Early in the morning Lorcan got the horse ready, we ate in haste as Lorcan needed to be in his part of the castle by noon. I was standing next to him, wrapping myself in a warm coat. It was really cold in the morning. I looked around waiting for the Lord to finish his discussions with the guard’s captain. I looked at the window, the lady was standing there and looking at us. I was wondering what she could possibly feel. She has been trapped in an unwanted marriage for the past fifteen years. Watching her husband get involved with a different lover every now and then. I reflected upon my own thoughts, was I even in a position to pity her when my own situation was way worse. 

“Kian.” Lorcan called me and helped me to get on the horse, he was sitting right behind me. He turned the horse and we were heading to the gate leading to the bridge. I saw one of the twins, he was standing among the guards and he was looking at us. I smiled at him and noticed that his face was flushed red as soon as our eyes met, then he turned his head. I was surprised but I couldn't help it. To them I’m just a slave after all.

We were back in the castle by noon. Lorcan was rushing the poor horse and the way back was pretty fast. I was happy to get back to my room and enjoy a warm bath. I felt dirty in many ways. The water made me feel at ease. 

From the commotion outside I was sure another caravan of merchants was crossing the bridge. I looked out of the mirror and watched them passing by. For a moment I wished I could be one of them, leaving this place and being on the move. I could make good use of my language skills as well as economy lessons I had. Every day I would spend time in a different place. I sighed. I kept thinking about Lorcan. I liked him and I was afraid of him, he was able to make me feel safe in his arms and fear his presence. I hated the fact that he could change himself that easily.

In the evening the Lord came to my room. He was wearing a robe. Without a single word he sat on the sofa and was looking at me. I was sitting on the chair and combing my hair, it was still a bit damp after washing it. I kept my mouth shut waiting for him to start the conversation. It took him a while before he announced.

“Tomorrow I’m leaving the castle for about a week. I have some urgent matters I need to take care of.”

I stopped combing my hair and looked at him.

“Where are you going?” 

“The city of Katnar .” 

I knew his land was independent, the bridge was a connection between two neighboring countries, Katnar and Brandenwic. After the war started by the kingdom of Moreta the Lord might be a bit worried. The shift of power is something that affects not only the conquered country but the neighboring ones as well. Should he get attacked by the warlike kingdom, the trade route would be controlled by the Moreta. Two Towers as Lorcan called his two castles, were an amazing fortress, he also kept three hundred gerd to protect the castle and the bridge. But all this, should he face a real war, wouldn’t mean much.

“Business or politics?” I kept asking as I wanted to know where he was standing.

“Both.” He looked at me and beckoned me to him. I put the comb aside and stood up. As soon as I came closer he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer. I landed on his lap and he was holding me with his arms playing with my hair.

“Will you miss me?” He asked, looking with those gray steel eyes at my hazel ones. 

“Hmm … a little.” I decided to tease him.

Lorcan smiled , pulled my hair forcing me to reveal my throat and then licked it.

“My sweet little prince, be a good boy while I’m away. Be sure I will know about your every step.” 

Right, he couldn’t be sweet to me, tell me that he would miss me, that he cares about me, no. He made a clear threat.

“No worries my Lord, I know my place. I’m a slave after all.” A part of me felt offended. 

He smirked and rubbed my cheek.

“Yes you are, but a precious one. Have you any idea how much effort I have been putting into training  and spoiling you?”

Training. I sighed. 

“There, I will buy you something pretty.” He smiled looking at my pouty face. I actually wanted nothing. What I wanted wasn’t something he could possibly buy me. I wanted revenge and freedom. Yet he seemed to be eager to buy me something.

“I hope it will be something expensive that will ruin your pocket.”  Since he wanted to spend money, I decided to push him to spend a lot. He probably wanted to buy me a book or something like that, now he can worry about what to buy for me.

“Something worthy of a prince?” He smiled again and played with my hair. He hugged me and I snuggled in his arms. I liked moments like this.

In the morning Lorcan woke up early, I heard him getting dressed. He didn’t wake me up but he was doing everything very slowly and finally from under my lashes I saw him standing in the room looking at me. It was still dark outside. I opened my eyes and reached my hand for him. He came closer.

“I want a kiss and it must be a good one that will hold out for one week.” I smiled teasingly as I wanted him to miss me.

He leaned closer and kissed me first gently but then I could feel his passion in every move he made. He left me almost breathless.