Author's Notes: This is an erotic fantasy written by Lyssabyss. This chapter as you may notice is not in the "Non-Consent/Reluctance" category, because it is not the primary element of this chapter. There is some romance, f/f action and some answers to questions you may have had. A special thank you to EricaW for some great inspiration and being a superb beta-reader.
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Was it Oro or the sway of the boat that rocked me so gently? My right eye had long since swollen shut, and my left eye was puffy from the tears that refused to stop falling. Still he held me in his arms like a small child, as I wept and shivered, and I hated the fact that I needed him now, after all that had happened.
Oro begged my forgiveness, tears in his own eyes, and I wondered if we could ever truly recover from the brutality experienced in this room. Could I ever learn to trust him, after what he took regardless of my hesitation?
He placed the dagger in
my
hands, but I am the one that used it against the old man. I am the one that allowed Oro to turn me into a shadow of his likeness. Another shiver passed through me, the air was getting colder as it swept in from deck above, the stench of vomit and copper burned my nostrils in this small space.
"--Going to be sick." I muttered, blood draining from my face as I felt saliva building in my mouth.
As quickly as Oro could without jostling me about, he took me above deck and to the starboard side, setting me carefully onto my feet, using his hands to brace me. I heaved over the boat, the pressure splitting my head and threatening to tip me over into the encroaching abyss.
I heard muffled words behind me as consciousness faded in and out.
"--down below." Something probed against my head "Jakob," and I flinched at the pain in my temple. " --with her."
I faintly recognized Oro's voice and clutched against his arm and slurred, "Don't leave me."
A hand caressed my back, and wiped my face carefully. "Get Jora." Oro commanded.
"Aye --." Kaptan Jakob's soft voice replied.
I was being moved, my feet dangling in the air, pressed up against a warm hard body. A ringing sounded in my ears, leaving me alone to my thoughts which threatened to suffocate me.
You mustn't get caught Esyld!
My father warned me of the dangers of these men, but I was captured, the scent and lure of a hidden need, baiting me into an inescapable snare. Oro was an expert at his craft, the enticing decoy completely disguising the barb of his intentions.
"Esyld." A voice called out to me, but I did not return sound. Let the storm rumble around me, let me go...let me sleep. I had given up on trying to see with my eyes, not believing that what I would find would be worth the effort.
Sound was returning around me as the buzz in my ears faded. "What have you done!" A woman's voice bellowed.
I winced and groaned painfully. "Loud." I croaked.
A hand rubbed my arm, "Majohr, let Jora look, while we take care of the--" I recognized Jakob's voice, even as stress obviously strained him, "--of the Governor."
"This is treason, Majohr--"
"Quiet." Oro hissed. "Do as you are commanded Jora. Leave the treason to me." I was being moved once more, I felt the stiff fabric of the bed beneath me.
"Can you hear me?" Jora's voice was gentler now, her fingers probing my face.
I nodded slightly. "Yes." I croaked, my throat sore from screaming and retching.
"I am going to inspect you, and clean you now." Jora's fingers nimbly worked at my clothing to loosen them away, driving a whimper from my lips. "It is only me, Esyld, no one else will touch you. This I promise."
I nodded once more. She helped me take off my dirtied clothes and braced her hands against my sides. "Gods, you poor woman. Here lay carefully." She whispered, helping me lay on my side. I felt a cool rag against my face, rubbing off the blood and salted tears that had caked it.
"How is she?" Oro's voice loomed in the distance.
"Spirits, now!" Jora barked. My flinch brought new tears to my eyes as my face pinched painfully. "I am sorry." She had wiped the rest of the grime away from my face as the door squeaked open.
"Here." Oro said quietly. I heard the swish of liquid in a decanter and peaked out my left eye to take a look. Jora's hands were red which was stark against the clear bottle of water she was holding. "We are almost finished--" Oro started.
"Go." Jora said as kindly as she could. I could hear Oro's huff at the insubordination, but in the present state of things he was not willing to argue with her until this was behind us.
"Drink." She said helping to hold my head up as she brought the bottle to my lips. Feeling parched I took as much into my mouth as I could, and nearly spewed it back out as the liquid burned bitterly as I swallowed. "Good, this will hurt. Bite this." She indicated putting the familiar leather straps near my mouth.
My eye widened and I shook my head, "I can't." I cried. It was the very same strap Oro had gagged me with.
"Hear me, Esyld, you
cannot
cry out. I am going to hurt you to make you feel better, but you cannot make a sound. Do you understand?" Jora said slowly.