Bound: The Inland Slave by Kelsey Charisma Page B

city’s edge, but went no farther. She watched him until he was out of site, and then she solemnly sat as they passed the hilled trees beyond Trata.
    As they set out for the windy hills towards Tresbecka, with Felix leading the way and Annett trailing behind her, it began to pour frigid rain and hail. They were draped in layers of thick fur, but the rain still beat against Katja’s face. They had a month’s travel ahead of them, and the first day was sobering.
    She spent the long hours concluding that her fornication made her deserving of such punishment. After sleeping with Felix, she could very well be pregnant, and would have disgraced her father. He showed her great mercy for letting her leave after what she’d done, and for sparing her life, she’d try hard to forgive her father of his unspeakable cruelty toward her slave.
    As for Annett, she was offended that she’d go to her father instead of talk with her. Katja couldn’t look at her without thinking her trusted confidant spoke up against her when the effects could have ruined her life—and certainly affected it. If Felix wasn’t there, her father would’ve beaten her senseless as he had when he first demanded she show him respect in front of his peers. She wanted an explanation from Annett. She wanted to know why she did it.
    She wanted to know Felix’s real intentions, too. She hoped, more than believed, that Felix intended to keep his word, but he proved that day that he thought ten steps ahead of everyone. He warned her from the beginning he would steal her away, and he did it effortlessly. They all underestimated him, her above all, and Katja began to realize there was so much more to him than she knew. Obviously, he had skills she had yet to see if he hid his cunning so well.
    Katja kept a watchful eye on him and the horse of supplies he held onto, while trying to access the kind of man he was, as they traveled all day to the top of the hills where the woodland began to close in around them. His sudden dismount off his horse surprised her, as if affirming he was unpredictable and couldn’t be trusted.
    “We will stop here.”
    “There is nothing here! You led us off the road!” Annett snapped. “Do you expect us to sleep in the wild? Why didn’t we remain on the road and stay at the Idumeo Inn.”
    Katja looked around the dark woods, and thick moss on the ground. Then she gave a wearily look at Annett, worried she’d be sick by the morning. “She’ll be fine, and couldn’t be in more capable hands. There is a safe house close by. We stay there.”
    Felix held out his hand for Annett to help her dismount the tall steed. Katja slid off her horse, and then led it to a tree beside an old cabin, perfectly concealed to resemble a large, mossy rock. As they tied up the horses, Felix brought the supplies into the shelter and built a fire. There were few creature comforts, but no bed. They tightly huddled together under mounds of fur, and tried to sleep.
    Hours passed before anyone fell asleep, but Katja was still wide-awake. Her dizzy thoughts from the day and her increasing warmth while sandwiched between the others made her restless. “Get some rest, Katja.” Felix said in a low whisper.
    She turned her head, surprise to see his eyes wide open. “If you leave me anywhere but Tresbecka…” She threatened in a quiet hiss, which hid that she was more hurt he’d plot against her after sleeping with her, than being afraid he’d leave her. He scoffed, which only irritated her more.
    “I leave you nowhere .” He lifted her chin to make sure she saw his honesty. “You’re mine now, little woman. Our roles have reversed, and you belong to me. Once we’re far from your father I’ll make it clear to Annett that you are my possession. When she hears us in the caves as we travel, she’ll realize it was us the other night she heard—not you and that suitor. You’ll tell her she did right by you when telling your father what she thought she