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Chapter Forty-Eight - The Siege
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2022-08-17 17:21:30Related chapters
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Forty-Nine - Waiting
Megan was having a difficult time of it, having been told she must serve the new arrival, Kurt of Germania. He wasn’t a gladiator, more of a battle commander, yet he had the build and more. She suspected it would be no contest should he enter the arena.It had been hard to betray Ava, but she had not disclosed anything else, even though she was aware of the reinforcements from Normandy. Manipulating the man mountain into rescuing the prickly princess from the tower had not been easy and she had paid for it with her body. They said you never forgot your first time or who it was with. This was one memory she definitely wouldn’t cherish.Kurt was a brutish lover and there was no pleasure, just discomfort and pain. She suspected he had his own agenda and that Clara should watch her back. If only that bitch’s days were numbered, it would all have been worth it.And now Alexander of the Franks was camped outside, biding his time until they starved. She really doubted it would come to that.
Last Updated : 2022-08-18The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Fifty - Exposed
Xander knew he only had himself to blame for putting the Princess in such a compromising position.“Delectable,” his arch rival commented. “I understand now why there was a watchdog outside. Continue. I can see how wrong I was about this nymph.”“Drago!” he raged.“My apologies, Commander. He slipped past me when I was talking to Beauregard here.”He tried to control his temper. “This isn’t an orgy.”“A pity,” de Mornay said. “I am willing to bet that backside is to die for. Have you ploughed her from that position?”“The Princess of Ormond is mine, do you hear?” he snarled. “Don’t just stand there, you two. Take him out of my sight.”Drago and Beauregard were quick to obey, the latter taking great care not to ogle Eithne. He saw them to the opening, while he waited for his anger to cool.Then he went back to his temptress. There was no doubt about it, she was still a beguiling vision.Unexpectedly, she slapped his face.“How could you shame me like that?” she hissed.“You are as much
Last Updated : 2022-08-18The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Fifty-One - Auction
Queen Clara seemed to favour the princess from above the border these days, perhaps because she had caught the eye of her so-called champion. Was it because she wasn’t a great beauty and the Dowager was scheming to get Augustus into bed?Isabel had hated being the bearer of that news. Instead of a gladiatorial contest there was to be an auction. Even she was to line up to be inspected, whatever that entailed. She had heard Kurt was less than pleased. Already he was spreading the word that Ava was to be his. And what of Megan?It was to be hoped there would be no demeaning inspection to determine their virginity or otherwise. Because she had lain with Lars and enjoyed being in his arms. There had been no pressure on her to submit. He had wooed her with his tenderness, followed by a more passionate manliness which led her to believe he was the one for her.How would Hermione bear it? Ephron was probably unlikely to bid for her, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be roughly treated by the
Last Updated : 2022-08-19The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Fifty-Two - Lost and Found
Eithne felt sure de Mornay would not carry out the threat he had made as he held her against his body, whispering to her in rapid Frankish. It would be too cruel now that she had resigned herself to being Xander’s woman. But when he handed her over to another who spirited her away to a tent further down, her heart sank. This couldn’t be good. Bound and gagged, though not molested – her new captor must have warned his men not to touch her – she sat and awaited her fate under the watchful eye of a stern man of Normandy. The battle preparations were being upscaled and, even if Xander found his tent empty, she doubted it would be his priority to search for her. A man like de Mornay was bound to stay at the rear of the field. Surely the conqueror would notice he was missing? That eased her mind for some time, until the one she had once mistakenly believed to be Ephron came to claim her, his manner furtive, his movements swift. “Xander will kill you.” Her words came out muffled and she
Last Updated : 2022-08-19The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Fifty-Three - Rowanne
It helped not to think too deeply about her surroundings and what was happening to her. That was why she reflected on the part of her past she hadn’t yet disclosed to the others. Hopefully, she would be allowed to do so in the future. Hadrian was to be trusted, less so Clara.*She was held so tightly to the Norseman’s chest it was difficult to put up a fight. She wasn’t concerned for herself but for her little brother. If he wasn’t already dead then his survival options were limited. Unless someone had already abducted him, someone she could track, in all likelihood he would soon starve to death.This was turning into a nightmare.That wasn’t the only issue. Why was she just about melting in this stranger’s arms? He was taking her to safety rather than to be ravished and, for endless heartbeats, she began to fantasise about him being the one she had been waiting for.Was God playing a trick on her? Surely she couldn’t feel this way about a Dane?“Back so soon?”“The woodcutter’s hut
Last Updated : 2022-08-20The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Fifty-Four - Ephron
Clara was quick to distance herself from the so-called Prince, who should by rights have been King.“Take him, but spare me. Eithne, dear, I had only your best interests at heart, hoping to toughen you up. How sensitive you were my child, too good for this wicked world.”“Save it, Mama. Everyone here knows the truth.”Xander made his decision swiftly.“Drago, Iain, I want this pair lodged in the tower. Now, men, as I see it you have two choices: join me or join them.” He jerked his thumb in the direction of the thrones. “The Queen Dowager and whoever he is, because that certainly isn’t the Prince Ephron I met in Rouen.”It was all sorted very quickly. In the meantime he turned his attention to the stricken female gladiator. Beauregard was shaking his head and Will looked sombre. But Xander had observed her fighting spirit for himself and wasn’t about to give up on such a one.“Bring her to my quarters,” he said.“Right away, Commander, once you tell us where you plan to stay.”“The Pr
Last Updated : 2022-08-20The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Fifty-Five - Winning Him Over
It was settled. Isabel, Cassie and Lars were heading for the Dane Lands with Rowanne. Eithne couldn’t help hoping they would find Ulf and his men. He, too, had a missing sister, Tora, she seemed to recall. While Rowanne was still upset about Nell’s disappearance.“We must do something,” she said to Ephron.“If it’s slavers, they’re probably long gone.”“Word must go out to leave our females alone.”“I agree with Princess Eithne,” Xander said.She started, not having heard him enter the room.“Having an attack of conscience?”It vexed her that she was treating him so icily these days. Ephron warned her that he wouldn’t wait around for ever. That had made her even more mad. But she didn’t just have herself to consider. For the good of the realm, maybe she should consider several suitors before coming to a decision.Eithne really didn’t want to settle for that. But would clipping his wings make either of them happy? He didn’t seem the sort to want to remain tied down.And what of Genevie
Last Updated : 2022-08-21The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Fifty-Six - The Gift
What could he give his Princess and future wife? Xander already knew, but now he was having doubts. Not about her. The second thoughts centred around Genevieve and how she would react. It wasn’t the kind of thing you bestowed saying it was only temporary, either. Heirlooms were precious.Knowing his younger sister she would approve, being something of a romantic. That was probably why she was missing still. He had often suspected de Mornay of having a hand in it. Now he was almost certain.The trail hadn’t gone as cold as people might think. He had charged two of his mercenaries with tracking him and was awaiting a message, still hopeful after only a few days. Explaining to Eithne he was going to have to leave in a hurry without her might not be the easiest negotiation he’d ever had to make, though an amethyst ring could help to soften the blow.Retrieving it was no problem since he’d hidden it under a loose flagstone in his new quarters.Then he sat down with a flagon of wine and pre
Last Updated : 2022-08-22
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The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Five - Peekaboo
One Year LaterHe had been looking forward to this moment for a while, this private time alone with his new family. Drago had sent word via various couriers who had since gone on to do other, possibly more worthy, things.If he had a sense of shame it was in having left them, after all, to pursue his long held dreams. Had it been worth the possible cost? Did she have another in her bed?The evidence was there in front of his eyes. He could scarcely take it in.This lad was very young and without beard. That would come in time.He watched, fascinated, as they rolled together and she tickled his sides making him laugh. It was an infectious sound, soon echoed by the other person present: a girl.Xander knew the imposter had once stood here watching him and Eithne. This act was far different but maybe no less unworthy. He should have announced his presence straight away.Having heard she was back in her old bedchamber he had been curious as to the reason why. Well, now he knew.She was we
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Four - A Royal Wedding
On the day itself, Eithne was sick several times. If only she could hide behind a veil. But there was nothing else for it, however pasty she looked, this was the happiest day in her young life.She hadn’t anticipated she would be staying in Ormond when she wed and, mere months ago, it had seemed as if this day would never come. Slavery had taught her that some people had cruel natures and some did not. Eithne was only grateful it had been Xander who turned up that day, otherwise Clara might well have made the rest of her short life a living hell.Lysette had been found eventually by a dogged Hengest and was now detained at King Ephron’s pleasure. His sister sighed. She hoped he would become immune to her obvious charms and not be tempted to release her from the dungeon anytime soon.He kept saying no harm had been done, but it might well have been.There had been no compromise and she was suffering the kind of endless ceremony she had dreaded. Illness was one way of gaining respite, a
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Three - New Beginnings
Eithne could hide nothing from Xander, nor did she want to, and especially not when it came to her condition. He was delighted and swept her off her feet, though with caution, adding after several kisses that they really ought to conclude their arrangement.Procrastination shouldn’t become a habit.She puzzled for a time until she translated that to mean wed sooner rather than later. Illegitimacy remained unspoken between them. While he had so often flaunted his, she knew it rankled more than he let on.They were still arguing about what form it should take and where. Ephron had disclosed that Genevieve was seeking an alliance for purposes of trade and defence. It seemed she had approached Louis, but he wasn’t interested in Beeveland, just its Queen. And marriage was definitely off the table as far as she was concerned.Eithne knew that didn’t mean there was hope for her brother. Or any man, including Halfdan who was probably unaware how she felt.But Xander’s sister was due for a st
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Two - Unworthy
Xander said nothing to anyone, though he was beginning to feel he couldn’t hold a candle to the two remaining women in his life. Genevieve had taken over the reins from Henri with aplomb and was ruling magnificently, while Eithne had been through so much and was still prepared to sacrifice herself for him of all people when he knew how much she loved the realm of Ormond.Still, perhaps the castle wasn’t the best place for her to reside any more. If need be, he would tear it down and rebuild it with his own hands just to prove how much he cared about her. But he wasn’t the ruler, not even the self-styled conqueror these days, just a man with wanderlust in his head and a selfless princess in his heart.There was something he could do for her, at least until King Ephron was settled with a worthy consort, and that was to postpone his plans to leave. It didn’t mean never and, with time, his priorities might change. Children did not need an absent father, at any age.That night, in her bedc
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-One - Beeveland
The pastures were endless here and probably more fertile. Eithne bit her lip. She hoped she was with child, though it was too soon to tell.Each province had its own dialect so that her correct Frankish wasn’t always enough for her to make herself understood. But she seemed to charm all she met. Was that because Princess Genevieve was by her side, waving to the people from the litter? It was quite obvious Xander wasn’t so popular.He probably didn’t care, but she did. If they were going to rule here, they had to command respect from their subjects.“What happened?” she asked him that night as they lay beside each other in bed.She was still his betrothed as the priest had been stricken with something and it had seemed churlish to postpone their trip.“You mean, how did they get rid of me before? I walked,” he said.Her forehead puckered.“I don’t understand.”“The people kept on and on asking me about Genevieve until I couldn’t take it any more.”“So you deposed yourself? If such a th
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty - Repercussions
The lightning strike had done all the damage, and now Prince Connor Mac Neill lay dying in tremendous pain, one of his legs crushed beneath a fall of rocks. Despite what he had done, turning on them like that, Eithne saw to his comfort, staying with him until the end.Finn was devastated and Ava was nestled in his arms, sobbing openly. That was what death did, it made you remember the good times. In most cases.Though she tried her best, she could not find it in her to mourn her mother, the despised lover and the fake brother.It was an act of God. She would see to it they had a decent burial and that was all.King Ephron seemed to be recovering, as if disaster was making a man of him whereas the ability to do as he pleased had not. Genevieve may have had something to do with that. If he was enamoured that was his affair. Eithne knew Xander’s sister would never consent to be his.They were for Beeveland soon and she was looking forward to seeing the country of his birth. The conqueror
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Nine - Divided Loyalties
There was a new hazard to be overcome once they were close to the fresh air. Xander pulled Eithne back just as she was on the point of exposing herself to the men surrounding the small boat.That gave him an idea. He knew she wouldn’t like it.“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you how much you love the realm,” he said, in a low voice which sounded mock serious even to his own ears.“I don’t understand.”“Trust me, you will. Well?”“It is my solemn duty to do anything to help the kingdom of Ormond.”“Thank the good Lord, I was hoping you would say that. You didn’t swear?”“Unlike the royal heir, it was enough that I made a promise to my father, the late King.”“I see. Now, I want you to do exactly as I say. Strip!”Her eyes widened.“Here? Now? But I thought – ”“As I suspected. A most disloyal subject,” he said. “Must I do everything myself, including undressing you?”“You failed before,” she pointed out, her violet eyes stormy.“This is a needs must situation,” he said, spinning h
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Eight - Commitment
It wasn’t the most romantic of proposals yet it set her heart aflutter. Eithne gulped.“I will need to change my gown,” she said.“Princess, I didn’t mean now.”“Oh. Forget it then,” she snapped, and had to ask herself why.“I have no intention of doing so. In fact, letting you out of my sight is not an option either.” Xander took her hand. “Come with me to Beeveland,” he coaxed.“Now? Why?”“Not now. Once the affairs of Ormond are sorted.”“I fear that will never happen. Still, it would be good to get away and probably best for Genevieve if we do.”“What do you mean?”“Nothing,” she said, hastily.That crush on one of the Danes, blurted out impulsively after an excess of good local mead, needed nipping in the bud in her opinion. Halfdan was leaving anyway. She hadn’t meant to let the cat out of the bag, but Xander was nothing if not persistent in his questioning.“Genevieve has no sense of propriety,” he fumed.That was rich coming from him, a self-styled conqueror and enslaver. Eith
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Seven - Duped
Xander hadn’t sued for peace so much as cheated in its name. He would do the same again, twice over, if it meant avoiding war. His betrothed had been taken aback by his tactics but he couldn’t afford to let her in on it; her surprise would go a long way to convincing this new enemy whose ego was legendary.Maybe some flowers would mollify her. He had treated her like a pawn and she was still sulking.Encountering his sister in the corridor he enlisted her help.Genevieve’s eyes danced with amusement.“Just be yourself. Spend some time with her. It’s all a girl ever wants. Gifts only make us think you want to atone.”But I do, he thought. For the way it all began.The Danes were preparing to depart, while Finn was now in charge of his brother’s forces.“Stay awhile,” he’d encouraged both the group of Norsemen and those loyal to a different Mac Neill.“Tell him,” Ava urged, nudging Connor’s brother.She was seldom far from his side these days.“We’d like to settle here permanently,” he
