Read Online Marri's Approach (Brackish Bay) by Cerise Noble - Free Book Online

They wouldn't be caught dead wearing pants, or a vest with no shirt.”
    I looked appropriately ashamed. “I know. It was so awful! They took my clothes. It was a kind hunter who took pity on me and gave me something to cover my shameful nakedness!” I tried to call up tears, but damn, Fortuna, that doesn't come easily.
    “So why didn't the hunter claim you? Or is he around here?”
    The men across the fire shifted warily.
    I shook my head. “He was eaten by a bear.”
    “A bear?”
    I nodded, getting into the story. “It was a great, hulking black bear. It growled, and he shot it, but it didn't kill the bear, so it ran at him, and raked him and bit him and ate him!” This time I managed to squeeze out a tear.
    The voice scoffed. “You didn't get hurt.”
    I let myself leach even more shame into my voice. “I ran away. I'm a god-cursed coward.”
    “Come here.”
    The man behind me yanked me to my feet even as I pretended to sob into my hands. I swiped at my mostly dry eyes—misdirection is everything, Fortuna—and let myself be a dead weight. He shook me.
    “Stand up.”
    “I'm sorry, I'm just so—so—”
    “Shut up.”
    He spun me around to face him and slapped me across the face. It was all I could do not to squirm with pleasure. Instead, I hunched into myself, pretending to be cowed.
    My voice dropped to a hoarse whisper. “I'm sorry.”
    He gave me a firm shake. “Do as we say and you'll live.”
    I nodded, pitiful. “Yes, sir.”
    “Come.”
    The men across from me kicked mud onto the fire, then turned to lead the way into the woods, away from Brackish Bay. Fortuna, you're a harpy.
    It wasn't until some hours later, most of which included me stumbling and being prodded along, that we reached a larger camp. No, Fortuna, of course I'm not going to waste my skill doing something that I don't need to. There's no need to be swift and silent when you're already caught. I gulped as we came closer. It was a large camp, not as big as General Tell's full force, but certainly as large as one of her skirmish armies. I balked.
    “W-wh-what are you doing? Who are you fighting?”
    “We're attacking Brackish Bay, and we don't need little girls like you in the way.”
    I swallowed hard. “No, sir, I don't want to be in the way, not at all. I'll just go. To your kitchen. And make myself useful.” The man released me, but watched as I turned in multiple directions. “Um, sir? Where—where is your kitchen?”
    He snorted and pointed. I nodded, bobbed a curtsy as if I'd been wearing skirts, and then quickstepped in that direction. The other men fondled me as I walked past, and I flinched away, wincing and exclaiming in distress.
    The one who'd spoken snapped at them. “Don't.”
    They shrugged, and I escaped. Inside my belly was a coiling need for sex, raised to a ridiculous pitch by their heavy-handed groping. Dammit Fortuna, why did you have to build me like this, such that harshness piques my blood?
    I found the kitchen and ducked in. There were dozens of women, all bustling and working at a high speed. I grimaced.
    “Hello? Who's in charge, please?”
    A few of them eyed me, some with curiosity, some with hostility.
    “I'm in charge.” A tall woman with broad hips and broad shoulders strode by. “Stay out of my way.”
    I jumped back. “My apologies, madam.”
    “Is there a reason you're standing in my kitchen?” She strode past me the other direction, and I stepped back farther.
    “I'm sorry. I—they found me in the forest. I wanted to make myself useful.”
    She turned around from stirring the great cauldron over one of the many fires. “Useful, eh? Get over here and stir this. Make sure it doesn't stick, doesn't burn. Or I'll burn your hide. Understand?”
    I scurried over to the cauldron and took the proffered ladle. “Yes, madam, thank you, madam. I won't let it burn or stick.”
    I began to stir.
    Fortuna, if you've never stirred a pot for hours, I don't recommend it. My shoulders hurt. My