Aaron walked behind the Duke. Duke and the town mayor were chatting about the situation in the desert. Aaron doesn't have any interest in the conversation but he put a mask on.
They both walked toward the castle of the desert where the previous Duke live.
The castle was dark, standing tall without light in the middle of the city. Seem like an abandoned place with no maintenance. Around the castle was a tall wall, tall enough to cover a lower area of the castle from the commoner.
As they walked the path to the castle, Aaron saw many pieces of art made from stone. They are like stories told in stone.
" Are you prepared for dinner?" Duke asked.
" Yes, Duke. I invited a lot of merchants and powerful people from the desert." Mayor answered. " But I don't think Sandwalker will arrive sir."
Duke sighed. " I suppose I need to meet them in person."
Mayor nodded.
Duke remembered something and turned around to face Aaron.
" Son." He said.
Aaron's attention focused on his father's words. He can feel the weight attached to his father's tone.
" You don't want to marry yet right?" Duke asked. This is the answer he already knew. All Ravenwood don't marry. They stay alone.
This is the rule their ancestor made.
" Never take a wife or a husband."
Jess is not his father's wife. She is his concubine.
Aaron nodded. " Yes, Duke. I just turn fifteen this month. As Klytie said to me, a man needs to enjoy the alone time before thinking about others."
He played along with his father's words. ' look like we need to deceive someone. '
Mayor's smile was gentle.
Duke nodded at Aaron's answer. He took a step.
" You see, the mayor has a beautiful daughter," Duke said.
They both arrived at the main entrance of the castle. The guard beside the door opened the door for them.
Aaron's hands were clenched tightly around the hilt of his dagger I'm his waist.
" Understand," Aaron said.
Mayor's words were honey. " You will not be disappointed. My daughter is the most beautiful woman in this region."
Aaron smiled. " Oh, yes, " he said darkly. " I'm looking forward to meeting such a beautiful person tonight."
Aaron stepped away from the direction Duke was taking. He bowed at his father.
" Excuse me, Father. " Aaron said. " I need to meet Mother for this discussion. I can't let the lady see me without my outstanding state."
Duke nodded. Mayor was overjoyed. His plans were going smoothly. Joining Noble was their dream for a long time.
The previous Duke didn't have any desire for his daughter. He tried to sell his daughter but it was rejected.
Now, using the knowledge about Sandwalker mayor traded the title of a concubine for him.
Duke caught the greed in the mayor but didn't say a word. He knew. That is all matter. He can easily control him.
And Aaron's situation about taking concubine is not his problem. If that daughter gets into Ravenwood way, they can simply sell her to those animals.
Aaron walked up the stair, he was now I'm the second floor.
Inside the hallway, the air was heavy with the scent of spices, sweet lemon and cinnamon. A young slave walked toward him with great care.
She bowed also touching the ground.
He can see the shaking of her feet. " What, young slave? "he asked.
" Lady Jess is searching for you, Heir, "with a trembling voice, the slave said.
" Lead the way," Aaron commanded, " And don't say with those trembling tones, it is annoying. You are a Slave of Ravenwood. It will be our shame because you can't act normal. "
Slave nodded. He was escorted across the hall, where the dryness of the stone wall depicted the atmosphere of the desert.
He stepped past the hall into the courtyard overgrown with strange trees. Sunlight through the glass painted the leaves in shades of bone and silver.
He saw his mother touch the leave with care.
He turned around at the young slave. " Wait here. "
Aaron walked toward his mother.
" I heard you need my presence, Mother, " Aaron said.
Jess whispered to the left, " This is so cruel. "
She placed her hand on his. " Take this. Your father gave it to me. "
Aaron nodded. " And? "
Jess shook her head. " What are you going to do with that slave? " Her eyes pierced the slave behind him.
The slave wanted to run and hide but she knew that she can't do anything.
Aaron didn't say a word.
****
In the room, Aaron was laying on the bed. Beside him was a short dagger, his signal weapon. A sign of heir in Ravenwood house.
He played with the blade. An iron blade reflected his eyes, cold and grey. The only thing unique to him. He had adopted others, his personality, his manner.
He sighed.
Soon his vision turned to the gift his mother gave him. A condom.
He smiled in disgust. ' Look like I need to fuck another woman again. ' he thought.
He once fucked a woman at age ten. That was not a pleasant memory. Political fuck or should he say Rape.
A woman was aged 27. She drugged him. She was the head of the mercenary, a famous one in his previous region.
She wanted to be the wife of a noble. She wanted his semen.
She got what she wanted. That night was a nightmare. He can't move his body like a mouse trapping.
The process of rape went on for about three hours. He could hear those moaning and yelling. Repeating a word again and again.
" Not enough semen. I need more. "
Aaron sighed at those memories. The Mercenary woman managed to run away. Or the knight reported, " She jumped off the river. "
He hated sex.
It will happen tonight again.
He got up from the bed. He looked at the slave who is guarding the door.
" Prepare the bath and take the clothes from my mother's room, her servant will give you. "
The young slave nodded and went off to do her task.
He walked toward the window, the darkness left his eyes. Dread coiled within him like a snake.
Listening to the sound of sand. He drifted apart from this place.
For a moment he wished he could be out there, barefoot and breathless and dressed in tatters, with no past and no future.
***
The water was warm. It was precious in the desert. But for him, it's nothing.
The young slave is rubbing his shoulder, and then his arms.
Legs.
Between his thighs. She washed his hair with care.
Washing off the water, the Young slave brought him the cloth.
He noticed that this slave has been more normal with him. At first, she is embarrassed to bathe him. But now she can stare at him buttnaked.
' Well, if you ignored the red blush on her face, that is a big progress. ' He thought.
He needed to trust a slave in this unknown place. The old slave was gone.
The cloth was so smooth that it seemed to run through his finger like water. She helped him wear.
After dressing up, she opened the perfume. A drop on his neck, his hands, his chest and a place between his thighs.
For the final part, the Ravenwood symbol is on his collar.
He put the ring on and headed to the entrance. It's about time for dinner.
He is the face of this dinner.
Official concubine for Aaron Ravenwood and the new lord of the desert.
To keep their place in this desert he is the solid bridge between his family and the desert people.
Before he took forward. Aaron turned around at the young slave.
She flinched.
Her smooth face trembled at Aaron's stare.
" I want you to be mine. " He said softly. " You want to live in this world right? "
The slave nodded her head with enthusiasm.
" Great. I want to live as well. What is your name? " He asked.
" Vor. " She said.
" What a plain name, " he chuckled.
" Everyone told me."
" no one from now. You are mine. "Aaron said with a serious tone.
" Vor, a young slave who is working in this dull castle. You will be mine. Do you wish to give my life to me? In exchange, I will make you stand tall. No one can look down on you besides me. No one can order you. Will you give your light to me? "
His voice was distant and formal.
Vor was stunned. She doesn't know what is happening right now.
" Answer me, woman. "He asked.
Vor's life is a normal slave. She was born an orphan. She was about to rape by the priest but the previous House Hawk recruit for young slave so she escaped narrowly.
But happiness doesn't come for her either. Day in and day out she worked hard. Harsh Elder scolded her every day.
They don't like an orphan in the desert since they believed sand God swelled those who are near them.
She prayed for Light for those harsh treatments to end.
"If I gave you my light, what will happen to me? " she asked with unknown courage.
" no one will touch you except me. "
Vor decided.
" I gave my light to the lord. "
Aaron smiled. He touched her hair, almost with affection.
His fingers brushed her face, her nose and lips.
And lightly over her budding breast and tightened on her nipple. He pinched lightly almost teasing her.
No man knew what is on his mind right now. That is the trait of Ravenwood.