The same armed guards that led us into the dining hall take me away. The stronghold is a maze and I'm lost after a few turns. Not that I could focus on my surroundings. Numbness has spread to every part of my body; I'm barely able to hold back the tears.

Bound by blood.

Why did I have to open my mouth?

I might've been chosen as a house servant and not a healer, but at least I could've gone home in ten years. Kept some dignity and autonomy and not be enslaved for life.

Left in a bathing chamber, I'm soon joined by a woman. Her evasive gaze and timid demeanor only allows her to be another Elowen. From her young features, she couldn't be more than a couple of years older than me, although her face is so strained and tired that she appears long past her prime.

The smile doesn't reach her eyes. "My name is Jaslynn."

"I'm Moone."

"I'm supposed to get you ready for the blood ceremony tonight, so please don't give me a hard time."

"Don't worry, I won't." It's not her fault that I screwed up.

Every breath rattles with despair.

What am I going to do?

A failed escape attempt would be a death sentence, but the blood bond would trap me in my own skin, with misery claiming a little part of me each day.

Jaslynn leans over the tub. "I'll run you a bath. In the meantime, you need to get undressed and toss all your belongings into the bin over there."

"All of them?" I clutch the locket around my neck; it has been a birthday gift from my parents.

"I'm sorry, but the Anou do not allow their charges to have any keepsakes."

I spin around to hide the rising tears. "How long have you been here?"

"Eighteen months."

"And who is your master?"

"His lordship, the Royal Paladin Rohan. He's the second in command in their government."

"Is he good to you?"

She steps behind me and places a hand on my shoulder. "Don't ever ask these questions. The walls tend to have ears, and if you are caught criticizing your master, you will be severely punished. The Anou are quick with the whip and even quicker with the knife. You don't want to lose your tongue on top of everything else."

I nod.

Message received.

I won't say another word.

Rolling my skirt and blouse into a ball, I shove them in the bin and dispose of my undergarments. Now comes the hard part. I wrap my hand around the pendant of my necklace. The lump in my throat threatens to explode and release an unstoppable flow of misery. I eye Jaslynn; she is watching me like a hawk, but even if she weren't paying attention, I wouldn't have a place to hide the jewelry. With one pull, I break the fine links of the chain. Tossing the necklace into the bin tears away a piece of my heart. Vision blurred, I turn toward the tub.

The water is warm and the scented foam of the bath oil takes away some of the tension in my neck. Submerged to my chin, I close my eyes. "Do we get to bathe often?"

"No." Jaslynn leaves it at that.

With a sigh, I dip deeper under water. Since this might be the last time for me to relax for a while, I might as well take advantage of a few stolen moments. Jaslynn moves silently around the room and my eyelids grow heavy. A sudden draft and the closing of a door jerks me out of my bliss.

"My, my, you are a beauty."

I shrink away from the sudden voice and open my eyes. A man sits on the edge of the tub, his lips split to a grin. His lazy slouch can't hide his enormous height; if I had to guess, he's at least two heads taller than me, maybe more. Solid muscles flex under his shirt. The wavy chestnut brown hair is trimmed short and barely covers his ears. Brown eyes in a shade dark enough to grant him sufficient power to destroy me within a breath study me with a quizzical glow.

I hide further under the foam. "Who are you?"

"His lordship, the Royal Paladin, but you can call me Rohan." Rubbing his stubbled chin, he leans closer and cocks his head. "And you don't look all that dumb, so why would you speak up?"

"I beg your pardon."

"Today, when they handed out the assignments. When the Chieftain picked you, why would you ever speak up? You don't appear to be a nutcase and you are too compliant to have a death wish, so what made you open your mouth other than to breathe?"

"I was meant to be trained as a healer, so I guess I was just surprised to be chosen by an Anou as a house servant."

He chuckles. "Is that what you thought, that Talon picked you as a house servant?"

"Who's Talon?"

He rolls his eyes. "You really don't know anything about our world. He's the Chieftain, your new master."

Heat rushes into my cheeks.

I'm not supposed to look at him.

I turn my head and stare at the wall.

"Nah, nah, you were doing so well. Eyes on me so I can ensure you aren't lying."

I reluctantly meet his gaze.

"Better." He runs his hand through the water, causing the foam to shift and expose part of my nakedness. Mesmerized, he gawks at the skin above my bent knee. "You haven't answered my question. Did you seriously think Talon chose you to be his servant?"

I submerge deeper under water in a desperate attempt to escape his prying gaze. "What else would I be?"

"I can't." He shakes his head with a laugh. "You are so innocent, I bet you are even untouched."

The heat in my cheeks burns like fire under the glowing ridicule in his eyes; I want to dive beneath the foam and die of embarrassment.

"If you were hoping to become a healer, you must be somewhat educated. Do you know how to read and write?"

"All Elowen know how to read and write." A certain pride colors my words. "We might be condemned by the gods to servitude, but that doesn't mean we have no brains."

"I suppose, but that doesn't explain why you wouldn't have a clue of what is expected of you. Didn't your parents or your teachers ever discuss your duties?"

I wrinkle my nose. "Mom and Pap refused to talk about their time at the Stye. They said the memories were too horrific."

"Oh, well, they didn't do you any favors by sending you unprepared." He stands up. "I should go, so you can dress and get ready. You have a big night ahead of you."

"Please, just tell me the truth."

Amusement plays on his thin lips. "Talon doesn't need a servant, he's quite competent in that respect and handles most of his affairs himself. No, what Talon is after is a pretty toy, a little thing he can play with and then dispose of when he is done. Personally, I'll give you a week before he grows tired of you."

"And then?"

"Then it's bye-bye, Elowen girl." He waves his hand, blowing me a kiss. "Your soul be with your ancestors and Talon will move on. For me, that means you'll no longer be a headache. Ultimately, it's the way our society works and for an Elowen, that's never a good thing."

His revelation slams into me full force. Pleasure servitude will be my fate before my master will discard me like a piece of trash.

Escape now has become my only option, or I'll die trying.

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1. Do you want to switch to Talon's POV next or would you like to stay with Moone?