Only a slave
Jacob:
I sat in the corner of the palace kitchen, since I was a nice boy the cook gave me an extra portion food sometimes, today I got a piece of bread, which I just wanted to eat, when Alec stormed into the room. He looked around like he was in panic, when he found me he closed the distance between us with a few quick steps.
I looked at him questionary. "Jacob, I´m so glad that I have found you, I´m looking for you since nearly thirty minutes. The king sent me; he wants to see you immediately!"
If Alec really searched me for such a long time I could imagine in which mood the king will be by now. I decided, that it didn´t matter now when I finished lunch before I would go to meet him, surely he is already pissed off, I thought and bit in my dry bread again.
"What´s that Jake, are you crazy? How could you carry on eating when our majesty is waiting for you?" Alec shouted while he gave me a desperate gaze. I sighed, he was right, I'd rather should hurry to our king and by the way I guessed Alec feared to be also punished when I didn´t follow this command.
I stood up slowly, this time it was me that looked desperate but Alec who knew what was bothering me shook his curly head and reassured me "It´s not what you think! He is waiting in the Throne-room, not in his private chambers." Of course this was a good news, there were always other people around in the hall - that's way better, than being alone with my master and I didn´t have to do those sexual things, at least not now.
Meanwhile I realized in shock that I still wasted my time, it´s never a good idea to annoy our highness, especially not when you´re only a stupid dog – like me. I just wanted to start running when Alec grabbed my hand to stop me, I turned around to him and he held the broad metal band in his hand which I had completely forgotten. With a sigh he put it around my neck and closed it carefully
"You shouldn´t be so careless Jake, what if someone else had seen you without it? What if the king had seen it?" I couldn´t thank Alec enough, maybe the king would have killed me if he would knew that I – and several other shifter – had a key to the chain that would break my neck, if I try to phase. He still thought that he was the only one who could open it.
I hugged Alec and gave him a grateful smile, than I hurried through the palace and stopped just in front of the solid, wooden door which leads into the great hall where our highness was waiting. I took a deep breath before I knocked at the door, the king himself called me in. I glimpsed at him – defiantly he was really angry – fell on my knees when I reached his throne and stared only at the ground and never into his face.
If it would be possible I´d beg for forgiveness but since I´m only a slave I had to wait until the king allowed me to speak – well that´s a rule for everyone, but if I mistreat it, it would be much worse, than when a vampire would do the same – even when I couldn´t see it, I felt Caius´ angry eyes on the back of my head. I only hoped he wasn´t too anoyed.
I didn´t have to wait long till he said with a sharp voice "I sent for you long ago! How could you dare to let me wait? I should whipp you for your lack of remorse!"
I still held my head lowered and waited in silence, but I fantasized about paying it back to Alec, finally it was his fault that I was too late. Just when I thought about the beats I will get, I felt sick, the bruises from the last punishment weren´t completely healed by now, so it would hurt even more than usual.
The king stopped my thoughts when he continued to speak "But you incredible lucky that we expect the arrival of an important guest and I think it wouldn´t be suitable to give him damaged goods."
Even if it was strictly forbidden I raised my head and looked at our highness in surprise. Did he mean me with the words damaged goods? Did he want to sell me? Even if I didn´t like the king and what he did to me, I guess it was still better to life in the palace than to labor in a fabric day and night. What did he want to do with me? Just in time before Caius realized my questioning look I lowered my eyes again and stared at the carpet under my feet.
"Go to your place and be a good dog!" he ordered and I hurried to the alcove behind his throne where I sat down on the floor and waited what would happen next.
A few moments later a servant opened the door and said "Your highness, your guest has just arrived, should I send him in?" The king only nodded, the door got closed again and some minutes later the servant was back and a young good looking man followed him. The stranger seemed to be a bit nervous and like he didn´t know what to do.
He made a few steps in our direction and stopped again a small distance away from our king. I knew he should have bowed down, but he didn´t. Instead of shouting at the man – like he would have done with everybody else – the king stood up and went to the other man to greet him. The servant and I watched the scene in disbelief.
"Edward, I´m sincerely glad that you´re father had finally agreed to send you to Volterra. I´m sure you´ll see it soon as your home and us as your new family. I hope you´ll enjoy your stay."
"Thank you for the invitation, your majesty. Please forgive me that I´m not familiar with the behavior at court. I haven´t time to learn it since yesterday, but I will soon know everything which is important to make you no shame."
The king smiled gentle "I´m sure you will! By the way, I have something for you to make your start easier!" He gave me a sign to join them and shoved me to the stranger; this was exactly the moment when I realized that I should be a welcome gift.
"This is Jacob; from now on he is yours. Even if he is only a simple slave, he isn´t stupid. He could show you the palace and he´ll do anything you want him to do!" Caius looked at me with penetrating eyes "Am I right Jacob!" I nodded and answered "Of course my Lord!" than I turned to the other man and said "Everything you want, sir!"
Apparently I had a new master and I had not the slightest idea who it will be to serve him.