Slaves of Love

“Maybe whoever sold her tried to ...”

A vivid picture slammed across his vision of some ham-handed oaf laying his hands on her ... tearing her clothes ... touching her soft skin ... hurting her.

Just like he himself had. Shet’ra!

“Do you think if a man ‘tried to’ with a woman like that, he would stop just because he came into contact with her maidenhead?”

“One greedy for money might.”

“You have eyes. No matter how greedy the man, faced with her beauty, he would not stop.”

“I did.”

“That, my friend, is because you love her.”

His fists clenched. “I don’t love her.”

“Fine, you don’t love her. So what do you intend to do with her?”

Keern paced some more, rubbing his chin. “Her father is dead, so she has no family or home to go back to. Would you keep her here?”

Jakmerah nodded. “If you wish it, my friend.” He sat back in his chair, scratching his chin, a thoughtful look in his eye. “My brother is looking for a concubine to add to his collection. She would be well-treated there, and loved often. He ensures that he visits each of his women several times every month.”

The muscles in Keern’s jaw tensed painfully.

“Or perhaps I will keep her myself. I have not had a virgin in a very long time.” Jakmerah raised an eyebrow. “She is still a virgin?”

“Yes,” Keern grated, hating the thought of any man touching her, even his good friend Jakmerah.

Especially his good friend Jakmerah. Keern was sure he kept his women well satisfied, and the thought of Shena stretched out on Jak’s bed, moaning his name, begging for his hands and body to pleasure her, tore at his insides.

“Good. I could always give her to my brother afterward. I don’t need an addition to my harem, and my brother will be honored if I break her in for him.”

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”

“I see. Would you like me to keep her as a harem slave, where no man will ever see her? Keep her a virgin forever?”

Keern scowled. “I’m tired of this conversation. It’s been a long day. I’m turning in.”

“Fine, we’ll talk again tomorrow.” Jakmerah took a sip of his wine. “You go ahead and sleep. I’ll let myself out after I finish my wine.”

Keern nodded and strode to the second bedroom of the suite.

Shena watched Keern disappear behind another door. As soon as the door closed, the man named Jak stood up and strolled toward her room. Her eyes widened as she realized he had to have seen her. She backed away. He pushed the door open and stared right at her.

“Tell me one thing,” he said. “Do you love Keern?”

Dumbfounded, she didn’t know what to say.

“Don’t think about it. Just answer.”

“Yes.” Astounded, she knew absolutely it was the truth.

He smiled. “Good.” He sat down. “Then let me give you some advice.”

* * * * *

Shena sat listening to the young women with fascination. They were here at Jakmerah’s bidding, to teach her the secrets of seducing a man.