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Valcan sat on the floor staring at where the mysterious man had exited for a long time.
That Warlord Prince had great strength. He almost couldn't feel an end to it. He was a very dark, and dangerous man. But his empathy for the slaves was certainly something he didn't expect.
He looked back down at the ring lightly resting in his palm. Then he shook his head. Ares was foolish to be so trusting with a stranger. Then again, she was very trusting with himself.
He smiled at the silver circle, and brushed a finger over the gem. Valcan could feel the power hum through it when it met his Gray strength. A light shone in it, danced for a second, and then disappeared.
He truly did not think that the girl would want anything to do with him after he lost reason on the Killing Edge. He felt a Queen being threatened and he responded as his instincts commanded. And it was natural for a Warlord Prince, or any male for that matter to want to actually bond with a witch. A good, strong Queen was his calling.
And he had never wanted to have a bond with a witch quite so strongly. That was what persuaded him to give the girl the information he had, and to protect her.
Valcan sighed, and fit the ring over his large pinky finger. A faint smile crossed his lips before he went silent and still to descend to the depths of his Jewel.
Ares? he asked quietly. He felt bad for not answering her calls earlier that day.
After he was displayed on the Auction block, his former owner, Lady Talia had felt his energy blast through the Ring of Obedience she wore. And then when the Warlord had fallen dead she didn't need to look into his face to see the glazed-over look in his eyes, or the irritated, distant expression through his hair.
Talia had punished him, much as he had been punished the night before, but it was worse this night.
"100 lashings payable for a bastard Warlord's death." She had said before she sent a bolt of pain through the Ring on her right hand. She had kept the pain through the Ring constant, always present, enough to remind him why he hated this woman. With every whip stroke, the power being channeled through the Ring to his organ would flare. He would open his mouth in a wordless cry, refusing to actually make a noise. He didn't need to add to the sadistic bitch's pleasure anymore than he was.
Valcan's body ached, the lash wound's stings still very vivid. His muscles had cramped and he was shaking from cold and sweat. But worst of all, his groin was the most sensitive. It hurt even to wear pants.
Valcan snapped back to the present, and concentrated again on his spear thread to distaff. (Arelane?)
(Hm?) Came a tired sounding witch's voice. He must have woken her up. (Valcan?) Her voice suddenly was more awake, perky. He laughed a little. (Yes, witch, it's me.)
(Did Prince Daemon bring my gift?) She asked with barely contained apprehension. Valcan thought for a moment. Daemon. Daemon... where had he heard that name before?
(Valcan? Did he bring it?)
(The dark-haired Warlord Prince?) He asked, still puzzling this character.
(Yes!) Ares thought excitedly. (So he did. Do you like it? I don't have much else to offer.)
A Warlord Prince... very dark-powered... Daemon.
Valcan's eyes shot open and he swore colorfully and viciously. Ares could feel his fright and hear his swearing, and had pulled back a little. (What's the matter?) She asked giving her voice edge.
Daemon. Prince Daemon Sadi. The Sadist. Who hasn't heard of the Sadist? He was renowned for being brutal to the Queens he served, and, along with his brother Lucivar Yaslana, were infamous for destroying whole Courts.
What was he doing here? Probably serving a bidding Queen.
However, as renowned as Daemon was for being a cruel, sadistic Bastard to those he served, he was rumored to be gentle and caring towards the slaves of said Court.
And to accept a task from a lighter-jeweled, enslaved Queen. Well, that proved his soft-spot for slaves.
Then it settled on him that he had met the man.
He wasn't just some superstitious creature; a story among the Blood, but a real Warlord Prince. A very dark- jeweled Warlord Prince. Suddenly Valcan felt kind of light-headed, and short of breath. He had met the man. Had spoken with him, even was rude. However, had he known that before hand, would he have acted differently?
No. Who was he trying to kid? A Warlord Prince would not let himself be seen as weaker to another male. Even if the other was obscenely more powerful than he.
(Valcan?) He pushed back again to what was happening now, and stopped thinking.
(Sorry, Witch. I was lost in my thoughts.) He lay down on the ground, and groaned when he pulled a lash wound.
(What's wrong?) Ares asked, concerned.
(Nothing. I pulled a lash mark.) He heard the girl gasp in sympathy for him. (Why? Was it because of me?) She asked the last part timidly.
(No. My owner wanted one last whipping before I was handed over.) He lied. Then Valcan paused for a moment, thinking about his new owners. (Do you know who you were sold to?)
He could feel dismay in what Ares said next. (No. Well, I don't knowthebidder'sname, but I found I was sold to a Territory outside of Hayll.)
Valcan responded to the name with a flash of vicious anger. (Where are you being sent?) Ares asked. (Someplace near Askavi.) Valcan could feel Ares' unhappiness about their separation through the link. (Don't worry.) He encouraged, adding a bit of a growl to his strained voice. (You'll meet other slaves there who can help you...)
Who can protect you... That last thought didn't settle well with Valcan and he refrained form saying it, because he knew it would become a vicious snarl out loud. Ares didn't need that kind of a startle now.
The aspect of someone else bonding with his Queen...
When did she become his Queen? It must have been the possessiveness of the Warlord Prince inside him influencing his mind.
(Besides,) Valcan continued, pushing the thought away a little, (We'll be able to keep contact. And now that I have your gift, I can track your jewel very easily.)
He could almost feel Ares' smile.
She sighed, and then in a tired voice said, (Good night, my Prince Valcan. May the Darkness embrace you.) And she added a strike of her dark sapphire energy with the last word, to brush against his Gray Jewels.
(Pleasant dreams, my Witch.) He returned, softly, knowing she had already fallen asleep. He savored the feel of her power brushing his, and rubbed his thumb over the ring on his big pinky finger. He didn't fall asleep until some time afterward.
Yes, I know I've been a bit late. I'm sorry. I know you're all so eager to know what happens.
There are spanish children at school. There are like 7 boys and one girl, and there's one named Pablo. He has THE nicest hair and he's the best -looking out of all of them. (sigh)
But yes, it's all very exciting!
just like this story!
See? If I make myself enthusiastic about it, everything turns out half full!