Artos

“Unhand me!”

He pinned her against the door with his weight. Deftly, his hand searched the curved lines of her body, stopping when he found what he was looking for, hidden in the folds in her lavender tunic. Holding up the golden comb, he quirked his left eyebrow. “Stealing? It won’t fetch a good enough price to travel very far, my little thief.”

“I am not a thief!” she hissed.

The comb clattered to the floor. His fingers threaded through her flame-red hair. “Sabina. You don’t yet realize the situation you are in.” She could feel his hot breath whispering along her neck and chest, warming her. “I own you. I can do with you as I like. Handle you… as I like.” He paused, staring at her so intently that she couldn’t suppress a shiver. “You will find me a fair master, but I am your master, nonetheless.”  

Snarling in fustration, she pushed against his broad chest. “Never, Artorius Aurelius. Release me!”

Sabina struggled desperately, her every attempt at escape blocked by his muscular body. Amused, he let her twist and writhe for a few moments before gripping her close. He tilted her head back and forced her to look into his eyes.

The stubborn chit refused to let her tears fall.

“I can see you’re never going to be completely tamed, lady.” He smiled softly. “I like that about you. As a reward, I will offer you a bargain.”

“Bargain?”

“Yes.” Artos nodded. She still didn’t recognize him, thank the Gods. “Come.” Seizing her wrist, he pulled her across the hall and into his own chambers.

“And just what do you propose by bringing me here?”

He ushered her quickly to the bed, all but flinging her onto it. He looked ready to pounce, but instead turned sharply and strode over to a table. Carefully, he picked up a small vase of spun glass. It looked too delicate for his massive hands.

“Despite the fact that you may have been born a free citizen, you were indeed sold to me as a slave—can we at least agree on that?” he asked.

Dumbly, she nodded.

“Good. And when I purchased you, I paid a pretty sum—four hundred denarii, actually.”

She grimaced but nodded again.

“Very well. Here is what I propose: You will remain here as my slave. At night, you will come to this chamber. During the day, you will perform any tasks that I or Matron Fionna ask of you. At the end of every day, I shall place two denarii in this vase.” He held it up for her to inspect. “You see? A very generous wage for every day that you work for the House of Aurelii. At the end of two hundred days, you can buy yourself back with the money you’ve earned. What do you say?”

She gaped. “You’re proposing that I sell myself in exchange for my freedom?”

“I am proposing that you earn your price and honor your debts. Then, you may go where you like, do what you like… I will even give you a small bonus to aid you in your endeavors. Fairly magnanimous of me, wouldn’t you say?” There was that devilish grin again.

Sabina rose from the bed, drawing in a deep breath. Her lips pressed into a thin line of indignation. “I am not a slave. Nor am I a whore. I will not be paid to lie with you!”

Her so-called master looked taken aback. “You mistake me. I meant that you are to sleep here, in this bed, so that I can assure you do not escape. Sleep and nothing more.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “N-nothing more?”

He nodded sincerely.

“And you swear to me that after two hundred days, you will let me go?”

“Yes.” He inched closer, looking every bit the predator. “Think of it: In less than a year, you will be free—and have some spending money, as well.”

“And all I have to do is sleep here?” She glanced nervously at the bed.

“Yes, lady. Just sleep.” His feral grin softened into a smile, which made him look almost innocent. “However—”

She stiffened.

“Should you try and escape again—and I’ll know it if you do—I will take back every coin. You shall have to stay here… with me… forever. I am not above tying you up at night, should you prove untrustworthy, believe me. Are we agreed?”

Holding her breath, she looked at the empty vase, then into Aurelius’ eyes. Such a familiar brown. “Very well,” she whispered.