It's A Slaves' World - Chapter 13

Aidens POV

I felt totally relaxed, dreamy peace lingering in my senses. I could smell the summers grass and leaves floating under my nose, feel the suns fingers tracing soothing words against my bare skin, hear a rhythmic lapping of water against rocks and see a glowing light show on the back of my eyelids. Cracking open one eye I could see the sun reflecting off the pond surface, rippling gently over golden fish. I think this is the first time in years I have ever been truly relaxed.

I slowly sat up from the wooden bench that had provided me with such a good night sleep, setting my feet back on solid ground added a finality to my dream that shook the last of my sensory imaginings away. I pulled off my boots and sunk my toes into the damp grass wanting to feel more of what I had last night. How does everything seem so much more vivid today? Can I hold onto this hope that my dream provides?

Walking back up to the house, I couldn’t help missing Kiara. The old one. The one I had dreamed about last night and so many nights before. She had been my world. She brought color and sound to everything we did. She made life seem like a dream. Will it ever be like that again? Will Kiara come back to me? Will she forgive me? How did I not see the resemblance? I was supposedly the one that had every line of her face memorized, had her voice committed to my heart, the one that swore we would be together in every life to come. How did I not recognize her smile? That perfect smile that lit up my soul.

I quickly had a crystal clear image from so many years ago flash across my mind but after several minutes of digging through my memories I still could not find one from recently. This new Kiara crying, tears staining her cheeks, trembling on the floor, terror in the alcove, and so many other images flitted through my thoughts. Nothing remotely reminiscent of a smile. How could someone in my household go so long without me seeing them smile? I pride myself on the kind treatment of my slaves and my ability to entertain guests and this realization felt like a slap in the face. In all the time I have lived here I couldn’t recall a single slave smiling. Can they possibly forgive me?

Kiaras POV

Every square inch of my body ached. The pounding in my head finally subsided but the lump on my forehead still aches something fierce. Pressing a gentle fingertip to the bump I sent a fresh wave of pain through my head. I can only imagine what I look like.

Fayette and Cook have been a godsend, enough to almost make you believe in miracles. I turned my attention to the window that was open and allowing in the first bit of fresh air I have had in days. I never understood the theory that being outside was bad when you’re sick. It always made me feel ten times better. Along with the fresh air, song birds filled the room with gorgeous tunes and energy. What would it be like to be a bird and be able to just fly away? Tree tops and warm waters awaiting your long journeys end. Sitting up slowly I turning myself under the covers so that my legs hung off the bed and my toes touched the cool marble floor. I sat facing the window with the cool breeze gently stirring my hair against my face.

I pulled the thin sheet around myself before taking the risk of trying to stand. Several days of laying and a battered body were not in my favor but the window acted as a sirens call, temptation become too much and on the second attempt I found myself standing in front of the open window. The soft, hypnotic swishing of the tree branches and the sight Robins rewarded my efforts. I stood watching the robins hopping around in the dew covered grass in search of earth worms and bugs. Enjoying the simple pleasures, I felt like a child again.

A gentle hand touching my shoulder told me that Cook or Fayette had returned to check on my and neither of them would approve of my being out of bed, but when nothing was said I made no move away from the window. I stood for several more minutes taking in all the colors that I seemed to have missed for years. When the hand removed itself from my shoulder and placed itself around my waist, linking itself with its partner against my stomach I finally dragged my eyes from the scene outside to the pair of large and masculine hands folded against my stomach. I tilted my head back to see what broad chest I found myself sinking into and found a pair of deep chocolate eyes watching me gently. "I am glad to see you’re doing better." A careful and gentle squeeze around my middle and I knew Aiden wasn’t made. "It is beautiful outside today. Would you like to sit outside for a bit?" A careful nod was all I could manage but even as I nodded I felt a small smile tugging upwards on the corners of my mouth and soon we both stood there smiling at each other.

How can this seem so comfortable? So right? This is beyond any hopes of any slave, living only in the realm of dreams, and yet I stood here wrapped tenderly in his arms. His slowly pulled away from me leaving me standing by the window watching him. I looked down and noticed his bare feet with grass stuck to them and felt my smile grow. He had already been outside today. Drawing the sheet around me tighter to make sure I was decently covered, I carefully made my way over to the closet where Aiden stood looking for something. With a sudden exclamation announcing an unknown success, he stepped back to reveal a simple white cotton dress. "Would you feel comfortable wearing this?" He gently held it against me over the sheet and you would have sworn the dress had been tailored to fit me. I took a gentle hold of it, not wanting to wrinkle the obviously well made summer dress. I am supposed to wear something so nice?

I looked up again at Aiden to find him smiling down at me still. His well built body stood scarcely inches from me and with a quick glance over him, my eyes were drawn in by the slight discoloration around his neck. Without realizing that I was staring or that my hand had made its way to the bruise, I recalled that last time I had seen Aiden, struggling against Treytons guards on the floor. As I touched his skin a shock sent itself though my fingers, and we both jumped a little startled by the intrusion into our thoughts. A deep chuckle in his chest, and he ran his thumb over my bruised cheek bone, following closely with a gentle touch against my swollen bottom lip then letting his hand rest on my cheek.

I closed my eyes against the warmth of his touch and waited for him to end the dream and the touch, but when a warm breath touched my face and then a gentle mouth settled against mine it was all I could do to stay standing. The kiss only lasted a few second but it was enough to make me doubt that I was truly awake. I opened my eyes as he pulled away and moved his hand from my cheek. Staring up at him with what I’m sure looked far too much like lost puppy dog eyes I didn’t know what to do. All my life I have known better than to encourage any sexual attention from my masters but this master seems to make my common sense go on the fritz. Clutching the sheet and dress to my front I watched as he left the room without a word. What the hell?

Suddenly his head popped back through the door, "Put the dress on and I will wait for you right outside the door." A dashing smile and he was gone from my vision again. Blinking back my shock and confusion, I pulled the dress over my head and settled it over my figure. Daring to peak in the mirror set inside the closet door, I found myself cringing slightly at what I saw. The dress fit perfectly and a quick brush through my hair solved another problem, but my ivory skin under the dress was covered with hideous colored bruises. Closing the doors so I couldn’t change my mind, I slowly made my way to the door where Aiden was waiting. He never seemed to notice any of the bruises, "Beautiful." Placing my arm gently on his he led me through his mansion towards the gardens. We were both bare foot and dressed for the summer weather, and it felt great to be mobile again. Even if I was going against all the survival techniques I had learned and was doing it with my master. Even if he did save my life.

*** I know this is a little bit late but not THAT late, so please forgive me! I am working as a college graduate and it keeps me busy, but writing for all of you is still a favorite past time.***