Zoya's maids scrubbed Lakshmi raw. Their rough hands peeled off her torn dress and dumped scalding water over her cuts.
She bit her tongue hard, refusing to cry out.
"If you scrub me any harder, I will be white. Can we talk about our feelings instead?"
They ignored her.
"Pathetic," one maid muttered, yanking a comb through Lakshmi's tangled hair. "The Alpha King has never kept a human. She'll be dead by dawn."
The other giggled. "Maybe he'll rip her throat out during the inspection"
Lakshmi stared at the wall, her hands gripping Meera's doll under the bathwater. Survive. For them.
The doors slammed open. Zoya strode in, her crown glinting. Lakshmi observed her. Tall. Black hair. Pretty face. Deadly heart. Warrior. That summed Zoya up.
The maids froze.
"Out," Zoya said.
They scrambled away leaving Lakshmi Stark naked and vulnerable with Zoya - her captor
Zoya circled the tub, her red silk robe trailing. She examined Lakshmi like she was a high-class cattle.
"You look better clean. Less like a sewer rat."
Lakshmi didn't look up. "Why am I here?" She asked. Her voice firm and her body relaxed more in the water now that the two scrubbing she-devils had finally left her alone.
She leaned back in the water tub and closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. There was a sharp pain that she ignored and a sore on her chest that she refused to pay attention to.
Zoya laughed. "You're joining the harem today. All women who catch Kael's eye get… inspected before officially becoming his concubine." Her nail traced the scar on Lakshmi's arm—the crest she'd carved herself. "He likes scars. But don't worry. I'll make you presentable"
"That head of yours must be a fun place, Madam, if you are actively finding toys for your husband to play with." Lakshmi opened her eyes and looked at her. "Has he tire of you, already?"
Zoya smiled. "You are trying to ellict a reaction from me, Lakshmi. You want to know my motives. Sorry darling, they are mine alone" she trailed a finger down her collar bone.
Zoya snapped her fingers. Two warriors dragged in a trunk, spilling silks and jewels onto the floor. Zoya held up a sheer black gown, slit to the hip. "Wear this. Let him see your legs."
Lakshmi stood, water sloshing. "I'd rather walk naked. Less itchy."
Zoya's smile sharpened. "Oh, little queen. You think you have a choice?" She tossed the dress at Lakshmi's face. "Put it on. Or I'll burn down your village."
*
The harem hall smelled like cheap perfume and sweat. Dozens of women lined the walls—shifters with glowing eyes, a trembling winged fae, a warrior with snake scales. All wore thin gowns, their bodies on display.
A wolf-eyed girl snarled as Lakshmi entered wearing the itchy black dress, Zoya had stuffed her into.
"Human trash. You'll die first."
Lakshmi smirked. "At least I'll die interesting."
Zoya shoved her into line. "Stand straight. Don't speak unless he asks." She leaned close. "And smile. He hates cowards."
Lakshmi raised an eyebrow. "Does he hate bad jokes too?"
Zoya didn't answer.
"What happens if I don't pass inspection?" She asked Zoya.
Zoya's eyes told her everything she didn't say out loud. Nothing good.
"Good luck" the wolf Queen told her.
Drums boomed. The doors crashed open.
Alpha Kael walked in.
He wore no shirt. Just him and his bare chest. The women swayed, some fluttering lashes, others baring their necks.
Like a pack of hungry vultures, Lakshmi thought.
Kael stopped at the first girl—a brunette with claws. She purred, trailing a hand down his chest. He gripped her wrist, sniffed her skin, then shoved her away. "Weak."
Guards dragged the girl out. Lakshmi's pulse spiked as he got closer towards her. She wondered what happens behind the closed door.
What happens to the weak?
Lakshmi didn't know, but it was better than what happens behind close door with someone like him.
He moved down the line. Rejected a shifter for trembling. Bit a fae's shoulder, then tossed her aside when she screamed.
The wolf-eyed girl stepped forward, chin high.
"My Alpha," she crooned.
He backhanded her. She crumpled against the wall, unconscious. "Too loud."
Zoya clicked her tongue. "Harsh today, husband."
Kael ignored her. His gaze landed on Lakshmi.
She stopped breathing.
He stalked closer, heat rolling off him. His fingers dug into her jaw, forcing her head up. She glared, refusing to blink. Do it. Kill me.
His thumb brushed her split lip—the one Varun had given her. A growl rumbled in his chest. "Who hurt you?"
The hall froze. Even Zoya stiffened.
Lakshmi clenched her fists. "A dead man walking."
His eyes burned gold. For a second, she thought he'd hit her. Instead, he leaned down, inhaling at her throat. "Liar," he muttered. "You're still afraid of him."
"I'm afraid of you" she lied. If Kael liked Toys that fought back then she would go the extra mile to be the weak spineless creature he despised.
Maybe then he would let me go home.
Wrong answer.
He yanked her against him, his hand sliding up the gown's slit to grip her bare thigh. The women gasped. Lakshmi's face burned, but she didn't struggle. Stay calm. Don't fight—yet.
"No," he said softly. "You're not."
Zoya stepped forward, breaking the tension between them "Well? Did she pass inspection, my love?"
Kael's claws pricked her skin. Lakshmi held her breathe, terrified to breathe. Waiting for the rejection that she was sure that she had earned.
"Yes." He answered.
And the light went out of Lakshmi's eyes.
*
She was taken back to the Alpha Queen chambers, afterwards.
Zoya's chambers smelled like wine and roses, nothing like the terrifying warrior who have set fire to rain so many times in the past.
She poured a goblet and offered it to Lakshmi, who didn't take it.
"You did well," Zoya said. "He likes fire. Almost too much."
Lakshmi tugged the torn gown over her thighs. She was nineteen not stupid, she knew the job that awaited a Concubine.
"Why?" She asked her. "Normal wives don't gift their husbands concubines to fuck."
Zoya smirked. "Watching Kael unravel amuses me. And you…" She flicked Lakshmi's scarred arm. "You're more useful alive."
"Useful how?"
Zoya opened her mouth, but the doors burst open. Kael stormed in, his glare sharp. "Out," he told Zoya.
She raised a brow. "So soon? You are here to ravish her? It's alright, husband. You can use my chambers but I'd planned to teach her how to—"
"Out."
Zoya left, laughing. The door slammed.
Lakshmi stood up and took a step back. Kael took a step forward.
Kael crowded Lakshmi against the wall, his breath hot. "Why lie?"
She held her ground.
Play meek, Lak. He hates it.
"About what, master?"
"You're not afraid of me." His hand slid to her throat.
Lakshmi snorted. "You're imagining things, Master."
He pressed closer, his voice low. "You tasted like fury earlier. Like you wanted to bite me back."
I wanted to kill you, you son of a bitch.
"I want to please you, Master"
"No, you don't." His mouth hovered over hers. "Tomorrow. My chambers. Come willing, or I'll drag you."
He left. Lakshmi's legs wobbled, but she steadied herself.
Zoya slipped back in, grinning. "Oh, little queen. You've won."
"Won what? A lifetime supply of creepy gowns?"
Zoya's eyes gleamed. "The first battle."