9. Sloane

Chapter 9

Sloane

I glance back at the pillow hiding my newfound treasure. Retrieving the weapon is a bad idea, even though that's what I want to do.

Instead, I take the orc's arm. "Lead the way, Elder Denari."

Something tells me this old orc is as sharp as my pocket knife blade, and I need to stay alert. There's no way this field trip doesn't come with strings attached. And I'm curious what those strings are.

We make our way down the hall and past the stairs to what looks like some kind of glass-walled alien elevator. The ride down is silent, though not uncomfortable, and when it stops, Denari leads me out of the palace and into a courtyard garden.

I'm stunned by the beauty that surrounds us. The garden is a rainbow of colors and scents, filled with flora that reminds me of home.

Under different circumstances, I might actually enjoy myself. But my muscles are tense and my senses on high alert as I wait for the other shoe to drop. What's Denari's game here? Is this some kind of test? After years of slavery, nothing he says will shock me, although he could deliver news that'll turn my world upside down…again.

We meander through the beautiful garden, following the winding stone path, my slippers making a quiet scuffing sound as I shuffle along beside my escort. I'm hyper-aware of everything: the layout of the garden, the occasional guard positioned here and there, the way shadows are formed from hedges blocking the light from the suns. Each detail might be important during my eventual escape.

Denari seems calm, relaxed. I have no idea whether he really is, though. Unlike Dexari, he might be a master at masking his emotions.

The path takes us under an archway covered in orange, ivy-like vines and leads to a grassy clearing filled with a variety of fruit-bearing trees. The elder guides me toward a stone bench and motions for me to sit. Then, he takes a seat beside me.

Here we go.

I meet his gaze, forcing a smile that I hope looks sincere. "So, Elder Denari," I say, trying to keep my voice light, "I'm guessing this isn't just a social call to admire the flowers."

Denari doesn't respond right away. His gaze is steady, calculating. When he finally speaks, his words land like a punch to the gut. "Do you know that human females are considered universal breeders?"

"Of course I know that." My words are sharp, clipped. I don't like where this conversation is going.

"You must give my son an heir, Sloane."

" Must ? I don't fucking think so." My anger erupts hot and fierce, and I jump to my feet, fists clenched. "You're not the first arrogant, alien male who wants to use me as a breeding slave. So far, I've managed to avoid getting used that way, and I don't plan on that changing anytime soon."

I put some distance between us as the words pour out of me in a furious torrent. "Do you have any idea what I've been through? The things I've had to do to survive? I've been beaten, starved, forced to entertain hideous creatures on demand. I've scrubbed floors with my bare hands until they bled, learned languages and customs by having them literally uploaded into my brain, and I've been traded like a piece of property more times than I can count on one hand."

I'm shaking now, years of pent-up rage and fear spilling out. "But through all of that, I've managed to avoid being used…sexually."

Denari remains calm, his expression unreadable. "Are you an innocent, then?"

"Hardly," I reply with a humorless laugh. "But I only fuck who I want, when I want. And that's not going to change. Not for you, not for your son, not for anyone."

The elder nods, although I don't think he's actually agreeing with me. "What if I offered you a trade? Would that make you want to…fuck…my son and carry his child?"

My eyes narrow, suspicion warring with curiosity. "Depends on what you're offering."

His next words stop me cold.

"Your freedom."

Freedom. The one thing I've longed for, bled for, killed for. All to no avail.

"An orc heir for my freedom," I repeat slowly, hardly daring to believe it. "If the king's rule is absolute, how can you make deals on his behalf?"

Denari shrugs, unconcerned with getting Dexari on board with his offer. "I have ways of influencing my son, of making him see reason."

"How do I know you'll keep your word?" I ask.

Tension etches Denari's face. "Because the future of the kingdom depends on it."

I sink back onto the bench, my thoughts a conflicting, chaotic whirlwind—desperation for freedom, revulsion at the price, fear of being betrayed, hope for a slavery-free future.

"Well?" Denari says, and I swallow hard before responding.