Catherine Asaro - The Night Bird

As the flap fell into place, Markus spoke in a resonant voice that carried. “You will never speak to me that way again.

Allegra wished she had kept her mouth shut. No, damn it. He deserved what she had said.

“Youll learn respect. He grabbed something off a chest by the wall and drew back his arm. She froze, staring at the large whip. He snapped it hard, and its crack split the air.

Allegra gasped and jumped away. It took her a moment to comprehend that he had missed her.

“That was one of thirty, Markus said. “Heres two. He cracked the whip.

“No! Allegra cried. Then she realized he had missed a second time. She stepped back from him, confused.

“Three, he said harshly as he snapped the whip.

And missed.

Bewildered, she stopped backing up. As glad as she was that he had missed three times in a row, it made no sense. He mouthed a word she couldnt read in the dim light. When he did it again, she realized he had said, scream. He cracked the whip so close to her that she had no trouble at all letting out a loud cry.

Markus tossed the whip onto a pile of rugs. He unbuckled his leather belt and pulled it off his trousers. When he snapped the belt against his hand, the smack of leather hitting skin sounded loudly in the air. “Five, he said.

What the blazes? She was trapped with a crazy man. He swung the belt, and the blow came so close, air whooshed past her. As she jumped away, the leather hit a chest supporting two small gold vases, and they clattered on the ground.

“Six, Markus said. Under his breath, he muttered, “Scream, damn it, and cracked the chest just a hand span away from her.

“Dont! Allegra cried, genuinely alarmed.

So they went, Markus following as she backed around the tent. With greatand loudforce, he hit trunks, chests or his palm and methodically counted off the blows, up to twenty-eight. His hand had to be burning, given how hard he was hitting it. Just as she allowed herself to believe the incredible fact that he had chosen to hurt himself rather than her, he lunged forward and grabbed her. She gasped as he threw her onto a pile of carpets. She landed on her hip and caught herself on her hands, her hair flying around her shoulders.

Markus dropped next to her and flipped her onto her stomach. He held her down with his big hand splayed against her back while he yanked her robe up to her waist. When she struggled, he pressed harder against her, half sitting, half lying on the carpet. He pinned her torso with one arm and both of her legs with one of his legs. As he swept aside the jeweled chains of her skirt, his calluses scraped her behind. With a grunt, he lashed her across the buttocks. Allegra cried out, her eyes tearing up with pain.

“Twenty-nine, he said. In a low voice, he added, “That is for throwing wine in my face. He belted her again, making her scream. “That was for defying me in front of my men.

She stared at him over her shoulder, tears streaming down her face. “No more. Even without the miradella increasing her sensitivity, it would have hurt; now it was agony.

“Be grateful it was only two. He dropped the belt behind her on the carpets. Then he tugged the robe off her shoulders, baring most of her body.

“No! Allegra turned over and scooted back on the carpet, wincing and holding the robe closed in front of her breasts.

“Take it off. He almost seemed to vibrate with tension.

She shook her head, her heart beating too fast. He caught her thigh and slid over to her. When she brought up her arms to protect herself, he tugged them down. Then he pulled the robe off the rest of the way and tossed it behind her.

“Dont hurt me, she said, terrified. “Please.

Markus stared at her, breathing hard. Instead of grabbing her, he grabbed several of the big, wine-red cushions scattered on the carpet and piled them up next to Allegra. He sprawled in the cushions, half reclining, and dragged her next to him. She resisted, pushing against his torso as he pinned her against his side. He just nudged her hand away and shifted her so she lay in the hollow where his arm met his shoulder. Then he wrapped his arms around her, sagged into the cushions

And closed his eyes.

Allegra lay still, breathing hard. Gradually her pulse slowed. When he continued to lie there with his arms around her, a splinter of hope worked into her thoughts. Could a chance possibly exist that he would let her alone tonight?

After a moment, she said, “Is Lieutenant Borjan really going to give that man thirty lashes?

“Of course. He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. “I wouldnt have ordered it otherwise.

“You didnt give thirty to me. You pretended. Except for the last two.

He rolled his head toward her. “I didnt pay that huge amount so I could tear up that spectacular body of yours. I want to enjoy it, not ruin it.

Spectacular? Was the man blind? She was a fat dairymaid. Then again, the nomads had starved her for five days.

“Why would you pay so much for me? she asked. “And then whip a man for stealing a knife?

“What I paid for you came out of my royal coffers, he said. “Specially marked coins, jewels identified with my family, that sort of thing. I had to get rid of all thatit was too easily identified with me. Every time I used some of it, I gave away my location. So I exchanged a substantial portion in one place for something of equal or greater value. Youre an investment.

Her pulse stuttered. In the bizarre logic of Jazid, it made sense, but unlike gold or gems, her “value wouldnt increase with age. “Does that mean youre going to sell me to someone else when you need more wealth?

“Its possible. He nuzzled her hair. “Though I have to admit, I cant imagine now why I would do such a stupid thing. I want you right here. With me.

If she hadnt known better, she would have thought he sounded affectionate. Lack of food must have addled her mind. Although Markus had shared his trail rations and water, it had only taken the edge off her hunger.

“Did you and General Yargazon finish breaking your fast this morning? she asked. They had ended her part of the auction so abruptly, maybe he hadnt eaten enough, either, and would consider having food brought for them here.

“Dusk was too angry, he said, leaning his head against hers. “He wanted you right then.

“Why? Allegra regretted the question as soon as it came out. She didnt want to know, not for a man who had spoken so casually about torturing her. “Never mind. Dont answer.

Markus spoke drowsily. “Im not Dusk Yargazon.

“Is that good?

“Some men find the pain of an unwilling woman erotic. Im not one of them. He reached across his body and stroked her breast. “Pleasure is much better. He fumbled with the gold cup over her nipple. “Must be a way to take these off, he mumbled.

Apparently he wanted her for dinner. She pushed at him, but he found whatever fastener he was searching for anyway and flicked the cup off her breast. The entire contraption fell away, leaving her bare except for the skirt. As she grabbed futilely for the halter, he pulled her against his body. The chafing of her nipples on his shirt sent a jolt through her body. She felt vulnerable and raw, and she wanted it to stop, all of it, Markuss attentions and these hypersensitized reactions. She tried to twist away, but he held her tightly, her front pressed against his side.

“Dont fight me, night bird, he murmured, fondling her breasts.

“No. Leave me alone. Please.

Markus grunted, but he actually stopped mauling her and sank back into the cushions. “Its been so long anyway, he grumbled. “I suppose I can wait until youre ready.