Vaaden Captives 2: Enid by Jessica Coulter Smith Read Free Book Online

left it alone. “I should be going.”
    “Important plans?” Bastian asked.
    “Actually yes. I’m meeting Tiana and her family for breakfast.”

    45
    Bastian stared at his brother a moment before shaking his head. “Why you want to ally yourself with that family and that wretched woman I will never know.”
    “She’s beautiful.”
    “She’s cold,” Bastian retorted. “Her beauty won’t keep you warm at night.”
    “ That is what slaves are for. You’d do well to remember that.” Bastian gave him a frosty glare. “It’s definitely time for you to leave.” Rheul nodded. “It was nice to meet you, Enid.”
    “Nice to meet you too,” I said softly, looking back at my book. I couldn’t concentrate after the discussion between Bastian and Rheul, but I hadn’t really been reading it anyway. What did it all mean?
    Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bastian follow Rheul out of the room.
    * * *
    When Bastian returned, I was still contemplating everything I’d heard. So engrossed in my thoughts, I didn’t hear him until he walked over to my chair.
    He knelt beside me. “I’m sorry about all of that.”
    “It’s okay.”
    “No, it isn’t. This is your home now and you should feel safe here. Rheul shouldn’t have pushed himself on you, and he shouldn’t have talked about you like that.”
    “It was bound to happen sooner or later, Bastian. I’m a slave.”
    “You’re more than that,” he said softly, with a perplexed look. I could tell he wasn’t sure how I meant more to him. He just knew that I did.
    “You may think I’m more than that, but I’m not. It won’t do me any good to think otherwise. Despite your claim that you never wish to marry, it could still happen.
    You could fall in love one day, and then you’d either move me back to the slave quarters, or get rid of me.” I caressed his jaw. “I have a hard time seeing you as being unfaithful. I have to prepare myself for whatever may come, knowing that you could eventually get rid of me.”
    “Enid…”

    46
    I shook my head. “Bastian, we both know that no one else would be patient with me like you have. When that time comes…”
    He placed a finger over my lips, silencing me. “Don’t even think of finishing that thought.”
    But I already had. If he tired of me, I would die. I knew it and so did he, even if he wouldn’t admit it. There was no way I would survive becoming another man’s slave or becoming part of the public harem. My only other option was to be executed.

Chapter Ten

After Rheul’s visit, we fell into a comfortable routine. Mostly, we made love, but we also shared time in the library, reading. Sometimes we read aloud, and other times we just enjoyed the quiet of reading to ourselves. I cherished my time with Bastian and hoped it would never end.
    That dream came crashing down the next time his stepmother visited.
    She brought a beautiful Vaaden woman with her, and I realized the woman hoped to be Bastian’s wife. She stared at me with disdain and I quickly excused myself.
    Going to the bedroom seemed like a bad idea. Instead, I sat at the top of the stairs, hidden from view, so that I could listen.
    When Bastian reluctantly welcomed them, I felt every muscle in my body tense.
    “To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked.
    “I brought Danai with me.”
    “So I see.”
    “She wants to be your wife, Bastian, and I think it would be a good match. As you know, her father also sits on the council. It would be an excellent political move for you.”
    I was sure Bastian would refuse, but the silence stretched for what seemed like an eternity. When he finally spoke, I realized that life for me was about to change drastically.
    “It would be a good alliance.”
    My breath froze in my lungs and I became lightheaded.
    “Excellent. Shall I inform her family you’re interested?”
    “I’d rather get to know her first. I don’t want to jump into anything,” Bastian answered.

    48
    “That seems like a wise