Foreign Exchange (The Concubine Chronicles Book 1)

Foreign Exchange (The Concubine Chronicles Book 1) by Vanessa Cardui

Book: Foreign Exchange (The Concubine Chronicles Book 1) by Vanessa Cardui Read Free Book Online
Authors: Vanessa Cardui
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she wasn't held tightly in place, she couldn't turn around to get comfortable.  And there weren't any pillows, and she was used to sleeping with pillows.
    Liera stayed awake for a long time, as the bedside lamps burned down, listening to the soft sounds of Jalah and the Krin sleeping, and thinking about what had been done to her over the day, and what she had done.
     
    #
     
    It seemed like as soon as she'd fallen asleep, there was someone prodding her, trying to get her to wake up.  "Nm!" said Liera, curling into a ball.
    There was a chuckle, and then a hand on her ear.  Which twisted it, hard.  "Dammit Maash!" said Liera, "I'm up!"
    "Such manners," said Jalah.  "And that is not the person to whom you are speaking."
    "Yes, lady," said Liera, trying to scramble to her feet, and rediscovering her manacles and falling over.  "Sorry, lady," she added, from a tangle of limbs.  Mornings.
    Fortunately, Jalah seemed more amused than upset.  She unlocked the manacles, and Liera was able to stretch out for the first time since the last afternoon.  "Very comely," said Jalah.  "It does not detract from the punishment you have earned, but it is nonetheless pleasing to see."
    Liera blushed, and Jalah patted her on her head.  "And a remarkably sound sleeper, for one who has not been given wine or poppy.  The Krin is already at his business, and your Maash shall be here soon.  You may bathe, and relieve yourself; you shall be constrained a good deal today, and it would be best if you did not soil yourself."
    Liera really needed to use the toilet, and she was pretty sure she knew how to get to the bath from the bedchamber.  She stood, and Jalah gave an angry tsk.  "Piglet," she said, "you do not stand unless you are given permission.  If allowing you this liberty during your sleep leaves you this confused, there are measures which can be taken."
    She'd been given a lot of instructions; Liera was legitimately unsure if that was something she'd been told.  It was something she knew, anyway.  She crawled naked through the house, past maids and manservants, who were putting the estate order for the coming day.  Some of them looked at her as she passed, made comments to each other, or snickered.  Most just ignored her, and concentrated on their work.
    There were still aches and pains from what had been gone to her, and the bath was perfectly warm, and it was still morning, and she was really tired.  But not only would that get her in trouble with Jalah, Maash was coming over to see her.  She used the toilet, and then washed as quickly as she could while still getting clean, and headed back towards the bedroom.
    She met Jalah in the hallway, who shook her head.  "Your hair is wet, piglet.  If you cannot be trusted to keep from dripping on the floors, there is a kennel in the gardens.  And now come with me—you shall be allowed to assist me in my bath."
    It was nice to do something for Jalah; to wash her hair, and scrub her back, and . . . well, to touch her.  Jalah had been doing things to her, but Liera hadn't generally been allowed to touch.
    "Lady," she said, cautiously.
    "Mmm?" asked Jalah, leaning back in the bath as Liera combed her hair.
    "May I please kiss you, Lady?"
    Jalah laughed.  "Oh, you are an affectionate one.  Of course you may not.  Now, fetch my towel, and remain at my heel."
    Liera bowed her head, then did as she was told.
    Jalah didn't seem to feel the same urgency that Liera did about Maash's visit.  Maash was going to be here, and Liera was going to see her, and it was going to be weird and terrible and great.  She did her best to keep her excitement contained as Jalah dried herself, dressed, and then made her gradual way through the house to a couch in a sitting room.
    As she sat there, and read, she twisted her hand in Liera's hair.  Jalah had very strong hands, and Liera winced at the pressure.  But she wasn't pulling her anywhere, just keeping her where she was; on her hands and knees,

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