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Chapter Sixty-Three - Conscription
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2022-08-29 21:37:43Related chapters
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Sixty-Four - Genevieve
Maybe she had acted in haste and would live to regret it, but the opportunity had been too good to pass up when one of their captors vomited suddenly leaving part of the line unguarded. As she had expected, there was no hue and cry, though the look on the owner’s face was priceless.The three of them had secreted themselves in the bushes by the wayside and waited to be retrieved but it never happened.Tora seemed to know where she was heading, and Nell agreed the territory seemed familiar to her after a time.By a strange coincidence they had been near neighbours, though Tora claimed her brother hadn’t had chance to settle in one particular spot as they waited to be granted farmland. Nell was looking forward to seeing her sister, Rowanne, and little brother, Wulfric, again, while her other companion was extolling the virtues of her brother, Ulf.Genevieve couldn’t help thinking about Xander with mixed feelings. Would he believe she’d let him down?Still, anything was better than being
Last Updated : 2022-08-30The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Sixty-Five - Danes
Before she lost her nerve, Rowanne made her way to the place the men from the Dane Lands were camped. It was difficult to miss the spot given the red banner. Knowing her face was flushed anyway, she became even more embarrassed when Jens came up behind her and appeared to think she was a male.“Get lost,” he said, in the Norse language. “We were here first.”“It’s me. Is Ulf inside?”“Rowanne? What are you doing here?”“Same as you,” she said, with no little pride.It wasn’t the whole truth but he didn’t need to know that.“Look at you. Just look at you.”She quailed beneath the admiration in his eyes.“Answer the question, please.”“Where did you disappear to?”This was getting her nowhere.“Your beard’s fuller these days.”Jens clutched his chin with no little pride. “The others don’t mock me so much now. Come inside. Halfdan and Bjarne will be glad to know you survived whatever happened that night.”She swallowed. He still hadn’t mentioned Ulf. It was as she had feared: he was angr
Last Updated : 2022-08-31The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Sixty-Six - Bereft
Eithne remained up on the battlements long after the last horsemen had left. Her arm wasn’t stiff from waving, as it would not have been seemly, though her cheeks felt frozen by the cold breeze which had sprung up, and she was grateful for the Frankish shawl which had arrived via a foreign pedlar only yesterday. The linen was still stiff though she simply adored the embroidery on the edges. Though not quite a bride, she felt like any woman watching her man ride away: apprehensive and heartsick. The heirloom she wore on a gold chain around her neck. Superstition forbade her from even trying it on for size. His sister may want it back. But the thought had been a good one. It counted on the plus side of his increasingly pleasing attributes. She caught herself before the blush had chance to properly form. Last night had been a tender experience, one never to be forgotten, as they shared their hopes and dreams once the lovemaking was done. She felt fortunate it had been Xander she encount
Last Updated : 2022-09-02The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Sixty-Seven - Mama
Clara was seated on a small stool in the middle of her cell, regarding her nails critically and as if they were the enemy. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, pointedly ignoring Rowanne. “I came to see how you were doing,” Eithne lied, in the way the despised court etiquette had taught her. “To gloat more like. In your shoes, I would do the same.” “Do you need a change of clothes?” She held her nose. “It stinks in here.” “My slop pail is full.” “I’ll send someone. In fact, Rowanne, would you be kind enough to fetch one of the girls?” She drew the bodyguard aside discreetly, making a request which seemed to meet with her approval if the light in her eyes was anything to go by. “Will you be okay, Eithne?” She squared her shoulders. “I think I can deal with any threat from a lone Frankian, especially one as filthy as this. Stand up, Mama. Is that blood on your gown? I suggest you remove it with all speed.” Eithne held out her hand as if she were about to take possession of the article of c
Last Updated : 2022-09-03The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Sixty-Eight - Family Strife
“God forbid we are invaded while Xander is overseas.” The irony of that statement struck Eithne only after she had uttered it. Hard to believe the conqueror would go to war on behalf of Ormond when he had no real intention of usurping the crown from its rightful king. If she had helped him come to a decision about that it would feel like she had also done her bit for the realm. “Where is King Ephron? What’s taking so long?” Princess Ava was as edgy as ever. Eithne hoped she hadn’t been serious about the cloistered life. She pitied those poor nuns already. The other two princesses, Isabel and Cassie, had very different fortunes, also. Naturally, Isabel was worried about Lars, while her sister claimed it wouldn’t bother her if Adam didn’t return. Who knew what the truth was regarding those two? Jocasta didn’t want for company and had even made it outside, with her brother’s help. For some reason she had stopped making predictions. Eithne knew that didn’t mean she couldn’t foresee t
Last Updated : 2022-09-04The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Sixty-Nine - Home Truths
Eithne was first stunned then dismayed when she heard the news. Ephron had ordered Clara’s release from the tower and she was currently under guard in a chamber close to his. It seemed he was about to pardon her for her “misguided actions” and believed her when she blamed it mainly on Edgar.As far as anyone knew he was still languishing in the tower and she had no desire to pay him a visit anytime soon.The summons came as she was preparing for bed. There was no time to don a suitable gown so she contented herself with a thick robe, lined with ermine, and hoped this dressing down wouldn’t take long.Beauregard was the first person she saw. She would recognise that red hair anywhere. His language skills were still not all they could be but she understood he was pleased to see her and hoped she was well.“I am tired,” she admitted, placing her palms together and laying her head against them briefly.It made him stifle a yawn and she wanted to laugh, despite everything.Was her brother
Last Updated : 2022-09-05The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy - Charles and Lysette
Word had reached de Mornay of a hostile force marching through Normandy. He mocked the very idea, even though the rumours said it was headed up by a bastard.“Send in Fleur,” he said, draining the dregs of wine from his goblet. The maidservant curtseyed before scurrying to obey. He sensed her relief but preferred to believe it was disappointment. “This should entertain you, my love.”His wife was sitting up in bed, still weak from losing their child. He didn’t blame her; Xander never brought him anything but ill-luck. Now it was time for payback.The young woman was dressed provocatively in a too tight gown which matched her striking green eyes.“I can see the resemblance,” Lysette said.“Except for the freckles. Don’t you find them ugly, my love?”“Some say they are kisses from the sun,” she remarked, moving restlessly beneath the coverlet.“I wonder what else has entered that pretty mouth.”“You are disgusting, de Mornay.”“Careful, Fleur. I could have you whipped.”“My name is Gene
Last Updated : 2022-09-07The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-One - Treachery
They didn’t find her in her bedchamber, though Iain didn’t regret busting the lock and damaging the door. Those things were replaceable; she was not. Hermione was missing, too, and so was Daffyd. To him that meant only one thing: Clara.How had she managed to escape?He went to ask King Ephron, closely followed by Rowanne. Megan had suggested to Ava they find a spot to hide and they were currently on their way to round up Isabel, Cassie, Becca and Jocasta, just in case.Grimly, he told himself that Xander had probably miscalculated when he took that huge fighting force over to Frankia. It had jeopardised the same girls over here as before. Perhaps that was jealousy talking, a feeling he had no right to, but he believed it to be true. The one time conqueror hadn’t done it on purpose, he had just proved not to be infallible.Though hadn’t all of them assumed the threat was nullified here?Eithne. If anyone had hurt her, he vowed to rip them apart, limb from limb.His first port of call
Last Updated : 2022-09-09
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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
