Page 25 of Red Waters

Affections and Offenses

Istartled awake when Yury rushed into the concrete chamber I refused to call home. Scurrying from my bed to assume my proper position, it was alarming to only now hear a cry from another slave; I had learned to sleep through them. Shamefully, I was becoming quite adjusted to the cruelty that circled me on an hourly basis. I couldn’t help but wonder if prisoners of war lost parts of themselves, too, when in captivity for so long. I was also at war. Maybe there were no guns being used against me, but my captors had plenty of very useful ammunition of their own.

“Fire.”

Sitting on my knees, somewhat eager for something not miserable, I kept my eyes to the floor. It was crucial for my survival to know if I were dealing with Master—my trainer from hell—or the young man who didn’t know how to admit he had feelings for me—Yury—so I waited quietly. Yury didn’t have a case of split personalities, but his rage was so unbearable at times that I had to learn to differentiate between the calm and insane versions of him.

“Let me see those beautiful eyes.”

I internally sighed as I peered upward. I was dealing with Yury.

“After your extensive training today, your reward will be to see Link.”

My chest tightened with worry. “I-Is he here?”

Yury’s head tilted. “What? Oh. No, Fire. I have kept my word.”

Before my brain could catch up to my body, I was crawling to him and hugging his legs. “Thank you. Thank you.”

His weathered hand moved through my hair. “I have pleased my Fire.” I nuzzled my cheeks against his thighs, rewarding him. Yury squatted while smiling at me. “Thank you for that.”

Surprisingly, his smile was warm, human, and his handsome side was beaming. I whispered, “May I touch you?”

His Adam's apple bobbed as he granted me permission.

My hand was small compared to his face. His skin was cleanly shaven, as always, and he smelt so clean compared to my confinement. I ran my palm along his cheek. I danced for him often, and those were intimate moments, but this moment had a tenderness unknown between us.

Yury stared at me, his mouth slightly parted. He didn’t ask me to stop, but he said, “A woman kissed me once.” My finger touched his lips as I wondered if he loved her. “No one had ever kissed me before.”

My brows pinched. “But you have sex with women all the time.”

His blue eyes saddened. “Kissing is not sex. It is affection. Who here would want to give any of us affection?”

That was the first time Yury had ever admitted to his career choice being a disturbed one. I wanted to reward him for his honesty. Ever so slowly, to be sure I wouldn’t get in trouble, I leaned forward, not breaking eye contact, and pressed my lips to his.

Yury’s eyes drifted shut.

After I slowly pulled away, his eyes opened. “I never knew being burned by fire could feel so good.”

In the hallway, I shivered, my bare feet protesting the cold concrete. Noticing a couple of men in jackets, my heart cracked wide open. Such an unexpected response to seeing someone experience warmth, but there I stood, in shock, trying to swallow the cry that escaped me. Yury quickly ushered me back into the room.

Shutting the door, his face was full of concern. “What is it?”

My shoulders bounced through more tears. “What season are we in?”

Starting to understand me being upset, he sighed. “It is winter.”

I had missed all of summer and fall. “I haven’t seen the sun…” I covered my mouth to compose myself. When that didn’t work, I wrapped my arms around myself. “Yury, I’m so tired.” Tears dripped from my eyes. “I’m so cold, from the inside out.”

I was too exhausted to realize all this time passing meant something else.

Yury studied me. I could practically see his mind racing through thoughts. He finally said, “No training today.” I stared at him as if he were a god. Smiling, his arms wrapped around my waist, tugging me close. Chest to stomach, he whispered, “I have you.” He reached in his pocket and held up his hand. “Look. I have you.”

In his palm was a red rhinestone leash.

I was officially being claimed.

Yury had decided to keep me.