Page 21 of Nocturn

She clicked her tongue, nodding, and leaned forward to tug the curtain out of the window, allowing me a view of the stone wall. The carriage turned, the clop of hooves slowing.

“Then what comes next should not be too difficult for you.” She smoothed her palms on her thighs, over her elegant gown.

She knocked on the roof of the carriage, and an officer opened the door. She stepped out, taking his hand. I was on her heels, dismounting from the carriage, anxious to see where we were.

Towering structures surrounded the carriage on the thin cobbled streets. A child ran after another. As they passed, they screamed, exclaimed, and giggled. I followed their focus to the buxom redhead propped against the front of the steps. She called out lewdly at a man striding past.

We were on the outskirts of the Citadel. The surrounding village.

“After you, Miss Nadien.” Lady Drusilla waved me forward, and I approached the inclined slab leading to the entrance.

Another woman strutted out as we approached. She pushed out her breasts, pouting her lips slightly. As she crossed Egan, she glided her finger across his chest.

“How about a little lovin’ for the officer,” she crooned.

I sucked in a breath. This place was a bordello. Egan went around her, keeping close to Lady Drusilla and me. The woman of the night was not fazed. Her attention went to another man walking past.

Inside the brothel, cool air was preserved by the stone surroundings. It widened into a parlor, and women sat across a large settee, bodies provocatively placed.

“Lady Drusilla.” A waifish woman with black hair ran forward. She curtsied and her breasts verged on spilling out. She hopped upright, and her smile remained fixed, showing a silver tooth in the place of a canine. “I heard you were comin’. Are you searching for another feeder?”

Her face bled excitement.

“Not at the moment, Miss Blane.” The derisive way Lady Drusilla spoke didn’t faze her. “You well know we have Feeder Trials when there is a position open.”

“Make an exception, m’lady. I will tup him well.”

Lady Drusilla’s lips tightened into a forced smile. “I will inquire.”

“I suppose that is the best I can hope for.” She shook her head, disappointment dropping her smile.

“You really want to be fucked by the Warlord,” one of the whores sprawled across the settee chittered.

My gaze clashed with Egan’s, but there was nothing there to give away what he thought. As expressionless as he was, he’d been the most gentle with me. Something I had not expected.

Lady Drusilla drew up, her face tense with disapproval.

“Lady Drusilla,” a woman crowed, her body voluptuous and tall. She was dressed a smidgen more modestly than all the others. Her gown had jewels adorning the bodice. “Is this the Nadien you desired to be trained?”

“Yes,” she responded curtly.

Trained?

My heart jumped, and I tried to catch Lady Drusilla’s gaze. “Trained?” I whispered. She didn’t react or turn to me.

“Venus, I want her in feeder attire.”

The voluptuous woman nodded sagely, her gaze still studying me. I crossed my arms as if I could shield myself.

“Why are we here?” I asked, louder, facing Lady Drusilla.

She stiffened, and I did not miss the snickers from the other women. Lady Drusilla turned toward me so painfully slow it allowed the dread to build.

“You are to reside here for a moon rotation and learn all you can to serve Lord Draven.” Her smile widened. “In all ways.”

Nausea worsened my hunger.

“Do not allow her to leave your sight,” she ordered, staring over at the two officers behind me.