EXTRACT FOR
Humbled
(Fiaine Cluiun)

Anthea's body ached, every inch of her craved the orgasm she'd been denied as she squirmed and fought against the bonds to find a way to earn that much needed release. Nothing worked. Her inner thighs remained slick with hunger, her core cramped, nipples tight, her skin tingling but no movement, twist, struggle or anything else was enough to break free.

Finally, exhausted, weeping and desperate for release, she slumped against the bedpost, head bowed. 

What had he done to her? She was to be his wife, yet he'd treated her as if she were little more than a bondmaid.

No, he'd have used a bondmaid. Taken her on the floor until she squirmed and sobbed, just as he did with Odessa.

What he'd done, in leaving her aching for relief, was a hundred times worse. 

Even Odessa had been given a chance to orgasm. He'd treated a servant with more concern for her sexual needs than he had his own intended bride. Yes, he'd used the belt, striking the other woman on the most delicate parts of Odessa's flesh, but the servant had been granted the chance to orgasm.

She was nothing to him but a means of taking control of the estate, for as long as she lived, and remained unwed, she'd threaten the security of his hold. 

Her sex pulsed with hunger. Just a few touches, that's all she needed. A finger pressed to her clit, a light tap or three and she'd find what she needed. The ache would no longer torment her. She yanked on her wrists but the cord bit in. She whimpered, twisting to look up at the bonds. Knots she couldn't reach, not from below, but if she stood?

No, the cord was wrapped and secured around at least two hooks, leaving her helpless. She'd never be able to break free on her own, which left her with no choice but to wait upon the limited mercy of the man who had killed her father.

Fresh tears seeped down her cheeks. 

Had her father been granted a proper burial?

Or was his corpse, even now, left rotting in the sun? 

"My lady?"

Anthea lifted her head at the familiar voice. Mary. It had to be Mary. Where had she hidden herself? Anthea blinked, trying to clear her vision. Everything ached, her back and arms, shoulders especially, and her knees. How long she'd been left, bound, stripped to the waist, her skirts tucked up to reveal her sex, she couldn't tell. 

"Oh, sweet mercy, my lady, what did he do to you?" Mary hurried in.

The soft click of the door closing behind Mary granted Anthea small relief. How many others knew of her condition? No, he wouldn't say. He swore Odessa to secrecy. What point would there be in keeping Odessa silent if he then bragged about the state she was in, or what he'd made Odessa do to her. 

"Un-untie me," her voice no longer sounded as if it belonged to her. 

"I will, my lady, I will." Mary worked at the cord bound around Anthea's wrists. "But I have orders from Lord Wyatt. Oh my lady, I'm so very sorry. He says you're not permitted to -- to -- find your pleasure. I'm to keep your hands bound at all times."

Her mind raced as her heart sank. Mary struggled with the knots, picking and pulling on them. Anthea closed her eyes, unwilling to speak. She was to remain bound and helpless. He'd warned her that would be the case, but there'd been hope, however slim, that he would change his mind. 

The cord loosened as Anthea slumped to the floor. She didn't want to move, but knew she had to. The longer she remained still, the harder it would be to move later. With a groan she forced herself to sit up, unfurling her legs from beneath her. Everything hurt. No matter how small or large the movement, it triggered shards of pain through her limbs and set off burning coals in her muscles. 

"A bath, that will help. Let me get you situated, my lady, before I call for hot water." Mary slipped an arm beneath Anthea's and hauled. "Push up with your legs, my lady. It will make it easier." 

Anthea struggled to comply. That the order had come from her maid didn't matter, the woman was right, the longer she remained on the floor, the harder it would be to stand. Pain seared through her body as she cried out, struggling to stand. Had it not been for Mary, she'd have tumbled back to the floor, but Mary continued to offer her strength and support. 

"Y-you don't have to bind me again, Mary. He won't know."

"What if he checks on you? I'm sorry, my Lady, I can't risk it. I heard what he put Odessa through in the hall. I step out of line with him, and it will be my backside on display for the rest of the household to see." Mary shook her head as they half walked, half stumbled to the side of the bed. "Things have changed, Lady Anthea, and we accept it, or we fight. I choose to accept, as a woman I have little other choice unless I wish to be punished or worse, turned over to the priests and reduced to bondmaid status." The maid shuddered.

She wanted to say she understood, but Mary had been in her service for years. "Your loyalty is to me and--"

"No, my Lady, it is to the Estate and the Lord granted command of this place. Everyone here must serve and obey Lord Wyatt to the best of their ability." Mary helped her find a measure of comfort on the edge of the bed, then turned her attention to Anthea's clothing. "These ties will have to be replaced, my lady, but I think you have several clean shifts though perhaps -- ah yes, a nightgown. One of the softer ones, the combed wool from those goats, that will keep you good and warm through the night. You won't be leaving this room again until the service, and once you've bathed it will be easy enough to tuck you into bed."