Coreopsis 14 b

As Juliah and her companion walked up the street, his eyes never left the ground. She broke the silence, “the salesman neglected to tell me your name.”

   “Michael,” he answered softly but quickly.

   “You’re the quiet type; that is an added feature that I shall enjoy.”

   “Thank you,” came a meek reply. “My other masters thought it was a sneaky trait.”

   “Where are you from?”

   “Kealamen.”

   “How did you become a slave?”

   “I was 8, the younger of two children. My father could not support four of us so he sold me.” Michael’s voice remained monotone.

   “But you have developed into a very muscular man?”

   “The future did not matter; only then mattered.”

   At that moment a guard stopped them. “Who shall enter?” He barked.

   “You must be new?” Juliah asked in a calm, playful voice.

   “I am,” he barked back. “I started yesterday.”

   “I shall enter.” She straightened her posture then threw her head back. “I am the princess.”

   ‘The princess’, Michael thought to himself. ‘A princess owns me’! While they were walking in the palace garden, he fell to his knees.

   “What is the matter with you?” She asked in a surprised voice.

   “You are the princess, if I would have known I would have been more responsive.”

   “That is okay. You were responsive enough. Now get up. When I want you to fall to your knees, I will tell you.” She giggled.

   “Yes, milady.” He got up. They entered the palace. His eyes still never looked up from the floor. 

   “You can look around.”

   “That is fine milady.”

   She stopped. “Do you always look down?” 

   He took his cue from her and stopped as well. “Yes.”

   “I noticed that behavior at the dress shop. Why?”

   “One of my owners thought I was cheating with his wife. He didn’t like the way I looked at her. Ever since then, I have chosen to look at the ground.”

   “Did you?”

   “No, milady.”

   “What did he do to you?”

   “What most owners do.”

   “I want you to look around. See where you are.”

   He lifted his eyes. The stone walls were lined with huge framed paintings. Horse size chandeliers hung from the ceiling that was 10 feet above his head. They started walking. Every now and then there were suits of armor, busts, and tapestries. He had never seen such beauty. A large man opened a heavy wooden door. She motioned for Michael to enter. Inside was a grand bedroom. A woman came walking toward them. He quickly lowered his glance back to the floor. 

   “Give the boxes to Anna.” He extended his arms toward her. She took the boxes. “Get those ready for tonight please.”

   “Yes milady.” Came her quick heavy reply as she disappeared from the room.

   “Have you figured out your function yet?”

   “No, milady.”

   “What do you think it is?”

   “Whatever you tell me it will be?”

   “Very good.” She smiled. His glance was still on the floor. “Look at me.” He did as he was told. “You are going to be my love slave. You are going to put that wonderfully hard body to use pleasing me.”

   “Yes my lady.”

   “Have you ever done anything like this before?”

   “No, milady.”

   “That is okay. I will teach you what I want you to know. Kiss me.”

   He was very timid. His actions were slow and clumsy. He took her face in his hands. They were rough but he was gentle. He had never kissed anyone before. He tried to mimic the actions that she was feeding him. He forgot about being scared and started enjoying himself. She raised her hands; he ended the kiss.

   “Wow!” She cleared her throat. “Now you see that wasn’t so bad. You are a good kisser.”

   “Thank you,” came a meek reply. “You are great as well.”

   “There is no need to compliment me. Come, I want you to meet someone. Remember to say yes sir, kneel on one knee, and speak when spoken to.”

   “Yes, milady.” He hesitated a moment, “may I ask milady a question?”

   “Ask away.”

   He lowered his head; his straight blond hair fell like a veil around his face.

   “Don’t worry. I will keep you in line.”