King Dom Comes Read Online Free Page B

Thrice a
month? And those were only the times that you were caught. Bend over now and
let us finish this so that you may resume your chores."
    Shannon
trembled as she reluctantly obeyed. The skin of her bottom and thighs quivered
as the wooden staff was again lined up to take aim. The searing bite was met
with a loud squeal, followed by a milk bucket exploding. The goats, unbothered
by her gift, scampered out of the way, bleating plaintively as though they
understood the pain of their companion. The Grand Dame said nothing as she
wiped the foamy white liquid from her face and aimed for stroke number three.
    Shannon
cried out as the lash left a long, red welt across the backs of her thighs. The
second pail of milk shattered as well, soaking them both. The fourth stroke
left another angry mark on her thighs, but this time, no milk pail was made an
additional victim. The final two strokes landed briskly on the underside of her
tender cheeks, and Shannon crumpled to the ground, tears streaming down her
face as she clutched her burning backside.
    "When
you have composed yourself, I expect you to complete your tasks and clean up
this yard. You are then to join me in your chambers for lessons. Stop your
wailing, girl. Did you hear me?"
    Shannon
nodded as she cried into her hands, her bottom feeling raw, and stinging
painfully. She had never realized how much protection her contraband
smallclothes had provided in the past! After the Grand Dame had left, she
carefully stepped back into the garments, wincing as the scratchy material
touched her raw skin.
    She wiped her eyes with the back of her
sleeve and began to tidy the mess she had made, pausing to hug the goats and
sigh as they cuddled up to her. Overhead, the sound of thunder rumbling sent
chills to her spirit. Was that the work of her power, or of nature as it
brought spring to the lands? Despair fell over her heart and, without thinking,
she lifted her face to the sky and released a plaintive wail. Cold, sweet drops
of rain struck her face and mixed with the hot, salty tears on her cheeks. She
prayed that she would not be leaving one prison only to be placed in another.

CHAPTER 3
     
    "Your
Grace?"
    Newly
crowned King Domitri d'Gavril raised his head from the table. "What it is,
Mikel?"
    The
steward bowed his head. "You have not eaten today. Please, allow me to
have something prepared."
    "I
have no appetite," Dom said, rubbing his neck. "I must finish these
accounts and then look over the collections."
    "Sir,
if I may," Mikel placed his hand over the young lord's books. "You
have barely slept since your father passed on. I hear you coughing in the
evening as the dampness sets in, and I fear for your health. The only thing I
have seen you consume in excess is wine. You cannot continue like this."
    "And
why not? What have I to look forward to in this life? Endless work at a table?
Never being allowed to go outside, for fear my enemies will put an arrow in my
back? Marrying a woman I have not met, simply because my father pitied the
wench?"
    "So
that is what ails you! His Majesty told me that she was very fair."
    "Appearances
can be deceiving, my friend. One would not think that to look into my eyes
would mean the loss of thought and life."
    "The
responsibly of a king is great, Sire. Much more when the king holds a gift such
as yours. If you would allow me to assist you—"
    "My
father did these accounts on his own and so shall I."
    "I
handled all the affairs for your father while he was gone. I can do this for
you. Please, allow me."
      "If he had spent less time whoring
and more time at home, he would not have needed assistance."
    "Sire!
That was uncalled for," Mikel scolded. "Your father had two true
loves in his life. Your mother and the druid. There were no others."
    "The
druid was not my mother. His carnal desire is what killed him," Dom said
bitterly.
    "Your
father faced the Black Death. He had no control over his health. You do."
    Dom
looked up at the old steward with