Catherine Asaro - The Night Bird

“Get up, Markus told her. “And dont talk.

Allegra pushed up on her palms. Blood ran down her stomach, and a red splotch stained the pillow. The chains of her skirt were disarrayed over her thighs, leaving her almost naked.

Then she saw what Markus was holding. A quirt. He tapped it idly against his fingers as if he had forgotten it. Where he had taken the whip from, she had no idea, but that he brought it to the auction told her far more than she wanted to know about him.

Allegra was gritting her teeth so hard, her jaw hurt. She pushed herself up on her knees and sat catching her breath. She didnt know what they wanted, food or drink, but Markuss goblet was empty. So she picked up the crystal decanter of red wine. Her hand shook as she filled Markuss glass, and dark red drops splattered on the pristine white tablecloth. Picking up the goblet, she looked into Markuss covetous stare.

Then she threw the wine in his face.

The prince whipped his arm up in front of his head. He swore and grabbed Allegra, moving so fast, she had no time to shrink back. Catching her wrists, he knocked the empty glass out of her hand and pulled her forward on her knees, then yanked her against him with her arms caught in front of her body. His large hands gripped like a vise, bruising her skin.

“Are you out of your mind? he said. “Do you have a death wish? He grabbed a cloth napkin and wiped the wine off his face. “Because the sentence for what you just did is execution.

“Fine. Allegra spat the word at him. “Kill me. For surely death would be a better fate than living with either of you.

The General rose to his feet, his face darkening. Markus dropped his quirt and stood, as well, hauling her up with him.

“We should tie her across the table. Yargazon bent down and grabbed the quirt. Even as he straightened up, he snapped the lash. It caught Allegra across the back of her thighs and she screamed with the slash of pain. She twisted in Markuss hold, staring desperately toward the far end of the room, frantic for Stubble to free her from this nightmare.

“Dusk, wait, Markus said. “Neither of us has bought her yet. Dryly he added, “And youll get me with that thing.

Yargazon lowered the whip. “My apologies, Sire.

Stubble stepped into the room, his face taut with alarm. “Your Highness? he asked. “Is there a problem?

Markus threw Allegra down on the cushion stained with her blood. She fell on her side, catching herself with her hands, then looked up at Stubble, her hair falling in her face.

“Were done here, Markus said curtly. “Take her.

Stubble strode to the table with an impassive expression, but he took Allegras arm gently. Drawing her to her feet, he nudged her toward the exit. He spoke in a low voice. “Hurry.

Allegra stumbled with him. Her vision blurred, either from the blows or because the poison was taking effect. It wasnt tears. She refused to let the bastards make her cry.

As soon as Stubble ushered her out of the terrible glittering room, her knees gave way and she collapsed. As he caught her, he spoke quickly to Vardok. “Go tell Rose were coming back and shell need to tend Allegra. Hurry.

Vardok swore under his breath. “She threw wine in his face. He watched Allegra as if he could sear her to ashes. “If youve ruined this for us, girl, I hope your execution is long, drawn out and painful beyond imagining.

“Vardi, Stubble said. “Just go.

Vardok clenched his fist and hit at the air. Then he swept from the tent, his robe billowing out behind him.

“Can you walk? Stubble asked Allegra.

She took a step. When her legs buckled, she groaned.

“By the dragon, Stubble muttered. He picked her up, one arm behind her back and the other under her knees. Driver covered her with the charcoal robe, except for her face. Then Stubble carried her out of the tent. Allegra didnt know why he bothered. It seemed pointless to tend her wounds when the prince regent planned to kill her for insulting the wretched House of Onyx.

Rose was ready for them. She had a bowl of water, pots of salve and bandages. Vardok, Driver and Stubbles brother stayed back while Stubble laid Allegra on a carpet.

“This is a bad sign, Rose murmured, leaning over to swab the gouge on Allegras stomach.

Stubble knelt on Allegras other side. “Why couldnt you just do what they wanted? Do you want them to execute you?

Allegra sat up, wincing. “They deserved a lot worse.

“Youre bleeding, Rose said. “And youre fevered. You must lie down. She touched the welt on Allegras thigh that curled around from the back. “They whipped you, too?

“General Yargazon started, Allegra said.

Rose shot a frightened glance at her husband. “What do you think will happen?

“Ive no idea. I have to find out. With a grunt, he rose to his feet. To Allegra, he said, “Stay here. And by the dragon, girlno more trouble.

Allegra just shook her head. Something had snapped within her when she saw the prince and his general sitting there with that sense of entitlement, arrogant and cruel, believing they had a right to inflict whatever they chose on anyone they wished. But saints, despite what she had said, she didnt really want to die. Would they execute her for the insult she had given?

She feared it was true.

Allegra sweated in a delirium for hours. Her fever soared, and she tossed on the carpets, throwing off any coverlet Rose put over her. She managed to swallow some soup, but nothing else. Stubble hadnt returned. Vardok and Driver were gone, as well, but Stubbles brother stayed on guard with two other men. Rose sat by her, laying damp cloths on her forehead.

Late in the afternoon, Allegras fever began to ease. When she realized the worst had passed, that she would survive the poison, a sob wrenched out of her.

A rustle came from across the tent. As Allegra rolled onto her side, Stubble ducked inside the tent. Her pulse surged, and she dragged herself into a sitting position. The jeweled chains fell away from her skin with clinks, leaving creases along her thighs.

“Azi! Rose hurried over to him. “What happened?

Stubble grasped her around the waist and lifted her up. “Youre beautiful, my love!

“Goodness, Rose said, blushing. “Put me down. When he set her on her feet, she searched his face with a worried gaze. “Are they going to execute her?

“I sure as hell doubt it. He grinned at Rose. “I could use a bit of wine, eh?

“Azi! Dont tease, Rose said. “Tell us what happened.

“Why do you sure as hell doubt theyll kill me? Allegra said, twisting one of the chains on her skirt around her fingers.

Stubble laughed, shaking his head in amazement. “Who would have thought a talent at hurling wine would push up a girls price? The bidding went all afternoon. Given how much he paid for you, I doubt hell let anyone put you to death.

“They went through with the auction? Allegras pulse was hammering. “Even after what happened?

“Ive never seen anything like it! Stubble beamed at his wife. “Were rich! Well give some to the tribe, of course. Even with the wealth split so many ways, Ill never need toil again if I dont want. Gems, gold, silver, silks, urns, pearls, crystal, china and more hexacoins than Ive ever seen in my life. The chests filled the room!

Allegra sagged back. The universe surely had some cosmic imbalance, that the nomads should be so immensely rewarded for what they had done to her. The coverlet that had fallen around her waist scratched painfully on her legs, as if she were oversensitized to every texture. Her fevered mind was too hazed for her to think past the fact that she would soon go with one of those monsters.