Taken: The Vampire's Concubine: Part Two Page 2

  Against her ear, Kosmas whispered, “I could have you now, little concubine, if I wanted. You're putty in my hands, and we both know it. Zander is lost to you. He's promised to another, but even if he wasn't, I would never allow him to have you. Never. From the moment I laid eyes on you, you became mine. The sooner you can accept that, the better it will be for you.”

  “Put me down now,” Keely ordered, her eyes stinging with tears. She quickly blinked them back, refusing to let Kosmas see them. He didn't immediately comply. Instead his hands slid over her breasts, his fingers teasing them for a moment or two before he finally released them.

  Keely pushed against his shoulders, but there was no budging Kosmas. His large arms caged her in, while he held her up with his powerful thighs. She hated his dominance as much as she craved it. “Will you submit?” he asked her coolly, his breath teasing the skin of her neck and chest.

  Her arms had been wrapped around his neck. At his words, she dropped them. With one hand she grabbed his chin before pressing her face up close to his. With their eyes locked together, Keely said, “Hear me and hear me well, Kosmas. I won't be choosing any male as my mate tonight. You might be able to force me to take one, but you'll never have my agreement.”

  He inclined his head, his long, silky hair falling to the side. His eyes flashed with something that could have been respect, but it was quickly gone. “So be it,” he replied nonchalantly. Turning his face, he called out, “Guards.”

  The double doors immediately flew open as several guards piled into the hallway. One of them stepped away from the others as he started down the hallway. In his hands, he held a thick red pillow, but it was the necklace collar on top of it that held Keely's attention. Thick and wide, it was embedded with diamonds and emeralds, similar in style to an expensive choker. In the back, though, it had a strap and buckle. Keely swallowed hard, but she carefully kept her expression impassive.

  Kosmas lowered her to the ground before clasping his hands together in front of him to wait for the guard to reach them. Keely's stomach churned in horror, praying her suspicions were wrong. The guard stopped in front of them, lowering his head respectively as he extended his hands. “I brought what you requested, Kosmas.”

  “Thank you,” Kosmas replied, his voice thick with satisfaction. He lifted the collar off of the pillow, admiring it for a long moment before turning toward Keely. He pulled the strap to release it, his eyes gauging her every reaction.

  “Your time with the other women ends now,” Kosmas informed her, holding the collar open with both of his hands. “Since you don't want to openly take me as your mate tonight, I'm making you a royal concubine. You'll join the rest of my personal concubines tonight.”

  Keely lifted her chin in open defiance. “And just what does a royal concubine do?”

  “Come now, Keely,” Kosmas replied flippantly. “Do you really need me to draw you a picture? You'll exist solely to satisfy me, in any way, shape, or form... With as many of the other concubines as I choose.”

  He leaned forward, his voice dropping a notch. “You should have taken me up on my offer of mate when I extended it. It's too bad you didn't, I doubt I'll offer it again... Especially, since I plan on slaking my pent-up lust on you repeatedly, until I no longer care to have you anymore. I daresay that marriage will be the last thing on my mind at that point, at least with you.”

  “You bastard,” Keely yelled, uncaring of the guards that watched. Her hand flew out as she slapped him across the face. His head barely twitched, although her hand ached unbearably. The pain and humiliation of the moment only made her angrier.

  “Careful, concubine,” Kosmas hissed, revealing his fangs. “I've taken about all I'm going to take out of you. One more word, and I will give you to the Seiyadians. I could have that voluptuous body underneath me and fucked solidly, and still have enough time to bring you back and hand you over. Don't. Tempt. Me.”

  He was angrier than she'd ever expected, his rage truly terrifying. Stretching his arms out around her neck, he quickly put her collar on. It felt large and bulky against her throat. For a moment, Keely felt as if she might retch. “Did you remember the leash?” Kosmas asked the guard, never taking his eyes away from her face.

  Keely stared back at him, her body trembling with rage. She despised him more than she'd ever despised anyone. “Go ahead and have your fun,” she told him, in a cold, steady voice. “But know this. You're worthless to me. You'll never have anything more from me than my utter disgust and dislike. And if you take my body, it'll mean less than nothing to me. Whether I die tonight, or a hundred years from now, a day won't go by that I won't remember my hate for you. I'll never forget or forgive you for what you're doing now.” And with that she turned her back to him as she waited for him to leash her.

  Kosmas sounded unconcerned as he hooked the matching leash on the collar. “I'll take what I can get,” he muttered arrogantly from behind her before stepping away. Keely felt the tug as he pulled on the opposite end of the leash. “It's time to go back to the market,” he continued, motioning for her to lead the way. “Although you're about to find your lot in our lives is a lot different than what is was when you left.”

  Chapter 2

  “Dammit,” Zander swore angrily to himself, ignoring the odd look the nearest guard shot him. Where the hell could they be?

  He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, turning away to watch the crowd. The concubine market was a bust. Not only were the males starting to get antsy, but they had to deal with the Seiyadians, too. Zander didn't see anyway that the evening could possibly end well.

  It was past time for the ball to draw to a close, and the entire room knew it. It wouldn't end until Kosmas gave the signal, though. Unfortunately, he was nowhere to be found... And neither was the concubine, Keely.

  Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined how the night had played out. He had to talk to Keely before she gave the vampires her choice of mate. Commitment be damned. He was going to mate the concubine.

  Zander frowned. He hadn't missed the way several of his comrades had slipped into the private hallway that belonged to Kosmas, just like he hadn't missed the way Kosmas had left. He had missed Keely's exit, though, after having been sent on some foolish errand for their temperamental leader. He grimaced. If she didn't return soon, he'd find another guard to take his place. His decision had changed everything.

  The ramifications of his change of heart were life-changing. His family would be disappointed, but Zander expected them to understand. At least by marrying Keely, he'd be able to reproduce. The thought of being able to one day bounce his own grandchild on his leg would go a long ways toward softening his father. Even if it didn't, though, nothing would change Zander's mind. His feelings toward Keely were complicated, but for the first time in his life, he actually had feelings for a female. It changed his entire outlook on life.

  He would leave the guard, Zander decided, a slight smile teasing his lips. He was rich beyond belief, and the truth was, he'd wanted to leave it for a long time. He just hadn't realized it until Keely. He would purchase some land close to his family and settle down. Maybe he'd even try his hand at moon farming. Zander the farmer, he thought, his lips spreading into a full-blown grin. Zander the family man.

  It was amazing how much the right woman could change a man. It was as if every moment in his past had been preparing him for the time he'd meet his mate. He'd been foolish, though, by agreeing to bind himself to a woman he didn't desire. Even his career no longer mattered to him, at least not in the way it had.

  They would leave the palace that night, right after the market was over. He'd turn in his resignation, as well as sending a formal notice over to his betrothed and her family. It was a rotten way to end it, but for once in his life, he didn't care. Besides, it wasn't as if there were time to break it off first. If he delayed, Keely would be mated, and it wouldn't be to him.

  The crowd suddenly quieted again. His eyes swung over their wary expressio
ns before turning to face the doors that led to the private hallway. When he did, the blood drained from his face. For the first time in his long life, Zander felt faint.

  In the doorway stood Kosmas, his dark eyes alight with gratification. And in his hands he held a jeweled leash, which was connected to a collar around Keely's slender throat.

  “No,” Zander whispered, the one word filled with horror. “Dear God, what has he done?”

  Keely stood proudly, despite the humiliation of her position. She looked beautiful and poised, the jewels of the collar adding to her beauty rather than detracting from it. Her wide green eyes were haunted, although Zander couldn't detect any tears.

  “As you can see, the concubine Keely is no longer available on the market,” Kosmas announced to the crowd, his voice confidant and sure. Nobody in Golden Harbor had more power than him. His word was law. “She now belongs to me, and she's assumed the role of my personal concubine. Her days and nights will be spent seeing to my every need, from this moment out.”

  A few vampires muttered amongst themselves, but they quieted when Kosmas held up his hand. “As to the other concubines, it's time for them to pick their mates. We will all meet at the amphitheater in half an hour to hear their choices.” Pulling on the leash, he led Keely out.

  Zander was shocked, horrified, and pissed. Not only was he angered at Kosmas, but he was angered at himself. It was his fault, he had delayed too long. And now, Keely was paying the price for his foolishness.

  He bit out an order at the nearest guard before stalking to the exit. It was going to take every strategic skill he had to get her out of the mess he'd caused... And the odds were stacked against him.

  * * * * *

  Keely stared at the stage in front of her with a calm facade, but inside she was anything but. Her night had went from bad to worse, although she'd got what she wanted. She wouldn't be mated that night, but had it been worth it? With the collar still attached to her neck, she doubted it.

  They were in an oval amphitheater, with the three moons shining down on them. In the center was a stage, surrounded on all sides with spectators. The other concubines were standing on it, their faces glowing from happiness and excitement. The seats were surprisingly full. It would seem that those that hadn't attended the ball had made sure to attend the market.

  She'd drawn more than one condescending look from her perch on the royal podium. The weight of the leash felt even heavier than it really was; there wasn't a moment that passed her by that she wasn't aware of its presence. Kosmas sat next to her on his throne, sipping at a glass of their blood. Keely was tired, exhausted, and weary of overhearing the snide remarks from the vampires that surrounded them.

  “Unleash me,” she hissed out, careful to keep her voice low. She wouldn't give the other vampires the satisfaction of hearing her ask. “Unless you're scared I'll somehow manage to slip away?” Keely was provoking him, but he'd left her no choice.

  Kosmas gave her a lazy look, the wine glass clasped loosely in his long fingers. “Why would I do that, concubine? It would seem that you've went out of your way to displease me. Besides, the collar protects you from the Seiyadians. They wouldn't dare try to take you now, not with the claim I have on you.”

  Keely bit her lip as she looked away, unsure of how to respond. What would he do if she just reached up and released herself? The temptation was so strong her fingers twitched. “What if I give you my word that I will behave myself?” Keely countered softly, shuffling her weight from one foot to the other.

  “And how would I know if your word means anything?” He took another swallow from his glass, his eyes focused on the stage. In the glow from the dozens of torches that lit the amphitheater, his face looked like it was cut from the same stone that surrounded them. Finally, he conceded, “Sit on my lap like a good concubine would and show me that you're sincere. If you'll do this, I'll remove your leash.”

  To Keely's surprise, Kosmas sounded petulant. It was strange, coming from a male as hard and powerful as the vampire's leader. Had his feelings been hurt by her refusal to mate him? With his harem full of women that were waiting to satisfy his every need, the likelihood seemed impossible. Still though, Keely couldn't shake the thought.

  Brownie, the chihuahua that belonged to Kosmas, had followed them from the ballroom. He kept circling around her legs and nudging her with his snout in his quest for attention. Finally, he plopped down by her feet before offering up his large belly in the hopes of having it rubbed. As little as the dog was, it was obvious that he, too, was well-fed.

  Kosmas might be cruel, but it was clear that he adored the little dog. And the dog loved him, too. For some odd reason, it reminded Keely of her father.

  Her father had been kind and honest man, and the state of their world had disturbed him badly. He'd also been a man full of pride, a hard-working man that had taken joy in providing for his family. It had hurt him deeply to finally concede defeat and join the never ending lines of people for the government handouts, but he would have done anything to take care of Keely and her mother.

  Unfortunately, it hadn't been enough - not for them or for the rest of society. They were just a family of three out of millions of hungry, hurting people. The rations had dwindled and eventually stopped as the privileged ones turned their backs on humanity. Without food, heat, or electricity, people became ill. Disease spread. The dead were often just pushed out onto the sidewalks and left to rot.

  Through it all, Keely's father had never lost his kindness. He'd always seen the good in people.... Even when there wasn't any good to be found. As she'd grown older, he used to tell her to never marry a man that wasn't good to his dog or his mother. According to him, if she found a man with those traits, he'd always be good to her, as well.

  Keely swallowed hard. Living in such desperate circumstances had destroyed him, he hadn't had the strength to survive their hellish lives. Her hands clenched into tight fists. Greed had taken her parents from her, just like it had taken their very livelihood. It hadn't been their greed, but rather the greed of the ones elected to take care of society. And in the end, it had ruined the very people that had trusted them.

  Two strong hands wrapped around her waist, forcing her back to the present. Kosmas pulled her onto his lap, his lips close to her ear. “Relax,” he chided her softly, his breath warm against her neck. “The others are starting to notice. Never show a vampire your weaknesses. After all, we are predators. We'll use it to our advantage.”

  His body felt rigid and hard underneath hers, but it wasn't unpleasant. His hands slid over her own, gently prying her fingers apart. “Is your captivity really so bad? Have I not fed you and provided for you, while keeping you safe from Laryn?”

  Keely didn't respond. In his arms, the tension fled from her body. She hated it, Kosmas had collared and leashed her like an animal, but her body didn't see him as the enemy he was. To her chagrin, she enjoyed his embrace. He'd taken control over her, running her to the ground to prove his desire for her. Something ancient responded to his dark handsome looks and aggressiveness. Was this how her ancestors had felt, when the cavemen had taken what they wanted instead of asking for it? She couldn't deny her attraction to him. It was twisted, but it was real.

  For so many years, she'd had to be strong. In the beginning of earth's problems, she'd been to young to really understand what was happening. All of them had believed it was temporary, none of them had ever thought it would escalate into a way of life. As the days, weeks, and months had passed by, though, the quality of their lives had continued to worse.

  Soon, it was years passing them by. Keely had eventually grown used to the horrible heat during the summers and the never ending cold of the winters. She'd learned to live with the constant gnawing of her stomach from hunger and the need to conceal herself anytime she'd left the house. At least she'd had her parents.

  When they'd grown sick, though, she'd had to provide for all of them. Every decision had fallen on her young shoulders, and s
he'd done the best she could. It had never been enough. Somewhere deep within she'd known that their days were numbered, and it had been devastating. Eventually, her suspicions were proved correct when her parents had died. She'd failed them and now they were dead.

  It was easy for Kosmas to tell her to relax, Keely thought bitterly. He'd never had to worry about where his next meal was going to come from, or whether or not he'd be raped or murdered or both. Not to mention her captivity. It was clear that he'd spent his life at ease, his every need anticipated and provided for. And with his immortality, it was likely his family was still alive. They wouldn't have to worry about disease and not being able to afford medical care to survive. Tears stung her eyes. If only her parents were still alive, too. She would have agreed to all of this and more, if it would have ensured that their bellies were full and their medical needs attended to.

  Her voice was thick and throaty from pent-up emotion when she finally replied, “Careful, Kosmas. No matter how fine the cage might be, a wild bird will always fly away, if given the chance.”