Prince of Cats by Susan A. Bliler Read Free Book Online

.”
    Bray stood holding her arm in his vice-like grip as he glared down at her.  She didn’t look at him and remained motionless, submissive.
    “If I may be so bold oh Prince .  Perhaps whatever it is you seek from me, you should take it now so that we may be done with it.”
    “And what is it you presume I seek from you?”
    She couldn’t control the anger and resentment that flooded her.  “My only guess could be humiliation .  As it is all you’ve given me for the past few weeks … Master.” The last word dripped with sarcasm and too late Neomee realized she’d gone too far.
    Bray’s hand was around Neomee’s throat in an instant.  His fierce grip crushing her warm flesh until stars danced before her eyes .  She struggled to breathe as t he warm liqui d pools of his eyes that she was now so familiar with transitioned to a neon yellow with black slits down the center.  His face rippled before her transitioning from flesh to fur than back.
    Did I just see.. ?
    It was the last thing Neomee saw.
    ***
    Neomee’s hand went to her throat as her eyes fluttered open.  Between the Slave Master ’ s whip and Bray’s chokehold it wa s a miracle her slender throat hadn’t snapped in two.  She warily eyed her surroundings from the cushion of the bed on which she lay. 
    One window on the far wall revealed that it was late at night .  T he sky was black as pitch, dotted by the winks of numerous distant stars.  Letting her eyes travel the wall she saw that the room was barren.  No curtains covered the open window; no art decorated the brown stone walls.  It appeared that the only thing in the room aside from her was the canopied bed on which she lay and the low divan seated at the foot of the bed.  
    Looking for an escape route, Neomee found Bray’s ma ssive form standing in the door way with his back to her.
    She rose unsteadily from the bed and dropped her eyes to the floor, rubbing her neck before she dropped her hands and lock ed them together behind her back in the proper slave s tance.  
    “M- m…, ” Neomee cleared her s cratchy throat, “Master?” The word came out on a harsh whisper.
    Bray turned to face her, sadness in his eyes as he noted her posture .   “You don’t have to do that.” 
    “Master, please forgive me for my transgressions .   I truly meant you no dishonor. ”  Neomee bowed her head in submission.
    “Please don’t do that.”  The pain in Bray’s expression trickled into his voice.
    Neomee bowed her head even lower.  I have got to get out of here.  Please Amon, don’t screw this up.  Just be what he wants.  Just be a damn slave.
    “ It is I who must beg forgiveness. ” Bray crossed the room to stand before her, “ My apologies.  I should not have sought you out so soon from a fight.  My Cat was too…well, he is often uncontrollable.  But that is no fault of your s .  I sh ould not have toyed with you the s e past few weeks.  Now it would seem my Cat cannot go a day without your scent.”
    Neomee’s mind raced for the proper response.  “ As is your right Master.  As is any of your right.  I am a slave.  Only a slave.”  Neomee repeated the words the Slave Master had spoke n to her e arlier, only t his time she believed them .   Her head still bowed submissively, Neomee licked her parched lips, “Master, may I be excused?” 
    Again, a pained expression crossed Bray’s face, but was lost on Neomee as she refused to raise her bowed head .  Moments passed before Bray whispered, “Yes.”
    Neomee calmly walked from the room without ever having looked up.

C hapter 7
    The following day, Bray made an effort to get to the dining hall early in hopes of conversing with Neomee prior to her work shift .  Dust b illowed up from the floor as his sandaled feet paced back and forth just outside the door to the dining hall.  He knew the slaves would be streaming down the ha ll any moment. 
    Guilt over his actions had prevented any real sleep during