Enslaved Read Online Free PDF

Jane suspected a bed might be hidden therein, for the rest of the chamber seemed like a very large private sitting room.
    A soft gurgle of water drew her attention, and Jane glanced over to see a rectangular pool set into the floor. It ran along the length of one wall, and was three times the size of the one in her guest chamber. Everything gleamed white and silver with occasional pale blue accents.
    “What brings you from England?” asked Zenovia as she gestured for Jane to take a seat at the table.
    Jane sat and accepted the glass of wine poured by the high chief. She couldn’t help but feel a combination of surprise, delight, and apprehension that this powerful and strict leader of Amazonia would choose to dine alone with her.
    But perhaps she merely missed female companionship—someone to whom she wasn’t a ruler or mistress.
    “My husband and I were on our way to Madagascar,” Jane explained. “We’ve been married only four months, but since we both spent quite a bit of time there previously, we decided to go for our honeymoon.”
    “A fascinating choice for a honeymoon,” Zenovia replied with a genuine smile. She’d taken a seat as well, and instead of being positioned across the table from each other, they were seated at perpendicular sides…which gave their conversation a more intimate feel.
    Jane noticed again how tall and solid and strong her hostess was. Although definitely very feminine, with proportionately sized breasts and sleek, defined hips, Zenovia possessed toned, muscular arms and broad shoulders. She had regular, attractive features, with a full, wide mouth and almond-shaped eyes. Her skin was smooth and fair, even lighter than Jane’s English peaches-and-cream coloring.
    The high chieftain’s bare feet, though very wide and long, were adorned with silver rings on the toes and a single cuff around an ankle that gave them a particularly female appearance. Her blond hair was plaited into a single braid that fell down her back, and the silver band that she had worn around the front of her forehead was gone. As before, she wore black.
    “Are you not hungry?” she asked, gesturing to the table. She removed the silver domes covering a variety of food—some unfamiliar to Jane, but it all looked and smelled delicious.
    She said so, and, following her hostess’s lead, began to fill her plate and eat. As she did so, they continued to converse, with Zenovia leading the choice of topic.
    She wanted to know all about what had happened on The Racing Gull —where they had been, what the name of Holt’s ship was ( Chromium ), and why Jane believed Zaren hadn’t perished when he was thrown over the ship.
    “Because,” Jane said, reaching for her glass of wine—which had been refilled yet again, “he is the strongest, fiercest man I’ve ever known. I saw him surface in the water, and I know of what he is capable. Nothing would keep him from me. Nothing. ”
    Zenovia nodded, her eyes lingering on Jane. “I am not surprised you should attract such devotion from a man. With your coloring—that incredible, bright hair and your emerald eyes—you are like a beacon that draws the eye. And it isn’t only your appearance that demands appreciation.”
    Jane paused with the glass halfway to her mouth, and felt her heart do a little trip. Zenovia was looking at her with such an expression of…consideration? Contemplation? Fascination?
    “Do you play chess, Lady Hampstead? Or may I call you Jane?”
    “Please…of course I am Jane to you. I’m very appreciative of your hospitality, and your willingness to help me.”
    Zenovia gave an enigmatic smile and rang an unseen bell. And sure enough, they weren’t alone: two servants appeared immediately from a discreet corner and cleared away the food and serving wares, leaving only the wine and some water. Then one of them brought a large chess set—one of the most beautiful Jane had ever seen—and arranged it on the table between them.
    Unable to resist,