Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 (11 page)

“Lady Cassandra, do not take that tone with me! The Queens of Erla have always accompanied their troops into battle!” Nera cried.

“Forgive me, Your Highness. I meant no disrespect; I am only concerned about your safety. I would not have you hurt,” Cassie’s voice was low and urgent as she bowed before her liege.

“Cassandra, I appreciate your concern, but this is my duty.” Nera’s tone had softened as she offered a small smile to Cassie.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Cassie bowed low once more and then mounted her horse. “Thank you for him, by the way. He is beautiful,” she said as she patted the neck of her mount.

Nera smiled again and mounted her own horse. She rode out in front of the warriors, Cassie and Kara took their places on either side of her, and they began their campaign side by side.

Behind them, on the steps of the Palace, a large group of beautiful men stood silent, tears in their eyes as they watched their beloved Mistresses ride towards the enemy.

VII

The women rode hard throughout the remainder of the day. As dusk fell, Cassie called a halt, and they set up camp. Fires were started, food was cooked, and tents were pitched. Cassandra, Nera, and Kara shared a tent; Cassie insisted upon it as she intended to assure the Queen’s safety herself.
 

Cassie and Kara conferred to arrange guard duty coverage, assigning their warriors to two-hour stints throughout the night so everyone would be well-rested.
 

They ate and sat by the fire discussing their plans.

“I think it would be best if we avoided any fighting at present. I don’t want to make them aware we are tracking them. Our injured warriors said they killed their attackers and disposed of the bodies. So, all that the Trevians now know is that some of their number have disappeared,” Kara stated.

“I agree. We need to observe, gather information, and get back home as soon as possible,” Cassie said.

Nera nodded her agreement and rose, stretching. “I am ready to sleep.”

Kara and Cassie both got up, and they all went to their shared tent for a restless night’s sleep.

In the morning, they struck out again.
 

Their pace slowed as they reached the outskirts of the invaded settlement, and when they were approximately a half mile away, Cassie stopped and slid off of her horse.
 

Checking to be sure her weapons were in place, she looked up at Kara.
 

“Give me three of your best warriors. I want you to stay here and be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.” Kara nodded.
 

The Queen opened her mouth, but shut it quickly when Cassie sent her an arch look.

“Your Highness, I go now to prove myself worthy of your esteem. I hope you will wish me luck in this,” Cassie said as her eyes met Nera’s, and the Queen nodded.

“Go with the gods, Lady Cassandra.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” she said while making her obeisance.

Cassie led the women Kara had selected as they ran silently through the lush vegetation. The Commander kept a steady pace, but not one so fast that it would tire them out too quickly.
 

They stopped only once to confer, and as they approached the village, they began to move slowly and stealthily through the bushes.
 

They could hear voices in the distance as they made the tree line around the village. The sounds of everyday village life were absent; only the sounds of screams and groans of pain punctuated coarse conversation and laughter.
 

The Erlan warriors crept up behind a stable-like building; each was silently counting and weighing her enemies’ strengths and weaknesses.

Cassie rose slightly and looked towards the opening of one of the buildings. The glass had been broken, and she could see what looked to be a large number of men crammed inside. From what she could see, they were filthy, starved, and each held a vacant look in his eyes.
 

Cassie’s chest tightened. Here were the stolen slaves.
 

She ducked down and quietly shared the information with the other warriors, and their faces set in grim lines; each one of them would enjoy exacting retribution for the atrocities they were and had been witnessing.
 

They eased around the building and found their path blocked by a leather tarp covering a foul smelling mound. One of her warriors lifted the corner of the tarp and then dropped it quickly.
 

When Cassie looked over at her, the woman’s face was green, and she turned and went into the woods from where they could hear the faint sound of vomiting.
 

When she returned a few moments later, the warrior apologized and, speaking as quietly as she was able, told them the tarp covered a small mountain of bodies—the mangled bodies of the women from the villages. Cassie’s own stomach churned.

She motioned for them to move back to the forest, and they followed her silently.
 

Once they had entered the thicker part of the forest, Cassie broke into an all-out run, and they covered the distance back to the Queen quickly.
 

Once they arrived, each worked on catching her breath in order to relay the news.
 

Nera’s face tightened and then paled drastically at their report.

“Your Highness,” Cassie began, “this has been a trying day, and we have much to do. I suggest we do not spare the horses and instead head back to our troops and homes as soon as possible, so we may rest and prepare.” Nera nodded in assent.

The forest passed by in a blur. The whole troop rode silently and with deadly purpose.
 

The time flew, and before they knew it, it was near dark, and they were just coming into the village skirting the Palace.
 

After Kara called out a dismissal, the senior warriors fell away into the village and headed to their homes to prepare for war. Instead of heading for towards the village herself, Kara rode on with Cassie, accompanying the Queen and her personal guards en route to the Palace.

Before they had gone far, Nera turned to Kara and said, “Thank you, but you need not return to the Palace. I believe I will be well enough protected. Go home, sleep, and then, ready yourself. I would have us march the day after tomorrow.”

“Yes, My Queen,” replied a weary Kara with genuine gratitude as she turned her mount back towards home.

Dismounting in front of the Palace, Nera dismissed the remaining warriors and then turned to her Commander. “Cassie, go to your slaves. Let them care for you and ease your mind. I am concerned for you.”
 

“Yes, Your Highness. May I do anything for
you
before I go?”

“No, my friend. Just rest and prepare.” Cassie bowed to her and headed to her quarters.

Cassie ran quickly to her suite—eager for the comfort of her men and a long, hot bath.
 

When she opened the doors, five heads snapped up. Joy and relief lit their faces as they rushed to take her bags and weapons.
 

“Mistress, thank the gods you are safe!” She met Aidan’s eyes and threw her arms around him. He staggered slightly in surprise, but embraced her tightly, lifting her feet from the floor. She held him close, absorbing his warmth and scent before drawing back and kissing him soundly.
 

Releasing Aidan, she turned and greeted each of her men in turn. Cassie smiled when she got to Taylyn.
 

“The rest of you, go prepare me a bath and some food.” Taylyn stood, nervously staring at the tiled floor.
 

Cassie took his hand and pulled him flush against her, letting her hands roam his back before burying them in his freshly trimmed hair.
 

It had been Mika’s work she knew; he cut all of their hair, and the even short-cropped style look very well on Taylyn.

“Make it good and hot,” she called out after the others as they scurried towards the bathing room and kitchen.

Looking up into Taylyn’s face, she slowly ran a fingertip down his scar to his full lower lip. He flushed a deep red, and his eyes darted everywhere but to her face.

“Look at me, my Taylyn,” she commanded, and he lifted his eyes to hers.
 

“I think you are beautiful.” His lips parted on a sigh at her words, and she took the opportunity to pull him into a kiss.
 

“Come, bathe me,” she said, releasing him, and his heart pounded in his chest with both fear and anticipation as he followed his Lady.
 

Later, after having lain in the tub for over an hour, Cassie dressed in silken clothes and sat on the sofa while allowing her men to feed her. Taylyn had performed well despite his nervousness. His touch had been strong, yet gentle, and Cassie was well-pleased and determined to take him to her bed that very night.

Their Lady took great pleasure in feeding them from her hand, and they enjoyed being cherished in such a manner.

She rested her head in the curve of Taylyn’s muscular shoulder while Kai massaged her feet. She told them in low tones of the events of the past day and that she would be going to war the day after next. Her words chilled them, and they tried to maintain their composure as they ministered to her needs.

“I do not want you to fear for the future. I have already arranged with the Queen to have you placed with a kind Mistress should I die. Should such a woman not be available for any one of you here, then you will be sent to the Centre to serve the kindest and wisest amongst us. So, even if the worst should occur—and all of us should somehow perish, you will all be safe, my darlings. I have seen to your welfare,” she said gently. “Know, however, I
will
return to you. I promise.”

The Centre was an elder community on the outskirts of Erla where the older members of society went to “retire.” They were provided with everything they required and were close to their families. The sick and infirm were lovingly cared for and they too wanted for nothing. It was also very much a learning hub in Erla; young ones went there often to learn skills and to practice their craft with guidance from their elders.

Each of them struggled with their tears. Taylyn, while not in tears, had a fearful look etched upon his beautiful scarred face. He held a deep-seated belief that he would return to the fields should the worst occur as no other woman would find him as attractive as his Lady had—despite his Lady’s assurances and wise words. He wanted to believe her, for her plan was sound and seemed to cover any eventuality. The truth of it was, however, that life had not been kind to Taylyn. He had learned on the day of his accident that plans were not etched in stone and could so easily go awry. So, he worried. He worried about returning to his previously lonely and wretched life. He worried about losing his newfound brothers and the camaraderie they shared based on their mutual love for Lady Cassandra. He worried about returning to the bleak existence he’d had. Back then, the highlight of any day involved finding a reason to brawl with the other field slaves. Those highlights served only to provide temporary respites from the endless monotony that was his “life.” Aside from his niggling doubts about his own future, he truly wished to see his Lady return safely. No one had ever treated him with the warmth and kindness his Mistress had bestowed upon him. He had ceased to feel any sense of self-worth the moment he was scarred, and only his Lady gave him hope. Only his Lady made him feel like a human being again, and without her, he was nothing.
 

As she looked at them, she realized how much they had all come to mean to her and how much they loved her in return. Cassie rose from the sofa and held her hand out to Taylyn, who hesitated only a moment before taking it. She pulled him behind her to her bed, closing the door behind them as she went. She turned to look at the beautiful, damaged man who stood before her with his eyes fixed on the floor.

“I want to reassure you, Taylyn, I have made sure you will be cared for in the future. You will not be returned to the fields and the hard life you had before. I know you are frightened by what could happen, but, believe me, I have seen to your future just as I told the others a few moments ago.” His shocked gaze met hers, and he saw the sincerity there and nodded.

Cassie knew from what Mika had told her that Taylyn had no experience as a pleasure slave beyond the most rudimentary training he had received before his accident, but she also knew he had been instructed by the others on what to do and what she liked.

“Taylyn, undress for me,” she nearly growled as she sat on the foot of the bed to watch.

He paled a bit as he began removing his loin covering, and when the cloth hit the floor, she could tell he had to fight covering himself with his hands.

That curling feeling began inside of her—that nearly euphoric giddiness which stemmed from the power—the
complete
power she wielded over the male in front of her. That rush was no longer alien, nor was it a feeling she fought with herself over anymore.

“Mmm . . . Yes, you are very well-made. Turn for me, love.” Taylyn turned, and she nearly bit through her lip as the muscles in his ass flexed with each movement.

Cassie stepped closer to him and pressed herself flush against his back, reveling in the moan which rasped out of his throat.
 

Her hands slid around his waist then slowly moved down his belly to cup and caress his rapidly hardening cock. Taylyn’s breath exploded out of his chest when her hands caressed him, expertly bringing him to full hardness.
 

The light calluses on her hands provided an exquisite friction which had him fighting for control. His Mistress was unlike any woman he had ever known; she praised his looks and treated him gently and with great kindness. All of these things puzzled him greatly. He felt he had no right to touch or desire her; he was a field slave after all—one of the lowest of the low.
 

Men in his position had only the pleasure of looking at the warriors of Erla; those exalted women would not give one of his class even a moment’s notice. Now, the highest and most incredible of women he had ever seen had claimed him for herself, and his insides quivered with longing whenever he allowed himself to look upon her.