Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 (14 page)

“See? Good as new!” Cassie said, offering a reassuring smile to her friends.

“Do not ever scare me like that again! To think we might have survived a vicious battle only to lose you to a trifling cut?” Nera laughed. “What would I say to those precious men of yours?” The three of them laughed together as they left the tent.
 

Passing by the tents housing the slaves, Cassie caught a flash of bright blue eyes before the slave lowered his shaggy head. The men inside the tent were consuming vast quantities of food and having their wounds tended. Her heart went out to them, and she shuddered to think that something like this could have happened to her own beloved men.

“We had better get home quickly, or there will be no food left at all,” she said.
 

“Indeed. They are in sorry straights, the poor scarecrows,” the Queen replied, and Kara shook her head in pity. “Cassandra, do you require rest before we strike out for Erla?”

“No, Your Highness. As a matter of fact, I am more than ready to go home.” Nera smiled at her words and sent Kara to ready the camp for travel. Soon, they were mounted and starting their return trek.

After a seemingly endless journey, the conquering heroes rode into Erla amidst the shouts and cheers of the crowd. Every citizen of Erla lined the route to the Palace, waving banners, laughing, and crying in relief at the safety of their warriors.
 

The warriors sat a little straighter in their saddles. Their pride in themselves and in their leaders was evident on their faces, which were bedecked with smiles. Even the horses seemed to step a little higher.

The people shouted their names as they rode by, “Nera! Cassandra! Kara!” Cassie figured this was as close as she would get to being a movie star, so she hammed it up—smiling and waving energetically.
 

As they approached the Palace, she could see her slaves standing on the top steps, and when their eyes fell on her, their faces broke out into huge smiles. Relief was clearly written all over their sweet faces.
 

Cassie smiled at them and sighed happily.

Nera swung down from her saddle and ran up the steps. When she reached the top, she spoke briefly of the battle and the valor of the warriors. Several times, she had to stop as the mass of people cheered so loudly it overwhelmed her voice.
 

Cassie’s mind wandered a bit as she looked at her men, wishing she was home, letting them tend to her. Visions of a full-body massage danced in her head.

“ . . . the outstanding courage and quick thinking of our Beloved Commander have allowed us to stand here today—triumphant—having completely defeated the Trevian barbarians!” the Queen declared before motioning for Cassie to join her.
 

Cassie dismounted and ran up the steps. The Queen raised her uninjured arm high, making the crowd roar again.
 

“Although wounded, she continued to fight on, killing the Trevian leader and thus ending the war!”

The crowd was deafening in their adulation, and Cassie flushed, feeling awkward and yet very stoked.

“People of Erla, save your applause for the real heroes,” Cassie said loudly. “The Erlan Army you see before you . . . these women . . . they are the ones who truly deserve your honor and praise!” The crowd erupted again, and the warriors looked around at the crowd and then at their Commander in delight and surprise.
 

Dismounting, the entire force dropped to one knee and bowed before the Queen and Cassie, pledging their continued loyalty, and Cassie swallowed down a lump in her throat as Nera bade them rise with pride in her eyes.
 

Cassie turned to Nera and knelt before her. Nera looked down at the top of Cassie’s head and touched her on the shoulder.
 

“Rise, my friend. Go to your chambers to rest, you have fought well, and I am very pleased with you.” Cassie stood, and Nera embraced her and kissed her on each cheek.

Slowly, the crowd dispersed, and Cassie was left surrounded by her men.
 

She spent several minutes hugging and greeting them all. She kissed away their tears of joy at her safe return, and they fussed over her injury till she waved them away with a smile. Eventually, she allowed herself to be led into the Palace by her slaves, entering the sanctuary of her home with relief.
 

“Bath,” she said, and they hurried to do her bidding.
 

She grabbed Aidan’s arm as he moved past her and pulled him to her.
 

Looking into his emerald eyes, she caressed his cheek and smiled. “Aidan, my love, I must send you to the Queen. It seems I have spoken too often of how well you please me.” A smile lit his face.
 

“I am glad to know I please you, Mistress, and I will do my best to please the Queen,” he said obediently, and Cassie smiled at him as she patted his cheek.

“Do not please her so well that she takes you from me, though! I would not want to be without you.” She kissed his lips softly. It felt so good to be back amongst them. The campaign had not been as long as she had feared, but it was still too long to be away from the comfort and delights of her slaves.
 

Aidan cupped her face and kissed her sweetly, then he released her and asked permission to prepare her something to eat.
 

She sent him on his way with another kiss and moved to her bedroom. She found Mika there, taking garments out for her to wear. He pulled a pair of the black silk harem pants and a matching vest out for her approval.

“Oh, Mika, I have missed you all so much! I am afraid you have spoiled me beyond redemption.”

He turned, and his luminous eyes sought hers, and at her nod, he moved to embrace her.

“Mistress, I was so afraid I would not see you again. I cannot bear the thought of my life without you in it.” Those golden orbs misted, and Cassie caressed his face gently. At that moment, Arn came into the room and bowed, saying her bath was ready.
 

She released Mika and turned to walk to the bath when Arn caught her up in his thickly muscled arms. She squealed and laughed, kissing his cheek as he carried her across the room.
 

Once in the bathroom, he carried her into the tub and sat her gently on the marble bench in the water. Cassie melted into the heated bliss of the bath as Arn reverently lathered a washcloth and bathed her gently, taking care to keep her injured arm out of the water. When he was finished, Cassie dismissed him and leaned back against the tub and relaxed, feeling the stress flowing out of her as she ate her meal while lazing in the tub.
 

Drowsing slightly, she heard a soft knock, and Kai came in. “Mistress, the Queen’s physician is here to redress your arm and check your condition.”

Cassie sighed and rose from the water, “Very well. Hand me a towel, Kai.”
 

Kai brought the towel to her and dried her slowly from head to toe. Then, he ran his fingers through her damp hair, removing the tangles. Cassie ran her hands across his chest and kissed him as he brought forth her clothes and helped her to put them on, fastening her vest and tying the silken cord on the pants.

Cassie came out of the bathing chamber and smiled at the Queen’s physician and her assistant. The woman welcomed and congratulated Cassie as she looked at her wound.
 

“The field physician did well; I will just clean it and put a salve on it,” the woman said, and Cassie nodded.
 

All of her slaves came to look at her injury, murmuring with concern at the stitched gash. The physician finished up, left something for pain should she need it, and bowed as she took her leave.

“Mistress, are you in pain? What can we do?” they asked as they stood before her with concern creasing their beautiful faces.

“No, loves. I’m fine. I’m just a little tired. I could use a massage, though . . .” They smiled and led her to a cushioned pallet on the floor, removed her clothing, and lay her out on her belly. They each massaged a different area of her body as she purred in bliss.
 

“Where is Taylyn?” she asked, suddenly realizing he was not there.
 

“He has gone to assure the proper delivery of your things, Mistress. He should return soon,” Mika said.
 

“Oh,” she sighed. She was truly enjoying the feel of their hands. Kai kneaded her buttocks, and she groaned; the ride had not been especially kind to that part of her anatomy.

A knock sounded at the door, and Arn rose to answer it as the others continued working on her tired body.

“Your Highness!” Arn bowed as the Queen motioned for the others to continue what they were doing.
 

Cassie looked up as Nera sat on the sofa and watched them massage her.

“And here I was worried you might not be able to unwind,” Nera said with a laugh. “My physician told me you would be fine, but I had to come see you for myself before I got into bed.” Nera’s eyes followed Aidan’s hands as they swept over Cassie’s flesh.

“Your Highness, please allow me the honor of sending Aidan with you tonight; I wish to provide for your own relaxation.” Aidan’s hands stilled briefly.
 

Nera looked at Aidan and then at Cassie and smiled broadly.

“Thank you, Cassandra. I would be pleased to enjoy your slave.”

Cassie slowly rose and allowed her men to help her dress for the second time that evening. She then kissed Aidan on the mouth, took his hand, and presented him to the Queen, who looked into his eyes before kissing him deeply.
 

“I believe we shall go now and leave you to your rest, Cassandra. You needn’t worry; I shall take very good care of him.” Aidan turned an adorable shade of red at her words, and Cassie laughed as they left.
 

The others watched them go. They knew what a great honor he was receiving, and yet each man was glad he would be able to remain with his own sweet Mistress.
 

Taylyn entered at that moment and waggled his eyebrows at his brethren (having passed Nera and Aidan in the hallway), and the men laughed as they helped him to bring Cassie’s things inside.

Cassie shook her head.
 

Boys will be boys no matter what world you are in . . . 

She turned and promptly made her way to her bed, stripping off her clothes as she went.
 

Cassie didn’t wake up until the next morning, and she rested quite happily on her own comfortable bed staring at the silk draped over her head. She stretched and yawned, feeling lazy and wonderfully relaxed. Her thoughts turned to Aidan with the Queen, and she felt a shaft of jealousy. She felt very much like a child who has shared a toy with her best friend and then immediately regretted it.
 

She laughed at herself. She loved Nera and would do anything for her, so she bit back her possessiveness and stretched again, listening to her men talking in the other room. They spoke of idle gossip mostly, but then they began discussing Aidan and the Queen.
 

Cassie flushed when they agreed it would be an honor to go to the Queen, but they preferred to remain with their own, dear Lady.
 

I love you guys too . . . 

Finally, she managed to drag herself out of bed. Slipping on her robe, she joined them in the lounge. When they made to rise at her appearance, she waved them down and sat on the sofa, yawning. “I can’t believe I slept so long!” she said before stretching.

“You needed the rest after your recent exertions, Mistress,” Mika said as he smiled at her. His eyes were drawn to where her robe slid up and exposed her from the hip down. Desire immediately simmered in his eyes.

“Yes, I did,” she said, ignoring his desire.

“Hungry now. . .” She grinned as Kai and Mika immediately rose to bring her some food.
 

She lay back and let them feed her, totally immersed in the sensuous pleasure it afforded. Taylyn rubbed her feet, and she smiled at him. As she ate, she said to them, “I want to know about your previous Mistresses. Arn, you begin.” It was something she had often wondered about.
 

 
“My last Mistress was a warrior; she was lost in the last skirmish with the Trevians. She was very strong, and . . .” he paused, not wanting to speak badly of a dead Lady. Cassie saw his discomfort and motioned for him to continue. “She was a good warrior, Mistress.” He didn’t know what exactly she wanted him to tell her.

“And what did she require of you sexually?” Cassie flushed at being so direct.

“Oh. Most times, she just required that I be hard and ready to satisfy her,” he said with a hint of relief in his voice. His face had cleared once he understood what sort of information she wanted from him. “There were times when she wanted to watch me with a female slave. That was all for the most part, though. Actually, she and Aidan’s Mistress were sisters, and they were very much alike to hear Aidan tell it. Aidan’s Lady was quite old, and I don’t think she even realized his hair was red because her eyesight was so poor.” The men laughed at that, but it pierced Cassie’s heart to think that her beautiful Aidan was looked down upon because of a silly superstition.

Cassie nodded and then looked at Kai.
 

He smiled at her and said, “My previous Mistress was quite old, My Lady. My service to her was limited, but, like Arn, she enjoyed watching me pleasure the female slaves; she was especially stimulated when several males and females indulged in group activities.” Cassie raised her eyebrows and then swung her eyes to Mika.

Mika swallowed and cast down his eyes when he spoke. “I could not arouse my most recent Mistress unless she beat me soundly first. My cries of pain inflamed her lust. I tried every way I knew to please her, but I had not the skills to make her happy with me.” He bowed his head in humiliation.
 

Cassie was unable to breathe for a moment. What kind of woman would take pleasure in beating such a beautiful, sensual man? It was disgusting.