Chapter 2
Morning comes too early, like it always does. The bell tower chimes six times, and every slave in the castle knows what that means. Time to serve the master and his twisted court.
I find my clothes folded neatly by the door, this was Vorthak's little touch of fake kindness. Almost like he gives a shit about my comfort. I get dressed and slip out before he wakes up. The last thing I need is him deciding he wants a morning session.
The corridors are already busy with servants,each performing their duty. Everyone knows their place here, same as what happens when you fuck up. The new ones learn fast or they don't last long at all.
I head to the kitchens first. That's where you hear everything in this place. Cook is already barking orders at the prep crew, her massive frame blocking half the light from the windows. She's been here longer than anyone and has survived five different demon lords before Vorthak took over. That woman sure knows how to stay alive.
"Kael!" she shouts when she sees me. "Perfect timing. We need someone to take food up to the harem quarters. The other girls are... indisposed."she said without lifting her eyes.
I know what that means. Vorthak had some "fun" with them last night before calling for me. Probably left them too bruised to walk properly.
I load up the tray with the good stuff, fresh fruit, pastries, wine that costs more than most people see in a lifetime. Everything was for his precious collection.
The harem wing is on the third floor, separated from the rest of the castle by heavy doors and armed guards. It's supposed to be a paradise with silk cushions, perfumed baths, jeweled collars that cost more than small kingdoms but it isn't.
Rather, it's just a prettier prison.
I knock on Lyra's door first. "Breakfast."I said listening carefully for a response.
"Come in," comes her soft voice.
As I entered,I noticed Lyra siting by the window, staring out at nothing. She's wearing a silk robe but it doesn't hide the finger-shaped bruises on her throat. Her pointed ears droop like wilted flowers.
"Rough night?" I ask, setting down her tray.
She laughs, but there's no humor in it. "He brought me a present. A locket with a picture of my little brother." Her voice cracks. "Said he's keeping him safe in the dungeons. For now."she said with teary eyes.
My stomach drops. That's Vorthak's specialty - finding the one thing you care about most and using it as a leash. "Lyra..."I tried to talk
"Don't." She said as she turns to look at me. "Don't tell me it'll be okay. We both know it won't."she added wiping her tears
I wanted to say something, anything, but what was the point? She's right after all. Nothing about this place will ever be okay.
My next stop was Marcus. His room is smaller because he's still new, and hasn't "earned" the bigger quarters yet. I find him curled up on his bed, hugging a pillow like it might protect him from the world.
"Hey, kid." I set his tray on the table. "How are you holding up?"I asked touching his arm.
He looks up at me with those big brown eyes. He really reminds me of my little brother. "He said... he said if I stop fighting, he'll make it gentler. But if I give in, I'll end up like you."he replied amidst tears.
The words hit me "What's that supposed to mean?"I asked trying to calm myself.
"You are broken," Marcus whispers. "He said you used to fight too. You used to have fire in your eyes.But look at you now,you are his perfect little pet."
I want to argue, but the words die in my throat. Because maybe he's right. Maybe I am broken. Maybe that's why I don't fight anymore. Maybe that's why I let myself get lost in Vorthak's touch instead of plotting his death.
"Eat your breakfast, Marcus I said,You need to keep your strength up."
Senna's room was next and is at the end of the hall,she has the biggest, most luxurious of them all. She's his favorite, right after me. Or maybe I'm her replacement. It's hard to tell with Vorthak's twisted games.
I don't bother knocking because she never minds.
"Kael, darling!" She's said from across her bathroom. She's in her massive bathtub, her silver hair floating around her.
"You came to check on the competition?"she asked surprised.
Senna is beautiful in that dangerous way demons are with sharp teeth, glowing eyes, skin that looks like it was carved from moonstone. She's also completely insane.
"Just bringing breakfast."I sighed
"How boring." She replied as she rises from the water like some kind of death goddess, not bothering with modesty. Demons don't have human hang-ups about nakedness. "Tell me, did our master seem satisfied last night? You were with him for quite a while."she asked smirking.
"He seemed fine to me"I said shrugging my shoulders.
"Mm." She said as she wraps herself in a silk robe. "You know, I used to be jealous of you. I used to be jealous of the way he looks at you, touches you. Like you're something precious instead of just another toy."
"And now?"I asked trying to understand her point.
She flashes a fake smile. "Now I have come to realize what a burden that is. Being special to someone like him." She steps closer, and I can smell the expensive perfume that doesn't quite cover the scent of blood. "He doesn't just want to own you, Kael. He wants to remake you in his image before he turns you into something like him."
"That's not going to happen."I fired back.
"Isn't it?" She asked as she tilts her head, studying me. "Three years ago, you would have killed yourself before letting him touch you. Now you moan his name in the dark and beg for more. How much of Kael is left, really?"she mocked.
I want to hit her. Fuck I wanted to drive her head through the wall, I wanted to scream that she's wrong, that I'm still me underneath all the damage. But the words stick in my throat because deep down, I'm afraid she might be right.
Instead, I turn and walk away, her laughter following me down the hall.
The rest of the day passesby rather quickly. I was cleaning his study while he tortures some poor bastard who failed to pay his taxes. I Organized his collection of "trophies" ranging from fingers,to ears, to locks of hair from people he's killed. I stood perfectly still when he beats up a guard to death for looking at one of his harem girls the wrong way.
By evening, I'm completely drained and exhausted. But that doesn't matter,cause when the sun sets, that's when the real work begins.
And tonight, he's entertaining guests. Other demon lords, minor nobility, anyone important enough to warrant his attention. Which means all of us get to be on display.
The great hall is lit with a thousand candles. . And at the center of it all sits Vorthak on his throne of black iron and human bones, looking every inch the conquering king.
We're arranged around him like living decorations. Lyra in her sheer silk dress, Marcus trying not to shake in his gold chains, Senna was draped across the arm of the throne like a cat. And me,I was standing at his right hand in the expensive clothes he picked out, I was his prized possession on full display.
"Magnificent feast, Lord Vorthak," says Duke Malphas, a fat demon with too many eyes. "Your hospitality is legendary."he said licking his lips.
"As is my collection," Vorthak replies, his hand finding my hip possessively. "Quality over quantity, my friend. Each one hand-picked for their... unique attributes."
The conversation continues to flows around me, but I barely hear it. I'm too focused on staying perfectly still and perfectly obedient. Playing the part of the broken slave who's found peace in submission.
But inside, a small part of me still burns. I still remember what it feels like to be free, I always dream of the day I might make him pay for everything he's done.
I just didnt just know how yet.