Read Online A Cruel Passing of Innocence by J.D. Jensen - Free Book Online Page A

with a mixture of anger and sad expectancy, knowing instinctively the futility of dissent. Satisfied that she was composed and compliant again, Babbushan returned to the object of his interest. Once more holding the delicate lips open, he placed two plump fingers between the twin portals and gently but firmly thrust into the narrow passage, exploring, moving from side to side against the tight constriction of the delicately ribbed walls. ‘Be calm,’ he said. ‘I shall be quick with you. The master desires to know of you beforehand. Fear not, my task will soon be over.’
    Babbushan worked deftly and with intent upon his purpose, but there were no stirrings of desire within his loins, so long ago made sterile by the masters’ bidding. From time to time his actions made her gasp, her body occasionally squirming involuntarily as he furrowed deeper, her muscles instinctively resisting his shocking penetration. Then, as if satisfied with his findings, he withdrew from her.
    â€˜Who has entered you before?’ he asked.
    Confused and embarrassed she averted her eyes from his; not replying at once, fearing what reaction might come. He waited patiently as the servant girl began to sponge Nassara’s feet with hot lotion from a bowl held by the boy attendant.
    â€˜What is your answer, girl?’ Babbushan pressed.
    She swallowed nervously, knowing how she must hasten to reply even though more shame would be heaped upon her. ‘It was the custom in my village,’ she whispered, feeling the first tears of shame trickle down her cheeks. ‘It was my stepfather. It was he who broke me to show me how to be with men.’
    â€˜Only he?’ Babbushan persisted, staring intently into her eyes. ‘No other man?’
    She shook her head, and Babbushan nodded.
    â€˜Go now to the pool, Nassara. The heat and vapour will sooth your body. Rest after your long journey. It is over now. This is your home. You have done well. The master will be pleased.’ With that he slowly turned and lumbered away.
    The other slave girls were already in the pool. Belithza looked distinctly better from her massage and oiling. She preened herself, stretching in the warm, bubbling water. She whispered to Nassara that her wounded buttocks felt better, treated by potions massaged in by one of the fat men. The welt on her belly had also been tended to.
    â€˜He was gentle,’ she said, ‘rubbing me soothingly with oils and lotions… but…’ Belithza paused, looking shy, before continuing in a lowered whisper, ‘he entered me, down here, with his fingers. Did they do this to you?’
    â€˜Yes,’ was all Nassara said.
    On the other side of the pool she saw Zheeno getting into the water, his lean body glistening with oil. She caught his eye and they exchanged fond smiles. But they dared not wave, conscious of the guards and whip-boys hovering nearby.
    She watched as Zheeno sank gratefully into the water, the weary look on his face momentarily lifted. As he looked back at her she felt again a surge of love for the young man she scarcely knew. But when bonded by the shackles of adversity, seeds of love fall early on the fertile soil of shared misery, nurtured swiftly by cruel fraternity.
    The slaves were allowed to stay luxuriating in the hot water, feeling it healing their aching bodies. When eventually they were ushered out of the pool they were draped in thick towels by the attendants, and rubbed dry by them.
    They were then led up the stairs and out, once more, into the courtyard above. Nassara and her female companions were led across to the other side of the lush gardens, and then up a flight of steep steps. Meanwhile Zheeno and the male slaves were herded away to the opposite end of the building from where the slave girls were.
    Watching him go she was apprehensive, seeing his quick backward glance at her and his fleeting reassuring smile that plucked at her heart. Somehow she sensed they