Inside the stone room, a Velmora woman sat on a rough bench.
Silver-threaded shackles bound her wrists.
Her gown was only a few strips of red-dyed silk.
Grime streaked her skin, but her origin was clear.
Her features were smooth.
Soft white markings curled along her neck like flowers.
Her violet eyes held a steady gaze that refused to lower.
Most people would not recognize those markings, but Taleth did.
He knew that pattern.
She had once belonged in the high halls.
Maybe she was even a descendant of one of them.
A noble of the Velmora kingdom in the past, now reduced to a slave.
The heavy metal door clanked open.
A Nephirid gladiator swaggered in.
His name was Craze.
He tossed his helmet aside and locked the door behind him.
"Finally, after all this time," Craze growled.
His voice was low and thick with lust. "I've tasted almost all species, but you Velmora were always out of my reach."
The Velmora did not move.
