She just stood there in shock because of two things. One, the way this slave was talking to her and two, what Skellan gave him. 'Skellan giving a slave an expensive gift is not a good sign' she thought and walked to her room angrily and closed the door behind her, breathing heavily as tears rolled down her cheek. A young girl was sitting in her room reading a book with an apple in her hand who asked her what was wrong. Without looking at her she angrily sat next to her and wiped her tears "are you crying now?" the girl asked "no" she replied. "Is it about Skellan?" she asked her
"Mind your own business and get out" she told her and was about to leave when the girl stopped her "is this about the new slave then?" the young girl asked her but she didn't answer "I noticed you've been so hard on the boy and he is making you restless"
"Do you know Skellan bought him from an auction?" she told her
"So" the girl replied
"Buying slaves from auction is not something we do and now Skellan is giving him gifts" she said throwing the book across the room. The girl rubbed her arm gently "Stop worrying it's not good for the baby Aquila"
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Ste and his friend were sitting under a tree and Ashton couldn't stop starring at the pendant "it's so beautiful" he said and Ste smiled proudly "he said he thought of me when he found this" Ashton stroked the pendant "I never imagined it" Ashton said
"I did" Ste replied
"Master is so kind to you" Ashton said
Ste bit his bottom lip "it scares me sometimes" his smile vanished thinking about that woman who made his life hell because of her jealousy.
"Ste be careful" he told him "they are very dangerous people I am worried about you" and Ste nodded
"So are you still going to work the whole night or sleep with the master again tonight?" Ashton asked him but Ste didn't reply only looked down. "Are you not sure?" he asked him and Ste nodded.
"But I have an idea" Ste said with a smirk "I am not going to let her torture me tonight"
Ste left as quick as possible keeping it a secret from his friend leaving Ashton confused there.
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Aquila was walking outside near the lake when her eyes moved to Skellan who was standing peacefully watching his sons practicing sword fighting looking at them proudly. She approached him and quietly stood next to him and watching them with him. Skellan noticed but ignored so she decided to start first "they are just like you" was all she said but Skellan ignored like she was not there "so I guess you just need me to take care of your slaves now" skellan ignored again hoping she would go away soon but she wasn't done she grabbed his arm and forced him to look at her "this is what we are now, you don't even look at me anymore" she complained but Skellan was in no mood of listening to her complaints so he grabbed his arm that was on her arm "after everything that happened I forgave you for this child so be grateful you are still here " he tightened his grip " and if you disobey me again I will forget that you are with a child" with that he left and she just stood there stroking her hand that turned red but this pain was nothing compared the pain in her heart.
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She returned to her room at night and found the boy combing his hair standing in front of a mirror like he was getting ready for his master again.
"What are you doing" she asked
"You know exactly what I am doing" she raised her brow at his tone and walked to him and rested her chin on his shoulder.
"You look beautiful" Ste smiled nervously
"You are young and beautiful" she turned him round and lifted his chin up "but all you have is this face "Ste looked away.
"You know that this face is the reason he wants you here so be careful boy because I can take it from you, this face you are proud of" Ste nodded and he was about to leave but she grabbed his arms and stopped him "did he ask for you?" she asked and Ste gulped "yes" he lied trying not to sound nervous and she smirked "you think I am an idiot" she approached him and tried to stay as calm as he could "he is not even here"
"What?" Ste said shocked.
She grabbed his arm and pulled him inside "you think you are very clever" Ste was shaking with fear with his head down. She grabbed his face, forcing him to look at her "if you lie to me again I will cut that little tongue off do you understand" Ste nodded as tears rolled down his cheeks.
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Ste spent the whole night washing all the bloody clothes she gave him and couldn't sleep, he felt like every bone in his body was aching especially his back that was killing him, he was preparing food for his masters in the kitchen when he felt like his head was getting heavy, vision blurry and his friend Ashton who was standing next to him cutting the meat touched his forehead, he took the knife from his hand and said "go have some rest you are not ok I will do your work for today" Ste smiled and was about to leave when he fell and everyone left what they were doing to see him "Skellan" the only word came out of his mouth before he closed his eyes.
Skellan was in his room drinking wine when he felt something, something like a voice, something calling his name he looked outside the window but didn't find anyone maybe he is just day dreaming he thought when suddenly the thought of his young slave hit him. Those blue eyes, that innocent face sculpted cheeks, and lips pink and soft like a rose.
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Ste and all of the other slaves and Aquila were standing around him with Ashton who was sitting next to him trying to wake him up, but he didn't open his eyes and it was making everyone more sick.
"He isn't waking up do something" Ashton said shaking him trying to wake his friend. Aquila rolled her eyes "he is just acting" she said and Ashton looked at her in disbelief.
"Wake up Ste" he said as he placed a wet towel on his head "he is sick" he told her and she looked away when suddenly noticed the young girl approaching her panicking "he wants to see him right now" she felt like the ground was shaking she looked at the boy who looked like he was in a very bad condition.
"He was gone for hunting how is it possible? When did he come back and why didn't you tell me about it?" Aquila asked her all these questions but the girl was shaking with fear unable to answer any question.
"Ste wake up" she yelled
"he wants to see you wake up" she angrily walked to him " try and throw some more water on him he has to wake up " she ordered Ashton who already tried everything but Ste didn't even move. " you will get all of us in trouble I know you are acting ".
They were all busy thinking what to do next when Skellan entered the room quietly that nobody even noticed him coming.
Skellan was confused to see why they were all gathered around his young slave "what happened to him?" Skellan asked them and that's when they noticed Skellan he looked at Aquila who was looking down.
"He fainted" Ashton told him, crying and rubbing his friend's hand "
Skellan suddenly moved Ashton out of his way and sat next to him and placing a hand on his cheek "Steven" he whispered in his ear softly and holding his hand "I am here now" he said and felt like Ste was griping his hand. "Leave us alone" he ordered everyone to leave and they all did immediately, leaving both of them alone. Aquila on her way out closed the door and ordered everyone to leave and go back to their work but she just stood there outside the room.
Skellan stroked his hair and he slowly opened his eyes he kissed his hand "I thought you left". Ste wrapped his arms around him and started crying in his shoulder.
Skellan kissed his head and wrapped his arms around him trying to comfort him. "You will get better soon don't worry" Skellan gently brushed his hair "what happened Steven tell me everything."
The boy just cried on his shoulder "She….. She hates me" he said in his ear.
Skellan realized who he was talking about "why do you think she hates you?" he wiped his tears with his thumb as he cupped his cheeks "did she do something to you" Ste was about to tell him everything but couldn't as he remembered what she told him earlier 'I will cut your tongue off' her words came to his mind and he changed his mind.
"You don't have to be scared" Skellan told him because he noticed the fear in his eyes "If I say anything she will kill me " tears rolled down his cheek and Skellan was burning with anger because it was enough for him to realize what was happening " you need some rest" you will feel better tomorrow he told him and he nodded he was about to leave when Ste grabbed his hand " please don't go" he begged him ''close your eyes Steven I'll come back later don't worry she won't hurt you again"
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Aquila was standing outside the room waiting for Skellan to come out and talk to her she knew what was going to happen and as she thought Skellan came out of the room bursting with anger he grabbed her neck and pinned her to the wall "why?" he asked and she laughed "you know why "
"I am sick of you" he said
"Maybe you should stop giving me responsibilities of your sex slaves "she said and he released her neck.
"You are still here only because you are carrying my dead brother's child" he got closer to her "and you are at my mercy and you have to obey me" Skellan told her and she closed her eyes "the boy is one of my most expensive and precious things and If anything happens to him you will pay for it"