Patricia_Levy

Kesar is one of King Zargis's most trusted Dragons in Korgenyegia. He is sent down to the country of Sad to find information about the Humans taking Dragons and perhaps find out where they're being held. What he doesn't expect to find is Jose.
Jose is a slave to a cruel master with two mutts who try to rip her to pieces when she is saved. She finds herself facing two men very similar in looks. However, while Einnig was the one who tried to stitch her up, it is Kesar she is drawn to. Soon, she realizes she is in the midst of Dragons, beings she was told stories of to keep her being good while a slave.
When Kesar takes Jose to Korgenyegia, events begin to take place. Old friends become enemies, the past come to haunt the present, and Jose is faced with many hard decisions. But Korgenyegia needs someone like Jose: watchful, attentive to information, and-to the untrained eye-a stupid young girl who doesn't know how to speak and is of no threat.

Mind of the Slave: Korgenyegia Book 2

The three traveled for a moon and three days before Thelia found her chance to help the female and herself to freedom. She was bloodied and had a broken arm and a few broken fingers, but her spirit was whole. It had been saved by the sick female who became her friend, her soldier's mate, and a person she would protect. Because that's what Jose had done. She had protected Thelia when she was deep in her memories filled with fear and despair. 


Now, they entered a house that was far away from any civilization. It was a good size for a family of four. "Put her in one of the bedrooms!" Gideon barked. "When she's settled, find food!"


I obeyed silently, half dragging, half supporting Jose into a small room. She laid the girl down and swept hair off her face. She was hot with fever. "Stay here. When I return, we'll be safe."


Jose didn't move. Thelia's eyes burned as she stood and went to the kitchen. She found spoiled food in all the cabinets and ice boxes. She found rat infested ale and flour in the basement. But she did find good medicine which she hid in her shoes. 


When she went back to the kitchen and found a sharp knife, slid it into her sleeve, then went to find Gideon. 


She found him on top of Jose, preparing to violate her as she lay helpless and weak. Thelia didn't think. She grabbed the knife, aimed, then threw it into his back, just under his left shoulder blade. He stilled, then fell backwards. 


Thelia ran over and shoved him completely away from Jose, crying as she saw the girl's nude legs. "Zargis, hurry!" She covered Jose up, dragged Gideon outside, then found a match and lit him up. When she went back inside, she went to Jose, tending to her with medicine and cleaning the wound.


The next day, Thelia grabbed Gideon's horse and steered it to a road, then rode an hour before entering a small village. She had no idea where she was, had no clue how she was supposed to get food, but cautiously rode in, head down and eyes averted.


She looked up to see a fat man with dirty hair glare at her with Brady eyes. "I need food," she rasped.


"Damn right!" he grunted. "Darraga! Fetch me some bread and cheese!"


A woman came out of the house with his order, head low, wearing what Thelia recognized as slave clothes. The male grabbed the food from her and shoved it into Thelia's hands. "Now get out of here! Darraga, make sure she returns home!"


Thelia stared at both slave and master, then pulled the horse about to leave.


Once they were out of town, she addressed the girl. "That man? You are his slave?"


Now the girl grins. "In some sense, yes. But we have found common ground. He isn't as cruel as he looks."


Darraga nearly skipped. "Haven't you heard? There's a change!"


"Oh yes! He would not have let me go with you if it weren't true. Thelia stopped the horse and Darraga faced her. "A few years ago, there was a girl, a slave, who was married to a king! Her master talks great things of her! He even says how she helped in the alliance he made with her king!"


Thelia got off the horse. "Do you know this slave master?"


Darraga shook her head. "No, but I do know he comes soon." She sighed. "That slave girl is the reason I love my master!"


They arrived at the house some time later and Darraga left, saying to be careful. Thelia went inside and to Jose. She was worse. There was vomit covering the floor and sheets. The girl was coughing up blood, drool running down her chin, and she smelled of piss. Thelia felt her heart fall, not knowing what to do now. 


She cried, sitting on the floor against a wall. "I need help!" she gasped. "I don't know what to do! I don't know where I am or how to get home!" She bowed her head. "Zargis!"


~24~