Joanna Davis - Knights In Shining Armor by Haven; Taken By The Soldier Page B

dolt.
                  She squashed the little voice inside her and the glimmer of hope that sprang up deep inside her. From the ashes of the love he had killed. She frowned at him and turned away again.
                  "What is that to me? I'm merely your whore, remember?"
                  He turned her sharply to face him again. His face was a mask of incredulity. And rage.
                  "Is that what you think?"
                  She lifted her chin and stared him down. His eyes widened and he grabbed her arm, dragging her across the room to the bed and thrusting her onto it.
                  "I will be happy to instruct you in the ways a man makes use of a lowly strumpet, my pet. Let's start by getting you out of these cumbersome clothes."
                  He reached for her bindings but she yanked away from him. He glared at her, incensed by her defiance. His anger increased exponentially each time she spurned him, she knew. She was breathing heavily as she waited to see what he would do next. To her surprise he merely laughed and poured himself a goblet of wine. Then he sat in the chair by the fireplace.
                  "Excellent idea. You will stand up and disrobe for me. I always enjoy a good performance."
                  She stared at him in horror. He was going to just- sit there? And watch her… her cheeks grew warm at the thought of his eyes inspecting her body at his leisure. She shook her head wildly.
                  "No- no I will not!"
                  He sipped his wine.
                  "Then your people will go without food until you learn your place. Perhaps the stronger ones will survive, but the elderly and infirm will suffer. And think of the children."
                  He shook his head sadly.
                  "You are a cold woman Emeline. I did not think that true until now."
                  Her mouth gaped open as he leaned back in the chair and waited expectantly. She swallowed convulsively, hoping he would relent. It was one thing to lay with him in his bed. But forcing her to participate- to deliberately offer herself- it was humiliating in the extreme. She glanced at him from the bed. He looked bored, and was now inspecting his fingernails.
                  Her breath was coming in tiny gasps now. She felt a deep panic rising in her. Surely he wouldn't actually starve her people because she wouldn't-
                  Abruptly he sighed and started to stand up.
                  "Have it your way Emeline. I assure you this night will end the same way regardless of your disobedience."
                  "Wait- I- I'll do it."
                  He sat back down again, slowly. His eyes were cold as he watched her climb off the bed and stand before him. She reached for the laces that held her dress shut behind her and tugged them loose. She caught his eyes traveling over her body with cool interest.
                  She turned away slightly and tried to tug her dress over her shoulders but she only succeeded in revealing her shoulders. The laces were still too tight. She reached back behind her and tugged at them in frustration. She could not even do this correctly! Hot tears were in her eyes as she worked the laces free. It seemed to take forever. Finally she was able to pull the dress open enough to slide it down over her body.
                  She stood there in her thin white shift with her dress pooled at her feet. She held her arms in front of her, doing her best to hide herself from his gaze. She risked a glance at him and was startled by the look in his eyes as he stared at her. He'd been cold before but now his eyes were blazing.
                  He looked like he was ready to devour her.
                  "The rest