Her Highness, His Hostage

[haremfaery]

Now Jiya was frightened. Kormaldi was too strong. She doubted his guards would come to her rescue. She rallied a bit after he tossed her on the bed realizing what he had in mind for her. "How _dare_ you?" She got up on her elbows and tried to glare at him the way Hasini would.

"The sultan--my father," Jiya corrected quickly, "My father will kill you very slowly, inch by inch." She glared at him trying to act as Hasini would. She tried to remember what her princess has said.

She breathed hard, "My father will cut off _any_ and every appendage of yours that offends me. Cover yourself and let me go! How dare you treat one of the royal family this way? What can you hope to gain except an excruciating death?" She tried hard to look in his face and not at his exposed chest, or what lurked lower on his body.

Then his words hit her. She did not think that Hasini had said anything to the Baron about that. She had not. But...when they were alone. Her eyes got very round.

 

[IRP2011]

Kormaldi began laughing, hard and loud. "Little Princess is going to sick her daddy on me?"

He was moving slowly around the big, canopied bed, which sat in the middle of the massive Bed Chamber, his eyes never leaving Jiya. His rob shifted to and fro with each step, the open sides taking turns touching his hardening penis as it hung out through the cloth just enough to be noticed.

"Your highness, I am shocked, and a bit hurt," he said slowly, his tone floating between mocked sincerity and light sarcasm. "You should know ... that I would never violate the sanctity of a Royal woman's body ... any more than I would do so of a fellow Noble woman. You have nothing to fear from me."

As he walked, Jiya's eyes followed him. He stopped halfway around the bed, turning, flashing her momentarily with his full nudity before heading slowly back the way he'd come. His smirk mutated to a full, humorous smile. "However ... your servant. She ... well, she is neither of Royal or Noble birth. She does not share the same protection you do. That's too bad. Because ... well ... my man Jakob. He ... how should I put this. He does not share the same feelings of restraint that I do."

Kormaldi could see in the girl's expression that she was understanding his meaning. This was a game the Baron enjoyed, this toying with young women; it was one of the pleasures afforded the leaders of society and one he made great use of often.

"Poor little ... what was her name again?" He contemplated, but couldn't recall either her name or whether he'd ever heard her name. Maybe back in The Great Wood? Maybe as the two women toyed with each other in bed last night? "Oh, it is of no matter, I suppose. And, of course ... it will be of no matter to Jakob when..." He laughed again. "I should say it if of now matter now ... since Jakob is likely already parting the lovely legs of that young ... pure ... servant girl ... your Highness..."

 

[haremfaery]

Jiya sat up on the bed. "My father," it sounded very strange for her to continue to say that. "Has already sent men to rescue me. There is still time for you free me. Still time to make this right."

She focused on the Baron's face as he walked around the enormous bed. She had never seen a naked man before and the Baron was intimidating. His manhood was intimidating.

She wondered what he was getting at. Of course he would not dare violate the princess. She sat bolt upright. She swallowed hard. Her eyes grew large again. "But the--, my servant, she IS highborn. She is. If your man does anything to arm my personal lady-in-waiting, I assure you, it will be as if she were a princess herself." She rocked back and forth a little in her anxiety.

"Jiya. Her name is Jiya." She said quietly. She listened with mounting horror.

"NO!" She screamed. She jumped off the bed and tried to run to the doors. What she thought she could do, she was not sure, but she could not listen to the Baron any longer.

 

[IRP2011]

Kormaldi snagged the fleeing girl and like some child's toy, whipped her around in a circle and back onto the bed. This time, however, he joined her, dropping the robe from his shoulders to the exotic carpet so that when his weight pressed down upon her, she only felt his warm flesh against her.

"Whoa, my little Princess," he said mockingly, grasping at her hands as she tried in vain to fight her way free. "Whoa, whoa, little filly ... settle down."

He reached down between their waists, grabbing at and pulling up at the hem of her dress. "What are you afraid of ... Princess? I told you, you're in no danger ... because you're a Royal..."

Her dress was high enough that he could feel the flesh of her thighs, then her buttocks against his own naked body. "... and, as I said, I would never violate the sanctity--"

He forced his legs between her own and pushed them open. He laid his now fully hardened penis between the cheeks of her young, firm ass. "--of a Royal's body."

 

[haremfaery]

Jiya screamed when Kormaldi flung her face down on the bed. Her jewelry jingled loudly as she bounced once before he was upon her. She fought, kicking with her legs, trying to turn around. he grabbed her wrists and held them with one hand.

Jiya screamed louder when he lifted her dress. Did he know? He must know.

She began sobbing when she felt his manhood press between her buttocks. Her struggling intensified. She screamed for the guards, she screamed for her mother. "Do not do this, please." She said between sobs. "I am untouched!"

 

[IRP2011]

Kormaldi lowered his lips close to the girl's ear, whispering, "Untouched... untouched...?"

And, just as suddenly as he had attacked her, he rose off of her and returned to stand near the foot of the bed. He looked down upon her; her dress still rode high above her buttocks, exposing her treasure until she quickly concealed herself. He laughed, gathered up his robe and donned it as he said in a matter of fact tone, "Princess ... I told you. I would never violate a Royal. This ... this was all a misunderstanding, and I beg your forgiveness. You see, I have been under the false impression that perhaps ... just perhaps ... you were actually the Princess's maid ... and the woman in your quarters was actually the Princess Hasini, in disguise."

He moved to the other room, pouring himself a flask of ale and taking a long, deep draw of it. He returned the flask to the table, then moved back to the Bed Chamber entrance. "But ... I can see that I was wrong. I hope you will excuse me. And by excuse me, I mean ... give me your leave ..."

He adjusted his robe, ensuring that his manhood -- only slightly relaxed from the wonderful feeling of being pressed between the young servants fleshy cheeks -- showed for a moment. "... for I have to make a visit to your quarters. There's a young servant there who needs my attention..."

He smiled and turned to head for the door of his quarters, wondering whether the pair's secret was about to be exposed ... or whether the loyal, obedient servant was prepared to sacrifice her own honor for that of her Lady.

 

[haremfaery]

"Untouched." Jiya said again t confirm it. She breathed a sigh of relief and covered herself. perhaps the Baron was an honorable man after all.

"Why would you think that we have traded places?" She stuttered.

"No! No! I do not give my leave!" She scooted to the edge of the bed. "She is not for your pleasure. My lady in waiting--ALL of my ladies are untouched." She ran after Kormaldi and flung herself on him. She beat upon him with her fists.

 

[IRP2011]

Kormaldi snatched at Jiya's wrists as she flailed her fists at him. She connected with his mouth, causing him to flinch -- before laughing aloud again. Once he had control of her hands, he easily spun her around, using her own arms to wrapped her into submission as he used his strength to lift her from the ground.

"Easy, my Princess," he laughed, dangling her just high enough that he could hear the tips of her shoes -- Hasini's shoes? he wondered -- scraping at the hardwood floor. As she continued to fight him, he again felt the pleasure of her body against him, and he quickly began to harden once more. "Easy, little girl, easy ... I wasn't going anywhere. Are you going to settle down ... or am I going to have to take you back into my bed and part those lovely legs once more ... finish the job...?"

 

[haremfaery]

She was panting hard from her exertions. She was normally passive and shy, but the thought of any harm coming to her princess had turned her momentarily into a tiger. Now she froze at the Baron's threat.

He was toying with her and she knew it. Did he like seeing her fear? Her anger? It was obvious that he enjoyed her struggling, she could feel his erection through the silk of her sari.

"I demand to go back to my rooms."

 

[IRP2011]

Kormaldi dropped her feet to the floor again and spun her to face him, grasping her upper arms tightly and pulling her close to him; the feel of her breasts -- unknown to him, and thus somehow more magical -- against his muscular chest made him want to carry her back to his bed and get to know them. But he had a plan, and violating this girl, now or possibly ever, was contrary to that plan. He needed her scared, for herself, and for her Lady; broken, distraught, demoralized, and shamed were traits to be avoided ... for now, at least.

He pulled her tighter against him, until he felt his erection pressing against her belly, then smiled broadly as he looked down at her body. Then, with a powerful shove, he sent her back into a huge, soft chair, commanding, "Sit! And don't ... move."

He adjusted his robe, pulling the tie around to secure it for the first time as he moved to the breakfast table and looked over its offerings. "Or ... I'll be taking that walk to the other room, and continuing with the real Princess Hasini..."

He turned his gaze to the servant girl as he added with a knowing tone, ...Jiya." He smiled at her reaction, then laughed loudly once more. "Yes, I know. Did you really think you could pull this off for more than a few minutes?"

 

[haremfaery]

Jiya yelped as Kormaldi spun her around and held her tightly against him. She could smell his own personal musk beneath the scent of soap. His erection was caught between their bodies. She could feel the heat of it through the fabric of her dress.

He flung her back into a chair and ordered her not to move. She sat like a stunned bird. Quivering all over.

Kormaldi had discovered the ruse. Jiya was going to continue to protest, but she knew it would be fruitless. "The Princess thought so. She thought it might work for a little while..."

Tears formed and fell down her cheeks in big drops. As most women in her part of the kingdom, her face did not screw up when she cried, nor did it get blotchy. The tears just spilled from her eyes. What will you do to us now?" She sobbed.

 

[IRP2011]

"What will I do with you...?" he mused aloud. He lifted another of the huge strawberries toward his lips, then halted it before him. He looked from it to her, specifically to her mouth. He wondered if her lips tasted as sweet as the berry in his grip. He wondered if all of her lips tasted as sweet.

As with most men, Kormaldi had a passion for innocence. His position in the Noble class had afforded him access to many a virgin during his younger years; his position as Baron had doubled that number in only four years. Having another untouched, to use her own word would be a pleasure; but it did not compare to the grander plan he had for the Princess, and in time, the Sultan himself.

"What will I do with you," he repeated playfully, slowly moving the berry away from his lips and toward Jiya's, "Will depend upon you, my sweet wanna-be Princess. How much would you give to see your Lady safe ... secure ... her father's kingdom at peace ... with me ... with the barbarians to the West?"

He halted the berry's trek just before it touched the servant girl's lips. He leaned in closer to her, his hip pressing against her closed knees with just a suggestion of wanting them parted. "Would you give your whole ... to see your Lady safe ... to see your people safe ...? Hmm...?"

He eyed the berry, then eyed her lips. "Taste it. I promise you ... you won't be sorry."

 

[haremfaery]

"How could I do anything so great and vast? How can I bring peace to the realm?" Jiya wiped her tears and looked up at the Baron with her large dark eyes. Her heart pounded. Was he trying to seduce her?

She held her hands tightly in her lap. She did not have an appetite for food, but she thought perhaps being accommodating to some extent would please the Baron and keep his mind from the princess. She leaned forward and bit the strawberry. Her lips closed around it. It was just as large and sweet as the strawberries at the sultan's palace. She chewed and swallowed it.

She prayed that the sultan's men arrived soon to rescue them.

 

[IRP2011]

Kormaldi watched with great interest, and joy, as the young woman leaned forward and bit into the berry. Ah, those lips ... that tongue... Again, his penis twitched eagerly. Down, boy ... not yet.

Kormaldi's Scullery Maid lover, Gayle, had lips like those ... a tongue like that: full, warm, wet, and accommodating. The girl did things with those lips, with that tongue, that most woman would be appalled to witness, let alone repeat. He fantasized teaching this woman, this untouched, angelic young girl, such acts of heresy; his people's religion considered such pleasure sacrilege, and he assumed her's likely did, too. But, oh, how good it felt to be serviced so...

Maybe a lesson from Gayle in at hand...? he mused, watching Jiya's mouth slowly devour the bite full. He smiled knowingly, then turned the berry to himself and finished it, turning his head to as-politely-as-possible spit the stem onto the hard wood floor.

"To answer your question," he said, his voice softer, almost soothing, "what the Sultan's Kingdom needs is peace through strength. His enemies in the Western War are powerful ... too powerful. He requires assistance ... from the Barons ... from strong men, such as myself."

Talking about the Sultan and his needs turned Kormaldi's stomach. Kormaldi, and his father before him, had worked well with the Sultan -- who had never warred against them on any scale larger than a border spat -- to create alliances that had kept all of their people happy, healthy, and wealthy. But the times were changing; economic hardships had struck the Barony, yet his financial commitment to the Sultan's Kingdom, and his military commitment to the Sultan's Western Army, were draining Kormaldi. He estimated he had two years left before his treasury was drained; he wouldn't be able to support his army, or even his personal Guard; and the Barony would collapse.

At the same time, though, the Sultan was facing similar problems. He was losing the Western War -- not yet, but eventually -- and the only thing that would save him would be a new alliance, a stronger alliance with the Eastern Barons, men who -- as long as he remained on top -- would only follow Kormaldi's lead.

Two years ... maybe less. You have two years to change the rest of your life, Kraig my boy. Kormaldi knew that he if his Barony collapsed before the Sultan came crawling to him, the other Baron's would divide his lands up between them ... and then one of them would make the all important alliance with the Sultan ...

... and take Hasini into their bed as wife and future bearer of the Empire's next Sultan!

This was what Kormaldi wanted, and -- as he looked into the dark eyes of the girl before him -- he knew that his way into the Princess's heart, and eventually between her legs, was through this girl, her closest confidant and servant.

"I beg your forgiveness if I frightened you earlier," he said, reaching his hand out slowly to touch just the tips of his fingers to her cheek, something her reaction told him she was unsure of. "I ... am a passionate man. It is the basis of my power ... power which will do the Sultan service, when called upon. What can you do to bring peace to the Sultan's empire ...?"

He backed and stood, then offered a hand out to her, smiling politely. "You can return here, to my room tonight once the Princess has fallen asleep ... and I will explain how you can save an Empire..."

 

[haremfaery]

((I like the way this is going Obviously Kormaldi wants ot be the top dog, but at least he is thinking of the kingdom as a whole and not just what he can get out of all this.))

Jiya was not much interested in politics, at least not those concerning the entire kingdom. There were enough political machinations going on in the harem for her to keep track of.

"You should speak to the princess if you have a plan for peace. She has the Sultan's ear. I do not understand the politics of the kingdom."

The idea of returning to Kormaldi's room in the dead of night frightened her. Look what he had done already in the light of day. He was master here, but that did not mean she would simply do as he said. She must speak to the princess.

Jiya sat back in the chair. "Why not tell me how I can save the Empire right now? Why must I wait until later?" She played with a bracelet on her wrist.

 

[IRP2011]

"You should speak to the princess if you have a plan for peace," Jiya responded. "She has the Sultan's ear. I do not understand the politics of the kingdom."

Kormaldi's lips turned up a bit, a sly little smirk that was actually involuntary. He wasn't prepared to explain his plan to this girl; he'd only explained it to Jakob a month earlier, and only then because the man was asking questions Kormaldi could no longer answer with vagueness and half truths.

The girl sat back in the deep, cushioned chair, continuing, "Why not tell me how I can save the Empire right now? Why must I wait until later?"

Questions. Always so many questions. How can a man pull off a successful conspiracy with everyone asking so many, damn questions...?

"Your Lady's future hangs in the balance, my dear Jiya," he told her, trying his best to show compassion and concern for the Princess. "Strong forces are allying against her father ... and, indirectly, against her. She needs someone strong to come to her aid. Someone ... not of the Palace."

He ceased his explanation, wondering whether to reveal his suspicions about the conspiracies that existed inside the Sultan's own home. Kormaldi firmly believed that the death of his father had been at the hands of the Sultan's men; the only question was whether the Sultan himself had been at the table when the decision to murder the powerful Noble was made. The current Baron didn't believe the Sultan was involved, but he'd been unable to prove it one way or the other. And until he did, the only way to avenge his father's death and save his Barony was to create an unbreakable alliance with the Sultan.

And the best way to do that, Kormaldi knew, was to marry the Royal's daughter and put her child -- his child -- in line for control of the Empire.

"I am the man who can come to her aid," he continued, using his most compassionate voice. He moved back toward her again, slowly as to not frighten her as he knew he'd done earlier. "I can help her ... but to do so ... you must help me."

He reached down and took her hand, leading her toward the door as he continued. "You must not tell her Highness of our meeting. You must not tell her we have talked at all. When she asks why I brought you here, you tell her it was to determine whether or not you or she were the true Princess. Tell he I know about the ruse, but that I accept it as a necessary ploy and that there will be no punishment for the deception."

He opened the door, gesturing to the Guardsman outside to come forward. "Return ... this fair lady ... to her quarters. Get them anything they ask for. Questions, you come straight to me. They are to be treated with the utmost care and consideration..."

He looked back to Jiya with a slight smile and added softly, "Short of leaving your quarters without my permission, obviously." He leaned in a bit closer, whispering, "Your Lady's future ... the future of your people ... rests in what we have talked about here this morning. Please ... do not fail Hasini in her hour of need."

 

[haremfaery]

((I'm thinking the princess was on a visit to some other noble to meet his son and see what she thinks. her father is rather indulgent and won't force a marriage on her, but her choices are limited. She probably needs to make a decision within the next 6-12 months.))

"You think there is a traitor at the palace?" The thought chilled Jiya.

Kormaldi was being kind and gentle now. Now that he wanted her help. Her eyes narrowed, "if you want my help, why did you treat me roughly earlier. How do I know one of your men is not the traitor at the palace. _You_ are the one who kidnapped my princess. Why did you not just tell the Sultan of your suspicions?"

Jiya was conflicted as to what to do. She had been ready to tell the princess everything, but the Baron sounded truly so sincere now. What if he were right? He was powerful in the kingdom, she knew that much.

Kormaldi led her to the door to the waiting guards. They escorted her back to Hasini's rooms. On the way, she thought about all the Kormaldi had said and done. Was there really a traitor? or did Kormaldi think to keep the princess for himself and force an alliance? The princess would know more about the various Barons and their politics. But she was not to tell the princess. Why?

She was frightened to return tonight. What if the Baron only wished to slake his lust on her? It was clear earlier that he wished to do so. Or was that simply to make her admit that she was not the true princess?

Her mind was a whirl and Jiya did not have nearly enough time to ponder what she should do.

Jiya entered the rooms to find the princess sprawled on cushions reading a book of verse.

"Tell me what happened."

Jiya poured them both some wine. "The Baron knows I am not the princess."

"How did he find out?"

"He made me tell him, but I think he has known for some time..." Jiya took a sip of wine and debated if she should tell the princess more.

Hasini looked at her friend and servant. "You were gone a very long time. Judith refused to answer my questions."

Jiya shrugged. "She is Kormaldi's servant, why should she do otherwise? At least we do not have to continue our ruse." She smiled at Hasini. I make a very bad princess."

The two laughed.

They whiled away the rest of the day with food and drink. They played backgammon and talked.

Jiya tried to draw the princess out with questions about the politics of the land.

"Why so curious about such tedious things?"

"Our capture has gotten me thinking."

"Horrors!" the princess laughed. "You must drink more wine then."

But Jiya was able to learn that the princess was not happy to go meet Count Parsa's son. She thought he was spoiled and not very handsome. "There are eunuch's at the palace with more balls than he." She giggled.

"Princess!"

As evening wore on, Jiya rang for Judith and asked for more wine. "The Baron told me that you will bring what we wish, when we wish it, no matter the time of day or night." She hoped the woman took that to mean that she had decided she would meet Kormaldi when the princess was asleep.

It only took a short time for the wine to do it's trick. Jiya pulled the bell happy that it made no sound in their room. She was wearing an embroidered robe over a fine cotton night dress. She did not want to take the time to change for fear of waking the princess.

Jacob answered the door and brought Jiya once again to Kormaldi's rooms.

"I have returned as you asked. Now tell me how I can help my princess and the Empire." She was feeling nervous again and hoping desperately that she had made the right decision.

 

[IRP2011]

"I have returned as you asked," Jiya said, her tone firm and -- whether she knew it or not -- bravely demanding. "Now tell me how I can help my princess and the Empire."

Kormaldi could see that the girl emotions fighting -- nervousness and bravery, head to head for superiority. This was the kind of girl he liked, the kind of girl that -- given the right motivation -- could be molded into just the kind of consort he wanted her to be.

He took her hand softly and guided her farther into his quarters, directing her toward the deep, soft chair where they'd shared their first dessert together. He turned to the dining table, retrieving a platter of fresh fruits and berries that had been hurried to him by Judith immediately after she'd supplied Jiya with the potion laced flask of wine.

Pushing a cushioned stool close to her feet, he dropped before her, setting the platter playfully into her lap. "Please, eat with me. Eat with me ... and we'll talk about our futures together."

 

[haremfaery]

Jiya was wary of Kormaldi. He was acting very different tonight. Courteous and pleasant. She felt on edge waiting for him to become the rough angry man again. She glanced at the entrance to his bedchamber and shivered a little remembering how easily he had thrown her down on the bed.

Jiya picked up one of the huge strawberries and ate it setting the stem on the side of the plate when she finished. "Our future? I do not understand. I thought we were to discuss how I can help the empire."

 

[IRP2011]

"Our future?" Jiya asked, a bit of confusion, or doubt, or both in her voice. "I do not understand. I thought we were to discuss how I can help the empire."

"We are," Kormaldi answered quickly, reaching forward to select a berry from the platter and making sure that his forearm ever so gently brushed upon a bit of her leg that her positioning had revealed from below her long gown. "The empire needs you. The Princess needs you..." He ate the berry, his eyes firmly on her own in what he hoped was a very seductive gaze. Tossing the remainder of the berry aside, he added with a softer tone, "I need you, Jiya. I need you to assure me that you are here to help me help the Princess. I need to know that I can trust you ... and I need you to know that you can trust me."

He repeated his gesture from that morning, picking a ripe berry from the platter -- a smaller one this time, as he wanted his finger tips to brush her lips as she ate it -- and lifting it seductively toward her mouth. "You can trust me, Jiya. Can I trust you...?"

 

[haremfaery]

Jiya felt her heart flutter. She was nervous being alone with the Baron. This was only the second time in her memory that she had been alone with a man. Was he trying to seduce her? She was sure he could bed any woman in his domain, why would he want her that way. Especially if he needed her help. She was not cut out for this sort of thing at all. The princess would know what to do, how to treat him, how to react. She fell stupid.

The Baron did have lovely eyes. Deep and intense. Smoldering, she thought. Isn't that what the romance poems said?

Jiya ate the strawberry Kormaldi offered her. His fingers brushed her lips. Her heart sped up again. What would the princess do? What would she say?

Jiya drew herself up a little. "I am a person that can be trusted. I did not kidnap the princess and continue to hold her hostage. You will have to do much better Baron Kormaldi if you wish to gain my trust."

 

[IRP2011]

Kormaldi laughed, long and heartily. Yes, she was a brave girl, and yes, he would enjoy molding her into a woman he could greatly enjoy.

"Do better, must I?" He popped a grape into his mouth, rolling it about his tongue and lips suggestively before finally biting down upon it and savoring the juices. "Then do better, I will."

He pulled a second grape from the heavily fruited stem and held it out before her mouth. "Tomorrow ... I will return ... let's say half of the Princess's possessions--"

He could see surprise in Jiya's eyes. "Yes, I have her things, most of what she was traveling with in fact. I will return half tomorrow. And... I will afford the Princess one more of her loyal servants from those who are currently residing in the comfort of my dungeon..."

He smiled, a tight lipped, conniving smile. "...if you yourself will do better to show your trust in me ... and kiss me."

 

[haremfaery]

((Ooh, an addition worth waiting for ))

Jiya frowned at Kormaldi's laugh. "You mock me." And he making innuendos with the way he was eating. It made her very uncomfortable. Were all men like this?

When he offered her a grape, she was tempted to bite his finger. She imagined the princess would do that. She plucked the grape from Kormaldi with her fingers and put it in her mouth.

"What does a kiss have to do with trust? Or the safety of the princess. OR peace in the empire?" She said a little nervously. "My honor has already been compromised by being alone with you and you dare ask for a kiss." Her breasts rose and fell as she breathed. She lifted the plate from her lap and made to stand up. "I believe we are done, my lord."

 

[IRP2011]

Kormaldi contained the laugh fighting to escape -- he'd known that the likelihood of their lips meeting to easily was miniscule -- and snatching the plate that was threatening to dump upon him, sat back on the stool allowing her to rise. As she made motions for exiting, Kormaldi said with a tone of regret, "I am truly sorry, my lady, you are correct to be angry with me ... as I am myself, for not making a better deal for those in my dungeon."

She seemed to slow a bit, though the Baron was unsure of whether she did so because of his veiled threat ... or because she had had no intent of leaving in the first place.

"My negotiating is not at it's best these days, Jiya," he continued, his tone mockingly sad. "I am sure that one more night below will not affect them greatly ... while I look for another way to negotiate their release to their Princess."

He turned his back on her, hunching his shoulders as if pained. He picked at the platter, rolling a berry around with a finger tip before finally setting the dish aside as if suddenly devoid of appetite. He drew a deep breath ... then released it in a sigh that even the Princess, beyond two walls of stone and passed out on sleeping potion would have been able to hear.

 

[haremfaery]

"You said you would only release one of the princess's women from the dungeon." Jiya turned slowly to look at Kormaldi. "None of the women--or the men, should be in the dungeon. They are citizens of the empire and should be afforded much more respect."

Jiya did not know much about dungeons, but she did know what people looked like after having been kept there for awhile. She had watched executions from behind pierced screens, and had seen prisoner brought before the sultan at court.

"The princess can live without her things, but I cannot allow her entourage to be kept in the dungeons. Release all of her people to some better accommodations and I shall give you a kiss." She said. Her heart was pounding at her lengthy speech.

She gripped her hands in front of her nervously. "Baron, truly, you should be discussing this with the princess, I do not understand why I am involved in this."