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A Gilded Cage Ch. 04

By: puella_defututa



*** This is progressing a little slower now I'm back at work full time (p.s. I work in Westminster politics in the UK so do expect some fun with that!)

Thank you all for your comments, and do keep them coming – I really appreciate them.

For those that have asked, the pronunciation is An-eer-ah – an old Welsh name, now pretty uncommon.

And for any that are concerned, don't worry, she's got fight in her yet! ***



He woke early, working while he fed her breakfast on his lap. He sent her off to be bathed again, this time with two guards, both Rogers and Davies, flanking the diminutive May. By the time she was returned he was dressed and sipping coffee, his jacket unbuttoned and hanging open.

He had had her dressed in the dark green of his house, with a delicate pierced silver belt at her waist, pulling the material tight before it flowed down to her ankles, stopping just short of a pair of high-heeled silver sandals. The silver cuffs at her wrists and high choker were jewellery to the casual view, but at closer inspection, the clasps were too strong and had locks. He dismissed the others and left her standing as he finished his coffee, but gave a yelp as he spilt some down his shirt and jacket.

"Bugger it to hell." He left the room. Remembering the conversation of the previous evening, sensing what might be her only chance, Aneira found new courage, and made the two paces to the desk and tried the top drawer. It wasn't even locked. The arrogant bastard thought her quite tame, she'd show him, though she wasn't quite sure yet how. The little drive was sitting snugly next to the laptop; she palmed it quickly, closed the drawer and returned, subtly tucking the thing between her belt and dress, hiding it in folds of silk, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart. He returned in his change of clothes, picking up hat and gloves and belting on his sword.

"Come, girl, we are going to pay a visit to your boyfriend before we leave."

He was in a cell, asleep, but the general barked at him to wake up, apparently in an utterly foul mood. 

"Snivelling waste of a man, up, now" he was just about to open the cell door no doubt to kick the man into action but his phone rang. He cursed as he looked down. "Stay here, I won't be a moment. If you do anything other than stay I'll beat your arse purple."

She couldn't believe her luck. He had left her alone in the hall, no Rogers, no Davies, nobody. She could hardly escape anywhere but she could still manage some mischief for him.

"Telor, Telor come here quick." she hissed, praying that he couldn't hear.

"Princess, are you alright? He made you..."

"Shhh, no time. Take this." He looked quizzically. "It is an encrypted drive, his top secret files. People are coming to break you out, and they will be here in a few days. I don't hold out much hope that they will succeed, but if they do, give them this."

She passed the drive through the bars and was glad to see that by the time she had straightened up he had squirreled it away out of sight.

The door clunked and he was back. "Am I disturbing anything, you two lovers?" He stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her close to his chest, one hand on her breast, the other gliding down. "But of course there is nothing to disturb is there. There was never anything between you but promises and poetry. It is nothing on the fun we have, is it girl?"

"No lord." She looked down at her feet as she said it, ashamed at her cowardice.

"Good, now follow, I have a trial to attend."

He swept away. They were joined in the hall by Rogers, Davies and three others, all followed them out. Rogers joined them in their car as usual, the other four in the one behind.

"Lord, may I ask you something?"

"Yes, since you asked so nicely, you may."

"What is this trial, who is being tried?"

The cruel grin was back.

"Your father, pet."

She gaped at him. "But he got away! His guard got him out! They were coming back for us and there was word he was safe. That can't be! He is safe!"

"No, simple creature, he was found. Nobody was coming for you but me. He goes on trial today."

"But why? Why he never did anything to anybody? What are the charges?" He glared at her. "My lord", she added, realising that she had probably gone far too far.

"He resisted. We have to make an example of him. And I don't remember the charges, Rogers what did we put down in the end?"

"Raising arms against The Empire and aiding terrorists I think sir."

"That was it. We decided to keep things simple."

He kicked her slightly. "Your mouth is open. Close it unless you want me to fill it." She closed her mouth quickly and looked down at the floor.

"Climb up here girl, up, sit on my lap." She complied silently, still numb from the news. He held her on his lap and rested one hand on her thigh while the other played with her breasts through the light fabric.

When they stopped and stepped out of the car they were quickly surrounded by his security detail: two in front, one behind, and one either side, easily clearing a path through the crowd. She wondered what trouble he was expecting. They ascended a broad flight of steps into a civic building of some sort. This must be the court. Cameras flashed on all sides but they paid the no notice and swept on inside. He left three men in the atrium and one outside the door of the courtroom, leaving just Rogers. He smartened his uniform, and marched inside, keeping her behind him.

"Ah, general, we were just about to send for you. No matter, would you take the witness stand and state your full name for the record?" An elderly man presided over a packed courtroom. She could see the dock on the far side but nothing of who was in it.

He stood in the witness box and sat her quietly beside him, out of sight, Rogers blocking her entirely from the view of the room.

"General Charles Henry Berkeley, Lord of The Marches, First Commander of His Imperial Majesty's Armed Forces"

He had a title to match his ego, she thought, rebelliously.

She lost track of what was being said after that, there was so much "kindly turn to tab b of section iv, paragraph four" that she had no idea what was actually going on. After some time she began to follow that they were loosely following the course of the war, but he was detailing a number of atrocities she was sure had never happened and others that were the fault of his troops not theirs.

"Does the defendant have any response?" asked the judge.

"That man murdered my people, my family, my sons and my young daughter. I will not justify his lies with a response." It was her father's voice but creaking and weary.

"Your honour I reject such slander. Indeed, I personally rescued his daughter from the ruins of the citadel."

"Have you any evidence of this claim?" The judge seemed perturbed slightly – this was a strictly choreographed show trial and that was not in the plans, but he was sure the young lord knew what he was doing.

"Of course I do your honour. I brought the poor frightened creature into my own household. Stand up Aneira." Rogers stood her up. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her head to his chest. "I'm afraid she is rather traumatised, your honour. Her guards shot the women in the hope that we wouldn't find them, but by the grace of God they missed her. We found her amongst the bodies. I'm afraid she may have been there some hours."

The crowd gasped and jeered. They must truly be savages as their lords had claimed to attempt to kill such a beautiful young girl.

"Your honour I sought to remove her from such suffering but it has followed her. Two nights ago, armed rebels broke into the estate. They stole her from her bed. My men apprehended them and brought her back to me just in time. They confessed that they were acting on orders from their king given in secret before his capture. I'm afraid they tried to rape her."

"No worse than she gets at your hands nightly you bastard. Take your hands off of my daughter." The old king snarled, not bothering to conceal his hatred.

The crowd was in uproar. He used the cover to whisper in her ear: "play along or I'll feed Telor his own tongue. He has outlived his usefulness and what I do with him depends entirely on you."

She sobbed into his chest. There was no need to act, she just stopped holding them in. Cameras flashed wildly.

After a lot of shouting and use of his gable, the judge managed to quell the uproar.

"Idwal, King of Brin-Gwirth, I have no choice but to sentence you to death, at dusk tomorrow."

"Aneira, look at me, save yourself. Somebody get that abomination away from my daughter." She looked, but she wished she hadn't. He had aged decades in a week. His shoulders sagged and his skin was grey. New tears rolled down her cheek and she felt them wiped away by silk handkerchief. The old king was dragged away, still shouting for someone to save his daughter.

"If you faint now I'll free your boyfriend. I'll leave him all of his fingers and everything." He growled in her ear. She went limp and dropped to the ground, allowing herself to be caught in his strong arms and lifted to his chest. If Telor was set free he could get the disk drive to the rebels, she couldn't have hoped for a better offer.

The crowd were quite overcome with sympathy for the delicate girl and many noted how lordly he looked as he cradled her to his chest and called for his men to clear a path and to get help. He swept through the parted crowds and allowed his men to fall into step behind him, leaving a clear shot for the cameramen as he left the building. He set her down in the car and climbed in behind, speeding away from the scene.

Once the doors were closed and the car was moving she broke down. "You used me! You used me to condemn my own father. You bastard, get away from me."

His slap wasn't entirely unexpected, but the boot to her hip as she fell into the footwell was. She screamed and cowered away from him, but he paid her little attention. "I will whip you for that when we are home. Be good and quiet from now until then and it will only be ten."

"I'll not give in to you, brute, I'll never give in to you. You can take me screaming until I have no breath but I won't yield.

"Twenty then. And one more noise and I'll put every one of them between your legs." He kicked again, catching her knee. From the angle he couldn't put much strength behind it but it was enough, and she cowered. "Shut up, whore. No more words, no more noise."

She sunk back into the corner as far away from him as possible, and cried silently to herself, hating him with every ounce of strength she had.

*****************************

The car stopped. He was tense – something wasn't right. There was shouting outside and then gunfire. Motorbikes were roaring, moving away from them. He pulled a pistol from the armrest and gestured to Rogers to hold her, slowly opening the car door. He edged around, using his armoured vehicle for cover.

"Drop it, bastard, on your knees and hands on your head". To her horror she heard him laugh.

"Go home lad, leave with the others. I'll even give you a thirty second head start before I send my men after you."

"What is stopping me shooting you right now and ending this?"

"You won't. Don't threaten me boy. And if by some chance you summon up the courage, my will may give you a rather lasting headache."

"Your..."

"My will, yes, my last will and testament. In it I express my preference for being buried with various of my possessions. If you shoot me lad, your girlfriend will spend her last hours gasping for air six feet under, with only my bullet ridden corpse for company."

"C'mon Telor, we have to go now. There are more of them coming"

"Do as your friend says, and be gone." His laughter broke over the sound of a motorbike revving and speeding off.

He kicked her as he climbed back into the car, catching her shin, but she didn't care, they had got away, and with all his files too. Despite the aches and the knowledge of more to come she felt lighter than she had since being captured. She had done her bit, done what she could. She had fought back.

"I want all the men responsible for securing the prisoners lined up in the drive by the time the car gets there Rogers."

"Yes sir" He began tapping furiously into his phone.

"And you. If I find out that you had any part in this I will whip you until you can no longer scream."

He could threaten all he liked, but there was no beating that was going to get his files back. She must have let her happiness show a little too much because he smacked her again. When the car stopped he grabbed her throat and dragged her out after him, the gun still in his right hand.

A row a dozen men stood in front of the house, some clearly injured.

"How the fuck did this happen?" He spat.

"They knew our rota sir, they came at change of shift"

"They used flash bangs and smoke grenades sir, we had no idea how many and from where."

"So? How did they get into the cells? They were locked with key codes. Which of you was guarding the cells?" A man stepped forward nervously.

"Sir, the doors weren't locked. None of us unlocked them, but when they went to free the prisoners, they weren't locked."

"Lies or incompetence, locked doors do not simply unlock themselves."

"There must have been a fault in the wiring sir, they..." The gunshot was deafening, and the man crumpled. She tried to get away from it all, but he didn't let go of her throat.

"Rogers deal with this. I need to see to her." He tossed her over his shoulder and left. She was sure she heard another gunshot as they reached the top of the stairs, but she didn't look.

Once in his room, he dropped her down from his shoulder and she collapsed.

"Strip, you pointless cunt, you do not deserve clothes." She made no move to do so, fighting through the pain of being dropped to edge away from him. A boot hit her already bruised shin and an arm dragged her up by the hair. "This is going to hurt you enough already, do not make me use my imagination." She striped. Trembling and sobbing she took off her dress and shoes. "Bend over the bed. I will deal with this in order. I promised you twenty for your little outburst in the car."

He didn't wait for her to go, but dragged her up by the hair and threw her. He rummaged in a drawer and brought out a crop. "If you move from that spot I will double it". He hit her arse far harder than he ever had before and she screamed. After ten she was begging him to have mercy but he had no intention of doing so. He kicked her down onto the floor and rolled her face up. He straddled her lower body and held her wrists above her head with one hand, the other forcing her to face him.

"Do you know what they call you back home, slut, do you know what you are to them? A collaborator. Your people think you were mine long before this war, how else could I have broken so quickly. Your performance in court today can only have helped matters. The rebels have a price on your head. You need me to keep you safe. Your own people think you are a spy and a whore who sold them all."

He left her to her tears which were coming in uncontrolled floods. There was a knock and Rogers came in.

"Dealt with?"

"Yes sir. One thing though, the last of them confessed to have heard the rebels talking about a disk drive, if that is of any importance to you."

"Hold the girl." He hissed, the blood draining from his face. He ran to his desk and removed the laptop from its drawer. "I'll kill her for this." He took out the drawer and turned it upside-down – nothing. He hurled it against the wall, splinters raining down.

"Bring her." Rogers followed, dragging Aneira, and chained her up in the horrible room with the bright lights. "Out. And I don't want to be disturbed until I call for someone to clear up the mess." He stripped down to his shirt, breathing deeply to calm himself. He turned, still terrifying in his rage. He spoke more calmly than she would have imagined possible. "Explain".

Her laughter took even Aneira by surprise. "I don't need to. You can hurt me all you like but it doesn't matter, it's gone. I gave it to Telor." She sounded almost mad.

"You gave my disk drive to Telor? Have you any idea what you have done whore?!" The fingers digging into her lower jaw hurt, but nothing mattered.

"I've got you back. For everything you've done to me I've got you back ten-fold."

"Well I'll just have to leave you in agony. You will know nothing but pain, whore, nothing."

"What do I care? They have your files. They have everything."

"What do you think it contained?" This was a calmer voice, a more frightening voice, but she was too high on her victory to notice.

"Files and secrets and all sorts you don't want known."

His grin was crueller than she had ever seen before. "No, my pet, it contains only one file." He spoke directly into her ear in a low, threatening whisper. "All it contains is a couple of hours of security footage from last night. It shows you begging me to take you to bed, it shows you wanting me, and it shows you screaming like a whore, moaning for me, coming for me. You've just revealed to all your little rebel friends what a slut you are in my bed." He laughed as she sagged in her restraints, despair flooding her, washing away her maniacal joy, and leaving nothing.

"You're lying." She whispered.

"And that is not all that drive contains, it has trackers in it too. And so does Telor, Rogers injected them into his spine. We'll give it just long enough for them to decode the message – it will happen automatically after a few hours, but it will still look like there are more files on there – and then we shall obliterate their little rebellion."

"But... how?"

"My own men in their ranks told them that Telor had some crucial information and gave them enough information to mount the raid. I knew about it all along, Rogers was in complete control of the situation. Stick to whoring girl, you're no good at plotting, and you are too easily played. You feel good underneath me. That's what you are for, pretty thing. That's all that's keeping me from whipping you bloody." He was hard, and he ground his crotch into her, kissing and biting her neck. "I'll finish with you later. No more plotting eh pretty thing? I'll destroy your mind if I have to. So long as your cunt stays warm, you'll still do for my needs."

He turned to leave, pausing to turn up the lights and to switch hidden speakers to emit loud, discordant noise. He waved at her as he left, blowing a kiss as he picked up his jacket. He intended to leave her like that for hours.

He got to work – there was a lot that needed to be done after the raid. He had half an eye on a small window in the top left of his screen which showed a live feed of Aneira in her cell. She was struggling, screwing up her eyes to block out the light, and screaming to be released (at least he guessed that was what she was saying – he kept the sound off). She'd wear herself out eventually, best just to leave her to scream herself hoarse.

After half an hour she hadn't calmed. If anything she was getting worse. She thrashed uncontrollably in her restraints like an animal driven mad by pain and fear. Shit. He had never had anyone react like this before and she was going to do herself some serious damage. He turned off the speakers remotely and dimmed the light but the damage was done and it didn't seem to have made any difference at all. For all he might threaten he had no intention of causing deep psychological harm – not in such an uncontrolled manner.

Entering the narrow corridor he could hear her muffled screaming. That room was almost entirely soundproofed! He had had people's fingernails removed in that room without hearing it outside. He picked up the pace and ran to the door. Opening it he dismissed any nagging doubts that she might be faking it – this was pure terror and he had no idea where it came from.


A Gilded Cage Ch. 04



Most of what she was screaming was incoherent gibberish, but there were pleas in there and screams for help, screams for release. He didn't entirely know what to do. He put his arms around her as gently as he could and spoke softly in her ear. He told her she was safe and that he had her - that he would protect her and she didn't need to be afraid. Her skin felt clammy and cold, almost feverish. She struggled away with strength he didn't know she had but he held her and didn't stop trying to sooth her. He felt her soften, her movements were less frantic. After perhaps ten minutes she broke down and cried, every muscle sagging and collapsing. He stroked her hair and told her that she was safe until she seemed, finally, to have used the last of her energy.

Uncuffing her, he wasn't entirely surprised to see that her wrists and ankles were a mess. The cuffs he had used weren't particularly unpleasant, but her manic thrashing had caused them to cut and tear her skin and there were deep welts that would soon turn into ugly bruises. He had clearly hit upon something concerning. As he laid her gently in his bed his mind wandered back to all of the times she had been distressed. She had tried to get away from him sure, but she always opted for corners and dimly lit spaces under furniture, even if they left her trapped. She liked to hide from his view when he threatened her and found safety in small dark spaces. He would have to be careful of this.

He took his laptop to bed and worked from there, resting her head in his lap, thinking it best not to leave her alone. She shook and twitched in her sleep, murmuring into his thigh and giving little starts whenever there was a noise or when he adjusted his position.

Dinner arrived. He was loath to wake her but she had to eat. He woke her as gently as he could but she jolted away from him, rolling from the bed and making for a corner. He caught her and held her, soothing her again.

"So many eyes." She sobbed, allowing herself to be held. "So many eyes and I can't get away. They can see what I am. Dirty traitor slut and the eyes they know, they know..." She babbled incoherently until she seemed to notice that he was there. She looked up with a start and whispered "save me from them. They see me. They see what I have done."

"Shhh pet it is alright. I've got you safe here, nobody can get to you while you're here. You're safe from them here. I won't let them touch you. I'll kill anyone that tries."

That last comment seemed to bring her round a bit, she was calmer, and after a few minutes she grew more coherent, and seemed more aware of her surroundings. He carried her back to the bed and fed her from his plate as he ate, numbly accepting what she was offered. 

"Sleep, girl, go to sleep. You're ok, you are safe here." 

"I've lost them all..."

"No, not tonight, we'll talk in the morning, but you have to sleep now. I won't let anyone harm you."

After muttering for a little longer, she drifted off. He was sure she was no threat at all for the evening but collared her to the bed just in case. He managed three more hours of work before falling asleep next to her, wrapping her trembling body in strong limbs.

************************

He woke before dawn, her fidgeting bringing him out of a shallow and troubled sleep.

"Shhhh, it's ok, you're still safe, I've got you." He murmured softly. To his surprise she rolled over to face him, nuzzling into his chest. He held her tight and stroked her hair. Unbidden and no doubt aided by her delicate body pressed so alluringly against his, he felt his trousers grow tighter around his groin. He was still mostly dressed from the night before and was glad of it – now was hardly the time.

The general twisted his hips away from her, holding her against his chest, comforting her as best he could while so distracted, but he longed to be inside her. She was fighting back in her sleep now, trying in vain to wiggle away, squirming and writhing. God this was hot, he wanted her, he wanted to spread her legs and push inside the squeezing warmth.

"Wake up pet, stop it. Be still. If you keep moving like that I'm going to have to fuck you, understand?" Her eyes flickered open, bleary and confused. For a moment her struggles intensified, but she remembered herself and her situation. She was still, but tense and uneasy.

"How are you this morning? Better? You had a fright last night. Do you remember?" She thought for a moment, her mind clouded by sleep.

"I couldn't get away. I can't get away. I'm a whore and they know it. They hate me for it. I have nothing."

"You have me, pretty thing. There's no pain if you are obedient. Be good and you may be comfortable. It is a good life I can offer you here. You must only submit to me."

"Is that all it will cost me? What do you want of me lord."

"Your body, when I desire it and your obedience at all times."

She nodded mutely, accepting his rules for now, biding her time until she had the strength and opportunity to escape him.

His eyes were on her body now, wandering down to her breasts where they emerged from the covers. "Mmmm, what a sweet thing you are. Do you know how your body excites men?"

"I have only ever known you, my lord, no other."

He threw back the sheets and admired all of her, enjoying the curve of her outline as she lay on her side. "That is not what I meant, pretty thing. A body like this has an effect on men. It is a delicious thing. Do you know that? Do you know that you are beautiful? Do you know that most men who see you wish that they could have you in their beds?"

"No lord. I have never considered that others might be attracted to me."

"No man has looked a little longer than perhaps he should? Or told you that he desires you? I struggle to believe it. Stop with this false modesty. Tell me the truth."

"But lord I do not lie! I am a modest creature. No man, aside from you and, before you, Telor, said any such thing. And none looked that I noticed. I am the daughter of a king - chosen by the Spirits of Earth to rule – none looked."

"Your Spirits are false gods and your peasant land is nothing but the newest addition to my holdings. You are mine, and I look now. I look and I see a graceful beauty, narrow and slender, yet curved and womanly, made all the sweeter by the fact that you are mine." His hand was on her, stroking from thigh to waist, fingers taking in every subtle nuance.

"I am sorry lord, I never meant..."

"Why did you never consummate your relationship with the boy?" he cut across. "You were more than of age when you came to me, yet untouched, and innocent."

"We were to be married, lord. When we were married we would have shared a bed, but not before. It is most improper lord. Surely that is true here too?" He ignored this last part and carried on with his line of questioning, still stroking her.

"Did you ever think about it? Did you want to? Did you lust for him, or for another?"

"No, lord, never. I knew too little to desire it. Apprehensive, perhaps. There was no lust, none of the desire I see in you. Beauty of the body is second to the refinement of the mind. We shared words not touch." She noticed that he was no longer listening, but absent mindedly fondling her, his trousers still bulging insistently.

He sighed and pulled away, longing to bury himself in her, but certain that it would be counterproductive. For today he needed he obedience more than her body. He left her without a word, heading to the shower.



A Gilded Cage Ch. 05



I'm glad to hear so many people enjoying the story! It is lovely to hear from you all.

This one is very much a slow-burn type story - I am trying to give hints and glimpses of characters that build into full pictures, but I'm afraid that does make it a little slow.

P.S. If anybody is struggling to envisage his full parade uniform, look up the British Household Cavalry. I walk past them every day on my way to work and they are majestic as fuck.

*****

They breakfasted at his desk as he read through his morning briefings. There was far more unrest in some of the provincial cities than he was comfortable with and he began to make plans in case the local police couldn't keep it under control. Telor and his disk drive were climbing into the foothills of the mountain range to the North. Aerial surveillance showed just a small group accompanying him but the tree canopy was too thick to follow their path for long from the air - he would wait until he met with the others before eliminating that set of nuisances.

He went for a run and sent her to be washed and dressed, insisting that she be allowed a long hot bath to help calm her. She was waiting, seated at his little breakfast table, as he came out of the shower in a towel. Dismissing her guards he stood her up to admire her. By now the things he had had especially tailored for her were arriving from the best dressmakers in the empire and as she currently stood she would put any of the society girls in the capital to shame. He had her in a duck egg blue gown of light satin. It clung to her body, held tight at the waist by grey silk ribbon, skirting over her hips and floating away to pool lightly at her feet, hiding high silver sandals. Her hair was piled in a high bun with long curled locks falling over her shoulders, held by a web of fine silver, scattered with iridescent white stones to match those on her ears and on the bracelets that cleverly concealed the mess on her wrists.

"You are truly beautiful. I believe now that you might have been a queen." He whispered in her ear, kissing her neck with his hands on her waist. "Have you seen yourself? There is a full length mirror in my dressing room." He guided her by the shoulders through a door into another narrow corridor leading to a suite of small but very elegant rooms, all with windows facing over the gardens as his bedroom had. Past his bathroom there was a large dressing room, walls lined with wardrobes.

"If you continue to be good I will have your things brought up here too so you can choose what you wear." He stood her in front of a mahogany framed mirror that nearly reached the picture rail - it must have been at least twelve feet. Standing in front of it, framed by the reflections of trees and fountains and bathed in early morning light she almost robbed him of his powers of thought.

"I'm afraid it has to be full regalia again today. It is far too warm for heavy woollen uniforms but that isn't to be helped." He had turned to a wardrobe and pulled on pants and trousers before he realised she was crying again.

"Come pet, no, you'll spoil your eyes. What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

"I... I should be resisting this not being dressed like a doll. I should be struggling, I should want to fight you, I'm as weak as they say I am..."

"Do you want to fight me? It makes little difference to me but it is easier if you don't."

"Am I to simply sit quietly by your side until I am needed in bed? Is that all I shall do lord? A pretty whore..."

"Would you prefer to fight me so that I lock you up? You would see nobody. Your only human contact would be when I came to fuck you. And I wouldn't bother to help you enjoy it. I will not release you and if I did you would be dead within days. I have complete control over every aspect of your life - if you work with me I will allow you to be happy. Will you be good?"

She nodded, mutely. Becoming passive, cold, and lifeless, numbly accepting his control until she regained the strength to resist him.

"There's my girl. But no, there is no need for you to sit stiffly by my side. When we are home and when I am working you may divert yourself however you like so long as you stay close. There are books, thousands of them, you may borrow them. And I can get hold of anything else you might like. What did you do to amuse yourself before the war?"

She considered this, but saw no harm in telling him. "I used to embroider. It passes the time and makes me feel useful. And I enjoy music - there is never any music here - I played a violin and sang for my father."

"Then I shall send for everything you might possibly need. There are spare rooms here in my private apartments and I shall set one aside for you."

"So that is it" she said softly. "A caged bird to sing on cue..."

"Make the best of it pet. There are many worse situations than this. You might have had to marry that sap of a lad. I dread to think what a chore sleeping with the boy would be, if he could manage it at all. Taking you is man's work. He'd never have satisfied you." He laughed, but for once he didn't sound cruel.

"I will grant you liberties when you behave. And each time you show me that you are good and that you can be trusted I will extend them. Now help me dress - I have meetings all day and I must look presentable for the evening."

She helped him into a delicate cotton shirt and heavy jacket, buttoning it slowly and ensuring all of the tassels of the epaulets lay neatly on his shoulder. She found the task refreshing - something on which she could concentrate rather than dwell on the horrors within. She took his belt and sword, looking curiously.

"Is it real lord?"

"Yes, real enough, and quite sharp."

"Have you ever used it to... have you had to use it to defend yourself?"

"No" he chuckled. "And I doubt I ever will, it is merely a symbol of rank, office and power. I wear a gun if I intend to do any actual fighting."

"And have you... Your empire is expansionist, there is always war, you must have... Oh god I saw you do so yesterday."

"You would not like my work if you knew half of it. But I spent very little time on the front line of battles. I was promoted very fast and am the youngest man of my rank by at least twenty years. But come, I have meetings. They will be long and to you they will be immensely boring, you may choose a book from the library as we pass if you hurry." She chose a delicate, leather bound book on the local flora and fauna, having been advised that it was hardly proper for her to be seen reading from great heavy tomes. 

He was to have lunch with one of the leading political figures in the empire before chairing an involved meeting about counter insurgency strategy: another long day. He was glad to have her beside him - her innocent beauty softening his mood, and reminding him of happier things, long ago.

*************************

"Good god man you always were mad but you've dressed your little slave as a queen." He had arrived to lunch in the private rooms of the city governor and the man gawped at Aneira.

"After dusk tonight she will be, after a fashion. And if a man can't waste money on beautiful things I hardly see the point in having it."

"And what a beautiful thing you have too, Charles. You stole the greatest treasure in that citadel no doubt."

"No doubt indeed, but not stole - she was legally acquired. I even filed the paperwork. Indeed I had her appraised and had the her value and details sent to the military oversight committee and had her officially declared as legitimately acquired spoils of war with a value falling within what my rank allows me to claim. Though her value has since risen rather..."

"Yes, yes, general, yes I believe you. And a very clever thing you did too. Not only is she a beauty, but by tomorrow she will have claim to all the lands you took. As her legally certified owner those lands, titles, and rights transfer to you do they not?" The older man gave a knowing grin as Charles settled himself across the table, standing Aneira behind and to the left of him.

"You are well briefed Sir Henry, but not quite. Her titles do not fall to me. Incongruently, she will technically be both a queen and a slave - though as queen brings no special benefits, equality under the law and all that, she will be queen in name only and still very much a slave."

"There are some very interesting results coming from mining surveys from that valley, certain rare earth metals. Integral to computer chips I am told. You will be a wealthy man, a wealthier one than you already are anyway."

"I have no need of money - I have more than I have a use for." Lunch arrived - Aneira was surprised to see a third place set. Were they expecting further guests?

"I took the liberty of ordering your slave food of her own. My stomach could not take seeing you feed her while we talk business. Do sit down girl, there is no need for such stiff formalities here. Is she allowed cutlery? It would be a shame to make her eat by hand..."

"She has promised to be good. And she knows the consequences of disobedience..."

"Excellent," he spoke almost as he had before but there was a note of discomfort at the threat. "Anyway where was I? Oh yes. I never thought it was the money that you cared about. I have known you since you were crawling and you never showed interest in anything more than you needed to maintain your lifestyle and that is hardly as extravagant as it might be. No you love power. And you, in a few hours' time, will be responsible for granting mining contracts for one of the world's most pivotal resources. And nobody can do a thing about it while you still have a legal claim to the girl."

"Ah, you always were a shrewd old sod."

"You aren't too old for a thrashing yourself." His voice was stern, but all was said with a smile.

"You have missed one thing. There is something I am concerned about. The rights will fall to her eldest son - or daughter if she has none - and that may be a problem. I own her, but not necessarily her children. As you know, if a slave falls pregnant the child belongs to the father if he is a free man or the owner of the father if it is a slave. An old and odd law but still very much binding."

"Well the solution to that is simple and you should be embarrassed not to have thought of it for yourself."

"Oh?"

"For one, do not let any other man touch her, but no doubt you have seen to that. You never did like to share your toys. And put a son in her. If the child is yours then there is no problem."

"Ah, yes very clever. I am embarrassed not to have thought of it. I've been thinking that it was about time to sort out the succession."

They spent the rest of the meal discussing various political matters of concern in the empire but she did not take it in. She had given little thought to motherhood before, other than the unspoken assumption that it was her duty when married. There were never many children in the citadel, but she had liked those there were, so far as they had any interaction. Still, she wasn't exactly comfortable with the idea of carrying his child, perhaps even children. Unbidden, the thought occurred to her that a child would be a better source of security than she had otherwise. It would give her something to do and a focus other than him. She didn't suppose that she had any choice in this any more than she could chose to leave him. She therefore resolved to accept it, noting that she was doing an awful lot of that lately.

They finished their meal and stood to leave, the general thanking their host.

"Oh Charles, before you go, be careful when you bring the girl to court - those jealous things that have clawed their way to the top of high society will scratch her eyes out to spite her beauty."

The general laughed and replied with a grin "I know how to handle society girls."

"Hmm, I hear all sorts of salacious rumours to that effect." He winked before turning to Aneira and saying "Do not worry pretty thing. He is rarely cruel without a cause, you may come to find yourself at peace with your lot and I hope that you might do so."

They returned to the car, a startlingly large security detail falling into step as they left the apartment.

"Did you like him?"

"Very much lord."

"Good. He is my Godfather. I value his opinions highly." He paused as they stepped into the car, Rogers with them as usual.

"He has always advised me well in the past..."

She guessed he was mulling over the conversation about the child, but she would not encourage the idea, so sat mutely, considering what she might do to escape this life. She often thought of escape, but she had lost all real hope. Acceptance was overruling her resistance, but much still remained.

*************************

On leaving the car she nearly ran back into it. Gone was the pleasant mix of baroque and regency facades of townhouses interspersed with neo classical public buildings of the city centre, with its broad streets and extensive parks. Standing alone and towering over all that surrounded it was a work of brutalism that managed to frighten her more than any building should. He took her arm.

"What, you didn't expect the military headquarters of a martial empire to have paintings of kittens on the door did you?" The mountain of bare concrete and steel didn't seem to faze him at all. He took his seat at the head of a large council chamber, already full of men. Eyes followed her. She realised many of these men would have seen her before, had seen her raped as pre-dinner entertainment. She moved closer to him, wondering if she would be expected to stand at his side for the entire meeting. Thankfully Rogers appeared with a cushion which he placed beside the general's chair. She knelt down and tried to ignore the eyes.

He bent down and spoke such that only she could hear him. "Sit, make yourself comfortable, this will be a long meeting." He pulled her book from his trouser pocket and passed it to her. As she settled he rested a hand on her shoulder, a finger lightly stroking her neck. She read and ignored the meeting. Many of the now rebels had been her friends and she certainly didn't want to hear details of their extermination. Then again they had put a price on her head so she washed her hands of the matter. Morality was a luxury she felt she could no longer afford.

They took an early dinner with a few of the other high ranking officers at a table in his office in the building. Again she Rogers brought a cushion and she knelt at his side and was fed without complaint. After dinner he sat to do an hour's work and settled her in a comfortable chair by the window to read.

They were soon interrupted by a knock at the door. Aneira expected another soldier and didn't look up until she heard a woman's voice.

"Charles my dear you never called me after that trouble at yours. I heard you were here and thought I simply must come and see you. I have brought pastries and sweet white wine - I thought we might have a light bite to eat." It was the woman he had brought back from the party, dressed in the most elegant floating silk full of reds and oranges, stopping just short of her knee.

"Not today Sophie I am horrifically busy. Call my diarist and arrange something." He didn't even look up from the screen. Aneira could see she was annoyed and thought the expression made her rather ugly. The woman caught her eye and considered for a few seconds."

"Charles is that the slave you had crawling at your feet?" She demanded. Aneira winced with the memory of it but fought not to show any distress. "And you let her sit on furniture?! Lord knows I've seen Duchesses without gowns close to the thing you've put her in. This is vulgar Charles."

"Oh piss off will you I'm busy."

She gaped at him. "I will ruin your name in society for this. I hope you enjoy your whore."

"You have no capacity to ruin me, but if I get one whiff of you trying I will put photos of you tied naked to my bed on every billboard within fifty miles of the city. Now I've told you to piss of once. If you are still here when I look up I will have you dragged and thrown out."

Aneira watched her go, utterly shocked by his behaviour. She had known him to be cruel, violent, and sadistic even, but rude was a new one. He noticed her looking at him and grinned.

"I alternate between flattering and ignoring these women. It keeps them in my bed but prevents them from trying to marry me. That and I enjoy it. They're more truly whores than you are, pet. Half the court would get on their knees for a sniff of my money, and a fair few have."

With that he went back to work. Aneira wasn't quite sure she believed him that it was a standard method of dealing with her - the look on Sophie's face was shock before it was anger.

********************

After half an hour he got up and rubbed his eyes.

"Right we have to be off. Do I look as bad as I feel?"

"Do you promise you won't beat me if I tell you the truth?"

"Promise."

"A little tired my lord. And your jacket is crumpled."

"The tiredness can't be helped but the jacket can. I need to change. This is a state occasion. I will need your help."

He fiddled with his phone and within a minute Rogers came in with a number of large packages wearing his full dress uniform.

"Right I haven't worn this stuff for years. I'm going to boil in this heat if I don't collapse under the weight." He stripped off his jacket, shirt, and boots, and Rogers handed him a fresh one but this time with a very high collar of stiff white material that would show above any coat. Next came a charcoal grey coat with plain buttons down the front, but heavy embroidery in silver along the collar, cuffs, and tails. To her surprise Rogers next produced a heavily polished steal cuirass with brass inlay all along the elaborate straps at the shoulders. He was holding it in gloved hands so as not to mark it with his fingers.

"Right Aneira I need you to fasten the buckles for me. It should be relatively obvious where everything goes." Rogers closed the two halves of the thing across the general's chest and passed thick leather straps over his shoulder. She buckled it around his waist first making sure that the weight fell on his hips and trunk before fastening each shoulder. Rogers attached the sword to a leather belt.

"That isn't too bad." He said rolling his shoulders and adjusting the weight slightly "not as bad as I remember. I must be stronger than I was five years ago." Rogers helped him with stiff, highly buffed riding boots that reached half way up his thighs. Next there were two bundles and Rogers opened one to reveal a heavy cloak of plain black wool which he draped around his commander, being very careful to lay it correctly on his shoulders so that the collar of the jacket beneath and the decorated straps of the cuirass showed through correctly. He handed the second bundle to Aneira.

"I'm sorry dear it isn't exactly what I'd have you in, but executions of heads of state have rules. We cannot have the daughter of said head of state breaking them now can we?"

She unfolded the bundle to find a black cloak of closely woven silk. Rogers helped her with it as it was heavy and difficult. The bottom hem puddled on the floor and was weighed down further by embroidery in silver thread. It clasped at the shoulder in a heavy broach and overlapped a great deal such that it covered her completely down beyond her torso, falling open to reveal the skirts beneath at her thighs. Rogers then placed a light but very long black veil over her head. It was translucent and hardly hid her, but allowed even more embroidery to tumble across her shoulders, this time in a delicate silver grey. He passed her a fey hair pins but didn't look entirely sure what they did so she pinned it herself.

Rogers opened the last of the bundle to reveal a spectacular helmet, the cheek guards, nose guard and around the eyes was covered in brass inlay and much of the rest heavily engraved. He placed it carefully on his general's head, arranging a red horse tail plume down his shoulders and back.




A Gilded Cage Ch. 05



He stepped back with a smile. "If you'll forgive me for saying so sir it rather hides whatever of looks you had."

"If I could be bothered to move I'd strike you but I can't so I'll have to forgive you." He gave a good natured smile to Rogers, before pulling on heavy leather gloves and picking up a riding crop. He noticed her flinch as he did so.

"Not for you pet, not if you are good." He turned to Rogers "am I done? I don't think we have forgotten anything."

"That's it sir. The men are mustering outside."

He turned to Aneira, a tower of silver and black. "You have been good and it would be wise to stay that way. I will not tolerate the slightest disobedience. If you so much as breathe wrong I'll flog you in front of my men. Do you want that? And that will be nothing to the punishment I'll give you back home."

"I promise, lord, I promise to be good." There was no point in doing otherwise. She hadn't the energy yet. She thought that if she was good for a few days he'd soften on her and she could regain strength enough to resist."

"I think we'll take the lift. The stairs might kill me in this."

As they left the building she was staggered to see five centuries of men in their finest dress uniform and another hundred on horse all with black wool cloaks like the general's but with cuirasses glimmering in the early evening sun from the ranks of the cavalry. Directly in front of them was an open black carriage pulled by four black horses ridden by men dressed very similarly to the general but with less decorated helmets. Rogers pulled out steps and the general helped her in. He mounted his own horse, black and with a steel and brass champron to match his helmet on its brow. She couldn't help but think he looked immensely fine, if more than a little strange and extremely intimidating. Rogers climbed up and sat opposite her, facing away from the direction of travel. The cavalry filed out onto the road, followed by the general and her coach and another smaller contingent on horse. She heard sergeants bellowing orders at the men on foot and they marched. A heavy black carriage pulled by six horses and surrounded by another twenty horsemen appeared and clattered along to join the ranks just before the last group of foot.

Trumpets, horns and heavy drums beat a strong, mournful march, carrying above the clatter of hooves and cartwheels. The world felt heavy and bereft of all its colour. It was growing cold and a little damp in the evening air, but she was sure it wasn't the weather that was freezing her insides. She pulled the cloak tight around her, and fought not to think about what was to come, but she couldn't push it from her mind. Looking up, she caught Rogers eye, unyielding and stern, but not unkind.

"Will it be quick?"

He understood and nodded curtly. He pitied the girl, and had no wish to increase her discomfort.

"Firing squad. Quick and clean. They will not miss." She barely heard him over the noise of horses, boots, and people, but understood enough, and felt a little calmer.

The streets were lined with people and there were people hanging off of balconies and out of windows too. This was clearly not a regular occurrence and there were many curious eyes. They filed out of town towards a vast open space - a semicircle of terraced stone seats and a wide plateau before the land fell away towards the river. The soldiers were amassing on all sides of the plateau, completing the circle. The stone terraces were already full of people with officials seated in the semicircle it enclosed. The general and her carriage continued past the ranks of soldiers into the centre of the space, the heavier carriage and its escort entering from the other side. She could guess who it bore.

The general dismounted and Rogers helped her out of the carriage, guiding her strongly by the arm to stand by his side. He leaned in to speak to her as the crowd settled, a towering menace of steel. "Look around, my pet. Look around you and understand what I am in this world. You could hardly imagine a more powerful protector. Take comfort in my strength, pretty thing, but let it remind you not to cross me."

There was movement opposite, with lines of guards marking a path from the carriage. Two large men dragged a figure from the heavier carriage, parading him for all to see, before dropping him in front of the general.

"King Idwal, you have been formally sentenced to death under the just law of His Imperial Majesty." He was projecting his voice out across the crowds with an extraordinary power of lungs but little apparent effort. "You have been brought here before your execution by his grace alone, in the hope that you might repent. Beside me stands the daughter you have wronged beyond recompense, if you do not have any words for your people or to the mothers of the soldiers who died ending your rebellion, you might at least find it your heart to beg for her forgiveness."

Aneira stood as if stone beside her general. She cried silently as he gently lifted the veil from her face. Camera bulbs flicked for a second then died away. "Daughter I pray that you may be free of his evil corruption. I pray that it is not too late for you to break free of his sorcery. Think not of me tomorrow, but of your future. Find a way out and lead our people in freedom."

Aneira couldn't look at him. She loved him, he had doted on her all her life and she dearly loved her father. But what could she do? She could hardly break him free. Though he was chained, she was no less a prisoner.

"Take him away. He is upsetting the girl. Haven't you hurt her enough old man?" He hissed and the king was dragged back and dropped in front of a thick wall of sandbags. Six men stood in front of him, pointing long rifles at him. The king stood, straight and tall, facing what was to come with what dignity he could muster. He was beyond despair, but for the sake of his daughter he refused to give in to them.

The general leaned in to her again, speaking under his breath. "Do not look away. Be as brave as he. It will be easier on him not to see you in distress in his last moments." Straightening, he lifted his voice again, the terraces of stone amplifying his words for all to hear. "As the sun sets we commend this soul to the heavens, leaving the judgement for his deeds in life to one wiser by far than any of us. Ready men, aim, fire."

The last rays of the sun blazed out as a deafening bang resounded around the arena and a woman's scream carried above it all. Aneira had fallen to her knees and wept. As the lights in the arena flickered on, all eyes were on the general, consoling the new queen. All that could see clearly were in agreement that her mournful beauty was matched only by the great tragic poems. She was carried back to her carriage by the general who mounted quickly and rode by her side rather than behind. That wasn't strictly proper but it was considered to be a fine gesture.

********************

She remembered nothing of the journey back aside from an occasional press of cold steel as he carried her. She had allowed the horror of it all to overwhelm her and felt numb to the world. She was tired, weary of resistance. He was so very strong and she so very weak. But no, she refused to give in to the monster that raped and destroyed. She would stand strong in the face of the inevitable as her father had done. At least she intended to. She wasn't sure she knew how.

He left her alone that night, not willing to distress her further. As much as he liked fucking her he could wait. He was willing to take it, but preferred that she gave herself. He enjoyed her reluctant pleasure. And besides, he was tired, too tired. He placed her on the chaise lounge while he undressed and showered, but she was such a picture of innocent beauty in her sleep when he returned that he could not bear to move her, and collapsed alone in his bed.



A Gilded Cage Ch. 06



The next installment - for your pleasure.

Trigger warning: this chapter gets quite nasty towards the end. I can't say much without spoiling but if it all gets a bit too horrible for you, just skip, and I'll include a summary at the beginning of the next one. I felt it important to include this section, but it is rather grim at times!

*****

She woke up fully dressed on the chaise lounge to find him already working at the small table, with his back to her. It wasn't even dawn yet - had he been to sleep at all? The enormity of it all pressed unbearably upon her. She was alone, aside from him. All she had in the world was the monster that took such pleasure in raping and humiliating her. She wanted to get away from it, for it to be over, but she did not even know where to begin.

She no longer cared. She wanted this over. She didn't care if he did kill her, but she wanted the bastard to suffer. There was a letter opener on the desk. If she could reach it? She stood and walked to him, noticing the coffee pot and litter of cups amongst the paperwork, standing with her back to the desk.

"My lord, what has happened?" She smiled sweetly, her tired eyes meeting his, but her fingers behind her back had found the letter opener.

"What? Oh, you are awake. I'm sorry pet I can't talk now."

She edged closer, lowering her eyes. "There's no need for us to talk, lord. You look so weary and tense. I thought I might help..."

He glanced at the screen of his phone. "Yes, yes I have time. I'd appreciate it. You are being such a good girl this morning." She had slipped the letter opener up her sleeve and the blade rested coldly against the inside of her wrist. It was hardly razor sharp, but she hoped it would do.

She knelt between his legs, her heart pounding, threatening to burst through her chest. As he helped her take off his trousers she kissed and licked, feeling him relax. She didn't really know what she was doing, but thought only of getting close to his most vulnerable places. Still, he seemed to be enjoying her work. She placed her left hand on the shaft as she slid the knife from her right sleeve, her tongue working against the tip of his cock as the blade found the soft flesh of his inner thigh.

All of a sudden he felt cold steel in the most sensitive of places, and froze.

"How long will it take you to bleed out if I cut this artery?"

"Long enough for me to kill you bloody. Don't even think about it."

"I'm more than thinking about it." She pushed the blade, drawing blood. But it was only a letter opener, and with all the force she could muster she wasn't sure it would work. Damn. It was no good. She slid the knife up to his balls. "You'll never hurt me that way again. You'll never hurt another girl. I don't care what it costs me." The blade had found its target and she tensed, ready to push with all her might.

There was fear in his eyes and she savoured it - revenge for all that he had done to her and all that she knew. She had never deliberately caused pain before in all her years, but she was prepared to enjoy this, whatever he did to her afterwards.

A bead of blood ran down the knife, staining her thumb nail, and out of nowhere he sprung, seizing her wrist, twisting it, wrenching it, forcing her arm behind her back as he pushed her to the floor.

"Next time pet, only stop to glory in your victory once you are sure it is in your grasp." He buckled his trousers with his free hand as he spoke. She was very afraid now, but she didn't regret it. She'd try to hurt him at every opportunity she had, regardless of the risk. She hated him more than ever.

"I'll kill you. I'll kill you in your sleep." He gave her a savage kick, and felt a rib crack. "Go on, you monster, beat up a girl half your size. Is that the only way you can feel like a man?" He took the knife from her hand and thought about breaking the wrist before letting her go. She didn't crawl to a corner or under the table, but turned to face him, clutching her side, with fire in her eyes. "Go on. Are you too coward to hit me?"

"You are nothing to me, whore." He hissed every word, spiteful and angry. He seized her throat and dragged her to her feet before bending her backwards across the table. "Be very thankful, cunt, that I am immensely busy today. I'll thrash you until you don't remember what it is not to be in pain." He threw her across the room, landing like a rag doll, choking for air. "I have more important things to be doing today. But I'll be back." He aimed a heavy kick to her thigh. "I'll be back and I'll deal with you." Another struck her shoulder.

He tied her hands and ankles, leaving her bound on the floor, the fight gone from her for the moment, a mess of swollen, bleeding lumps. A few minutes later she heard a helicopter take off and she breathed again, guessing him to be gone.

Strong hands lifted her, but they didn't feel like his, and were far more gentle. "Shit, you're a mess girl. I'm going to help. Don't fight me." It was Rogers. "If I cut you lose do you promise not to cause trouble?"

"What if I tried to kill you too?"

"It would be a stupid way of getting more things broken. I don't want to hurt you, I really don't. I'm not him. Come on girl, let me help you." She relaxed and felt a steel blade - much sharper than hers had been - slice through the ties.

"Rogers! What the hell happened here?!" It was May's voice, and the little woman had run to her side, fussing over her wounds.

"I couldn't tell you. But he's angry. I thought he'd kill her. I'll get her up, you go and run a bath. Come and get me when you are ready." Rogers sat her up, looking immensely concerned. Aneira couldn't meet his eye. She had forgotten how to react to kindness without ulterior motives.

"Why did you do it girl? What possessed you?"

"He destroyed everything. He rapes me. He hurts me. He'll kill more. I have to."

"No, please, don't think like that. If you fight him he will make every day of your life an agony beyond what you can imagine. I know him - I have worked with him for a decade. If he can't have you he will destroy you so thoroughly you won't know yourself. Please, I could not bear to see it happen to you."

"Then stop him. Help me to stop him."

Rogers sighed, looking rather distressed and a little guilty. "I can't. I can't and I wouldn't if I could."

"You are twice his size! You could hurt him like he hurts me."

"No, I couldn't. He's like nobody I've ever sparred with. I don't stand a chance."

"Shoot him. Or give me a gun. Leave one where I can find it. Anything!"

"No." He spoke more firmly now. "He is my commanding officer. He is a brilliant general. My loyalty is to my homeland and I will not do this for you. If you want to hurt him you are on your own. But if you want to survive him, and endure him, then I will help you.

"What have I got to live for? I have nothing. What do I care if he kills me?"

"You must understand. He will not kill you. He will torture you to insanity, use you, hurt you, torment you, until there is nothing left. Please girl, do not anger him, just accept this."

"I cannot. I won't. I will not be his creature to fuck and beat as he pleases."

"Then I am sorry. I cannot help you. But it isn't only you that you need to think about now. You are a queen this morning. You can choose to work with him. You can help them. You can make the difference between mutually beneficial co-operation, with peaceful relations, or him carpet bombing your people."

"My... Would he? What can I... How?"

"Please him. Work with him. Beg him if you must. Forget your own dignity and sacrifice for them. Just try it. Please?"

"I don't know. I hurt all over. I want it to stop. I want to stop him. I want to end him."

"Well you can't. But you can work to soften him. Use your looks and his interest in you to persuade and influence him."

"But he simply takes..."

"Tease. Offer him what he wants. Grow to understand how he thinks. A clever and beautiful woman may learn to have all the control despite an outward appearance of subservience. Learn to use what you possess as a woman."

May returned, and Rogers carried her gently to the bath. When clean and dry, May applied ointments to the cuts and bruises before her and Rogers bound them.

She was carried back to bed, and felt that another hour of sleep to think things through was exactly what she needed, but try as she might, the pain kept her awake, her ribs in particular giving her trouble.

She sat up in bed and turned to Rogers, seeking to take her mind away from her own troubles.

"What has happened? Why did he have so go so early?"

"Civil unrest. One of the cities on the coast is on fire and the riots are spreading."

"Are we safe here?"

"For now, we are. He has declared martial law in the affected cities and is going to restore order. I would not like to be one of the troublemakers right now."

"What is he going to do?"

"He isn't famed for his mercy, though you know that better than most."

"Yes, of course..."

"It is still very early miss, you had better go back to bed. I'll keep watch, don't worry."

"No, I would prefer to get up. Could you call for May so that I can dress?" May arrived and helped her, with Rogers never leaving her.

"He's had your clothes put up with his so let's go and find you something. Your wrists are much better my dear but still ugly. I have never known the lord so concerned as he was when you panicked like that. What on Earth made you cause trouble this morning, silly girl. Rogers and I are both looking out for you, aren't we lad."

"Yes ma'am." If Rogers outranked May in the hierarchy of the household he certainly didn't act like it. He always acted slightly warily around the tiny old woman.

"When the lord's father bought me oh god knows how many years ago I screamed and fought and was really quite a horror. But I soon learned my place. It is much easier if you accept his will with grace. You are a clever girl." May wittered constantly as she brushed her hair and Aneira found the banality of her chat comforting and homely. She spent a great deal of time telling Rogers off for his poor choice of a girl. Aneira remembered that he had been deep in conversation with a young woman at the party.

"She has no hips, man. A girl you intend to marry must have hips or she'll struggle to manage more than two children." Aneira had never really considered that Rogers had a private life.

"Yes ma'am, but she is slight all over, I'd much prefer that to a woman like that Sophie, however high she might be."

"Hmmm." May was clearly unconvinced, passing her things, commenting on this and that and wondering aloud what would best compliment her eyes.

"I think I'd prefer something plain for today, if at all possible. I am in no mood for bright colour."

"Oh of course dear. I had quite forgotten that he had insisted on taking him with him to that morbid thing last night. Not for young girls' eyes. Not for anybody's eyes really but especially not young girls'. How about this? It is plain and light and modest enough given the circumstances." She held out a silver-grey dress. It was a light silk, almost sheer, and laced at the front from waist to bust. It was closer to what she had worn at home than any of the others.

"That is perfect, thank you."

"He has a good eye, the master does, and knows a good dressmaker and quality fabric when he finds them."

She spent the rest of the day reading in the library, but couldn't help but notice that Rogers was getting more and more uneasy. At one point another man came and spoke to him quietly, handing him a gun which he holstered at his hip.

"It isn't going well is it?"

"No miss, not well. He'll get it under control, he always does, but for now it is a little rough."

"Are we safe here?"

"We are only ten miles from the capital, but we are well guarded. Still, he wants you out of here. We are to head away from it all and wait it out with a relative of his who has a stronghold to the West, in the mountains. Come along, we should leave before the trouble gets any closer."

Two cars were waiting outside and they headed off at speed, joined by half a dozen more soldiers.

"He tried to send a helicopter but there were none that could be spared. We cannot go any more heavily armed or in greater numbers than this or we would be noticed."

"What of the rest of the household?"

"Gone miss. I dismissed them this morning. There is a large garrison still though, large enough that the house will not look deserted and nobody should know that you aren't there."

"What is happening, I mean what is causing it. Is the emperor losing control?"

Rogers snorted. "No, this is just a bit of disquiet. It is hot and there are a decent number of revolutionary types who use a bad mood to cause trouble. It happens every year near enough. Bit worse this one but not the worst it has been."

They couldn't have gone more than a mile before there was an almighty bang that shook the car and it rolled to an unsteady halt.

"Fuck. What the hell was that?" Rogers knocked on the partition that separated them from the driver. "What the hell just happened?"

"Tires went sir, the road is littered with traps."

There were gunshots. The car behind them had stopped and the soldiers were clearly under heavy fire.

"Stay here, get in the footwell. Do not move, do not make a sound." And turning to the driver: "if anyone approaches this car other than me, drive as far and as fast as you can."

Rogers edged out of the car, gun in hand, and closed the door behind him. More gunshots, shouting, chaos that she couldn't quite follow, she kept her head down and prayed.

There was gunfire very close to the car now and she heard a man cry out in pain. The driver swore and started the engine. Better to fuck up the rims than lose the girl - better by far. He had barely managed a few hundred yards before trucks pulled up, blocking the road ahead. He tried to swerve around but bullets shattered the windscreen. Aneira was sure she felt them whizzing over her head. The car veered and left the road at speed. She was thrown around, disoriented, trying only to protect her head. She was a crumpled heap by the time it came to rest, bruised and in a lot of pain, but she didn't think anything was broken. She hoped only that nobody would check the car for survivors.

There was silence. Perhaps she wouldn't be found. She was still for what felt like an hour, her heart rate returning to a more normal tempo, but thought she'd give it a while longer before venturing out. Then the worst happened. The car door was wrenched open and she was seen immediately. A large man pounced on her and dragged her from the car despite her terrified struggling.

"I've found someone alive boys, I've got one." He yelled as he dragged her into the road.

"Hold her still Bert, let's see what you've found."

The man holding her pulled her arms behind her back and pushed cold steel towards her throat.

"I like my women warm and struggling, but I'll cut you if you give me cause." She froze.

"Bert you've done good here. I recognise the bitch - that's his whore, the traitor whore daughter of that king."

"I've never fucked anything royal before. I can't wait to get inside this bitch."

"Well wait a little. We have to move. He'll hear of this before long and bring down more firepower than you can imagine. Tie her hands and put her in the truck."

"No! Stop! I'm no traitor! I hate him. Let me go. I'll help you..." A violent smack to the mouth silenced her.

"Shut it, lying whore. Get her in the truck."

Her hands were bound with rough cord that cut into her already sore wrists and she was thrown unceremoniously into the back of one of the trucks, the second man climbing in after. He was tall and broad with ruddy good looks, but the look of unrestrained lust in his eyes filled her with fear.

"I heard you were something, but thought it was just talk. It wasn't though, was it? You really are something." He ripped her dress away from her chest, letting her boobs fall free of it. "Quite something indeed." He grabbed at her breast with one hand and began lifting her skirts with the other.

"No, no please. Please stop." She struggled away as best she could though her aches, fear and disorientation, but he held her easily.

"And just why would I do that?" His hand had found her cunt and he pushed a finger up inside her. She was dry and it hurt and the casual violation brought a tear to her eye.

"Look at the marks on me, he is a violent man. He hurts me and I hate him. Please, please don't hurt me. I'll help you destroy him. I know things about the house and his security."

"Why should I believe a lying slut? You're going to take cock as long as you live, and I don't suppose that will be very long. We do not take kindly to traitorous whores."

"Please no. I'm not a whore. He forces me. Help me escape him!"

He pulled her dress off entirely and ran his hands all over her before roughly rolling her over onto her front, throwing her over some crates that were strapped down in the back of the truck, ignoring her continuing pleas.

"I don't want to see your traitor face - it spoils the mood." He pushed her face into the rough plastic and wrapped strong fingers around her hip. When she felt him press against her entrance she screamed and struggled and begged for him to stop but he laughed and held her steady, pushing himself inside and fucking her as hard as he could.

This was nothing like how the general took her. He paid no attention to her arousal and simply forced his way inside, it was pure pain. She was almost entirely dry and it felt as if he were ripping her inside, it was agony and there was nothing she could do but cry and scream. He finished inside her and rested for half a minute before pulling out and leaving her alone. She crawled to a corner as soon as she had the strength, trying to hide her nakedness with the scraps of her dress.

"I owe your master a quid for the use of his whore, but I hardly think it was worth that much."

"If he ever finds you he'll put a bullet between your eyes."

"If, whore, if. Until then I'll keep track of my debt to him. You any good at sucking dick?" She gave no response, huddled in her corner away from him. "You'd better learn if not. A good cocksucker has a bit of value. It might keep you live an extra day or two. Every man likes lips on his nob even if it is your whore face. Come here and clean my cock whore. You bled on it. I don't want your cunt blood on my cock. Get here whore."

She remained, attempting to back into the space between boxes. He made his way over to her but the truck gave a jolt and he nearly fell. That was all she needed. She edged into the gap, feeling a little safer. At least less exposed.

"Out you get cunt. Don't make me make you." With all of her remaining strength she kicked a lose box at him, catching him in the knee, sending him reeling and cursing. "You'll pay for that, whore." He spat at her before lunging, seizing her arm. In kicking the box away she had let him get her. She wished she had done this better, been quicker, or stronger, but panic had robbed her of her thoughts, and she doubted she could have evaded the brute for long.

He forced her to her knees, and with her hands tied behind her back there wasn't much she could do from here. He slapped her face, pulling her between his legs as he settled on the edge of a crate. He held her nose to his crotch and she almost wretched from the stink of sweat.

"Suck it, whore, suck it and you'll live to see dawn." The horrible thing was hardening, pressing at her lips, streaked with her blood and his cum. He wiped it on her cheek before slapping her hard with the heel of his hand. "Open up and suck, bitch. It is all you are good for. You are just three holes and a pair of tits. Since your tits are barely a handful, your holes had better be entertaining. Now suck." Still she refused, summoning up all her will to defy him, no sense of self-preservation left, no longer caring about the pain. He slapped again and again and didn't stop until her lips parted in a gasp as it stung.




A Gilded Cage Ch. 06



He pushed inside her, thrusting into her mouth, forcing himself into her throat. She was sure she would choke. She couldn't breathe. She struggled and tried to pull away but he held her until she was ready to pass out. "Oh you are a talented little cocksucker. Well, not talented, but fun to fuck. Struggle for me whore, struggle, cry, try to escape. Your pretty little face is for fucking now."

Still holding her onto his cock he turned them round, pinning her head between his hips and the crates, kneeling over her. He fucked her face as he had fucked her cunt, with rough, brutal strokes that gave her no pleasure - if there was any pleasure to be found in such an act. Finishing, he spat ropes of hot, salty fluid onto her face and breasts.

After that he ignored her, until, several hours later, they stopped. He grabbed a bundle of her hair and wrapped his hand in it, pulling the remains of the dress from her before dragging her from the truck. They were in a small, rough campsite, deep into the forest. A dozen or so rebels or bandits or outlaws - she had no idea which but it hardly mattered - emerged from tents and the trucks.

"My friends, the tip off to hit those cars was a good one, and I have brought you all a gift: the general's whore, for your enjoyment."

A gruff cheer came forth from the group and two men dragged her to a post in the middle of the clearing, tying more course rope around it with the other end tight on her neck. It was tight enough to hurt but not to strangle her.

"Who wants first fuck?"

"Looks like you've already had it, unless she had cum all over her before you found her."

"I found her in that car, I claim her arse first. I want to stick my prick in a royal arse and see if it's the same as it is for every other slut I've done."

She struggled and pulled at her ties but it choked her to try. She was horrified at the mere thought of the repulsive act but it didn't look like she was going to have a choice. A man took each arm and held her down in the dirt while another lifted her hips. Bert spat on his hand and stroked his cock with it, waving it at her.

"This is going in your arse girly, because you are a traitor and a whore, but mostly because I want to."

He wasn't as long as the general, not nearly, but he was much thicker. It was an ugly, squat thing, and she couldn't imagine ever managing to fit it in. He disappeared from her view and she felt hands spreading her cheeks and then a hard, insistent pressing, growing and hurting unbelievably. He grabbed her hips and thrust in, the tip popping inside. The ring of muscle screamed and burned and she screamed too, begging him to stop but he just held her hips tighter and began pushing forwards steadily.

"Will someone shut that whore up? Give her something else to occupy her throat other than this fucking hollering."

Her arse was on fire. He was beginning to move now, slowly building up the pace, slapping her arse as he did so. A man grabbed her hair and lifted her face to meet his already stiff cock. She closed her mouth and held it shut but the man behind her gave a particularly violent thrust and as she opened her mouth to cry out she had it filled by the man in front. He tasted sour and sweaty and thrust roughly into her throat, making her gag and retch

After an impossibly long period of time the man in her arse finished and left but was soon replaced by another - this time in her pussy which, though still horrific, was at least not agonising. The man using her mouth finished soon after but was replaced almost instantly. She lost track after that. She was kicked and hit by a few of the men and they all used her at least once. At last they all seemed content and went to their tents leaving her where she lay.

There was not a part of her that didn't hurt. Her arse was particularly bad but it was the places on her ribs where she had been kicked that were the worst. She was sticky with blood and cum, many of the men having chosen to come on her rather than inside her. As she lay there a small part of her wished she would die before sun-up rather than spend another day like this. 

******************

She must eventually have drifted off and was woken by a man all in black who had rolled her over. "Thank god" he whispered, and then turning to his colleagues - for there were more emerging from the shadow of the trees - he hissed "She's alive, just. I'll take her, can you lot manage the others." There were nods and the men crept forwards, guns at the ready. The first man cut the ropes and whispered in her ear: "please, don't make a sound. You're safe, I'm taking you back." Dimly she thought that she was only going from one form of captivity to another, but she was returning to an infinitely preferable cage.

He carried her into the woods for ten minutes or so before they were met by more people including a medic who deemed her hurt, in shock, but not in any immediate danger. They wrapped her in blankets and put her on a stretcher to carry her to the road. There they met the forward command, the general, in agitated conversation with one of his officers. He saw the arrival of the little group and almost ran to meet them. He demanded an immediate update and seemed reassured until he caught site of her. From what he could see from under the blankets she looked terrible.

He was filled with a fury he hadn't felt in years though showed no sign of it. He wanted to kill everyone who had a hand in this but he needed information from them. They had known that she was being moved and that meant he had a problem. Worse, far worse, the order had not come from him. Somebody had arranged for the orders to reach his estate, apparently from him, and then arranged for this and all while he was distracted six hundred miles away. There was more to this and he would find out one way or another. There was one thing to be thankful for in all this: they clearly did not know she had a tracking device. This oversight had probably saved her life and he would make it cost them theirs.

The message came through that it was all clear - all of the offenders had been captured or shot - and at that he allowed the air ambulance to take her away under the heaviest guard he could spare. He was guided through the woods to the clearing where he found eleven men bound on the ground and three dead. None of his own were hurt and he should hope not, these were the elite of the elite and this was a trivial mission for them.

He turned to the men on the floor and sneered. "It is taking all of my willpower not to have you all executed now, but a quick death would be far too good for you all. You will be allowed to die when you have told me all you know. But first, let us render you all incapable of such barbarism. Castrate them all." The men looked beyond horrified. This had been a simple job, none of this was supposed to have happened. They were told if they hit the cars they'd find something valuable. Nothing was said of royally pissing off the head of an almighty army who had very little accountability to anyone and was known for his violent and ruthless cruelty.

"Sir no, we'll tell you everything, please no, there's no need. We meant no harm to you, it was just a job sir."

"Oh you'll tell me everything anyway. You are all heading to the deepest cellars of the army hq in the capital. But this is just a small compensation for the damage you did to my property." He waited until it was done then left quickly, his own helicopter following the air ambulance.

*******************

They landed at a small private hospital far outside any major cities and he hurried inside. An elderly doctor met him at reception.

"Ah, General, I heard you land."

"Give me the worst, doctor"

"Three broken ribs, a lot of bruising, she has been raped a number of times and there are lacerations around both the rectum and vagina. In short, she's a mess, but it isn't anything that won't heal. Major Rogers is awake and talking if you would like to speak to him?" The general felt a substantial dose of guilt that some of the damage had been him.

"Yes, where is he? I'll find my own way."

Rogers was sitting up in bed but looked rather worse for wear. "Major, you look better than I might have imagined. Can you tell me what happened?"

"It was only a few bullets sir and they didn't hit anything I can't regrow or live without. I'm only sorry that they took me out of action."

"Entirely forgiven. From the security footage we have managed to pull from the cars you did as much as you could. But are you able to tell me what happened?"

"Yes, I can give you a full account now sir. Just after 3pm we received word from you that the girl was to be moved and that we were to keep quiet about it and not take too many men. We were given a route and direction and we set to it at once sir. We were driving less than five minutes before we hit traps in the road that burst our tires. The men jumped out of the car behind ready to clear the way and take us back to the house in that car since it had managed to stop before the traps. There was a lot of gunfire - they were ambushed it seems sir - and they all went down, taking a few of the enemy with them. I didn't want to leave the girl but told the driver to carry on as best he could and put in a bit of distance if things went worse. I managed to take out a few using the car as cover but there were a lot of them and they flanked me. As I went down I saw the car speed off but blacked out for a bit after that. I called you when I came round and you know it from there."

"Thank you Rogers that confirms what I suspected. The message however did not come from me. We have a problem."

"Shit. I should have checked sir. This all could have been prevented."

"Nonsense Rogers, you had no reason to query it. Rest and recover and look forward to whatever commendation for bravery I can find for you."

"Thank you sir." Then remembering something suddenly: "did you recover the girl?"

"Yes." His tone was that of concern and distress - something Rogers found very strange coming from his commanding officer.

"That bad?"

"They were rather rough with her. They will regret it for the remainder of their short, painful existences."

"That's some comfort at least."

"The best I can do. Now get to sleep."

"Sir, if you don't mind, that may be wise for you too. You look like you need it."

The general smiled and left. He did need sleep, he was barely standing. There was a door ahead flanked by two sentries and he could guess who was inside. After kissing her gently and having a flick through her chart he settled himself in an arm chair by her bed to catch a few hours of sleep.

He was woken by a noise and found that she was tossing and turning violently in her sleep, muttering in panic, in the grip of a nightmare. He took her hand and squeezed it, cradling her head to his chest.

"Shhhhhh, pet, only a dream. You're safe now, I've got you." Her eyes flickered open and she met his gaze.

"They said it was because a traitor. I am a traitor. I'm your traitor whore just as they said."

"You could not help but yield to me and it would have destroyed you to have resisted further. You fought respectably and gave in only when you had no hope of success. That is not my definition of traitorous."

She didn't appear to be listening and he doubted she had taken in anything he had said. Once she had drifted off back to sleep he went to find her doctor.

"When can she be taken home?"

"In the morning, though you may prefer to keep a nurse with her for a day or two. Have her rest and keep her clam. I'm afraid a physical recovery may be far easier than a psychological one, but I recommend you some excellent specialists in that field."

"Thank you doctor, would you forward a list to my office? I will require one of your nurses for three days and will cover triple what their wages would have cost you so that you can find a replacement. I will have a helicopter here at first light - would you have her ready to be moved?"

"Yes, it will all be arranged. A nurse will fly out with you."



A Gilded Cage Ch. 07



After this Chapter there will, I'm afraid, be a bit of a wait until the next. I am away with work for some time. Expect the next around the 15th.

For those that skipped the latter part of the previous chapter, I have, as promised, included a brief summary. 

*****

Aneira was taken from a convoy of cars by a gang of mercenaries. Rogers was shot in the ambush but survived. Aneira was badly beaten, raped, and basically left for dead. Through her tracking chip the general found and rescued her, flying her out to hospital, and taking the mercenaries prisoner. He is immensely concerned for her.

*********

Aneira woke in a deep comfortable bed in a modest but well-proportioned room. From her bed she could see the tops of trees in the garden and felt quite at home. That was until she tried to sit up. A stab of pain shot from her ribs and she gave an involuntary gasp. A young woman hurried in at the sound, all in white except for the red cross embroidered on the top of her apron.

"Miss you must not get out of bed today. What do you need? I will get it for you."

"No, nothing, who are you?" She wasn't entirely sure what was going on, her head hurt and she was very sore between her legs.

"I'm Beth. General Berkeley instructed me to care for you until you are well enough. How do you feel?"

"Sore, I ache, and I am a little confused."

"Sore and achey I can help with, so long as you promise not to move too much. You have some sutures down below." The woman smiled softly and took her hand, saying: "I'm sorry miss... I saw you when you were brought in... I can't imagine what you've gone through."

Aneira didn't want to imagine it, so changed the subject.

"Is the general at home?"

"He said he'd be back before supper, but he is a busy man, and a fine looking lord miss, you've had a bit of luck there."

"The man took me from my home, raped me in front of half the army, had my former lover tortured, and most recently had my father shot in front of me. Oh and not to mention that half of the marks on me where him. A fine lord indeed."

"I'm so sorry miss I had no idea. I just assumed with him putting you up in such a fine manner and the way he worried for you, that you were close."

"I am his favourite toy, a songbird in a gilded cage."

"There are worse lives miss. You'll never want for anything. Oh that reminds me, he said when you woke you were to be given this."

She passed a delicate dress of a soft green silk like the colour of apple buds with emerald satin ribbon trim. There was a parcel full of thread, scissors, needles, sewing hoops, tape measures, and everything else she might need.

"He says that the bodice is a little plain and could do with a little attention. If I might be so bold miss, I'd be inclined to use this silver and the white along with this bundle of greens."

"I would have to agree with you Beth. Perhaps you are right, he is not entirely unpleasant."

By the time he had returned she had dropped off to sleep and the nurse met him at the door so as not to wake her.

"She woke up for a few hours and ate a bit and sewed. She talked, but she is rather melancholy. Would you have me wake her up, lord?"

"No, no don't disturb her. You must be exhausted yourself. My staff are eating near the kitchens and you would be welcome to join them, then my housekeeper will show you to a room she has made up. Davies will show you the way."

"Yes, that is very much appreciated lord. I will keep my phone on all night so you can call me if there is any change, but I don't think it is likely."

As soon as she was out of sight and after having a quick check on Aneira, he collapsed onto his bed. He needed an hour before supper with his godfather. Well, he needed a week, but an hour would have to do.

"So you are only human after all Charles. Your butler let me in and brought supper. No wonder the man was unwilling to let me come straight in. Are you getting up?"

"What, oh god, sorry, it has been a very long few days."

"Not to worry, I have heard only half and even that would have exhausted me."

They sat to dinner, the general drinking coffee rather than wine, his work for the evening far from finished.

"So, Charles, fill me in. You were called to restore order to the coastal cities and it all went wrong from there. And that business with the girl..."

"Yes, I was called in by the city governors who said they had lost control of the situation and needed the army. By the time I got there it had calmed down almost entirely - the troops I had in the area had been able to get a hold of it almost as soon as I arrived. There were fires, a bit of looting, some people shot, but it was only really known trouble makers involved and the last of them were being rounded up as I arrived."

"That is very odd indeed. From the news that was reaching the capital, from official sources mind, not sensationalist gossipmongers, there was an utter bloodbath."

"There was a great deal of smoke, noise, chaos, and panic but very little actual trouble."

"That was a lot of effort to go to just to get you away from the capital."

"My thoughts exactly. I didn't understand the point of it all until I got the call about the girl."

"How is she?" The older man cut across. "I heard rumours but..."

"Worse. She was taken from the convoy by a group of mercenaries. From what we have got out of them they were hired to kill her but thought they'd have a little fun first. They raped her. The bastards took her every way they could think of for hours. I'll kill them all for that."

"You have a funny sense of honour, you are hardly innocent on that front."

"That was different" he snapped. "I never treated her like that. I never hurt her more than I had to and rewarded obedience with kindness and freedoms. They abused her despicably."

"She is terrified of you and yet entirely reliant on you. But you know my thoughts on the matter and there is no use going over old arguments. Will she recover?"

"Physically there is not a great deal wrong with her other than being rather beaten up. I'll see she gets the best care available."

"How did this happen? Why was she moved? I know a fraction of the measures in place here - it is a fortress."

"Now that is the real concern. I never gave the order."

"What!?" He choked on his mouthful of food.

"I know. I don't know how it happened though it is being looked in to. Communications network infiltration of some kind but I'm no tech. But I have ideas about who."

"So it was set up? The attack on the cars was no accident?"

"Well planned. The cars were immobilised and hit from all sides. Rogers took a lot of fire." A look of concern crossed the old man's face. "He'll survive. But it wasn't as well planned as it needed to have been. They failed to realise that I would have the girl tracked and underestimated the speed of my movements. I had special forces recover her and take the mercenaries alive, mostly. They have told everything they know, having no real loyalty to their paymasters. They are crude and unprofessional. Someone messed up there."

"You said you had an idea about who?"

"Yes. I've been tracking that boy who broke in here. I had assumed that the small group of resistance fighters from that backwater were working alone but it seems not. They reported back to handlers at a meet that I know the emperor's own agents regularly use. I had intended to use him to find the main rebel stronghold and obliterate it but this was better. On the off chance that it was something interesting I had the area gassed."

"That was overkill and repulsive."

"It was neither. My men suited up and trawled the place. They found a camp with most of the small group of resistance fighters that had escaped and a few that helped them along with four imperial agents. The documents they were carrying are being analysed now but I know enough."

"The emperor's men sent her rescuers and were presumably there to pick up the disk drive that you had allowed to be stolen. And then, I am guessing, had you fly out of the city before making another attempt on the girl. But why?"

"Can you not guess? If she dies without an heir the mining rights fall to the emperor. My position is weakened to his gain."

Understanding dawned. "And with them you are a direct rival for his power. You are popular and yet feared. You control the army and now with the girl you have a great deal of leverage over a number of major corporations. The emperor is a sickly boy. Charles the boy is trying to destroy you. It is a good thing that he is inept and ill-counselled or you may have suffered a serious blow already.

"How do I combat it without making an obvious play for power?"

"Consolidate what you have. The girl is popular - bring her out in society as soon as you can and get your personal approval ratings on side. Start talks with the mining industry at once and work with their PR departments to spin that the new ventures will drastically reduce unemployment. Then we wait. The next time there is trouble in the city I will have my agents aggravate it and call you in. Declare martial law and barricade the boy in his palace for his own protection."

"Old man you have not lost your touch."

"Not quite yet. Right, I must be off. Make sure the girl eats - she'll need it to recover. Oh, hang on, one more thing before I leave. Satisfy an old man's curiosity Charles. What is the girl to you? You seem rather taken with her."

"She frustrates me. There is something alluring in her aside from the beauty. I want her for my own."

"Careful not to hold on so tight she snaps. Be gentle with her - she is scared and vulnerable. Promise me you won't hurt the girl?"

"I'll be gentle while she recovers. But you must understand that I cannot tolerate disobedience from a slave."

"Why her? What made you take her? Did you know who she was?"

The general sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I don't know. She was pretty and I wanted her. I had a good idea who she was, yes. The emperor started that war on a whim and I saw an opportunity. I made his victory mine and caught myself a little bonus."

"Hmmm, it all seems very convenient, but if you insist on concealing things from me then I trust that you have your reasons. Goodbye Charles."

The general sent up for tea and a light supper, sitting to mull over Sir Henry's words as he waited. He would be kind to the girl unless she made things difficult for him. He hoped that she wouldn't. The sense that he had failed in his duty to protect the girl was agonising, and he would make up for it as best he could. Perhaps this might produce better results with her behaviour which he had noticed was becoming troublingly erratic, a problem he feared would be worse now unless he worked to ground and reassure the poor creature.

Supper arrived and he took it through himself - not wanting to overwhelm the girl with too many people. He slipped into her room, drew the curtains and flicked on low lamps.

"Wake up pet, shhh, it's ok, it is just me." She woke with a jerk and looked frightened, gasping and holding her ribs as she tried to move. She saw him and took fright, edging away from him. "Please, don't be afraid, keep still or you'll hurt yourself. Shall I help you sit up? I've brought tea and a light supper."

"Get away from me. Or do you intend to beat me again?"

"No no, shhh pet, shhhhh. You've suffered enough. I'm not going to hurt you. I failed to protect you and I am sorry for that, my dear, I really am. This should never have happened."

"Why? Because only you are allowed to beat and rape me?"

"Bluntly, yes. But I don't treat you like that. I am kind to you unless you provoke me. Might I remind you that you held a knife to my cock? But it doesn't matter, I will not punish you for that. You really have suffered enough."

She was in pain, and very weary of him, but felt in no immediate danger. Indeed, having experienced life outside of his protection she thought of him as a lesser evil, but an evil nonetheless.

"What do you want with me?"

"Only to see you well again. And when you are well, I shall expect obedience, as before. Nothing has changed. You are mine, pretty thing. But for now I wish only for you to recover, since it was my failure to protect my own that allowed this to happen. I have supper here for you. You must be hungry. Would you like some?"

She relented. She had never known him to be in a mood like this, full of concern and pity. "Thank you, yes please." He lifted her shoulders gently, supporting her back, and propped her up on pillows. His fingers lingered for a few moments before he withdrew and sat on the end of the bed.

"Comfortable?"

"As much as I can be."

"I see you have started sewing?"

"Yes, thank you for sending that. It helps take my mind off of... other things."

"They will never trouble you again. Now come, you must eat or you'll fade away. I will need your company this week, I have a lot of very boring work to do."

"My company lord?" She edged away.

"Not like that. You will have time to heal before I ask that of you again." So he would ask it and she didn't suppose he would tolerate refusal. "I would just like your company. I would like you to join me for meals and talk. When you are well I would enjoy your company as I go about my work."

"I'm sure I can manage that. I feel safer with you than in the house alone." He took her hand and squeezed.

"It will never happen again. Those men will never trouble anyone, and I will see to those that sent them." He let go putting a pastry in her hand and turning to pour tea. She ate but with no real enjoyment. She felt drained and empty, confused by the comfort she felt at his warm touch but there was a lingering disgust there too, disgust with herself for finding comfort in it as much as her repulsion of her captor.

Aneira stared straight ahead, anxious and confused, fearful of everything around her, and craving the familiar and the consistent. He took her hand and held it in silence, squeezing her fingers. She fought with her mind, struggling between her fear of being alone, without protection, and with her hatred of him.

Coming to a decision of sorts, she closed her fingers around his and me his eye before speaking. "Lord, would you stay here tonight? Please don't leave." His presence was the only thing that made her sure she was safe and, though the idea repulsed her, he was certainly able to give a measure of physical protection. She wanted this more than she wanted him gone - the anxious need for security had overruled her loathing.

He looked a little confused at her request, but smiled and nodded. "Yes I will stay. It is a good job I had these deep arm chairs moved in here, I know I can sleep in those."

"No lord, next to me if you would. When you hold me I am able to tell myself not to be afraid and I know I am protected." He looked even more confused at that but sat next to her on the bed and joined her for tea. They talked little, a stilted and awkward conversation, but both appreciated the company. Eventually they settled down and he helped her to lay flat on her back with the minimum of discomfort. He rested close to her, bodies touching but separated by layers of fabric, an arm wrapped around her upper body and his head resting in the folds of her hair.

She turned to face away from him, unable to bear the sight of the brute she so despised. But she couldn't deny that his presence brought her comfort. The general was a known evil and, though no less terrible a presence than the others had been, he behaved in a way she was beginning to understand. She believed him when he said that he would protect her and when he told her that he wouldn't hurt her if she behaved. She determined to be good and please him as best she could, but not to let go of her hatred for him.

********************

She woke to find herself trapped in strong arms, the general's breath falling hot on her neck as he slept. Her head was clearer this morning. With him beside her she had slept uneventfully, with no nightmares screaming through the peace. She hated that she found comfort in such a demon.

The nurse came in and opened the curtains. She gave quite a start when she saw them both, General Berkeley waking with a start at the sudden brightness.

"Heavens lord I didn't see you there, shall I close them and come back later?"

"No, carry on," he yawned, stretched and looked at his watch. "I've slept longer than I should have already." He turned to Aneira and kissed her forehead. "I'll see you tonight. And I want you out of this bed tomorrow even if it is only for a few hours. I will not tolerate you lying about feeling sorry for yourself." His tone was soft but stern, but he smiled before he left.

"How is the pain today miss? May I have a look at your ribs and see how they are healing?"

"Yes, please, go ahead." The nurse pulled back the bed clothes and lifted the light nightgown to reveal an ugly bruise. "It hurts to breathe deeply and it is rather uncomfortable, but far better than it was."

"That's healing very well. The wonders of modern medicine eh? This sort of thing would take six weeks to heal on its own but you should be alright by tomorrow, just bruised. Your lord spared no expense on you miss - nobody usually gives bone knitting injections for minor injuries like this, they are usually just for broken spines and injured soldiers who are needed again in a few days." Aneira didn't really want to hear any more about the general's 'generosity'. She still intended to escape or get back at him when there was an opportunity, but for at least a few days now she would have to play along.

"How long will it be uncomfortable to move? Will I be alright to walk around a little today?"

"Later today perhaps. It will still hurt with all of that bruising, but it won't do you any damage. I'm going to need to look at the rest to see if you're healing miss. I'll be gentle, and it won't take long. Can you put your ankles together and let your knees fall apart?" She did so, wincing with every movement.

"Oh much better. It's all looking very much improved and the bruising on your thighs is less too. You are doing much better than I would have thought." They breakfasted and then May came to help her to her bath. The walk was not too bad but the water stung and she cried out a little. The young nurse and May seemed to have become quite close after such a short time and were chatting amiably. Aneira enjoyed the company and though she did not join the discussion it was pleasant to hear. May brushed her hair and pulled it all into a simple braid on the advice of Beth so that it would not mat while she was in bed.

Once she was back in her room and sat up with her new sewing things Aneira felt rather better. She felt much better for the bath: though she must have been washed at the hospital, it was nothing on the deep warmth of soapy water. Her mind was clearer too, less dark and fixated on past horrors. The general was showing her a great deal of kindness all the while she behaved in a way he considered acceptable and she was no longer terrified by the notion of being his possession. If she was to be a caged bird she would at least live comfortably. There was even a niggle that half looked forward to the prospect of children - she had always wanted them after all and sharing her body with him was not nearly as bad as it might be. Her mind flashed to the terror and pain of the men that had kidnapped her but she forced it to turn aside and though that the general really wasn't as bad as some and that would have to do.

"Beth" she called over her sewing.

"Yes miss? Do you need anything?"

"After lunch I think I would like to sit in the library and read. This room is very beautiful but I would like to get out of it for a few hours."




A Gilded Cage Ch. 07



"That sounds very sensible miss, but you must tell me if you grow too weary as you are still supposed to be resting."

"I will sit and read and rest, don't worry."

That was how he found her. She was curled up in an armchair, a light shawl around her shoulders, with her nose in a book. He had not expected her up and about nearly so soon and felt quite relieved.

"You look almost yourself again pet." She jumped, but less than usual, and her face softened to a smile. "I brought you some company - I am told it is the done thing." He brought a hand from behind his back and passed her a small basket. "I thought if you had something to occupy your mind and had a little comfort while I wasn't here..."

She moved the woollen blanket that topped the basket aside and was surprised to hear a soft mew. She reached in and found a small tabby kitten, with big blue eyes and paws that looked far too big for the rest of it.

"It is very kind of you lord." She looked quite touched, and continued: "there were cats in the citadel and I always did like them."

"Good. Would you like to bring him through to my room and join me for supper?"

She set down her book and put the kitten back in his basket, letting him settle into the warm fabric before trying to stand."

"Let me." He took her upper arm very strongly and helped her to her feet.

He settled her in an armchair in his room and lit a fire in the little hearth beside her. The kitten mewed lightly and nuzzled into the folds of the woollen shawl, padding and suckling as he drifted off to sleep.

The general looked weary as he drew up a chair next to her, his laptop on his knees, staring intently at the screen.

"My lord, I know it is hardly my place, but may I help?" This offer was unlikely to do any harm and might at the very least endear her to him and she rather wanted to know what was going on outside the estate. Asking him lots of questions about it was a sure fire way to annoy him but she hoped she could learn a lot from helping with small matters. More than that she thought about what Rogers had said. She wanted to help her people, and could not do that without knowing what was going on.

"Help? What do you mean?"

"I used to help my father with matters of court. Sometimes he would talk about things to me and ask me if I thought any assumptions he was making were reasonable or perhaps ask the character of someone whom I knew better. I wrote his letters sometimes when he was tired and other times he just liked company as he worked."

"I'm not sure there is much you can do for me today, but tomorrow it would be appreciated. I need a thorough grasp of the situation in your country and any local knowledge you could provide would be appreciated." It was odd that she would offer to help him. Was she playing him? Or was she simply attempting to make the best of her life here?

"I will tell you what I can. But lord, you look weary and tense. Are there not other things I might do?" Her eyes strayed down, looking past the laptop.

"As much as I'd love to fuck you, you are hardly recovered. It would cause you nothing but pain and I have no intention of hurting you when you do not deserve it."

"Yes, lord, but there are other places men like to use..." Her lips were gently parted, soft and round and full. What was she playing at? Bugger it, whatever her game he was happy to let her play this one. He set his laptop aside and edged forwards in his chair. She was thinking of the things the man in the truck had said, allowing them to play in her mind. She needed to be at peace with the general while she recovered, and hadn't she been told that this was the surest way to please him?

"That would help. But I won't take it like those brutes in the forest did. Get on your knees." She nervously slid the kitten off her lap into the corner of the chair and, with his help, knelt down in front of him, her aches complaining, but not unbearable. He was going to take her again sooner or later and she would prefer it was on her terms. Looking up she caught the lust in his gaze, but it no longer frightened her.

"Promise you don't have a knife on you this time?"

"I promise lord. I haven't the strength to fight you today, even if I did want to."

"Good girl, you are learning." He stroked her hair as he spoke. "Are you sure you want to pet? I won't make you do anything so soon after..."

"I'm sure. I exist here for your use after all."

"Mmmmm yes my pretty whore you are mine. But I look after my things and have no use for a broken toy. But if you are sure then I suppose I had better teach you how I like it. Not all men want to thrust it down your throat so you can't breathe; I enjoy a woman who knows how to worship my cock."

Aneira placed a hand on each of his thighs, sliding between them and up his legs. She looked up at him to watch how he reacted and saw his lust intensify. He unbuttoned his trousers and slid them off, lifting slightly from the chair to allow her to slide down his pants. His cock sprang free as she did so, standing hard and rigid. She had never paid such attention to it so close up before - the last time she had been between his legs she had been far too nervous - and she struggled to imagine how something so ugly could bring her such pleasure. It was long and thick, the tip emerging as he hardened.

"Someone has woken up, and who can blame the fellow." He chuckled and caressed her, drawing her in closer. "I think you had better kiss him to say hello." A funny request she thought but she did so, gently placing her lips on the very tip and kissing. He felt warm and the skin was smooth beneath her lips. He gave a moan and ran a hand through her hair so she continued.

"Use your tongue. Explore every inch and see what feels good for me. I want you to know my body as well as I do. Take your time." As he said this, her tongue found the little cord of skin on the underside of the tip and flicked across. He let out an involuntary groan and tightened his grip on her hair. "Mmmhh there is good, I like you there." She stayed for a few seconds before running her tongue down his shaft in long, sloppy licks.

Her eyes fell on the little sacks of skin beneath and she considered them for a moment before bending down further to kiss one. "I like you even better there, suck, not to hard, and be careful with your teeth!" She brought her lips to the wrinkled skin, cupping them lightly in her hand, and sucked on each in turn, rolling them between her lips.

"Oh that is something" he purred. "But slow down, I'll be done in no time if you carry on like that. Take me into your mouth, pet. Not too deep, your throat must be sore still and I won't try that tonight. Here, give me your hand." She raised her right from his thigh as she wrapped her soft, plump lips around his tip. He took her hand and placed it at the base of his cock, and she wrapped her fingers round. "A little tighter than that, ahhh, mm god that's it. Move your hand and your mouth along and suck my cock."

She could see that there was a real art to this and it would definitely take some practice. She worked her tongue along the tip of his cock as he had liked and sucked, bobbing her head into his lap, guided, but not pushed, by the hand in her hair.

He sat back to watch her work. Heavens this felt good. She was hardly a practiced whore but that hot wet mouth so hungry for him, such a dextrous tongue, and an innocent, anxious look as her eyes met his, wanting to know if she was doing well.

"You look even more beautiful with me between your lips. Keep going, my pet, you feel incredible. Take my balls in your other hand. "He groaned again and rolled his hips a little. With his hand in her hair he guided her deeper and with faster movements but did not push too deep. He knew she wouldn't be able to maintain this much longer so made no effort to hold back the floods of cum when they came. Her little look of shock was delicious but she swallowed what she could, her tongue still at work as she sucked his balls dry. That was the release he had craved and he closed his eyes, feeling warm and spent.

When he opened them a minute later she was still kneeling there, looking up at him, a dribble of cum at the corner of that pretty mouth. He wiped it away with a finger and then offered it to her. To his surprise she needed no instruction and licked before sucking his finger clean.

"Did that help, lord?"

"Immensely, pretty dove." He rested her head against his thigh and stroked her hair for a while, unwilling to move and dislodge the warm glow, but his rumbling stomach was becoming a distraction. "Would you join me for supper or have I fed you enough?" There was a glint in his eyes but far softer than his usual cruelty. Was he making a joke?

"Thank you, but I am not quite full yet, I would certainly appreciate supper."

"Not full yet? I'd love to sate your appetite further. Do you want me to?"

She considered for a moment. "I wish that I were able, but I'm afraid I may need a few more days." The thought of him inside her excited her despite all that had happened and she already felt a warmth and wetness growing. This reaction to him confused her, but she no longer thought of it as her body betraying her - she thought that enjoying him was far the best course of action. She was sure she ought to be repulsed by all thoughts of men and sex, and felt guilty, dirty even, for wanting it, but this was different, she was offering, she was giving herself on her terms.

"No, I wouldn't risk it, however much I want to. I was told to wait a week for you to heal physically, though you are showing yourself to be far more mentally robust than anyone might have expected." He stood and redressed, fiddling with his phone to order dinner. "You are turning out to have been well worth the effort in breaking the rebellion out of you." This made her wince slightly. He had broken her. She had no energy to fight him and didn't see what could be gained. Surely she should have had the courage to fight him for longer, to make things difficult for the man who had destroyed her home. She told herself that she would resist when she could.

"No, none of that thought now." She was sure the bastard could read her mind. "If you tried to fight me now I'd destroy you. I'd lock you in with unrelenting noise and light - since you liked that so much last time. Half an hour nearly broke your mind, but I'd put you away for days." He twisted his fingers through her hair and lifted head to look at him. "While you are dutiful and submissive you will be allowed freedoms and comforts, and you may keep your mind your own. Do not forget that it can be broken as easily as your body."

"No lord, I am sorry. I will be good."

"I know you will, pet." He smiled and rested her head back against his thigh, playing with her hair as he read from his phone.

She didn't doubt for a moment that he would do it. For the moment it suited him to have her sane and well, but he only needed to keep her. He was warm and kind while she submitted to his will. There was no question in her mind that he could destroy her utterly and still keep everything he needed from her, so she resolved not to push him on the matter and nuzzled into the soft wool of his trousers. Fighting him now would gain nothing and perhaps lose everything. She resolved to bide her time.

The kitten woke up and looked gingerly over the vast cliff that was the edge of the chair. With a soft thump and a blur of silver and grey, the little thing landed without much grace but seemed pleased with its bravery.

"Puss," she cooed and made delicate chirping sounds like those of birds in hedgerows. "Come here puss."

"A pretty pussy for my pretty pussy to play with" he chuckled, but let go of her hair so she could fetch the animal. Kitten's eyes found the draw strings dangling at the edge of her nightgown and followed their movements intently with large blue eyes, tensing its muscles and crouching, ready to spring, but was startled by the knock on the door and dashed under the armchair to hide. "He really is yours, pet. You used to do that if I frightened you."

They ate at table, Aneira keeping half an eye on the kitten now strolling round on the hearth rug and rubbing the side of his head on all of the furniture legs. "I'm trusting you to keep the thing in line. If he claws my furniture of proves difficult to litter train he can live in the kitchens with the others and hunt for his supper."

"Yes lord, I think he is young enough to learn and he appears to have a good temperament."

"I know. Horses, slaves, and now cats - it seems I have an eye for picking those that turn out exceptionally well."

She found his comparison of her treatment to breaking in a horse immensely distasteful but had no intention of angering him so sought to divert his mind instead. "Lord," she hesitated. "Lord may I ask you something?"

"Yes, but not too many questions, I am tired this evening."

"Yes lord. Those men who... the men who took me, what has happened to them?"

He snorted a humourless laugh. "They'll never trouble a woman again. They had what the vet will do to your little kitten when he's a bit older, only nobody troubled anesthetising them. Isn't that what you wanted to do to me that morning? It seemed fitting." Her look of horror must have been obvious. "Pet, they were mercenaries. They were paid to kill you but thought they would have themselves a little sport first. They are beneath your pity." Then in a more business-like manner: "they are being held while my people extract what they know. They may be released once they are nothing but broken shells of men and it is certain that they can do no more harm in the world."

"You intend to allow them life in an apparent gesture of mercy only to have them serve as symbols of your power and a warning to others?"

His eyes narrowed. She was alarmingly astute. He had never thought of her as stupid but it surprised him. Then again she had grown up at court so he should have guessed. "Yes, in a way. But it is more for the attention of their masters than the public."

"Yes lord, I think I understand. Thank you."

The butler arrived to clear the table and brought a saucer of milk for Kitten.

"Put it on the hearth stone so that it can be washed if anything spills."

"Yes sir. I used lambing milk as it is softer on his little stomach."

"Very good, I'm sure." He gave Aneira a hand out of her chair as usual and set to work as she fussed over Kitten. After a few hours his eyes began to sting and the words on the screen no longer made sense. Looking over he saw Aneira and Kitten curled up on the armchair and both fast asleep. He was loath to wake her but it couldn't be helped and he wanted to feel her body against his that night.

"Pet," he whispered softly. "Time for bed pretty dove." She stirred, smiling up at him, and passed the kitten from her lap which he placed at the foot of the bed before helping her up.

"You are wearing too much for my tastes, I will keep you warm. Strip for me and let me see you. I want to see how you are recovering." Her fingers fumbled at her collar before she let the nightgown fall and stepped out of it. She stood naked in front of him, covered in yellowing bruises, but he still thought her a thing of beauty. His eyes swept down from pink nipples, past the flowing lines of waist and hips to those long, perfectly sculpted legs. "Perfect" he murmured, stepping towards her and kissing her forehead. He ran his fingers over the ugly mark and fell to his knees. With hand still exploring her breasts and waist he laid a gentle kiss in the centre of her bare pubic mound.

"Those who hired the men that did this will scream for weeks for every moment inside you that they stole from me." He looked up, lust and longing mixed with anger and frustration. "You are mine, I want you, and I cannot have you." He growled and she ran her fingers through his thick black hair, comforting him as best she could.

"Lord, who ordered it? Who benefits from my death?"

"Shrewd again. The combination of considerable resources but used incompetently leaves a short list but cui bono leaves only one." As he lifted her by the waist and carried her to bed she thought, but it didn't take long. Her value was in her titles and possessions and anything else was secondary to that. If she died without an heir they would pass to the emperor.

"The emperor, lord? The little boy did this?" He had set her down in the bed and looked down at her with his shirt half off.

"He is no longer a boy. And he fears me."

"But why lord? You are no threat to him?"

"Enough for tonight. Got to sleep girl." That was that then, she thought, there was no point in pushing the matter. Once settled in bed he pulled her body close to his so that she slept with her head on his chest and limbs splayed across him. Kitten padded up to the head of the bed but gave up on trying to get between them, curling up on her pillow instead.

His hand clenched on her shoulder and she could feel him hardening against her leg. "God it is agony to have you like this and not be inside you." Aneira said nothing, but moved her thigh against his stiffening rod and caressed his chest. "If you tease me girl I might lose my self-control." His voice was stern but he was smiling down at her and held her close as she drifted back to sleep.

*******************

She woke to find him already gone. Kitten was gone too but a moment of looking around found him sniffing at the ashes in the hearth, well camouflaged on the hearthstone. Beth the nurse had been waiting for her.

"Morning miss, you looked so peaceful I didn't dare wake you."

"Thank you. But I fear that you may not be needed much today, I feel rather improved."

"It is my last day here miss, but I'd like to check on you and see that everything is as it should be. May I?"

"Yes, of course." Aneira drew back the covers, quite forgetting that she was entirely naked and quickly clutched them back. Beth smiled consolingly.

"I wouldn't worry, I've seen enough that I'm not looking at you and it makes it easier for me to check what I need to.

"I'm sorry, of course." How stupid she felt for such pointless modesty. It hadn't been too long ago that he had paraded her naked in front of rooms full of soldiers or parties full of socialites. What did it matter if a nurse, who had examined her quite intimately the previous morning, saw a few inches more of bare flesh? Beth examined her as she had before and seemed content.

"I think that is me done for now miss. If you get any problems your lord knows how to contact us, but for now I'm happy with it all." She turned to leave but called back just as she reached the door. "If you any have any troubles that aren't physical, May will help. She likes you." With that she left but was soon replaced by May who helped her wash, dress and brought breakfast.

"Master said I was to ensure you dressed today as he will have guests for lunch. What is it you'd prefer? It is getting a little chilly for the lightest of your dresses, might I suggest one of these?" Aneira chose a heavy dove grey satin, with a structured bodice scattered with embroidery in black and silver thread.

"Word at court is that he has been ensnared by a fairy queen but in this you're all queen and not at all fairy." A fairy queen? Well she had certainly had worse said about her but she was curious now.

"Do they say much else about me?"

"Oh yes miss." May clearly loved to gossip and was thoroughly enjoying the opportunity. "They say you have a mournful beauty not like the women here. That's where the idea of your being a fairy comes from miss. They say he saw you in the woods of your home and had to possess you and that you mourn for the loss."

"Not entirely untrue."

"Oh no miss, it is a little softened though. Some are nastier though. That Sophie, spiteful woman, she says you have used fairy magic to capture one of the most desirable men in the empire. She wanted him for himself of course, but he never wanted anything more than what she had between her legs." May was forgetting herself as she brushed Aneira's hair but her stories were interesting so she made no attempt to stop her.




A Gilded Cage Ch. 07



"And what is said of him?"

"Lots miss, all sorts is said. All of the women want him, some because he's attractive, but mostly because of his money, his family and his position - that is what those sorts of women want in a man - but I have never thought he had much time for them. The common people like him quite well though. He looks like a lord of old and that they like, but they feel he gets things done and tends to make things work even if he is a bit ruthless at times. There's been a bit of trouble with rebels lately and a lot of people are scared of them. They'd rather have a powerful lord who isn't afraid to do unpleasant things to protect them than a vacillating weakling." She seemed to think she had said too much and stopped, concentrating on piling Aneira's hair into complicated buns and braids.

"What of my country? Is all well there?"

"I don't really know miss. I'm not even sure where it is, none of us know much about it. It is a hidden valley with mysterious mineral wealth. Hence you being a fairy miss. That and your looks. We don't know much about your home and you're all such slight, fair people. That lad who broke in here was a fine looking man, but slim and lithe."

She had forgotten about Telor. How could she have let herself forget about Telor? She was furious with herself. She wondered what had happened. Surely he would be dead by now. She hoped it had been quick and that he had never known it was coming, that he felt no pain or fear.

"People talk and people like to fit things into stories and what they know. I tell'em that you aren't a fairy because fairies can't be held by walls and slip through to skip through forests again. But I'm sorry miss I shouldn't remind you that you are stuck here. There now miss, I'm done. A queen indeed."

Aneira looked in the mirror. She did look like a queen - her hair full of silver and moonstones and folds of silk flowing out as she moved. She didn't feel like one though. She had had two older brothers and a father far from the end of life. This was not her role. She had not been prepared for this. 

She went and sat in the library in silence, taking Kitten with her - she really would have to name him - and reading in a corner as he gambled around the room exploring and pouncing on nothing in particular.

"Afternoon, pretty dove." She heard his voice from across the room and looked up from her book. He stroke over to her and kissed her. "You look beautiful" he murmured "but colour tomorrow please." He straightened and looked down at her, far more seriously. "As I told you I have company for lunch, they work for various mining companies and are responsible for ensuring good relationships with locals such that the operations run smoothly and there is no threat to the investment. You are free to speak openly when asked direct questions. Answer honestly. It is best that we know about any possible difficulties now. I will not punish you for anything you might say so long as you are polite, truthful, and helpful. Do you understand?"

"Yes lord. I will tell you what I can." He led her down a hall to a mid-sized formal dining room, with six places set at one end of its long table. Rather than sitting her down her placed a hand in the small of her back and guided her over to one of the tall windows. They looked out over parkland rather than the formal gardens and she thought it quite beautiful.

"I will go riding in the estate tomorrow. Do you ride? I would like you to join me. Would you like to see the grounds a little closer?"

"Yes lord, I can ride and I would very much like to see the estate. But lord I am afraid that I may find it rather uncomfortable to sit in a saddle long enough to get out of the stables."

"I had thought of that, and suggest that you ride side-saddle. If it is at all uncomfortable then tell me and we will stop, but you are better riding side-saddle anyway. It would be less than proper to allow otherwise."

The door clicked. "Ah, Charles, I am sorry, I see that you are occupied, I will wait."

Turning, the general responded: "no no, please, do come in, and bring the others." Three men and a woman filed in, all middle aged, and smartly dressed. All eyes were on her, and it was making her very uncomfortable.

"Rachel, Simon, Robert, George, may I introduce you to the Queen Aneira, without whom our little venture would not be possible and Aneira, my pet, this is Rachel, Simon, Robert, and George, who work for the four leading mining groups." All four bowed and he laughed. "We are not on ceremony here, friends" and catching sight of Aneira's surprise spoke softly in her ear "you will get used to it."

Robert, the one who had lead the four in, smiled at her and spoke gently "you are quite as enchanting as the rumours have it, your majesty." This use of her formal style amused the general greatly and he gestured for them all to sit down, taking the seat at the head of the table with Aneira on her left.

"There is no need for any titles, styles, fuss, or nonsense. This is business, not court." He was clearly in an exceptional mood. "I have ordered lunch for around five minutes' time - I thought we would all work better on full stomachs - but it is a chance to discuss plans in general terms.

"We are lucky to have the benefit of the knowledge of someone whose family have ruled the area for thousands of years so Aneira, would you start? How best can we ensure productive and amicable relations with the locals? A small amount of well-targeted resentment can play havoc with a remote mining operation so your insights would be appreciated."

It was a little daunting to speak so freely in front of him after his previous strictness but once she began she found it natural again. "The gods of the woods are very dear to my people, and you would do best to accommodate that. They will tolerate change and necessary loss but not large-scale destruction and certainly not if they feel it is needless. Therefore it is wise not to clear larger areas than you must, to keep unsightly works hidden by hills, and to not pollute rivers. I'm sure this is all very standard, but it is a sensitivity."

Simon nodded at this and added "quite understandable and easily managed. These are likely to be deep shaft mines not open excavation so with work they should be barely visible."

"I'm sure it won't be a problem then. There is more though. There are a number of trees held in exceptionally high regard. They and their groves are sacred and may not be disturbed - doing so would be seen as an unforgivable act. They are believed to be ancestor spirits. Damage to them will cause irrevocable strife between you and the local populations."

"How may we identify and avoid such places?" It was Rachel this time who spoke. The general's hand was on her leg under the table, lightly caressing her thigh, but she continued regardless.

"Communicate to a local priestess that you wish to see them protected and have her help identify all the areas that are of value to her. Most will help willingly if they can be assured that doing so will ensure the areas' protection from being accidentally damaged in any road building you may have to do. They are few and usually very isolated so I doubt there will be trouble, but by making open commitment to their protection you may gain the good will off many."

"It is exactly that sort of local sensitivity that is worth knowing, pet. It is very easy to avoid trouble but a great deal of trouble if we are careless. Thank you." The general looked exceedingly pleased with her. "Is there anything else?"

"One more thing that may be difficult. Though your ownership of me gives you absolute right over these lands under your own laws, my people will not see it that way. I must be publically seen to give my consent to it. Many of my people see me as a traitor, but my claim to the throne is undisputed and we have a tradition of divine right to rule. It may placate moderates and diminish support for trouble."

"It is no trouble for us to have your signature on the forms, but it will have to be alongside Charles' as his is required as legal executor. But Charles does this present you any problems?" Robert looked earnestly troubled.

"It may be difficult but I understand the need and I am sure it can be worked out. There will have to be a small public event, which Aneira will attend at my side in the capacity of queen rather than slave. I cannot have a slave acting as queen and outranking me in the capital city, but it could be done in the old citadel at the head of the valley. Would you like to return home for a day, dove?"

She was entirely taken aback by this but nodded.

"That is an exceptional idea Charles. Any event in the capital here would have limited reach amongst the local population but a formal queen in residence, albeit temporary, at the traditional seat of monarchical power, would be a very effective statement of her support." And with Robert's rapturous support the others nodded. Lunch arrived and they continued to quiz her on the hierarchies of the small mountain communities and she told them a great deal more about various other cultural and religious sensitivities.

They talked for several hours, formalising plans, and making last arrangements. The general discussed the security that the army would be able to provide and how it would work with their own private forces. Aneira contributed regarding how this might be done to minimise any friction. It was a productive meeting and she was immensely glad of a chance to be genuinely helpful both to the general and, she hoped, to her own people. She welcomed the chance to exercise her mind. All thanked her as they left.

"My precious little bird what a font of useful information you are." The general had pulled her close to him and was looking down with what might have been pride. He kissed her deeply, his tongue hot on hers, and she allowed herself to get lost in his enveloping arms.

She felt bookcases hard against her back but that was not all she felt pressing against her. One of his hands had found a way inside the top of her dress and he kissed roughly as he ground his hips into hers. He was pushing against her, and she felt herself grow warm and wet. She kicked herself for reacting so easily to him.

"The things I want to do with you..." he growled in her ear. She felt his lust and frustration and more than a little of her own. Breaking away from him she dropped to her knees and placed a hand on the bulge in his trousers.

"Will this help lord?" Her eyes met his, lips apart, and a hand exactly where he wanted it. She intended to keep him in as good a mood as possible. Not only did it ease her existence but she hoped it would perhaps, one day, give her a chance at escape.

His hand joined hers and unbuckled his belt, saying nothing, but making himself quite clear. In a matter of moments his cock was free and she grasped it, licking and teasing him all over before taking him into her mouth. The way his smooth, velvety skin moved over the hot rod of iron at the core felt strangely pleasant against her tongue and she took him in deeper. His moans and the gentle caresses of his hand in her hair drove her on. She was enjoying herself. Perhaps it was the new found ability to control his pleasure as he had hers, or something in the act itself, but this was enjoyable beyond what she would have believed. She thought she was beginning to understand his love of controlling her desires.

As her cheeks started to ache and she thought she could not carry on much longer, she felt him stiffen and twitch as he had before and took him as deep as was comfortable, sucking him dry of the hot, bitter, seed. He held her there as he softened but eventually pulled away with a sigh and redressed.

"It isn't just words your mouth has a talent for." Taking her elbow he helped her to her feet and kissed her cheek. "Find that cat of yours - he's in here somewhere - and meet me in my bedroom. Bring your sewing or a book too. I have no real use for you for the rest of the day but you are decorative at least."

Sewing with Kitten proved impossible as he liked nothing better than attacking and tangling any loose threads so she put it away, out of the reach of tiny paws, and read instead. They passed the rest of the day quietly and slept in their usual tangle of limbs. He was gone before she woke.