Fostering Faust 2, page 23
part #2 of Fostering Faust Series
She was still dressed in the uniform Riley had provided her, in his house colors.
Walking over demurely, she folded her hands in front of herself.
Knowing she was a thief—one who could act, change her personality, and shift however she needed—kept Alex on edge.
Rebekah was a chameleon only interested in preserving herself.
“Thank you, Master,” Rebekah said, seating herself primly. She smoothed out the long dress over her legs and then looked at Alex.
Giving her a partial smile, he waited. He wasn’t about to offer anything up. Honestly, he was just exhausted.
“I was speaking with One,” Rebekah said. “I understand your Numbered much better now. They would be classified as your concubines and attendants at the same time.”
Alex nodded his head a bit, then set his chin in his palm, resting his elbow on the arm of the chair.
“In the case of surrender, the peerage as a whole has sworn to safeguard others in good standing. That ransom is a valid form of exchange for a prisoner, although an expected set of protocols are to be followed during the time of imprisonment,” Rebekah said, her eyes locked on Alex.
Nodding again, Alex still said nothing. None of this was new.
The only reason he’d been able to kill two of the Ridge’s previously was his broken loyalty oath to the king through Leah.
Duke Gaelis could make Alex’s life uncomfortable in a prison, but he couldn’t harm him or allow him to be harmed.
Nor could he harm Alex’s attendants, wives, or concubines. Though he wasn’t sure about his personal guard.
Need to figure out how to get them safely home if possible.
“I think you’re going to have to surrender eventually. I don’t think you can hold out longer than it would take for the duchess to break through,” Rebekah said.
“A pertinent point of view,” Alex said, committing nothing.
“You wouldn’t say I’m an attendant, would you?” Rebekah asked, the direction of her conversation veering.
“No. You’re a temporary hire while I’m here in Terk,” Alex said.
“And when you leave, you’ll be transporting me somewhere else to pay for my crimes, but you promise to speak to the duchess on my behalf,” Rebekah said, reiterating the deal.
“That’s accurate. Though again, I can’t promise anything in regard to the duchess. But I’ll try on your behalf.”
“No, that’s entirely within my expectations. Though from what I hear, your word carries great weight with her. She tells anyone who will listen you’re her husband or husband-to-be,” Rebekah said.
Alex shrugged. “Haven’t bedded her. Interesting view on marriage she has with that fact in mind.”
Dealing with Rebekah was more about giving her little to work with than anything else. The less she could feed off, the closer she’d get to her real personality.
Nodding, Rebekah seemed uncertain how to proceed. He’d given her no indicators.
“You paid a lot of money to keep Six,” Rebekah said, jumping the conversation to another topic.
Alex nodded. “She’s well worth it.”
“How can I get you to pay my debt so I won’t have to go to prison?” Rebekah asked.
Alex shrugged. He wasn’t about to put a price tag on that for her. She’d have to figure it out for herself.
Rebekah’s brows came down, her lips pressing together. If Alex had to describe what she looked like, it would be annoyed.
“I want to be an attendant,” Rebekah said.
“No. You’re not that useful,” Alex said with a shrug. “I gave you a task already—have you even started it?”
At the same time he’d tasked his soldiers to find accelerant and food, he’d given Rebekah the task of finding whatever black market existed in the city.
Alex wanted to buy up all the food and accelerant available.
“That isn’t something that comes immediately,” Rebekah said, her tone hesitant.
“Neither does becoming an attendant. Anything else?” Alex asked.
“Fine. I’ll be a concubine then,” Rebekah muttered.
“Uh huh. And you think I want you as one?”
Rebekah’s eyes went wide, her mouth opening a bit.
“What can you do or offer that I can’t get from someone else?” Alex said, leaning his head back into the large chair’s head rest. “You’re not bad looking. I think you’re rather attractive, actually. Very easy on the eyes.
“And you’ve got a great chest that’d be nice to really sink my fingers into. More than enough curve that I think it’d be fun to really grind it into you.
“But that wouldn’t make you a concubine. Just a fun ride.”
The thief looked beyond lost now. Apparently she’d just assumed he’d take her up on the offer.
“I… uh… I…” Rebekah faltered, her voice trailing off.
Alex felt like she was slowly coming around to where he wanted her. Anything he offered her now would seem akin to throwing her a scrap attached to pity. Something she’d weaseled out of him.
Which would reinforce her own belief in her ability to get what she wanted.
She closed her eyes and gave her head a small shake.
Ah. There we go.
“Tell you what,” Alex said, shifting his weight to one side. “Maybe I don’t want a concubine, but a thief. I don’t have a thief in my group.”
At the change in conversation, Rebekah stared at him.
“If you want to be an attendant, I can do that. I’ll name you Seven, get you a collar, and have you serve me until you die. Call me Master, be my retainer, and wear whatever outfit I give you to wear,” Alex said. Laying it on heavy. “For that, I’ll pay your debt and name you retainer.”
Rebekah looked shocked. Going from having to serve a sentence to being freed temporarily, then being told to serve for her life. He imagined her world was going sideways.
“Or you can say no, and you’ll suffer the fate you earned yourself. I’ll not penalize you for it either,” Alex said. “It’ll be as if nothing ever happened. It’s all your choice.”
“I can accept that, but I need… I need pay. I need to be paid for my work,” Rebekah said, her fingers clutching into one another.
“Hm. You said you’d be a concubine? Earn it then,” Alex said, then gestured at a desk nearby. “Swear to the deal on our oath to one another, then hop up there and hike your dress up. Receive me eagerly—make me want it. I’ll pay you two silver a week for this month if you sleep with me tonight.
“And on top of that, you’ll be celibate for as long as you’re signed on with me. You’ll never touch another man or woman without my permission. Ever again.
“Pure as freshly fallen snow.”
He knew the rate was about the same as a standard go with a prostitute, but he didn’t think he had her on the hook for a weekly arrangement in his bed.
Yet.
“Being celibate isn’t a problem,” Rebekah said, the word sounding unfamiliar in her mouth. Alex was glad he’d elaborated on what it meant. Her education probably wasn’t very good, her vocabulary based on those around her.
“That isn’t very much coin, though. I can guarantee I’m worth way more than that,” Rebekah promised.
“The problem is I’m also paying for your food, room, equipment, and safety. I would argue that you’re already getting a rather large salary on that alone,” Alex said.
Taking in a slow breath, Rebekah seemed to think on that. Then she suddenly nodded her head.
“Then I do so swear, and agree to everything stated,” said the thief, getting up out of her chair. She went over to the desk and then reached down, pulling her dress up to her hips.
She was naked underneath it. Her pale thighs and smooth skin were lovely. As was her private area that had just a faint bit of hair on it.
She really does have some shape to her. Not unhealthy, but… not skinny.
Rather nice.
Lying down on the desk, she bent her knees and then spread them apart. Giving him a wonderful view of her.
“Come here, Master. Let your Seven unbuckle you for your ride,” Rebekah said, holding her hands out to him.
Alex felt his libido rouse at her words. Most of the dirty talk he got from his Numbered was all from Valeria and Sylvia. Riley’s had fallen off completely, and now she just gave him loving words instead.
Standing up, Alex came over to Rebekah.
She grabbed hold of his belt and pulled him up between her thighs. She fumbled with his belt loop for a little before finally getting it undone. Unhitching it, she gave his pants a light shove, sending them to the ground.
“There. Now, come show me who my Master is. I’ll show you I’m built for comfort, and make you beg me for more,” said Rebekah, her hands pulling at his hips.
Quite the actress.
Letting her pull him in close, Alex guided his tip up into her fleshy lips. Pushing into her enough to get an inch in, he reached up and began unbuttoning her blouse.
“I want to see all of you, Seven,” Alex said, smoothly undressing her.
“It’s all yours, Master. Enjoy all of me,” Rebekah said, her ankles coming down to rest behind his lower back.
When he pulled the sides of her blouse open, her heavy breasts flowed out from the fabric.
Grabbing hold of her hips, Alex pushed forward, driving himself deep into Rebekah.
She quivered under him, her breath coming out in a shudder.
“Nnnn, yes, Master. Take all of me, all of what’s yours by right and oath,” Rebekah said, her hands coming up to stroke his biceps.
Holding tight to her soft sides, Alex began to pump himself into Rebekah, over and over. Her warm, pliant flesh shook with his thrusts.
“That’s great, Master,” Rebekah said in a moan. “Lean in closer to me, I want just a little more. Bury it in me. Have me. Truly enjoy your Seven.”
Encouraged by her words more than he’d thought possible, Alex did so. Leaning over her, the angle changed and he was wedged up to the hilt in her lips each time.
Groaning with each wet swish that came out from between them, Rebekah reached up and laid her right hand behind his head. Her left hand gripped his shoulder.
“Yes, like that, Master. By Leah, just like that. Give it to me,” Rebekah said, pulling his head down.
Then she kissed him, hungrily. Fiercely.
Her tongue immediately went into his mouth, her ankles pulling at his back as he moved forward. Using the leverage to her advantage, she was also writhing her hips forward into his, the pats of her bottom in his lap growing in volume.
Alex was drowning in his need to climax. He wanted to cum so badly right now.
Except Riley hadn’t been able to get any Mother’s Bane yet. She said she was close, but there was none yet.
Breaking the kiss, Rebekah must have realized how close he was.
“Master, I can finish you off if you’re unsure of putting your seed in me.
“I’m not sure I can find any Mother’s Bane if you don’t have any yourself,” Rebekah panted, not slowing her pulling or pushing at him one bit. She must have had the same concern he did.
Alex nodded. He didn’t really want to put his seed in Rebekah right now. It sounded like a risk he didn’t want to take.
Fuck it.
“Find Mother’s Bane and I’ll pay for it, Seven. Because I want you to take everything of me,” Alex said, pumping harder into her. He could use this as a way to force her to dig in and find that black market.
Rebekah moaned deeply at his words, her hands clutching at him. He couldn’t tell if she was acting.
And honestly, he didn’t care.
Acting or not, she was doing exactly what he needed.
Her thighs squeezed on his sides, her ankles pulling at him even as she tried to impale herself on his length.
“Fill me up, Master. Fill my womb up. It’s ready for you,” Rebekah said. “It’s yours alone.”
Alex came then, leaning down heavily into her. Groaning, Rebekah’s legs quivered around him, her fingers digging in as he pumped into her.
After several more thrusts, Alex felt he had nothing left to put in her.
Letting out a slow breath, he laid his face against her massive chest.
“That was amazing, Seven,” Alex said between pants.
“Thank you, Master. It’s definitely the best I’ve had, and I’ll swear that on Leah,” Rebekah said, stroking his shoulders and back. “Though I think you should get up. I need to go find that Mother’s Bane and start working on the other task you gave me.”
“Do it in the morning. You’re coming to bed with me,” Alex grumbled. “I want you next to me tonight to keep me warm. I won’t try to bed you again, but you’re welcome to try and tempt me to do so.
“If you can get me into a second round, we can talk about increasing your weekly pay for the month every time you get me off.”
“Yes, Master,” Rebekah said, her fingernails lightly brushing along his spine. “I can do that, and happily.”
***
Waking up slowly, Alex felt fairly tired.
Rebekah had coaxed him into sleeping with her twice more during the night. Getting her weekly salary up to six silver a week for this month.
Alex was beginning to wonder if Rebekah might be a succubus with how easily she seemed to tempt him into mounting her.
Then drain him easily.
“Good morning, Master,” Riley said, sitting at the table next to his bed. A simple breakfast and tea service for two was laid out in front of her.
“Morning, One,” Alex grumbled, sitting up in the bed.
“Seven notified me of her partial Numbered status. It would seem you’re going to string her along for a while,” Riley said, smiling at him. “May I serve you, Master?”
“Ah… yes, please,” Alex muttered, swinging his feet out of the bed. Moving to his wardrobe, he began to get dressed in a normal set of clothes for the day.
Glancing into the bronze mirror, Alex regretted that he couldn’t get a good bath without wasting wood.
Riley began to quietly prepare a cup of tea and a morning pastry that seemed to resemble a pancake of some sort.
Seating himself, Alex immediately started to dig in.
“I think Seven will be a good addition. Perhaps more so than Six in the long run, but it’ll take a bit to find out,” Riley said softly. “Though I’d like it if you would keep your bed open for me tonight.”
Nodding his head, Alex couldn’t help but smile.
His soft-hearted little Riley was much further along than he had thought. She was his completely. From top to bottom.
A tool for him to use, and one who would thank him for being used.
While also bettering her and giving her a life that would have been squandered otherwise.
There was a strange distant thump that gave Alex a crawling sensation of ice all over his skin.
Riley looked quite concerned as well, which meant that whatever it was, it wasn’t something he had been sleeping through.
Getting up, Alex went to the door and pulled it open. When he made his way into the hallway, he found his personal house guards looking equally confused.
Toward the central hall of the keep, people were moving around with obvious fear.
Eleanor fell in next to him, dressed only in her nightclothes with a sword in hand.
“What is it, Master?” she asked.
“No idea, looking to find out,” Alex said, moving out into the courtyard.
There, Alex saw something out of the corner of his eye.
In the sky.
A large rock, coming down into the city. It smashed down, vanishing behind the wall of the keep and breaking Alex’s view of it.
The thud was loud, and it made the ground beneath Alex’s feet shudder a bit.
“We’re being formally sieged,” Alex said, even as another big stone came up from beyond the city wall, arcing through the air.
It was going to drop down into the city somewhere.
Sighing, he put his hands on top of his head. He wasn’t quite sure what he could do about it.
If anything at all.
It landed closer than the second one, and Alex saw bits of wood go flying in the air after the stone hit the ground.
Followed by a low, guttural scream from one of the citizens.
This is going to be hell.
We’ll need to start watching for tunnels as well.
The only saving grace is the gatehouse is shut up tight and filled in with rocks.
Another stone crashed into the city nearby.
Well… we could put those rocks in the gate, too.
Chapter 21
Alex stared out across the torn landscape that existed outside the walls of Terk.
It was filled with the wreckage of siege towers, ladders, corpses, arrows, and scorch marks.
It’d been a month and a half since the first stone had fallen.
Everything had gotten worse, but Alex and his people still held Terk. They’d taken losses to do so. The enemy, however, had taken significantly more. Much, much more.
So much more that they no longer seemed interested in attempting to push the attack by scaling the walls.
The biggest problem was that Alex and Terk were well and truly cut off. Often he could see troops, wagons, and supplies all moving around Terk toward the west. Where the front line inevitably was.
He hadn’t heard from the duchess since the siege had started. Nor had he heard from Leah, despite having called on her repeatedly.
The only link he had at all to the outside world was his crystal. Which was dangerously low, looking as if it had only a month or two left in it.
Anna was more than likely making deals on his behalf. The power she was generating was significantly less, though. Leah had warned him of that happening once he regained control over his soul.
Running a hand over his face, Alex was again surprised to find facial hair there.
Since the city had moved into a semi-locked-down state, Alex had done his best to spare resources.
He had included shaving in that list of sacrifices, since it required water.
“Master, do you think the duchess will break through?” Riley asked next to him.
