82

I pull Mila in for a hug the minute she walks into the cell. She stiffens in my hold, and I step away from her, frowning.

Perhaps she’s not happy to see me?

As though she read my mind, she said, “Oh my lady, I’m so happy to see you but please refrain from hugging me”.

My frown deepens. “Why? Is it because I’m dirty?”

“No, my lady. It’s just that you’re higher than me, and servants don’t hug their mistresses”.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Aren’t Icelanders superior to wolves?”

“You’re correct my lady, but when that wolf has been placed in a position higher than an Icelander, she’s superior.”

“Superior or not, we’re friends Mila, and friends hug all the time. I’m going to hug you now, and you’re going to hug me back. Is that clear?”

“My lady….”

“Is. That. Clear?”

She nods. We embrace for a moment, before she pulls away, wiping away a stray tear. “Oh my lady, I’m so happy you’re alive and back. The other concubines have been mean to me, making me do all kinds of work, including tasks not meant for a handmaiden. I didn’t even have time to take care of my family”.

At least one of us has a family.

“You have nothing to worry about Mila. I’m back and I’m not going anywhere”.

“Does that mean the auction has been canceled?”, Mila asks, eyes shining with hope.

“No, Mila but I’ll be back with the prince soon don’t worry”.

“My lady, how do you intend to do that? The prince has been forbidden to partake in the auction and the king has refused to change his mind regarding his decision”.

I didn’t expect any less from Thjis. “I don’t know Mila but we’ll be fine”.

“I hope so my lady, because if you leave the palace, I would be transferred to another side of the palace, or I may not work in the palace anymore”.

“My kind isn’t tolerated here Mila, so don’t be too sure”.

“But my lady, you’re alive and well. I’m sure you and the prince would be fine”.

How can she be so certain? Then again, she’s an Icelander and knows how these things work. I don’t. “If you think so”.

She smiles. “I know so”. There it is again. That sass. That confidence in her eyes as she speaks. There’s a lot more to Mila than she’s letting on, and I would find out later. Now I have to get the hell out of here before Mosle wakes up. The journey to the south wing was exhausting. I ignored the glares and looks of disgust from the palace staff. Ruarc stopped us on our way to Sia’s room. Mila excused us to go prepare my bath, and I braced myself, staring blankly at Ruarc. He shamefully checks me out, eyes lingering on my body parts.

“I don’t think your wives would appreciate your shameless gesture”, I tell him, wrapping my arms around myself. It’s so cold.

He looks up at me, feigning a smile. ”I was just checking if you’re okay”.

“You could have asked me, not ogle me. Would you be at the auction?”

“Do you want me to be? Even if I will be there, I won’t buy you”.

“I wasn’t asking you to buy me. The last thing I need is to belong to a rapist, which makes me wonder how your wives are coping with you”, I bite out, before walking past me. He doesn’t let me get away.

He yanks me back and slams me against the wall. Pain explodes in my skull, and I bite my lip to prevent myself from shouting. Fuck it hurts.

“Now listen to me you dog. You’re still alive and breathing in this kingdom because of me. So the sooner you watch your mouth when you speak to me, the better. And not just me, but the others too. We are all Icelanders, except for the humans who have been bought as slaves, so you must treat us with respect.”

“Even if you’re wrong?”

He smiles. It’s evil. “Even if we’re wrong. Run along now. You don’t want to be late for your auction”.

Mila runs to my side once Ruarc leaves me be. “My lady, are you alright?”

How can I be alright? I was slammed against an ice wall for moon’s sake! But I don’t tell her that. Forcing a smile, I grit out. “I’m fine, but I will be better after having my bath”.

After a long bath, we debate for a while before I put on the dress, I’m supposed to wear for the ‘event’. I wouldn’t call a material that barely covers my legs a dress, but whatever the queen wants. Someday, Dogara and I would have a chat. Mila tries to cheer me up with her words of praise, but she shouldn’t expect me to be happy when I’m about to be sold off.

The auction is taking place in a large, well-appointed room with high ceilings which icicles hung from and chandeliers. The walls are adorned with elegant artwork, I’ve never seen around before, and the room is filled with comfortable seating for the bidders. There are four thrones before the seating and I’m guessing they’re meant for Thjis, Dogara, Hanos, and Avetha.

The auction floor is at the front of the room, where the auctioneer would stand behind a podium and there is a raised platform for me. The bidders are a mix of affluent individuals and representatives probably from prestigious art galleries and museums, all Icelanders. They are well dressed with many of the men wearing suits and the women wearing elegant evening wear. The atmosphere is refined and sophisticated with a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air, just for me.

Mila leads me to the raised platform before going back to her stand by the door. The crowd quietens as the royal family, except the children, make their way into the room. Their appearances have me wowed. Dogara is elegantly dressed and Avetha looks wonderful in her teal gown. Hanos and Thjis are clad in navy suits, hair gelled back. The princes look breathtaking in their black tuxedos and navy blue bow ties. I glare at Ruarc before admiring Sia. He’s without a tie, the first three buttons of his shirt unbuttoned. His hair is messy, not gelled like his brothers. He is roughly handsome and all mine. I watch as his eyes roam the crowd, looking for me. He relaxes a bit when he sees me, nostrils flaring as he takes in my dressing.

He approaches me, stopping a foot away from me. He takes off his blazer jacket and puts it carefully on my shoulders. There are whines from the crowd.

“Don’t cover her up prince. We need to see what exactly we’re auctioning for”, one robust man says from the crowd. Sia rolls his eyes, buttoning his blazer jacket without meeting my eyes. He turns to leave but I pull him back.

“Sia, I’m scared”.

He holds my shoulders and I look up at him.

“Crinka, you’re beautiful and you’re strong. I know you’re scared but you can’t show them your fears. Be strong baby. It will be over soon”.

“I..I don’t want to go through that again Sia”.

“It will be alright love, I promise”.

He kisses my forehead before stepping away to join his brothers. Cocci walks towards the podium, and gestures for me to step onto the platform before taking the microphone.

“Good evening ladies and gents! You all know me as the prince but tonight I’m going to be the master of this event!”, he paused, relishing in their cheers. I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

“I must say you all look wonderful tonight. We have gathered here this cool evening to place a bid on this she-wolf. The prince, my elder brother Nasia is no more in need of her. Now listen, there’s a reward for the highest bidder. He or she…yes females can place a bid too, gets to keep her as a personal assistant or concubine for males, and the ceremony would hold here in this great palace. Doesn’t that sound exciting!”

The crowd cheers again. Massa takes a careful sip of his drink.

“Before we go on, I would like to invite our Crown Prince, Ruarc Lancaster to lead us in the grace”.

I watch with disdain as he walks towards the podium to say the grace. He takes his seat after the grace, which was just a short prayer of thanks to whatever deity they believe in.

And with glee, Cocci screams, “Let the bidding begin!”

“Forty thousand dollars”, a man yells from the back.

“Sixty”, a slippery voice shouts.

“Eighty!”

“Two hundred!”

My eyes widen as I hear the figures going higher. That someone can spend so much amount of money on a person, makes me nervous. I twiddle my thumbs, trying to keep my nerves at bay.

“Two twenty!”

“Four fifty!”

“Wait!”, one man yells. “Here we are bidding for a woman that we don’t know her worth. How about we feel her up to know if she’s worth our money huh?”, the man asks, wiggling his uneven brows at me.

I fight the urge to vomit. “Yes I agree with August here. It’s only reasonable to inspect your product”.

But I’m not a product, I want to yell. I’m a person! Just like you!

“Fine”, Cocci mutters. “Two minutes”.

About five men came forward and I take a voluntary step back, almost falling off the platform. August rips off Sia’s blazer jacket while another man parts my thighs. Tears threaten to fall but I bite them back.

Sia meets my gaze, his lips moving.

Be strong.