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  “I will say nothing of this to anyone, you have my word on this.” He almost stammered the words out. Andrew pulled on his clothes, not even bothering to wash first, and then reached for his boots. He thanked her one last time and then ran for the door, the smell of sex was something most would believe had come from him sporting with a slave, so that would not be a problem. Or so she hoped.

  Only when the door had closed did Celeste look around the room once more and pour some water into a wash basin so she could clean herself up. Would they find out what had happened between the guard and herself? She hoped not, but didn't cling to the hope, knowing full well that money bought secrets at every turn. She had learned that all too well, how else had they found their way to the Island?

  Nothing else made sense to her, but then again after the arrival of Davien and Tearlach she was honestly surprised that she had remained sane and not fled in terror. Between the two of them they could destroy her, and her dreams in one simple move. Not something she wanted to experience, but she was no fool, she knew the power they had over her and what they could do. What they would do given the chance.

  Celeste shivered, part from her thoughts and part from the cold water she used to wash herself down, cleaning off the remains of the guard from between her thighs. It didn't take long to clean herself fully, or strip the blanket from the top of the bed, bundling it up for the slaves to see to later, this way she would not sleep with the scent of the guard through the night.

  Simple steps, but they would prevent her from becoming used to his presence in her life. What she had done with him this night could not be repeated for days, perhaps weeks to come, not if she wanted to keep him safe from those who hunted her on this island...

  Chapter Five

  The soft knock of a slave at the door jolted Celeste from her sleep. How late she had slept she didn't know, but the light of a new day filtered in through the drapes and told her it was well into the morning if nothing else.

  “Yes?”

  “Mistress, do you need anything this morning?”

  Morning, good it was still early in the day. “No, thank you. I'll be down for something to eat soon enough.”

  “Yes, Mistress, I'll inform the kitchen.” The enslaved woman padded away, leaving Celeste alone.

  The kitchen, that had been a good idea the previous night and she could see herself taking more than a few meals there in the coming days as it would keep her well away from the men who sought to make her life a misery. If she wasn't careful she'd be left with them stalking her, harassing her, and hounding her until she either did something stupid, ran away, or ended up kneeling at the feet of one of the three men in her life.

  How long she took to brush her hair and dress she neither knew nor cared, but headed for the door when she was ready, her hair loose about her shoulders in long silver blonde waves. The light blue dress she had chosen clung to her curves and the soft slippers allowed her to move with little or no sound as pulled open the door and headed out of her room. She kept her head held high and her emotions hidden behind the mask of ice she had learned to build. Nothing would touch her unless she permitted it to. She was stronger than they'd ever expect her to be.

  By the time she made it down into the main hall Celeste had nodded polite greetings to a dozen men and women, but not actually spoken to anyone. Her dress whispered around her legs with each step. Her hair swept over her back. For the first time in a long time around either man she felt truly confident. Steven had never affected her confidence and she doubted he ever would do so. He just didn't have the strength needed for such a thing.

  Something she was grateful for.

  “Good morning Celeste.” He moved into her path, a dark shadow on her bright day.

  “Tearlach.” She nodded slightly, her gaze narrowing on his face. “You're in my way.”

  “Yes, I know. And I plan on being so at every turn.”

  “I see.” Her jaw tightened. “You realize that will get you in trouble with the guards here.”

  “Only if I touch you.”

  “No, if you continue to block my path and do not allow me free passage through the fortress you can and will be dealt with by the guards. Do not test me, Tearlach. I am in no mood for your petty attempts to intimidate me. Is that clear?” She rested her hands on her hips and looked him straight in the eyes.

  “My my, the kitten grew claws.” His laugh taunted her, but also drew the attention of the guards. “You think to frighten me, Celeste? You forget, I've seen the real you.”

  “You've seen the woman trying to survive, not the real me.” Damn him to hell and back. Why won't he even let me get something to eat in peace? “Step aside before I call the guard.”

  “Afraid, Celeste?”

  “No, but you should be.” Celeste took a deep breath and forced herself to remain calm. “Guard, I'm trying to get to the kitchen... ”

  Tearlach blinked. “You went there.”

  “Of course I did.” She smiled, the tension easing from her shoulders as he stepped to one side. “What good is a guard force if I do not call upon them?”

  “This is not over.” He stepped to one side, granting her free path to the kitchen. “Not yet. Don't make the mistake of thinking it is.”

  She waited until he was out of the way then nodded her thanks to the guard who had stepped closer. Only when she had left the hall via one of the smaller corridors and headed toward the kitchen did she acknowledge, even to herself that he had had some affect on her.

  She hated him and she still wanted him. The hunger didn't run as deep as it did with Davien, a surface itch as apposed to the need she had toward Davien, but it was still there. Still burning at the back of her mind. Angering her. Causing her body to tense. Her hunger to simmer slowly back to life.

  She growled and stalked toward the kitchen then stopped. The staff there hadn't done anything wrong. Taking it out on them wouldn't have been right. Not in any way, shape or form. Celeste stood for a moment, her eyes closed as she forced her emotions back under control. She wasn't about to let her mood, her anger at Tearlach, get the better of her. The servants didn't deserve that, hell, she didn't deserve that.

  By the time she opened her eyes again Celeste had calmed down enough to be around other people. One thing she had learned about herself years ago was if she didn't calm herself before facing someone else, it would be far too easy for her to take out her anger on someone who didn't deserve it.

  Ice. She rebuilt the ice around her heart and walked into the kitchen.

  “Morning, m'lady.” The second cook turned around and smiled at her. “Is there anything we can do for you this morning? Carol, from last night, said you'd eaten down here before.”

  “Yes, I prefer the kitchen for a meal. If that's not a problem, of course?” She didn't want to be in the way if the kitchen was busy and needed the room she would take up. “I wouldn't want to be a problem.”

  “No problem at all, lady. Please, take a seat. Maggie will be with you in a minute or two.” The cook turned back to her duties and it wasn't long before a brown haired, merry eyed young woman walked over to the table.

  “What would you like this morning, ma'am?” She bobbed a quick curtsey then straightened up, smoothing her apron down as she waited for Celeste's answer.

  “Something simple, some eggs perhaps?”

  “Scrambled?”

  “Sounds good to me. And some tea, please.”

  The smiling young woman bobbed again and turned, vanishing back into the throng of the kitchen to tend to the breakfast Celeste had ordered.

  How long can I keep on doing this, keep hiding away here and in my room?

  Not much longer and she had to accept that. Coming here for one meal, or more a day, wouldn't be a problem, lingering would be. That would become obvious. Davien or Tearlach, perhaps even Steven, would eventually notice that she was hiding. That would be used against her.

  The plate of scrambled eggs was placed in front of her, along with
a steaming mug of tea. The smell reminded her how hungry she was and she tucked into the breakfast with gusto. All thoughts of the three men pushed to one side. Her stomach growled in appreciation and she smiled at the taste of the eggs.

  By the time she pushed the plate back across the table she had calmed down completely and formulated the next stage in her plan to keep out of the hands of the three men.

  Play them off against each other...

  Was that possible? Did she know enough about them to pull that off? It was worth a try, though it was dangerous at best.

  Why would it be dangerous? I have guards here who will protect me if they try to force the issue. They weren't her personal guards but they would still keep her safe from those who tried to break the laws of the island. So just what was stopping her from using what she knew of the men, what she understood of how the laws of the island worked, and her own intelligence, to pitch the men against each other?

  It wouldn't be easy but it was worth a try.

  And the risks, well with the guards she should be able to avoid the men taking out their anger on her, or that was the hope.

  A cool smile claimed her lips as she pushed back from the table and left the warmth of the kitchen behind her. The calm she felt when there was something she'd enjoy whenever possible, but for now she needed to get back to the work at hand.

  The hall was busier when she walked back into it, though there was no sign of Jamezen. Something to be grateful for. Tearlach and Davien were both in the room, and Steven walked in a moment later.

  All three of them at once. Fine. She could handle that. Couldn't she? Well, there was no choice now, she had to deal with it.

  “Well, well, you're looking better this morning, Miss Blue.” Davien cleared the distance between them, moving like a hunter through the forests. “You were a little pale when you left my room last night.”

  “Pale? I believe your imagination is getting the better of you, Davien.” She flashed a cool smile at him. “I was annoyed at being told I had been invited for dinner, only to then have to go and search for a meal myself.”

  “Ah, and you didn't care to wait for the meal any longer.”

  “I saw no reason to.” She gave a slight shrug. “The meal obviously wasn't coming and I saw no sense in suffering your presence any longer.”

  “Suffering.” His smile took on a cold touch. “Ah yes, those sweet whimpers you made when I kissed you. Obviously you were suffering greatly during that time in my arms.”

  Tearlach growled. “You did what?”

  “Ah, she didn't mention that? How odd. Perhaps she has something to hide?”

  “Hide? If that were true why would I mention this, engage in this discussion and oh, yes, there was the small matter of the guard posted outside of your room during the entire time I was there.” Celeste struggled to keep her emotions from taking control.

  “Perhaps he was there to protect me?”

  “Easy enough to check, shall we ask who requested the guard to be there?” She met his gaze, though her stomach knotted fully. “I'm willing to go and speak to them with a witness.”

  For a moment silence claimed the room. Davien didn't blink. He didn't look away. His jaw tightened slowly then he nodded. “Good, I thought for a minute you were going to back down, but the challenge remains.”

  “Challenge, this is about a challenge?” Tearlach growled as he walked over. “I thought this was about returning her to her knees?”

  “And what greater challenge is there than to find a way to bring a woman to her knees?” Davien's smile darkened. “Unless, of course, you're not up to it, Raven?”

  “I can meet this challenge, the question is, can you?”

  “I've already won the first round, a kiss from Celeste. She moaned quite sweetly in my arms.” Davien turned his full attention to the Highwayman. “Further than you have managed to get in this little dance, wouldn't you say? I hear she called the guard when you wouldn't let her step past you earlier this day? Foolish move, Tearlach.”

  “Perhaps, or perhaps I wanted her to realize that I am not afraid and will not back down?” The large man's hands clenched at his sides, his knuckles cracking. “Something she needs to be reminded of, considering she believes she is safe here.”

  “She is safe, just as long as she stays within the laws of the Island.” Steven finally joined the group. “Something you had best remember, Jamezen will not tolerate anyone breaking the laws.”

  Something they should all remember. Celeste smiled at the thought, but said nothing, knowing full well Steven had also been warned over the past few days. All she had to do was push them at the right time and all three men would end up in the cells, or worse.

  Worse? Was it possible that she wanted worse to happen. Yes, they could end up executed, or better yet as slaves.

  The idea should have appealed to her, but she just couldn't see Davien as a slave. Tearlach, Steven, those two, yes, of course. But not Davien. There was just something about him that didn't strike her as submissive. Not even when she tried to force him into that position in her mind.

  “I think she's ignoring us.” Tearlach's voice broke through her thoughts.

  Celeste smiled sweetly and walked away from the men. Let them wonder what she had been thinking about. If she could keep them off balance so much the better.

  A hand fastened on her upper arm. She cried out as that grip spun her around to face Tearlach. Before Celeste had a chance to cry out and protest he'd pulled her close, fisting one hand into her hair, claiming her lips with his, silencing her protests.

  Her hands clenched into fists, striking at his chest as he forced his tongue deep into her mouth. Celeste blinked, every fiber of her being screaming at her to strike him, to hit him hard and fast, every fiber but one. The one that cried out for the strength she craved. The strength she had tasted in Davien and now saw a shadow of in Tearlach. She landed one hard strike against his chest before her back arched and her lips parted, unable to control the reaction any longer.

  No! He's not Davien! He has no right to do this to me!

  Before Celeste even realized just what she was doing she slammed one heel down, hard and fast, on Tearlach's foot. He cried out, letting go of her hair and he darted back from her.

  “You— you bitch!”

  “You had no right to touch me like that, Tearlach, remember that.” Celeste growled, letting the ice into her voice. “I am not a slave. Do not touch me, grab me, or otherwise molest me again.”

  “You might think that, but it's not true. You know it.” He growled, shaking out his foot. “You'll pay for that.”

  “Lady is there a problem here?” A guard stepped forward, his voice calm and collected. “Do you need help?”

  “Just a small misunderstanding with the new arrival. He's not used to the rules yet, but perhaps he needs to re-read them.” Celeste kept her voice pitched low, refusing to give into the fear she now felt. She wasn't going to let him control her. “I would request that he is taken to sit down and read for a while, the rules explained to him fully.”

  “Understood, lady.”

  Tearlach opened his mouth to protest and then stopped. His voice dropped into a deadly whisper and he shot a dark look at Celeste before he turned his attention to the guard. “Yes, perhaps I misunderstood some of the rules here.”

  “Sir, if you'll come with me, we can go over the rest of the rules and make sure that there are no further misunderstandings.” The guard waited for Tearlach to follow him and only when the man had left did Celeste turn to look at the other two men.

  “Nicely played,” Davien murmured. “I shall have to watch you more closely than I first imagined.”

  Chapter Six

  Celeste shook as she walked out of the hall and sought her way into the courtyard. Why hadn't she been watching for his actions? She knew how dangerous he could be and the fact Davien had one up on him would have grated on his nerves. Why hadn't she realized that? Or had she and just not cared? />
  Part of the plan? Plan? She'd barely decided to set them against each other, she couldn't call it a plan. Not by a long shot. God. What was she doing?

  “You did well, my Celeste.” Davien purred behind her. “Pushing his buttons like that was well done indeed. Did you know he would— no, of course not, but you were hoping. I could see it in your eyes.”

  “Was there something you wanted?” Celeste turned to face him. When was she going to be granted a little time away from these men who hounded her every step? “Or are you just enjoying the fact he embarrassed himself publicly?”

  “That was amusing.” He shrugged and stepped back slightly. “You can't blame me for enjoying the show. He deserved it.”

  Yes, he did. “I have things to do, goodbye Davien.”

  “I don't believe we've finished, Celeste.” He didn't raise his voice, he didn't grab her, he didn't have to do anything else in order to stop her in her tracks. “In fact I am sure we haven't. I suggest you turn to look at me.”

  “Davien, I... ”

  “Now.”

  She flinched and turned to look at him. Cursing herself instantly for obeying him. “What is it you wished to talk to me about, Davien?”

  “Your place with me.”

  “It doesn't exist, except in your mind.” She kept her voice calm, knowing that angering him wouldn't be wise. Here, in the courtyard, it would take several minutes for a guard to respond. “I am not yours anymore, Davien. It would be best if you accepted that.”

  “Best for who?”

  “You know the answer to that one.”

  He nodded, the cool humor in his voice and gaze mocking her every word. “Of course, but the only person I care about is myself. I thought you knew that much about me by now?”

  “And you should know well that I want nothing to do with you.”