The King's Select

The King’s Select

By Sullivan Clarke

©2011 Blushing Books Publications and Sullivan Clarke

Copyright © 2011 by Blushing Books® and Sullivan Clarke All rights reserved. No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Published by Blushing Books®, a subsidiary of ABCD Graphics and Design 977 Seminole Trail #233 Charlottesville, VA 22901 The trademark Blushing Books® is registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office. Clarke, Sullivan The King’s Select eBook ISBN: 978-1-60968-508-9 Cover Design: ABCD Graphics

Blushing Publications thanks you whole-heartedly for your purchase with us! There are plenty more stories such as the one you’ve purchased from Blushing Books! Visit our online store to view our mighty selection! http://www.blushingbooks.com This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as advocating any non-consensual spanking activity or the spanking of minors.

Chapter One Lilith Satterfield paced back and forth in the cell, trying to stop the shaking of her fingers as she feverishly working the string of rosary beads. She’d only seen the jailer once since she’d arrived, when he’d come to give her some watery soup and stale bread. He’d ignored her when she’d pleaded for him to tell her why she’d been taken from her home in the middle of the night and incarcerated. She’d broken down in tears and pushed the food away, too heartsick to eat. She heard footsteps. They were getting closer. Lilith turned and faced the door, her hands still clutching her rosary. She could hear the jailer fumbling with his keys before placing one in the lock. The heavy door swung open and a man walked in. He was tall and handsome. His thick, black hair just touched the collar of his expensive coat. He said nothing as he approached, but locked his gray eyes onto hers. Lilith studied his face, trying to determine whether she recognized him or not. His jaw was strong, his nose slightly hooked. There was the hint of a beard. His lips were full and sensuous. She was ashamed to have noted that and dropped her eyes. But he continued to study Lilith. She could feel his eyes on her as he walked around her, appraising her from every angle. “I am surprised,” he finally said, stopping to tip her chin up with his forefinger until she was forced to look him in the face again. “Usually he exaggerates his claims. So often I’ve heard, ‘Get her for me. She’s lovely,’ only to realize that wine altered his perceptions of the chosen lass. But in your case….” Lilith found her voice. “Who are you?” she asked. “Pray sir, can you tell me for what crime I’ve been brought here?” “You’re here for the crime of being beautiful enough to catch the king’s eye when he journeyed through your village. He desired you instantly, and what the king wants, the king gets…” He paused. “I am Lord Roderick, His Majesty’s most faithful and trusted servant. It is my responsibility to handle the king’s….procurements.” Lilith took a step back and shook her head in disbelief. “You are surely mistaken,” she said quietly. “King Argus is a good and pious man. It is known that he is faithful to Queen Eleanor. “ Lord Roderick smirked. “What the subjects see is what the king wants them to see, my dear. King Argus has not slid between the sheets of his marital bed in more than a year, and when he does again it will be only to sire another son from the queen. He is far from faithful, but he is discreet and will not have mistresses squabbling and sullying his court. Instead he chooses to keep a small group of beauties at his disposal. They are the King’s Select, and you are now among them.”

“No.” Her tone was adamant. Lord Roderick shrugged dismissively. “The choice is not yours, fair Lilith, unless you want your father’s lands confiscated. You are a good girl. I have checked into your family. Your father loves you very much and since the tragic death of your young husband he is all the family you have left. Do you really want him to replace you in this cell to die a penniless and broken man?” Lilith felt her eyes fill with tears. “You would do that to him?” “Not me,” he said, putting up his hands. “But His Majesty most certainly would. As I said, what His Majesty wants, His Majesty gets. Submit to the king’s will and your father will be looked after. Defy the king and see him destroyed.” Lilith moved to the small chair by the tiny cell window and sat down, for her legs were too shaky to bear her. She was silent for a moment, taking in all that had been said to her. She wiped the tears away from her cheeks, sniffed and looked up at Roderick. “After Edward died, I asked my father to allow me to enter the convent,” she said. “He gave me his consent. It pleased him…” “And he is still pleased. He thinks that is where you are, sequestered now in a secret order. It has been seen to, my dear.” “You did this before you even know I could concede?” she asked. “No one defies the king,” Lord Roderick reminded her, “especially not decent women whose fathers are threatened. I felt confident that you would obey.” “I am not a virgin,” she said. “The king does not want a virgin,” he replied. “But I am not a wanton, either,” she said. “Please, sir, let me go, for I knew my husband carnally but for a short time before he died. My lack of knowledge will disappoint the king.” Lord Roderick smiled. “I think not, for when you finally go to the king’s bed, you will be impeccably schooled in the sensual arts. You will know how to please a man in every possible way, and every orifice will be primed and ready to receive him.” Lilith blanched and put a hand to her chest, aghast. “How can you say such things?”

He walked over to her and took his chin in his hand. Lord Roderick’s face was serious as he looked down at her. “Because, my dear,” he replied. “I will be the one doing the training.” She stood and pushed him away, shaking her head. “No,” she said. “This cannot be happening. It cannot be.” “But indeed it is,” he said. “And now you have a choice to make. Shall I go fetch your father armed with a royal proclamation for his arrest and the seizure of his lands? Or will you submit willingly to the king’s will?” “Please!” she cried, holding her hands out in supplication. “Please, sir! Spare me this fate. I can never be the woman you want me to be. I will disappoint the king…” “I cannot spare you, and trust me. You will not disappoint the king. I intend to see to it. I ask you again, will you do your duty. Your next words determine the fate of your father. Choose them wisely. Will you or will you not submit to the king’s will?” Lilith knew she had no choice. Her shoulders heaved with sobs as she nodded and tearfully answered. “I will,” she said, “under duress.” “Good lass,” he said. “You will be taken from the cell, but first I would assure myself that you completely understand that as soon as we walk through that door, that until the king claims you for his pleasure, you are mine body and soul.” He walked over to the window and picked up the chair Lilith had only recently vacated. Placing it in the middle of the floor, he sat down. “Come here, Lilith Satterfield.” Lilith wanted to stand her ground, but in truth she was afraid of Lord Roderick. She’d never been in the presence of a man who exuded such an air of dominance. Swallowing her fear, she approached him. “Sir?” she inquired when she was directly in front of him. He grabbed her and she cried out, taken completely by surprise. A second later she was over his knee. She felt Lord Roderick pulling roughly at the hem of her skirt, exposing a bottom clad only in thin pantalets. He untied the ties deftly and pushed the undergarment down. Her bottom was bare and as much as Lilith wanted to submit she could not. Not since Edward had anyone seen her so intimately. She tried to push herself off of Roderick’s lap, but her efforts were futile. When he began to spank her with hard, painful blows she could only weep and beg for mercy. But Roderick was not moved. He spanked relentlessly, his large hand assaulting her reddening bottom until her sobs and pleadings dissolved into a pitiful, infantile wail.

Lilith went limp over the strong thighs, her strength and resolve to fight him completely exhausted. Lord Roderick dropped his hand to her tortured bum and rubbed. When she flinched and wriggled, he chided her to hold still and she did, her body shaking from pain. Lilith lay still as her captor pulled her pantalets back into place, lowered her skirts and stood her back up to face him. “Even with your face covered with tears you are still beautiful,” he said. She sought to calm her breathing, which was still coming in gasps. When she was finally able to form words, she spoke only one. “Why?” she asked. “Why did I spank you?” he replied. “For no reason save that I wanted to.” He stood, pulling her close to him. “Did it hurt?” She nodded, fresh tears rolling down her face. “Then keep this in mind,” he said. “That was for nothing. Just imagine what it will be like should you ever defy me.” She shuddered at the statement and Lord Roderick smiled at this evidence of her fear of him. This was what he wanted in a woman he was to train - softness and respect for his authority. He did not tell her that he’d enjoyed the spanking as much as she’d hated it. He did not tell her that he would spank her again, if not for discipline than for his own pleasure. This newest acquisition needed to get used to having her pretty bottom reddened, for this was not just a pleasure exclusive to him but to His Majesty the King as well. He looked down at Lilith. She was so innocent for a woman who’d been married. She had the air of a virgin, but without the need to be broken in. She also seemed incredibly sweet, and humble, and unlikely to become haughty over her induction into the King’s Select. So many of the women did, and Lord Roderick did not approve. Lilith was different than the rest of them, who had all need little to no convincing to adapt to their new life. She was the first who would have walked away from the honor that was being offered to her. “It’s time to go,” he said. He walked over the door, rapped twice and then spoke to the jailer, who left and returned with the cloak and the little bag of belongings Lilith had been allowed to take when she’d been escorted from her home. Her father had been away on business involving the management of his meager holdings and she had pleaded with the soldiers to let her leave him a note. But they had not. Now she knew why. An explanation had already been given; no doubt the king she thought she knew had some corrupt Bishop in his pocket who would easily convince him, Phillip Satterfield, that his

daughter had joined the order under some deep call from God. Lilith’s father was a deeply religious man; it was better this way, she told herself. If he knew where she really was, he would never forgive her for sacrificing herself for him, not like this. Lord Roderick put the cloak around her shoulders. Lilith felt him lift her long, dark-blonde tresses up over the neck of the garment. It was a surprisingly tender gesture coming from the man who had just spanked her for no reason. “Come along,” he said. She followed him, coloring deeply when she passed the guard who smiled knowingly at her. He’d heard her cries, heard the sounds of the spanking. The knowledge of his knowledge added to her humiliation. The morning sun was bright. If she were home she would be at her sewing or delegating responsibilities to the few servants they had left. Lord Roderick had indicated that her cooperation would put her father in the king’s favor. She hoped so. Her father had worked hard, but the last few years had been hard. He’d lost his wife, the son-in-law who had been helping to manage his estate, and a lack of rain had led to the poor crop rather than the one he’d hoped would fill both his store house and purse. Would he connect being the recipient of the king’s bounty with his daughter’s departure? Lilith comforted herself with the belief that Philip Satterfield would not. As she lay under the king, her unwitting father would give God all the credit for his good financial fortune. Lord Roderick had a fine carriage. Under any other circumstances, to ride in such a fine coach pulled by such fine horses would have seemed like a grand adventure for Lilith, whose family kept reliable but modest transportation. She winced as she sat down and hoped that Lord Roderick did not notice, but by his expression, she knew he did. She felt herself blush again and avoided his gaze. “May I ask where we are going?” she asked. “To one of the king’s houses in Westmore. It’s very quiet, very secluded. He set it up for the Select three years ago.” “How many women are there?” she asked. Lord Roderick gave her a stern look. “You ask too many questions,” he said. “You may ask questions that I will choose not to answer. Suffice it to say that the king keeps as many women as he desires to satisfy his diversity of needs. He is a man of substantial appetite. But you, my dear, I believe will be his new favorite dish.” She reddened at this remark and he laughed. “Charming,” he said, patting the seat beside him. “Come, sit by me.”

She did not want to. Lord Roderick scared her to death. But she did not want to risk defying him. Her bottom was still sore. She stood and moved to the other side of the coach. The seat was roomy and she sat as far from him as possible. “Not over there,” he said. “Sit by me.” He pulled her to him, his long arm around her waist. Lilith looked down at the seat, afraid to raise her eyes to him. When he demanded she do so, he captured first her gaze and then her mouth. His kiss was insistent. She initially tried to resist, but when she did he slid a hand underneath her and brutally squeezed her bottom. She cried out against his mouth and felt him chuckle into hers. His hand was snaking up her skirt now, sliding up and up and up her thigh underneath her pantalets. “Don’t!” She tried to stop the forward trajectory of his hand, but he ignored her as his mouth moved to her throat. His breath was hot on her neck as his fingers found their mark. She felt his fingers slide through the slickened folds of her pussy and then deep inside of her to work back and forth. She tried not to squirm, not to move, but to her horror found her hips thrusting to meet his fingers when his thumb began to tease her clit with maddening pressure. “Please, sir!” She sobbed her humiliation, but he shushed her. “Don’t be ashamed,” he said. “You are as the king wants you. He said he could tell by the sway of your hips as you walked through the marketplace that you were a passionate woman. And by God he was right…” He withdrew his finger. “Oh, the things I will teach you, Lilith,” he said. “The hardest part will be turning you over to His Majesty. But until that time, you will be the most enjoyable of tasks.” “I am not a task,” she said, angry. “I am a person.” Lord Roderick smiled. “If we were not so close to Westmore I would punish you for your tone. But I’ll not have you greet your sisters with tears streaming down your face.” He pulled her close again. “But tonight you will get a harsh lesson in what happens to females in my charge who dare to address me with anything short of a proper tone.” Her heart was thudding in her chest. Would he really spank her again so soon? She blinked back fresh tears, afraid of crying when he told her he did not want her to greet the others in distress. Lilith could see the house now at the end of a long drive. The horses picked up their pace as the carriage moved between two lines of huge trees before going halfway round a circular drive and pulling up in front of the manor house. Lilith had never seen such a fine place. It was huge and she found herself again wishing the circumstances that brought here were anything but what they were. Lord

Roderick exited the coach and then held his hand to her. She took it and carefully stepped from the coach. The house looked even bigger from the ground. A servant answered the door. Lord Roderick nodded curtly to the man and ordered him to escort Lilith to the study. The servant looked her up and down, a flicker of appreciation in his eyes. “Would you like something to drink while you wait, miss?” he asked after directing her to the room. “No, thank you,” Lilith said. “I will fetch you when he has the others assembled.” The man bowed low and then left the room. Lilith waited, her heart racing. She was scared of meeting the other women, although she didn’t know why. She should, she thought, be happy to meet them. It would give her some sense of shared sacrifice and make her feel less alone. “Lilith?” Lord Roderick was at the door, summoning her. She walked out, her heart pounding, and followed him into the main hall where a line of six women stood staring in her direction. They were all beautiful, and arrayed in lovely gowns of different colors. Lord Roderick led her down the line, introducing them one by one as he went. Faith, Lydia, Mary, Jane, Katherine, Celeste. All the girls smiled except for Jane, who was the prettiest of the six. “This is Lilith,” Lord Roderick said. “She is the newest member of the King’s Select. You will all make her feel at home, or you will answer to the tawse. Is that clear?” The women all nodded. Lord Roderick studied the women one by one for a moment. “Jane,” he finally said. “You will show Lilith to her room.” “Why me?” she asked. Lilith was surprised at the tone of her voice. Lord Roderick walked over to her. “Do you want a spanking?” he asked her. “No, my lord,” Jane replied, dropping her gaze. He sneered. “I think you do, which is why I will not give you one. In fact, another punishment is in order. You will be sent to bed alone tonight, without supper. And you will not entertain the king on Wednesday.”

“My lord, no, please!” Jane’s expression was nothing short of stricken. “Would you rather be banished?” Lord Roderick asked. Jane began to cry and shook her head. “I thought not. Now go.” She fled with a sob. The other women watched her go but said nothing. “Faith, you will take her place in the king’s bed,” Lord Roderick said. “Yes my lord,” Faith said with a curtsy and a nod of her auburn head. “You will also show Lilith to her room since Jane passed the opportunity.” “Yes, my lord.” Faith walked over and took Lilith’s hand. As soon as they were out of the room, she turned to Lilith. “Forgive Jane,” she said. “It is always difficult for the newest select to welcome a newcomer. The newest are the king’s favorite, like a new toy. And Jane has allowed herself to fall in love with His Majesty. She’s merely jealous, but I was the same way when she came.” “Why did she cry?” Lilith asked. “I would think she would be pleased to have escaped a spanking.” Faith shot her a knowing smile. “You are new and innocent,” she said. “In time, you will find that there are worse things than being spanked by Roderick. For some, it is worse to be denied a spanking. Come now….” She turned, and Lilith followed her up the stairs, wondering at her words. Her bottom still was tender under her gown, and she did not understand how anyone would welcome the pain of punishment. She realized that Faith was right. She was indeed innocent. But that innocence, she knew, would soon be lost. Was she ready? Lilith wasn’t so sure she was.

Chapter Two Her room was large and comfortable. The bed was finer and softer than she could have imagined. In the wardrobe were dozens of gowns in just her size. By the mirror hung a rainbow of beautiful ribbons. A chest held fine undergarments. “And we get jewels, too,” Faith said, opening a box filled with ear bobs, necklaces and mother-of-pearl combs. Lilith gasped with surprise. Did princesses own such finery? She’d never dared to hope of possessing such things. “If you ever leave, and if you’ve served His Majesty well, he will allow you to take all you’ve been given, and more. You’ll be given a house, a fine coach and a staff. The King’s Select are well taken care of, for life.” “How long do we stay?” Lilith asked. Faith shrugged. “Until he tires of us. King Argus and Lord Roderick demand obedience of us in all things. Lord Roderick studies us, learns our ways and unlocks our strengths and fears. Take Jane, for instance. Her specialty is the oral arts….” “Oral arts?” Lilith asked. Faith smiled. “You will learn of this. Her fear is being ignored.” She turned Lilith to face the mirror. “You should wear your hair up tonight when he comes.” “Who?” “The king,” she said. “King Argus is coming here?” she asked nervously. “Yes,” Faith replied. “But do not worry. You will not have to service him. Not until you are trained by Lord Roderick. Tonight it will be Catherine.” The door opened and two servants came in carrying a tub. A girl was with them. “This is your serving girl,” Faith said. The girl curtsied. “Madge is me name, ma’am.” “Do not worry about the servants, by the way,” Faith said. “They are discrete. For them to talk about the king’s visits here would mean death for them. King Argus would have his subjects believe that he only visits Queen Eleanor’s bed.”

“Does she know?” Lilith asked. Faith shrugged. “Even if she does, what can she do? The king holds all the power. But he believes strong faith is key to morale. He believes God has given him all he holds and that even if he is not a godly man he has a duty to inspire godliness in his people.” Lilith considered this. “And he tells these things to you?” Faith smiled. “We are more than just bedsport. The King’s Select are in his confidence. He likes to talk after a long night of sex. And talk he does. That is why he takes such good care of us for life. He buys our silence. None have betrayed him. Why would we?” The tub was full now. Madge took Lilith by the hand and led her beside it, her thin hands undoing the traveling gown she wore. Soon Lilith was naked. She stepped into the tub and sank into the brimming bath. The water was delightfully warm and the milled soap smelled of lavender. After her hair and body were clean and dry, Lilith was seated before the mirror of a dressing table. Madge arranged her hair and lightly painted her lips. “There’s no need to paint your face,” she observed. “You have such lovely color. The king will like that.” “Have you been serving here long?” Lilith asked. “As long as the girls started coming here,” the maid replied quietly. “The king is fickle. Take care that you do not fall in love; remember what you are to him.” Lilith felt a surge of shame. Even the servants knew the women here were nothing more than pampered whores, their cooperation and virtue purchased as one would purchase a horse. She knew Madge only meant to offer advice, but the reality of her situation made her feel debased. And yet she knew there was no way to escape her lot. The gown she stepped into was made of emerald silk. Lilith hardly recognized the image staring back at her from the mirror. Faith smiled at her. “No wonder Jane was so jealous,” she said. “Could any of us have imagined how beautiful the newest jewel in the King’s Select would be?” “Is jealousy such a problem?” Lilith asked. Faith stepped forwards and adjusted a tendril of hair that had escaped from the loose, pearl-encrusted but on Lilith’s head. “For some,” she said. “For me, personally, I came from humble beginnings probably not so different from yours. My family are of good stock, but are generations

removed from their former glory. The King spotted me at a funeral of all places. Three days later I was here. I am now biding my time until I can leave and set up my own house. Will I ever marry?” She shrugged. “I do not know. This is not the life I would have chosen, but I know others have it worse so I do not complain.” She stepped back and smiled. “But enough of this. Bow to the king when he enters. Do not address him until he addresses you. You may observe things that surprise you. Try not to overreact. The king enjoys toying with women before he beds them.” “What do you mean?” Lilith asked nervously. Faith dropped her voice to a whisper. “Do not ask me any more. If Lord Roderick knew I’d told you this much even I’d be punished. Just remember what I’ve told you.” A knock on the door made them both look up. Lord Roderick had at least given them warning before he entered. Now he stood there, staring at Lilith as if there were no one else in the room. “Faith, you are dismissed,” he said, his eyes fixed on Lilith. “The maidservant, too. Leave.” The two women bowed quickly and left. Lilith felt her heart began to race as Lord Roderick approached. “Were the king not on his way, I would ravish you right here, right now, in this very room,” he said. “My lord…” “And your protestations would turn into cries of pleasure.” He reached out to boldly caress a breast that swelled over the top of the boned bodice. With his other hand, he took hers and placed it on the cock that swelled and strained through his breeches. “See the effect you have on a man?” he asked. “You feel so powerless, but you have more power than you know, Lilith Satterfield.” “If I had real power I would not be afraid to withdraw my hand,” she said. He pressed it harder to his crotch. “Do you really want to?” he asked. “I am not used to such intimacy with a man I do not know,” she said. “Do you expect this to feel normal for me? Or right?” “No,” he said honestly. “But I do not expect you to be ashamed, either. That is the first think I shall rid you of, Lilith - the shame.”

“I feel shame for a reason,” Lilith replied sadly. “I was raised to be a good and moral woman.” She looked up at him. “Please, may I remove my hand?” He moved it away for her. “You are sweet and charming,” he said. “Do not worry so that awakening the wanton in you will cost you your soul.” Lord Roderick stepped back at arm’s length. “You look so beautiful. Did Faith tell you what to do when the king arrives?” “Bow,” Lilith said. “Speak only when spoken to.” She did not tell him what else Faith had said. “And acquiesce,” Lord Roderick said. “Always acquiesce.” “But he won’t…I mean, today…” she began, searching for word. “The king will not take you to his bed today,” Lord Roderick assured her. “I have not readied you, remember?” Her mind flashed back to their ride in the coach, to the feel of Lord Roderick’s fingers, to the spanking he’d administered to her even before that. She felt herself flush with a mixture of embarrassment and shame and how she’d reacted. “Let us go,” he said. “It is nearly time.” All the women, except for Jane, were downstairs. Lord Roderick positioned Lilith at the end of the line. Behind them, a feast had been laid out on the table; it was clear that they would all be dining together, but only after they’d greeted King Argus. A servant entered. “His Majesty, the King,” he said with flourish. Lilith looked to the door; she’d only caught a glimpse of him when he’d come through the village, and even then it had just been a passing glimpse through the windows of his coach. Her first impression was that King Argus was younger than she’d imagined; he looked to be the age of Lord Roderick. He was near the same height with the same athletic built. Only where Lord Roderick was dark, King Argus was curly blonde. Where Lord Roderick was clean-shaven, King Argus sported a thin moustache. And he was handsome, in an unusual way. King Argus had a wide smile that he flashed at the women as soon as he entered the room, and the most intense blue eyes that Lilith had ever seen. She could feel those eyes on her as he approached but she kept her gaze directed to the floor, waiting for him to acknowledge her before she dared do anything more than steal a glance. Butterflies of fear danced in her stomach as he moved closer and finally stood before her. “Look up, my beauty,” he said.

Lilith raised her head slowly. The king was even more beautiful close up, if a man can be described as beautiful. He was wearing his riding clothes, but his height and carriage made the casual but expensive clothes look elegant on his frame. “I chose well, eh, Roderick?” King Argus looked over at his friend and winked. He began to walk around Lilith, his eyes traveling up and down her body. He stopped again in front of her. “If she is as passionate as she is beautiful, then we shall have many, many hours of enjoyment.” King Argus turned his attention back to Lilith. “Roderick tells me you are a widow.” “I am, your Majesty,” Lilith replied. “Your loss means my gain it would appear,” the king said. “And while I cannot promise you a husband’s love or fidelity, I can promise you the kind of physical release your husband likely never gave you.” Lilith felt a surge of anger. “What do you know of my husband?” she asked hotly. Beside her, the other women gasped. But the king just smiled. “Well, well. Beautiful and outspoken.” He looked back at Roderick. “How should I punish her for that? You know how I loathe breaking my own women. I am King, after all.” He paused and then his face brightened. “I know,” he said, lifting a finger as if just struck by some remarkable inspiration. “I will have another one of the Select take her punishment for her. But who?” He turned and Lilith could see nervousness cross the faces of the other women. “Let me see,” he said, walking down the line. He stopped before Catherine, who was dressed in a dress the color of water lilies. Her blonde hair was loose around her shoulders, the pale skin of her face paler now as the king appraised her. “Your bottom always colors so nicely under the tawse,” he said. “So it will be you.” “No, I beg of you…” Catherine’s voice was shaking with fear. “Please, Your Majesty. Not in anger.” And for the first time Lilith realized that the king was one of those dangerous man who cloaked his anger in what appeared to be calmness. But he was angry - very angry - and he was about to take it out on someone else. Lilith wanted to step forward, to say that she was the one who had erred and so she should be the one punished. But she could not move. Her fear rooted her to the spot and froze her tongue. A servant came forward and produced a tawse on a silver platter.

The king took it and whipped it through the air. The leather strands on the end hissed menacingly. Catherine began to cry. King Argus led Catherine to a chair and ordered her to bend at the waist and place her palms on the seat. Lord Roderick came forward and whispered something in her ear. She nodded dejectedly as behind her King Argus raised her skirts. Her bottom was alabaster white. His large hand rubbed the firm, quivering cheeks appreciatively for a moment before stepping back and raising the tawse. He brought it down brutally, the lashes leaving a multitude of thin welts across the white flesh. Catherine cried out in pain. Lilith could see that she was struggling to hold her position. The tawse came down again, harder this time. This time Catherine screamed and her knees bucked a bit. The king stepped forward and squeezed the welted buttocks, smiling. He seemed to be enjoying Catherine’s distress. He stepped back. This time when he brought the tawse down, it struck Catherine across the back of her thighs. Lord Roderick stepped forward with a hand on her back to keep her from rising, his accusing eyes meeting Lilith’s as he did. Lilith had never felt more awful. She’d not meant to anger the king; she’d merely spoken up for her husband who had been a good and gentle lover. He did not deserve the king’s insult any more than Catherine deserved the king’s punishment. But she could do nothing. King Argus was striking her harder now. Some of the welts were oozing tiny drops of blood when he finally stopped and stepped behind Catherine, who was still bent over the chair. “You did well, Catherine,” he said. “You took the punishment for your new sister, who surely must understand that the sins of one in this house can be shared if it be the king’s will. And now you will be rewarded for being such a good and submissive girl.” King Argus was undoing his breeches and drawing forth his erect cock. “Do not look away.” Lord Roderick was at Lilith’s side and she started a bit to hear his voice in her ear. She forced herself to keep her eyes on the king who slid his manhood into Catherine even as his blue eyes were trained on Lilith. He seemed to be enjoying her expression of shock and fear as much as he enjoyed the woman in whom he was now buried to the hilt. Catherine’s cries of pain turned to moans as the king thrust into her over and over and over, his large hands squeezing her punished cheeks rhythmically as he fucked her. He pumped hard into her until shuddering with a loud and dramatic cry. He was still hard as he withdrew, pulled Catherine to her feet and shoved her down in front of him. “Clean me,” he said, and she obediently lapped him from the base of his cock to the tip. Afterwards he patted her on the head as she looked up at him, smiling through her tears.

“Did I please you, Your Majesty?” she asked. “You did,” he replied. “Indeed you did. Rise.” She stood, adjusting first her undergarments and then her skirts. Stiffly she walked back to the line of women, stopping briefly before Lilith. She raised her green eyes. The expression in them was not the soft one she’d shared with the king. These were angry eyes. Lilith opened her mouth to apologize, but before she could, Catherine struck her hard across the face. The apology died in Lilith’s throat, replaced by a painful lump that Lilith had to swallow to keep from breaking into tears. She stood there, holding her hand to her injured cheek as Catherine obediently walked back to her place in line. A moment later, they were called to the table to dine.

Chapter Three “I want to go home.” Lilith wiped a tear away from her cheek. It was after dinner and she was back in her room, facing Lord Roderick. “That’s not an option,” he said. “The king is smitten with you.” “The King is cruel,” she replied. “I cannot abide him. Please…..I beg you. There are other beautiful women, younger ones. Take me back, I beg you. Take me back and find another woman. Find one who will be honored instead of repulsed by what she’s being told to do.” Lord Roderick laughed. “Poor innocent flower. You do not understand much of men, do you? The way to pique the king’s interest is to be a challenge. He cannot abide women who fawn all over him. He grows bored. In you he sees something to conquer.” “So I should feign interest?” she asked. “That would only make him more angry. The king is no fool. If he thought you were feigning interest he would show you cruelties you cannot begin to imagine.” He reached for Lilith, squeezing her upper arms for emphasis. “Do you understand?” She nodded, afraid. Lord Roderick’s expression was earnest. “Are you sure?” he asked, giving her a shake. “Yes,” she said fearfully. He released her and patted her arm. “My job is not just to train the Select for King Argus. It is also to…protect them from him. He is a mercurial man, and it would be easy for a man like him to scar you forever. I would not have that happen to such a sweet lass.” Lord Roderick cupped her chin in his hand and looked at her sternly then. “But don’t mistake my concern for softness. You will still obey me, in all things. Do you understand?” She nodded, knowing that he expected her to do just that. And in truth Lilith was just as afraid of Lord Roderick as she was of the king. But after what she’d witnessed in the dining hall, escaping was all she could think of. No one had sprung to her defense when Catherine had struck her. The other women had looked at Catherine approvingly; the men had just looked amused. Not wanting to make things worse, Lilith had decided not to mention it. “What did you think of what you witnessed in the dining hall?” he asked her then. Lilith could see him studying her, waiting for her reaction.

“Which part?” she asked. “All of it,” she said. “I do not know what I think of it,” she replied, choosing her words with care. “I know how it made me feel, however. I felt guilty that my behavior led to Catherine’s being punished in my stead. I felt ashamed for not being able to summon the courage to defend her or offer to take her place. I felt afraid, fearing the same could happen to me. And then when he…” Her voice died away. “When he fucked her…” Lord Roderick coached. “How did that make you feel? Did it excite you?” “Excite me? No. I was embarrassed that I should witness what I have been taught to be a private and intimate thing.” But even as she said the words, Lilith wasn’t sure she was being entirely honest with him or with herself. “And when she pleasured him with her mouth?” he asked. “I felt….rather sick,” she admitted. “That is only because you do not know how good it feels to have someone’s hot mouth pressed against your most sensitive regions,” he said. “The Select enjoy giving the king pleasure in this way. But before they do, they are taught to understand the joys of receiving such ministrations themselves. In some ways, this is harder for some women to learn. They find it even more embarrassing to be the recipient, but a woman can only give after she has been taught to first submit to it herself. This will be your first lesson, Lilith.” Her eyes widened. Had she heard him right? The idea of man’s mouth touching her in that way.. “No,” she said. “Please…” Lord Roderick reached out and pulled her to him. “You must learn to purge that word from your vocabulary,” he said, reaching to unfasten the laces on the back of her gown. Lilith struggled to no avail; Lord Roderick was practiced enough to restrain her with one arm while divesting her of her clothing until she stood before him in nothing but her stays. Then he turned her around and undid those as well. The undergarments followed and she was naked before him. “You’re even lovelier naked,” he said. “My lord, please….”

“You beg so sweetly,” he said, pushing her towards the bed. “But you’ll soon be begging me not to stop, but to continue.” He reached up and squeezed her breast. When the nipple grew taught under his hand he laughed. “I will not respond to you,” she said. “I will not!” He sat up on the edge of the bed and pulled her across his lap. “Really?” he asked. “You defy me in the coach and then dare again to defy in your chamber? I should fetch the cane, but I’m in a mind to be merciful on this night. Still, you will not escape some penalty.” He brought his hand down with a resounding slap on her bottom and Lilith cried out from the shock of it. Soon he was peppering her bottom with spanks until she was crying in earnest, more from the frustration of helplessness than anything else. She knew this little exercise was his way of showing her - again - how easily he could dominate her. When he’d satisfied himself that Lilith was appropriately subdued, Lord Roderick turned her on her back and covered himself with his long body. She was pinned to the bed now beneath him, studying him resentfully through her long, tear-studded lashes. “Don’t be afraid, Lilith,” he said. He kissed her mouth so softly then that it took her by surprise. The tenderness of it left her momentarily distracted enough for him to seize a nipple in his mouth. Lilith cried out in shocked surprise and arched her back as he worried the hardening peak with his teeth. Lord Roderick’s mouth moved from one breast to another and Lilith felt her body awaken beneath his skilled mouth and hands that suddenly seemed to be everywhere. When he moved to kiss her on the mouth again she was surprised to feel herself return the kiss before she realized what she was doing. “No!” she said suddenly, turning her head away. But Lord Roderick would not be denied. He sought her mouth again. “Yes,” he said into it, probing the depths of it with his insistent tongue, before continuing the line of hot, wet kisses down her neck, her chest, her belly and lower still until… “You can’t!” she cried shamefully, even though she could feel herself throbbing in anticipation of what he was planning to do. Her pussy was opening to him like a flower, and part of her fear lay in his knowing that some hidden part of her wanted this as much as he wanted to do it. “You are not in control,” he growled, forcing her thighs apart. His tongue found her clit immediately. He swirled his tongue underneath the hood, teasing until she was swollen and aching with desire. Then he fastened his mouth to her and latched himself there, jamming his fingers inside her pussy as she came hard, the velvet walls contracting hard on him and soaking him with her wetness.

She could hear herself crying out with primal release. Nothing she’d ever experienced had felt like what he’d just done to her. Lilith had never felt so completely out of control. She hated herself for her weakness. Was this why God had given her this fate instead of allowing her to join the nunnery as she had planned to do? Was it because he knew that deep inside she was a wicked wanton? Perhaps that was why he had taken Edward from her; he would never have thought of doing such a thing to her, for he was a decent man and had wanted a decent woman. Lord Roderick stopped and pulled her up into his arms. “Don’t cry,” he said, concerned. “Did it not feel good?” “Yes!” she sobbed. “But it is not supposed to. I never knew I was so bad!” “Bad?” he looked down into her distressed face. “Why do you think you are bad, pretty Lilith?” “Decent women do not enjoy such things! They should not! Once your mouth was upon me, my body felt like a wild horse bolting with my soul along for the ride! Oh, I am shameful.” She heard him curse under his breath. “Damn to the pious idiots who teach you women such things.” He sighed. “Tell me, Lilith. Did God not give you this?” He reached down and touched her still swollen clitoris. “If he did not intend for a man’s touch to bring you pleasure, why would he give you the ability to respond the way you did? My dear, your response is not an anomaly! It is normal. Believe me; I know. I’ve tumbled milkmaids, duchesses and barmaids. I once fucked a lovely young nun wearing nothing but a rosary. In her passion she nearly squeezed me to death between her thighs. Do not think you are cursed. You, my dear, are blessed. Your passion is a gift from God. Can you not see that?” Tears slipped from her eyes and he kissed them away. “You are so different from the others,” he said. “So very….sweet. In every way. If you please the king half as much as you have pleased me already he will be a happy man.” Lilith detected an edge of sadness in his voice, but when she looked up he became serious. “But you are not mine, you are his and your lessons must continue, eh?” Lord Roderick stood and removed his clothing. When Lilith tried to look away, he scolded her firmly.

“You must not be shy about looking at a man’s body. You must not be overbold, but neither should you be ashamed. Did you not ever study your husband’s anatomy? Did you not ever look at his cock, my dear?? She flushed. “The lamps were always out, by his insistence.” She gave a wistful smile of remembrance for her late husband, who valued modesty as one of the chief virtues of the godly. “Edward was studying for the clergy; he believed coupling was only for procreation. I believe he was ashamed of it, even though he was…enthusiastic in his own way.” “Only a dead man could hide his enthusiasm for you,” Lord Roderick said. But when he saw her hurt expression he reached for her chin and tilted her face up to him. “I am sorry. I forget you are a widow who was a good wife who loved her husband. I did not mean to seem unsympathetic to your loss, lady.” He smoothed her hair. “Now look at me. Really look…” Lilith obeyed, her eyes traveling from his handsome face down to Lord Roderick’s broad, hairless chest, chiseled abdomen, slim hips, long legs and then up again to his cock, which nested - half hard - in the dark patch of hair. It was long and thick, quite unlike Edwards, which was just big enough to barely please her. “Come,” he said. “It is only half awake. But with the touch of your mouth it would grow to fullness.” “You want me to…..” she began, looking nervously at the fleshy appendage. “You would not be selfish, would you?” he asked in a joking tone. “If you enjoyed tasting me half as much as I enjoyed tasting you….” Lilith bit her lower lip and fought back a new wave of shame. For she did want to put her mouth on him. She thought back to how Catherine had knelt before King Argus in the hall. Her hands had worked his long shaft as her mouth had moved easily up and down. Her eyes had been closed in ecstasy. Even though she’d just been severely lashed with the tawse, the other woman looked as though she had completely forgotten the pain as soon as the king’s cock passed her lips. She got up off the bed and stood before Lord Roderick. Slowly she sunk down on the wolf skin rug at their feet. She was at face level with his cock. Her hand reached out and she cupped her palm underneath it. At just the hint of her touch, it lurched like a living thing. She gave a little cry and jerked her hand away. Lord Roderick laughed throatily. “Now, now,” he said. “There’s no need to be afraid. It only reaches for your touch.”

Lilith glanced up and Roderick and her hand reached out again, slowly. She placed it around his shaft, amazed at how soft the skin was, and how quickly it swelled in her hand. She leaned forward, closing her mouth around the head. He was warm in her mouth. The swelling continued. Lilith moved her mouth up and down as she’d seen Catherine do to the king. She let her tongue cradle his cock and rubbed it against the underside of the head. He groaned and she allowed herself to feel pleased, so caught up now in the power of pleasuring him that she forgot to feel ashamed. His hand was on her head now, guiding her, the other on the bedpost to steady himself as she softened her mouth to accommodate his thrusts. He was hitting the back of her throat, but not hard. She felt herself get excited as he told her how good her actions made her feel, how warm her mouth was, how good she was at what she was doing. She felt him grow and throb and remembered how the king had cried out as he’d emptied himself into Catherine’s mouth. She’d swallowed, not spilling a drop. But Lilith felt herself panicking. Could she do that? She did not get a chance to find out. Not then. Lord Roderick pulled her up so roughly she thought she’d done something wrong. He spun her around, pushing her down onto the bed and spread her legs. She cried out as he shoved himself into her with one almost brutal thrust. It had been a long time since a man had been inside her. She was tight, but now she felt her pussy flexing on his turgid shaft. She thrust back against him in time to his movements as deep moans of pleasure emanated from her throat. Lord Roderick moved forward, pushing aside her mane of thick hair and biting the nape of her neck as his hands moved under her to find her breasts and pinch the painfully hard nipples. She felt him cry out and pulse inside of her. Lilith shoved against him, her tender buttocks grinding into his hard pelvis. He collapsed on her and was suddenly quiet. After a few moments he rose and pulled the bedclothes over her, turning away without a word. Lilith rolled over and sat up, pulling the sheet over her breasts. “Did I displease you, my lord?” she asked quietly, for she instantly sensed something was wrong. Lord Roderick had picked up his clothing and was dressing quickly. “No,” he said. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I thought I was doing as you…” “You did fine,” he said. “Yes but…” He turned to her, his expression stern. His tone was heavy with warning. “I said you did fine,” he said. “I do not want to speak on it again. Do not vex me, Lilith, or would you rather I fetch the tawse?”

She shook her head, feeling tears spring to her eyes. She thought she’d pleased him, as he had pleased her. He had come so hard inside of her. She’d felt more than a physical release between them, but an emotional release as well. It had been so different with Lord Roderick than it had ever felt with Edward. She’d never felt that kind of connection with her husband. And yet now Lord Roderick seemed troubled. She wanted to ask if she would see him tomorrow, or if her training was now complete. But she said nothing, fearing that he would punish her if she disobeyed. She watched him adjust his breeches and shirt and smooth his hair before walking to the door. Lord Roderick opened it and then suddenly stopped, standing stock still. He glanced back over his shoulder and she saw something in his eyes. It was guilt, and it stabbed her to the core. “Whatever I did,” she finally dared to say, her voice quavering. “I am sorry.” “Believe me. You did nothing wrong, Lilith Satterfield,” he said. “Good night.” He walked through the door and shut it, leaving Lilith there in the bed fighting back tears of confusion and frustration. She had no idea that he was leaning against the other side of the closed doors, fighting back his own tumultuous feelings. For Lord Roderick had done the one thing he’d promised he would never do - the one thing he was forbidden to do as keeper and trainer of the King’s Select. He had dared to fall instantly and hopelessly in love with one of the women. And now that he had he knew he faced a dilemma. He could not let King Argus take her. He could not.

Chapter Four Jane was out of confinement the next morning, and she and Catherine remained standoffish to Lilith. Before her first night with Lord Roderick, she had thought her biggest worry would be fitting in with the other women. But now she found herself replaying her training in her mind, and wondering what she had done to displease the man whose task had been to teach her how to please the king. She did not see Lord Roderick in the morning. After breakfast she and Faith took a turn around the manicured gardens of Westmore Manor and talked. Lilith was relieved when her companion finally asked how things had gone the night before. Lilith sighed, more than eager to confide in the only other woman among the King’s Select who had reached out to her. “I thought well, until the end,” she replied. “He taught me to….to do what Catherine had done to the king before dinner. Then he..,,coupled with me.” “He did?” Faith sounded surprised. “So soon…” “Is that unusual?” Lilith asked. “Perhaps,” she said haltingly. “I can only go from my own experiences and from what I’ve been told. But I suppose it varies with each woman. In my case, he coupled with me only once, towards the end of my training.” “Did he seem troubled afterwards?” Lilith asked. “No,” Faith said. “He was kind and complimentary, albeit in a cordial way.” “He departed so hastily,” Lilith said. “Oh, is that it?” Faith said with a laugh. “My dear, he was probably just making sure you realized that your relationship is one of teacher and pupil. To linger or show affection would be to send you the wrong message. It is nothing more than that. He would have you reserve your affection for your king.” Her advice made Lilith feel silly. Perhaps she’d misjudged her own feelings for Lord Roderick and had indeed forgotten that she was not supposed to feel anything beyond temporary sexual attraction for the man. But it seemed unfair to expect a good woman to share such intimacies without tender feelings. “You are in a different world now,” Faith said, as if reading her mind. “You must detach yourself somewhat. Later, when the king moves on and rewards you with your own house, there will be time to find a nice soldier or merchant who will not care about your past. You can marry or take lovers. My advice to you: keep your feelings in check until you can indulge them without pain.”

“How do you protect yourself?” she asked. Faith sighed. “I look it as work that I have no choice but to do. Were I not doing this, I’d be a wife married to a man with all the power who could cast me off if I did not please him, or take a mistress and leave me lonely. I pretend that my life depends on pleasing the king as my life would depend on pleasing my husband, because I know it does. I treat coupling with him as an art. I try to make him happy.” “Can you tell me what to expect?” Lilith asked. “I confess to being afraid after what I witnessed last night.” “You can expect equal amounts of pleasure and pain, first from Roderick and then from the King. Roderick’s is instructive; he takes no pleasure in hurting us. But the king enjoys a woman’s tears; he enjoys bending her to his will. He enjoys watching bruises bloom on our bottoms or fucking us until we are too raw to walk. He enjoys the feeling of a woman - soft and helpless and pleading - beneath him. Roderick said it is His Majesty’s way of feeling like God on earth.” She laughed harshly at the observation before continuing. “I believe he is right. King Argus presides of a land in political turmoil. He will speak of his travails to you even as he sponges cool water onto your broken and welted skin or blows on your sore nipples. He will tell you of those in court he suspects to be traitors, of plots he believes are being fomented against him, of the pressure of pleasing his allies in the church with his public behavior even as he fantasizes about what he will do that particular night to one or several of his Select at a time. We are the only things in his life that he truly and completely controls. Obedience is ingrained in us from the time we are procured.” “Have all who left done so happily?” Lilith asked. Faith considered this question. “If they did not, they dared not speak on it. You’ll find the Select quite taciturn in matters regarding the king, even among each other. There is a lot of jealousy here, and fear of the shame that comes when you wake up one morning to be told that the King has grown tired of you. It can happen at any time to any woman, even to one who thought she was the king’s favorite. For women who find their sense of worth lies in being in his affections, not even a fine house can compensate for the pain of being banished from his presence.” Lilith tried to imagine having those feelings for the king. He was a handsome man, indeed, but there was something dangerous and predatory about him. Perhaps it was her innocence that made her fear him, but either way she was not eager as others to go to his bed. “You say the women are taciturn with one another,” she said to Faith. “May I ask why you confide in me?”

Faith shrugged. “Because you are different. I’ve seen women come in overproud from being chosen. They are secretly convinced that they will so please the king that he will fall in love with them. Some dare to dream that they will please him so that they will supplant Eleanor as queen. They adapt better through their ambition, but fall harder when they fail. I see none of this scheming in you, and it is refreshing. You may have a difficult time as you so not see the king with stars in your eyes. But at least in me you will have a friend. It was a small comfort, but a comfort nonetheless. For Lilith felt she needed a friend. Catherine still regarded her with cold hostility the next day, no doubt still blaming Lilith for her spanking. Jane was even worse. That evening when the king was enjoying dinner with the ladies, he patted his lap and Jane stood and walked over, her hips swaying provocatively. He pushed the chair back and undid his codpiece, exposing his rock-hard cock. Jane straddled it and lowered herself onto the shaft, shooting Lilith a smug look as she did so. Lilith longed to tell the spiteful woman that she was welcome to King Argus, for she had no interest. But instead she just looked away. “What is wrong, Lilith?” King Argus asked, and she turned, surprised that he had been watching her even as Jane writhed on his lap. For her part, she looked furious at the slight. “Nothing, your Majesty,” Lilith said quietly. “I am finding my modesty hard to overcome.” King Argus lifted Jane off his lap and dumped her unceremoniously on the floor. She knelt there at his feet, and when he stood to walk away, she slavishly kissed the toe of his shoe. He seemed not to notice. “Roderick,” he said. “Do you handle this one more carefully? I was expecting a wanton in my bed sooner than later.” “She is progressing nicely,” Roderick said calmly. “But she is modest, to be sure.” “You did not enjoy seeming me fucking the lovely Jane?” The other woman had approached the king and he grabbed her, pulling her to him. Jane’s smug expression returned as he undid her bodice and freed a pendulous breast. He began to suckle on it, his eyes resting on Lilith’s face as she did. Lilith did not want to turn away, but could not help it. “LOOK!!!” Everyone jumped at the king’s command. Lilith turned back to the scene, terrified now. The king’s ice blue eyes were filled with an ominous light. “What is it that so offends your modesty?” he asked. “Is it the sight of nakedness?”

“I do not know,” she said. He pushed Jane aside again and moved towards her. “ “Seeing this should all seem as natural to you as seeing any of us eat or drink,” he said. He summoned Jane with a crook of two of his fingers. “Come here.” She came. Her breast still hung loose from the bodice. King Argus took Lilith by the hand and pulled her within inches of the other woman. “Feel her breast, how soft.” Lilith blanched. It was one thing to explore a man’s nakedness, but to explore the nakedness of another woman - it seemed taboo! She looked at the king, her eyes searching his for any signs of mirth that would indicate he was just joking with her, or perhaps just testing her. But he was not. She reached out. Jane’s expression was challenging, as if she dared Lilith not to comply. When Lilith’s palm came in contact with Jane’s nipple, the king’s hand closed over hers, forcing her to squeeze rhythmically. “See,” he said. “Isn’t that nice? Jane has such lovely breasts.” Jane threw her head back in ecstasy. Lilith swallowed her distaste. She did not believe that the other woman was feeling anything other than a need to make the king think everything he forced her to do was pleasurable. “Undress her,” he commanded. “She’s already partially unclothed. It should be easy enough.” He flopped down in a chair to watch. At the table, the other women stared in silence. Lilith did not ignore Faith’s look of sympathy or nod of encouragement as she mouthed the word. “Obey.” She began to unlace the rest of Jane’s bodice. Jane allowed it to fall from her and turned so that Lilith could undo her skirt next. When it fell the other woman was standing only in her chemise. “When this comes off I will be naked entirely,” Jane said. I do not wear undergarments on the night I service His Majesty. It is my way of being accessible to him.” She glanced at the king. “It is my highest joy, my greatest honor.” “Remove it,” the king coached. Lilith’s hands reached for the shoulders and edged the garment over them and down Jane’s voluptuous frame. It fell to the floor, leaving Jane naked.

“Kiss her,” the king said. Lilith felt a stab of hatred for the king. She wanted to die, to fall through the floor. She did not like being the center of attention, of being forced to do something she did not feel comfortable doing. She reached up and kissed Jane on the cheek. “You call that a kiss?” The king stood, kicking the chair towards the women. Jane cried out and pulled Lilith out of the way. “I’m sorry, sir!” she cried. “Not you, Jane, you fool!” he boomed. “I’m addressing my new beauty.” He walked over to her. “Do you take pleasure in mocking me?” Lilith’s voice was shaking when she replied. “I am sorry. I didn’t understand.” The king grabbed Jane. “Kiss her,” he said. “Like this.” He plunged his tongue into her mouth, his hands roaming her body as he did. Jane pushed her torso up against the king, rubbing her breasts against his chest, pressing her pubic mound against his leg as she returned the kiss with equal ardor. When the kiss ended he thrust Jane towards her. “Now kiss her as I kissed her.” Jane took a step towards Lilith. She was smiling, assured now that her newest rival was displeasing the king. Lilith tilted her head up towards Jane and then stopped. She looked at the king. “I am sorry, Your Majesty,” she said. “But I cannot. It is not because Jane is not beautiful. But I am not yet able to make such a spectacle of myself. I know that I stand to be punished for defying you, but I do not think any punishment you deem necessary can be any more painful than the humiliation of debasing myself simply for the pleasure of another. I can only beg that - whatever you decide - you realize that this was my sin, and that you not make another take my punishment as you did yesterday.” Her short speech caused a silence to fall over the room. It was as if everyone assembled had collectively held their breath in expectation of the king’s reaction. King Argus stood and walked over to her. “You must be punished,” he said. “No one defies the king.” He leaned down to where only she could hear. “No. One.” He said in her ear. “Roderick,” he said, turning away from her. “Is she this stubborn with you?”

“I do not consider her stubborn,” Lord Roderick said as he approached. “But she requires a gentler touch. Please, Your Majesty. Let me remove her from the room and deal with her privately.” But the king held up his hand. “Oh, I expect you to deal with her Roderick. And harshly. But not yet. She has refused to kiss the fair Jane. Surely Jane must be gravely offended.” “I am,” Jane said. “So if anyone should punish Lilith publicly for this public rejection, it should be Jane. It would teach Lilith a lesson, and it would please me.” He sat back down in the chair. “Undress her, Jane.” Now Jane stepped forward, a mean expression on her face as she swiftly undid the laces on Lilith’s gown. Lilith looked to Roderick, her eyes pleading with him to intervene. But he did not, and she knew he could not without making things worse. Jane removed her clothes swiftly and soon Lilith found herself in the center of the room, naked. When she tried to cover herself, the king barked at her to drop her hands. He regarded her. “You make Jane look like a farmer’s sow by comparison,” he said. “Poor Jane, to stand next to lovely and lithe Lilith.” Lilith knew what he was trying to do, and she was filled with hatred for the king. He was trying to anger Jane so that she would hurt her. She wanted to yell at him, to tell him that she and Jane were different but that Jane was just as beautiful. But the damage had already been done. Jane looked livid with hurt and envy. “She deserves a spanking, don’t you think, Jane?” the king asked. “But what should we use?” “The tawse!” Jane said. “It was her fault that it was wielded against Catherine yesterday. Let me use it, Your Majesty. Please. I beg you!” “No!” Lord Roderick stepped forward, his face angry as he looked at Jane. “Would you supplant me with some silly cow after all my service, Your Majesty? It is not the place of the women to discipline one another!” Lord Roderick moved between Jane and Lilith. “The king has spoken!” Jane shrieked. “He said I could punish her!”

“And you would, but not to correct her. You’d hurt her simply because you are jealous.” He turned to the king. “Would you allow this, and ruin any chance I have of training Lilith correctly. It is my task to bring these girls along. After fifteen years of friendship you would insult me by assigning my duties to one of the women? How am I supposed to wield authority over them if you undermine my respect? How am I to keep them quiet and discreet, which is something - I remind you - that you need politically!?” The king showed no visible reaction. The room remained quiet. “Your Majesty….” Jane began, but the king held up his hand. “You’re quite right, Roderick,” he said. “I leave these matters to you for a reason.” “But Your Majesty…” Jane interrupted. “Silence!” the King boomed. “I grow tired of you, anyway - tired of your breasts and your body and your fawning. See to these women, Roderick. See that you correct Lilith. I want her groomed to replace Jane completely. It is time to send her away. There is a house in Brighton, tucked away by the river. It will be perfect for her.” Jane collapsed on the floor, screaming as if in physical pain. Lilith looked on the other woman with pity. She’d not meant to hurt Jane, or bring her any disfavor. In fact, she’d known it was Jane’s intention to do that very thing to her. But still, seeing Jane so distraught brought her no pleasure. “Come, Lilith,” Sir Roderick said, and then turned to look down at he weeping woman. “Jane! Rise. Debasing yourself will only make things worse!” The king got up and stepped over Jane, making his way back to the table. He pulled Celeste from her chair, sat back down and pulled her into his lap. He began to kiss and fondle her. Sir Roderick, in the meantime, was helping Jane rise from the floor. He handed the women their clothing and after they dressed, he nodded for Lilith to follow as he escorted Jane up the stairs. So great was her distress that Roderick had to support her, and Lilith could hear him telling her that everything would be all right. “Can’t you intervene for me?” she sobbed. “I will die without him!” “You will not die,” Lord Roderick reassured her. “You will have your own house, take a lover and forget about King Argus.” “This is your fault!” Jane practically launched herself at Lilith and would have struck her had not Lord Roderick caught her about the waist. “You are feigning being demure to make him want you! You plotted this, didn’t you? DIDN’T YOU?”

“No,” Lilith said, but Lord Roderick held up a hand, indicated that she should not reply to Jane, whom he now silenced with a firm shake. “Enough!” he said. “The king has tired of you, Jane, We could all see it coming. You were too compliant, too willing. You bored him, and you have no one to blame but yourself. Eventually every one of the Select will bore him and now you have a choice. You can stay silence, accept the house he gives you and live in comfort or break with tradition and be the first one to disappear. Is that what you want? To end up in the bottom of the river without your head? Because make no mistake, my dear, King Argus is capable and we all know it.” Jane looked down and shook her head, her mouth curling into a silent sob. “Go now,” Roderick said gently. “Go and prepare your belongings. You can take all he has given you. Tomorrow I will set you up in your own household. Look at it as a new beginning. In time you will forget this place and be better for it.” Jane slumped into her room, and Roderick turned back to Lilith, who shook her head. “She blames me,” she said in disbelief. “How can she do that when I would willingly change places with her.” Lilith began to cry. “To retreat to a house of my own even a modest one - with the shadow of hope that there was a man somewhere who would love me and guide me and protect me from all that is wrong and evil….” Her words were silenced by his kiss, and Lilith knew right away that this was different than the other kisses they shared. There was no smile on the lips that kissed her, and the arms that held her embraced her warmly and urgently. “There is,” he whispered in her ear. “There is a man who would do that. That man is me. I love you, Lilith. Think me mad, but the king will not claim you. I will make you my own. Mine and mine alone, whatever it takes.”

Chapter Five “You can’t.” Lilith uttered the words as she pulled her mouth away from Lord Roderick’s lips. “He’ll kill you. He’ll kill us both.” Lord Roderick took her face between his hands. “Would you rather stay here? One word and I will put you out of my mind, as difficult as it may be. But the word has to come from you. As long as I believe you feel the same…” “I do,” she said, clutching his hands. And she did. And Lilith now understood why Lord Roderick had become so tense. He’d realized their connection when they’d coupled. He knew he could not just train her; he knew he wanted her, and he sensed by her reaction that she would give willingly to him what she would never give willingly to the king. “But how?” she asked. “Will you ask the king?” Lord Roderick shook his head. “King Argus does not share, not even with the man who’s been like a brother to him all these years. He’s always treated the Select like possessions, and for all this time I’ve tried to train and protect them. But he gets more and more cruel. The way he crushed Jane was unnecessary, but he has no feelings. And physically he becomes more brutal, as if simply spanking or fucking no longer excites him.” He hugged her to him. “I will not see your hurt. I cannot.” “But how…” she whispered, but was interrupted by a knock at the door. Lord Roderick opened it and Lilith tried not to gasp when she saw the king standing in the doorway. “What cause have you to lock a door against me?” he asked, looking from one face to the other. “No cause, save to keep Jane from interrupting,” Lord Roderick lied. “She is taking the news hard, and I cannot train Lilith with her bursting in.” “Hmm,” the king said. “I understand.” He walked around the room, staring at them as he did. “I am bored,” he finally said, flopping down on the bed and crossing his hands behind his head against the ornate headboard. I have decided to supervise this training session. I want Lilith rid of this nonsensical modesty, and I want her to understand the cost of defying her king. I worry that you coddle her because she is such a pretty thing, which is why I am here, Roderick. I would be satisfied that you are being sufficiently strict with my newest plaything.”

Lilith looked up at Lord Roderick fearfully, but his face was completely impassive. She knew that it was because he had to be. He could not tip the king off, and neither could she. He pulled her to him harshly. “We were just discussing that very thing,” Lord Roderick said. “Lilith is indeed a pretty thing, but indulged and unschooled. Perhaps I have been too easy on her. But women need a firm hand, especially pretty ones lest the think they can use their charms to sway authority.” “Is that what you think, pretty Lilith?” he asked. “No,” she said. “I do not! I swear!” “I think you lie,” Lord Roderick said. He sat down on a chair in the corner of the room and pulled up the hem of her skirt. Lilith tried not to struggle as her bottom was bared. Lord Roderick began to spank her soundly, increasing the force and pace until she was bucking on his lap from pain. The king stood and walked over. “Has she not learned to hold still?” “She will,” Lord Roderick said, and barked at Lilith to stop moving. She was shaking from fear, both for what she worried may come next and from the proximity of the king, whose boots she could see right in front of her. “Part your legs,” Lord Roderick said. “Do not clench them, nor your cheeks.” With a groan of humiliation, she complied. “Further,” King Argus commanded throatily and Lilith stifled a sob as she spread her legs even more. The boots disappeared from her view as the king walked behind her. It was all she could do to keep from closing her legs, for she knew that he was staring at her bottom and the moist folds now exposed between her thighs. “Here,” use this, the king commanded. Lord Roderick held the riding crop within Lilith’s view. She knew he wanted to warn her, but rather than preparing her, the sight of it threw her into terror. She began to beg and plead, but he ignored her and she heard the king chiding her for disobeying him between her own screams as he brought the crop down on her bottom. The lash was terrible; she could feel welts rising on her already sore bottom. Tears pooled on the floor underneath her and she writhed. She could hear the king moaning; he’d moved to the bed and was sitting on the edge, watching, as he pleasured himself. “Take her, Roderick,” he said raspily. “Take her now!”

Roderick stood, lifting Lilith and then bending her over the chair. She steadied herself with her hands as he entered her; groaning as he filled her up. She was surprised to find herself wet and as engorged as she. The king was laughing as her cries turned to moans. Lord Roderick fucked her brutally, and she wasn’t sure whether it was from passion or from a desire to put on a good show for the king. But at that moment she did not care. Lilith swung her head to move the curtain of hair from around her face. Her breath was coming in gasps and she threw her head back, panting as the thick cock slammed into her over and over and over. She and Roderick cried out together and she felt him collapse, his hand closing over one of hers. He buried his face in his hair and she turned her face to him, spontaneously and nuzzled him. And then…both of them had the same thought. The small tendernesses. Had they escaped the king? Both Lord Roderick and Lilith looked up to find the king staring, with a mean, knowing smile on his face. His cock was flacid again; he’d spent himself watching them. And he stood now and walked over. They stood, too, and Lilith dropped into a quick and fearful curtsy. “Well, well,” King Argus said. “What a….telling performance. And I’m glad I was here, Roderick. You’ve satisfied me that Lilith is sufficiently passionate and - despite her protestations - a complete wanton. I have decided to turn her into my own personal whore…” The King was studying Roderick’s face now, his tone low and menacing. “In fact, I think it might be fun if you watch me take her tomorrow night.” King Argus moved forward and Lilith involuntarily whimpered as he reached out to cup her face in his hand. He pulled her from Roderick’s protective grasp and squeezed her sore bottom. “Oh, yes…what better way to help Roderick in future training than to let him watch his king in action. Sure, I diddle with the girls in the hall, but he’s only heard the screams and cries from my chambers. He has yet to actually witness the creative punishments and other pastimes I devise for my beauties. And you, Lilith Satterfield, will no doubt provide me hours and hours of amusement. Who knows, I may even take it upon myself to get you with child now and again. As obedient as you are, I know I can trust you to be discreet. And besides? What king doesn’t enjoy having a bastard or two to indulge? Queen Eleanor is so plain, and it is my disappointment that our children are as bland as potato soup, despite their promising futures. I would like to sire at least one beautiful child before I die, and with our good looks how could we but help it? He smiled. “Of course, this will mean that you will never marry. But what man would dare fall in love with you anyway? Certainly not one of any worth. But you’ll be taken care of, and that shall be compensation enough, right, Roderick?” Lord Roderick nodded before turning away.

“It is late, Your Majesty. Will you be staying tonight? Jane is wailing, Lilith is tired and if you would return tomorrow for the fun you describe I would prefer to have Lilith rested and Jane gone.” King Argus stood. “Very well,” he said jovially. “I know when to leave. No need to rush me.” He stopped as he walked past Lord Roderick. “After all, you only have my best interest at heart, right? And your first loyalty is always to me, and to the training of these women for my sole and exclusive pleasure…” He patted Roderick’s face and then turned to blow Lilith a kiss. “Until tomorrow,” he said. He left then, and neither of them said anything. A few moments later, they saw the king galloping away on his stallion towards the castle, trailed by his guard. It was then and only then that Lilith allowed herself to fall to the floor in a heap. “He knows!” she said. She looked up, stricken. “How can he know?” “Because he is the King,” Lord Roderick said. “He is the king and he makes it his business to read people like a book.” He kissed her on top of the head. “I am sorry…” “What do we do now?” she asked. “Or is there anything we can do? There is no hope, is there?” “There is,” Lord Roderick said firmly. “The one thing on our side is the King’s arrogance. He made it clear to me that he knows that I want you, and he’s made it clear he won’t let that happen. No one defies the king, not even me.” He paused. “Not until now.” He raised Lilith to her feet. “We are leaving, and I know how.” “How?” she asked. “Tonight I will take Jane to the house in Brighton. But she will not be the only one going. Can you ride a horse, Lilith?” “Passably so,” she nodded. “Good,” he said. “I will find you a guard’s garb. You will wear it and no one will be the wiser. After I leave Jane and her staff at Brighton, you and I will leave.” “Can we do it?” she asked. He nodded. “We can.” Lilith hugged him. Her heart was pounding, more for fear of what the King would do to him than for any hurt that may come to her. She heard the door down the hall to Jane’s room open and close. It was two agonizing hours before Lord Roderick returned. When he did, he bore a guard’s outfit. It was too large for Lilith, but she made do.

“Everyone else is asleep,” he said. “And I have convinced Jane that the king wants her gone tonight, which is a half truth.” He led her down to wait by the front drive. A coach was already there, and a horse, which she mounted. Within fifteen minutes, Jane came out. Her face was ashen and her eyes puffy. She glanced up at Lilith and stopped, looking quizzically at her. Lilith looked away nervously, her cap shielding her face as Jane got into the coach. Lord Roderick helped load Jane’s trunks and then the coach rolled away with the two of them in it. It had been a long time since Lilith had ridden, but her determination to get as far away from the Westmore manor house helped steady her hands and seat. Each turn of the road made her feel more secure. But lingering doubts remained. Would the king come after them? How long before he realized they’d taken off together? And where in the kingdom would they go that would be safe? The journey to Jane’s new home took two hours. Lilith was exhausted and sore by the time she arrived. Her bottom was still sore from the beating Roderick had given her, and the saddle had only added to the agony. She slumped over the horse as the coach came to a stop. “You there, soldier?” Jane was calling to her and again Lilith felt a surge of fear. She wheeled the horse away rather than answer and heard Jane demand to know why she’d been ignored. Roderick offered some explanation about the guard not feeling well before leading her into the house. Lilith was greatly relieved when Lord Roderick re-emerged. He drove the coach away, with Lilith following it, until they came to a clearing in the road. There he hastily unhooked the horses and saddled both. Lilith changed mounts, sending her initial horse away with a slap. The horses in the team, Roderick told her, would stay together better and he wanted her close. “We will go to stay with a friend of mine in the north of the kingdom,” he said. “Tomorrow we will go through the pass and into the lands of Queen Genevieve. She’s no friend of King Argus.” “Who is she to him?” Lilith wanted to know. He smiled. “Genevieve is Queen Eleanor’s sister. She believes her sister unhappy and has never fallen for King Argus’ false piety. We can seek exile there.” “Do you think she will give it to us?” “She will when I inform her of the King’s Select. She’ll be incensed.”

Lilith considered this. “But for so long you’ve been a party to it,” she said. “What is to say that Queen Genevieve will not hold you responsible for the deception? What if you end up imprisoned there? Are you sure this is wise?” “It is a risk,” he said, and I will tell her what is in my heart, which is that what started as a way for the king to keep his mistresses discreetly has turned into a dangerous game of abduction and involuntary imprisonment. You can attest to that. She would not have her sister sullied by such a reputation.” “You mean to bring him down?” Lilith asked. He looked at her. “If we’d stayed, he would have banished me or worse by week’s end. You do not know him as I do. He would have made me witness your subjugation and then sent me away a broken man. And he would have done what he said. He would have used you sexually and bred children on you, simply because it would remind him of the power he has over me.” “But why does he treat you so? I thought you were important to him?” Lord Roderick smiled. “I am,” he said. “But the more paranoid the king goes the more his circle tightens. I’ve seen the circle grow smaller and smaller as more and more trusted people in his confidence disappear. I know some of them to be dead, although he denies it. I have served him well and would have my happiness, and my freedom.” He reached for her hand. “And I would have a good and faithful woman to share it with. Tomorrow we will start our new lives together, in a new land where King Argus will not be able to reach us.” But even as Lord Roderick told her this, a servant was standing before Jane, giving her his report. “We found the carriage. It was as you suspected. It is abandoned on the road. The horses are gone.” “And no sign of Lord Roderick or the guard?” “No sign.” She turned and hastily penned a letter. As soon as it was sealed, she handed it to the servant. “Ride with this to the king,” she said. “It is a missive urging him to come at once, for I have information that he most certainly needs - information of a most dreadful betrayal.” The man nodded. “Shall I call the rest of the staff to help you unpack?”

Jane shook her head, smiling. “I do not think that will be necessary. I believe I will be returning to Westmore soon. And those responsible for my plight will know the pain I have felt tenfold…” Next: Book Two