The Ardoon King Read online

  Chapter 81: Wardum Ritual

  At the top of the stairs Fiela led Thal down the long hallway that hosted both the King’s Suite and the Queen’s Suite. It was now Persipia’s bedroom and office. Fiela ribbed the Thal and whispered, “Fond memories, huh?”

  The woman started to nod, but Fiela held up a finger of warning, and she stopped herself. She’d forgotten that she wasn’t allowed to nod. She wasn’t allowed any form of communication outside of the room she shared with Fiela. Not without Persipia’s permission. She understood that this very moment was her first real taste of her life to come, and it filled her with dread.

  She longed for the days, only weeks ago, when she and Fiela inhabited the room that her new mistress had now acquired. It felt like that had happened in another life.

  What have I done?

  The door to the suite opened as they approached it.

  “Annasa?” It was Persipia. She looked stunning, wearing a turquoise dress made of satin. An impressive array of jewel-studded bracelets and rings decorated her arms and fingers. Her long black hair was loose and flowed her over shoulders. She wore little makeup, but what little she used was used to great effect.

  “Hi Persy,” replied the girl. “Wow, you’re looking great!”

  The consort bowed. “You, also, Annasa.”

  Fiela wore a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt. “Liar,” she said, but she smiled. “So this is your home now?”

  “Yes, Annasa.” She turned to Thal, scanned the nude woman’s body, and said pleasantly, “Good evening, Thal.”

  Thal began to reply, but Fiela held up a finger. “Persy, you’re trying to trick her.”

  “No, Annasa. That would be unfair. I meant only to be polite.”

  Fiela grunted a response and held up an old but still glossy department store shopping bag that she’d being carrying. “This is for you.”

  Persipia, surprised, took the bag, “Thank you, Annasa.” She peered inside. “Clothes?”

  “Yes. I thought perhaps you could use them. If not, you’re free to give them to someone who needs them more.”

  Persipia smiled, but didn’t take the hint. “Thank you, Annasa.”

  Fiela gave the consort several seconds before she narrowed her eyes. “But really, who needs clothes inside Steepleguard, anyway? It is quite warm inside the building. We should all be as nature intended us, right? Like Thal, here. Butt-naked with all our trophies on full display.”

  Thal’s face went from pink to red.

  Fiela kept talking. “Of course, as beautiful as Thal is, she can’t hold a candle to you when it comes to pure sex appeal. You’re the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. Probably in the world. Everyone fantasizes about seeing you nude, Persy.”

  The consort blushed and attempted a laugh. “I do not think-”

  “It would boost morale here, I’m sure,” Fiela said, interrupting her. “What with the bashmu attacking us from all directions, the rationing, and the coup attempt.”

  She pretended to think. “Hey, you know what? I skipped dinner preparing Thal for you. I think the main dining area is still serving meals. Let’s kill two birds with one stone. How about you get naked and go down there and make me a sandwich?”

  Persipia attempted a laugh, failed.

  Fiela’s smile disappeared. “I want my sandwich, Persy, and I want it now.”

  Persipia gave a slight bow and extended the shopping bag to Thal, who took it. As the consort struggled out of her dress, she said, “Thal, please accept the clothes in that bag as my gift to you, as your dominus.”

  Fiela expressed astonishment. “That is so kind of you, Persy!” She waited a beat. “Here, let me get your shoes for you.”

  Persipia, now in the same state of undress as Thal, lifted her feet out of her shoes as her queen undid the straps. When her shoes were removed, Fiela pulled the woman into the hallway, saying, “Off you go, then.”

  Thal said hurriedly, “Thal, please try your new clothes on. Let us be sure they fit you.”

  Fiela released the consort’s arm. “On second thought, I’ll grab a bite to eat later. Why don’t you get dressed, too, Persy? It would be weird if you were the only one on display.”

  Persipia bowed. “As you say, Annasa.”

  As Persipia returned to her suite and crawled back into her dress, Fiela looked at Thal, and said, “When you are allowed to speak next, you must thank Lady Persipia for her generosity. I told you she was a nice person, didn’t I?”

  Thal had by then donned a white summer dress from the bag. She glanced at Fiela, who winked at her.

  Thal was very close to tears. This evening was intended to traumatize her. She was now a slave to Persipia in almost every way, and without the young queen’s benevolence, the trauma would have been very real. Yet Fiela had turned the wardum ritual into a farce. She desperately wanted to hug the girl and thank her for her protection, even now.

  There terrible thing was that she couldn’t. She couldn’t do anything at all.