CHAPTER FIVE
Stowed in the back of the wagon that will take us to our new home, the other girls seem to sense my air of melancholy. A blonde haired girl with a slender build sits next to me, resting her hand on my knee. I look up at her, and she offers me a kind smile.
"I know it seems an awful fate, but at least we're going with someone wealthy. There are worse things than being pampered by a wealthy nobleman," she grinned. I managed a half-hearted smile, in turn, drawing my knees up to my chest and simply settling in for the ride. It seemed we were going a long distance from the market, but certainly not in the direction of the slums in which I had grown up. "So, what your story, morning glory?" The girl asks me, giving me a comforting little nudge.
“My parents sold me,” I say bleakly. She blinks at me for a moment before tilting her head back and laughing. I’m almost angry at the audacity, but she reaches out to pull me into a hug.
“Oh, honey. Did they at least get a bargain? My parents traded me for a dairy cow. Can you imagine,” she says flippantly, drawing away and offering me another grin. “I’m Trinity. Before you rolled around, Abbi put all her efforts into getting me sold. We’ve been rolling the auction blocks for some time now, it’s a surprise that I actually got picked out by such a wealthy looking man,” she hummed, patting me on the leg.
“Abbi?” I inquired softly, and she quirked her lips in a wry smile.
"Tall, dark and handsome? Or should I say tall, dark and gorgeous? That woman could run with the wealthiest, but after running the circuit for so long, she's more intent upon seeing newbies placed in good homes," Trinity murmured, leaning back to rest her head against the side of the wagon. Just as she settled in, the wagon gave a sudden jolt and she nearly knocked herself out. I had to swallow a laugh, but the other girls were not so polite.
"Yeah, Rynna wasn't it? Don't worry about Abbi. I know she seems young, but she's been through this process a dozen times over. Noblemen don't know what to do with her. There are rumors she has an affinity for women, but you didn't hear that from me," another, red-haired woman murmurs. I redden at the thought, crossing my arms over my chest with a pout. "Oh honey, I'm not implying she did it just because she was attracted to you. Abbi's a genuinely good person. You find very few of those, getting tossed around in the slave market," the girl amended. "I'm Tara, and this is my sister, Lena. It was actually something of a surprise that we were chosen together," the red-haired woman, Tara, giggles.
“Not much of a surprise. You two are gorgeous,” Trinity fawned, and I found myself zoning out of their conversation. As fascinating as this all was, I couldn’t help feeling afraid of the future. Sure, the man who had chosen us seemed wealthy from his clothing, but perhaps it was a charade.
The wagon gives another lurch, knocking me from my reverie. The girls gasp, pointing out the front window of the wagon where we can see a glimmer of the outside surroundings past the man leading the horses. Just ahead is a massive stone building, sprawled across a well-tended estate. Flowers seem to bloom at every corner, large pillars lining the entrance to the property.
"This guy must be loaded," Lena murmurs, speaking for the first time. I catch her gaze and note that she seems as scared as I do. I offer her a weak smile, and she averts her gaze quickly.
"I told you! I've heard that some noblemen even give you a room of your own. Could you imagine? Meanwhile, my parents can enjoy that cow they traded me for," Trinity announces boldly. The other girls laugh, but uncertainty brews up within me as we draw nearer the building. The wagon comes to a halt, and the man in the elaborately embroidered robes opens up the back doors of the wagon.
"Follow me, if you please," he announced, leading us to a large building that was something of an offshoot from the main estate. Stepping inside, my insides warm at seeing thick and plush mattresses arranged across the floor, the finest blankets I've ever seen spread across the tops of them. He ushers us inside, locking the door behind us and leaving us to our own devices for the time being. Trinity flops down on one of the mattresses, bouncing up from the support it provides.
“Wow, this is so nice. Better than I ever had at home,” she muses aloud. I agree, but don’t voice that thought. I begin exploring the room as much as I am able, but a door slams open from the opposite wall and an older woman steps inside.
“If you all will follow me,” she says regally, and we all fall in step behind her as she leads us through the sprawling estate. I can hear Tara and Lena murmuring amongst themselves, while Trinity laughs giddily the entire time we traverse the building. The elder woman leads us to a massive dining area, filled to the brim with other women. They’re all young, gorgeous, and chatting happily amongst themselves, as if they were not slaves. We’re guided to a table with a few other women, who consider us for a moment before continuing to speak amongst themselves. Food is placed in front of us, and it’s the heartiest stew I’ve ever laid eyes upon. Looking from side to side, I see that we all have the same extravagant meal. The softest and most appetizing bread I’ve ever seen is set to the side, and I dunk it into the stew before taking a hesitant bite. The taste spreads over my tongue, and it’s all I can do to swallow a moan of pleasure at the taste. The other girls seem less restrained.
“This is the best food I’ve ever had! Better than anything I ever had at home,” Trinity loudly announces. I hum my agreement, and one of the unfamiliar women at the table considers us with a faint smile.
“Well, for the time being, you’d do well to get used to the extravagance. You’re in the home of the Dragon King,” she said warmly. I exchange a look with the other girls and it feels as if my heart will beat out of my chest.
The Dragon King!?