed of this? How could they stand there and openly reveal their sexual secret? Cassandra wasn’t sure how she was aware that it was a secret but she did.63

“Make them stop…” She heard herself whisper but it sounded so far away. Yet no matter how far it sounded the fear was still not lost. She wasn’t afraid that they might draw attention. She wasn’t afraid that the master of the house would come out and see this. She wasn’t even afraid that this may be her fault and there might be no undoing this. She was afraid that part of her was enjoying the scene before her, especially when Hana yanked down the front of Jiya’s gown to reveal the same small but wonderfully pouted breasts she had seen in their memory. Cassandra swallowed and felt how suddenly dry and hot her throat felt. Immediately she knew what she wanted…what she needed. Hana stole the right and wrong moment to grab a fist full of amber hair and pull her head to the side and kiss down her pale throat. She lapped her tongue over that ripe vein in her throat and Cassandra felt her throat go dry. She also felt her fear draining away to only be replaced by a hunger for not just their blood but for their flesh.64

All along, their leader stood there with light gleaming in his hooded eyes. He watched Cassandra stand slowly with a grace that was inherited from his master. She walked soundlessly to his two chambermaids and ran her fingers slowly up Hana’s body. Just as Hana moaned he felt his Master’s presence inside him. He was tapping lightly at his mind for him to enter. He wasn’t sure if he should do so but he could not disobey him.65

“Master…” He spoke through his thoughts.66

“Why do you lock me out Habashi?”67

“It was not really intentional Master. It was because I was not sure you would wish to know of this just yet.”68

Habashi said cautiously as Cassandra lifted a hand to move Hana’s russet brown hair away from her neck. Habashi felt his chest heaving with excitement and quickly told himself it was useless. It wasn’t as if he could do anything about it.69

“Lend me your eyes…” his master whispered through his head. Habashi knew he would have to or risk death. His master could break his mind now that he was in his head and drive him to do things he desired. It was a power only he possessed. It was like switching positions. He slid to the back of his mind and felt Julius step forward. 70

Immediately Habashi’s eyes took on a deep hue of gold that was unmistakably Julius’, and what the master saw right then was enough to make him moan. He suppressed it in fear that he would startle her. Cassandra, his new little flower was a busy little bud. First his servant Jabar, now two of his chamber maidens? Though he had to admit that this scene was less torture to him than the first. He watched with fire in his eyes as she lapped away at Jiya’s exposed breasts. She was shamelessly moaning as she suckled them with could only be reverence and allowed Hana to massage hers the same time. Julius felt himself growing harder with each passing second. She was truly the wisest choice he had made, even if she did loath him. She would learn to love him...he hoped.71

Cassandra couldn’t remember herself anymore. She couldn’t decipher what could possibly be wrong with this situation. Her mind was in a thick white haze and all she knew to do was enjoy it. She felt her body throb with hunger for their flesh in more than one way. Hana’s frail hands were making her nipples so hard and hungry for a mouth. She let Jiya feel what she wanted to feel and threw that need at her with force. Somehow, that made Jiya’s moans much louder than before and had her convulsing in Cassandra’s arms. She had released so hard and Cassandra could smell the sweet nectar that dripped from between her thighs. It would be lovely to lick it all away, but there was still another hunger to take care of. The thought startled her. She had felt partially full after Jiya’s release. Now there was a familiarly serious burning in her throat that needed sedating.72

She turned slowly in Hana’s arms and slowly threaded her fingers in her hair. As they grazed her scalp, she felt Hana shiver in her embrace. 73

“I need something...special from you Hana.” Her voice was thick and husky. When had she learned to use such a deep seducing tune? This was new, and superbly exciting. Cassandra felt her need to not only drink but flex her new found powers to discover their limits. She moved in slowly with a light purr. Her soft slick lips grazed gently against Hana’s neck and it was all the woman could do to stay on her feet. Cassandra slid her other arm about her petite waist and felt that if she squeezed too hard, she could break her. The thought was one to stir fear but fear drowned violently under the waves of her lust. She would feel so much better when Hana’s blood was sliding past her tongue and down her throat. Yes that would be all that she needed. 74

“Please...take what you need from me.” Cassandra needed no further invites. She sunk her teeth deep into the throbbing vein and moaned with ecstasy as Hana’s hot, lust driven blood burst into her mouth. Cassandra drank deep and with each swallow she felt her body getting hotter as if she stood in a deep pot over a roaring fire. This fire, however, was not unpleasant. Her body was craving the heat and if that meant drinking more of Hana, then so be it. Then something made her eyes open with a jolt. It wasn’t her dirty thoughts...it was a slight brush of breeze. An exhale. A sigh. She rolled her eyes up slowly with her teeth and lips still locked on Hana’s neck. 75

The man who was their escort stood there as if any moment he was about to spring upon her. Though quickly, Cassandra saw the difference. His eyes, she thought. A deep gold that seemed as if it would ooze the very colour soon. She pulled away from Hana slowly and felt her panting and moaning in her arms. Cassandra looked down leisurely and saw that Hana’s face was not as pained as she’d expected; in fact she seemed to be caught up in elation. Cassandra felt sick. She wasn’t sure where the sudden wave of nausea had surfaced from, but she found herself letting Hana slip through her grasp and onto the floor. Her hand clasped over her mouth and she felt her body convulsing to the point that she thought the whole structure was quaking.76

“Again you choose others over your master...how many times will you shun me Cassandra?” The voice was familiarly delicious though she didn’t let herself give into it.77

“I will always choose the latter if you be the other.”78

“I see. We shall see how long you can resist. Surely...” He came closer then till he stood with Hana’s limp body between them. He caressed her cheek with just the back of his index and she felt it everywhere. Cassandra’s lips parted and out came the moan that she had not seen coming.79

“Surely Cassandra, it will not be long...”80

The caress was losing its power and she slowly felt her self control coming back. She open her eyes with a start with a growl to only find that he was gone. She just knew. Even if she had not seen the cloudy grey of his eyes, she would know from the change in the air. Cassandra could breath again without having her heart skipping beats or her breath getting caught in her throat. She relaxed slowly as he blinked as if coming out of a daze. His brows went up as he took in the scene around him; Jiya laying against the wall with a contented grin and her upper body exposed, Hana with her legs hiked up making her skirts do the same and blood in her cleavage. Then he looked up at Cassandra and she stood naked with blood trailing down her stomach and her nipples swollen. He cleared his throat after what seemed a long and pregnant pause deciding that just standing there was not helping him to get back on his schedule. 81

“Well...with that said in done, I will take you to the baths myself and leave these two here to catch up. There is still much to do and the night has just started.”82

He bent and scooped up Cassandra’s robe in one graceful gesture. He took her hands and helped her over Hana and then swept the robe around her. Cassandra hadn’t even notice. She was slowly recovering from her nausea when he started to pull her down the hallway.83

“Are we just to leave them there? They aren’t fully clothed. They are women.” She argued as she looked over her shoulder at the two dishevelled women on the floor.84

“You will find Cassandra that what just happened between you Jiya and Hana is the least shocking thing that can happen under this roof and inside these walls.” Something about what he’d said made her afraid and excited all at one. Any minute Cassandra would burst with the overwhelming of one. She remembered quickly that he’d said something about preparing her for tonight. Should she ask? What if it was something she didn’t want to know? Already she was losing what made her Cassandra. Could she afford to lose anymore and yield to the primitive side of her that craved flesh and blood?85

“You said that there is something for me to do tonight; some event. What is it?”86