Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

know one another.

III
    It was hours later when Cassie awoke slowly—drowsy and heavy-limbed from a deep sleep. As she drifted upwards through layers of consciousness, she felt almost certain she would open her eyes to find herself in a hospital room. Much to her surprise, however, she was in the same beautifully appointed bedchamber as before. Light from the late afternoon sun filtered in through the sheer curtains on the window, and she could hear the men talking softly through the open door.  
    Her mind replayed the events of the day. She had been so certain that everything that had happened to her would turn out to be a dream or a hallucination which was the result of a car accident, head trauma, or something else along those lines. Yet, here she still was. Surely, this was a delusion—a delusion filled with delicious men . . . 
    Fleeting thoughts of her neat, suburban, ranch-style house and her accounting job ran through her mind. If this was real . . . If she really had fallen through some trans-dimensional rift, then what would happen to her life in Atlanta? To her job and her home?
    Cassandra had no family left to worry over; her parents and husband were all dead. Her parents had died while she was still in college, and her husband had died in a car accident two years earlier. Her only remaining relatives were cousins, and she wasn’t close to any of them. A pang went through her when she thought of her friends, however, and what they must be going through due to her unexplained and very sudden disappearance.
    With a sigh, Cassie stretched out fully on the soft mattress. Flexing her legs, she felt the need for physical activity to mitigate her stress, but that didn’t seem to be a likely possibility as she had a feast to attend before long. Feeling restless, she pushed herself up off the bed and walked silently into the main room.  
    In the living area, her men reclined on the sofas and cushions which were scattered about, and she sighed in pleasure at the picture they presented. Each was wearing the same very brief loin covering which Mika had worn since the first time she had seen him.  
    Her fingers itched to touch the perfect flesh on display, and it was slowly penetrating her consciousness that she  could  touch them . . . anytime, anywhere, and as often as she chose.  
    That little voice in her head screamed that this was wrong, but, once again, she squelched it and silently approached them.  
    They became aware of her presence, and—almost as one—the men jumped to their feet and bowed.  
    “Had you a good sleep, Mistress?” they asked in nearly perfect unison.  
    Cassie smiled and glided over to a plump sofa, sinking into the down-filled cushions.  
    “Very good, thank you,” she said while indicating the cushions on the floor. “Come and sit with me.” Immediately, they assumed positions around her on the floor, and four bright sets of eyes watched her expectantly.  
    “Mika, come here.” She patted the space beside her, and he beamed at being singled out first as he sat down and turned towards her, ready for anything she might request.  
    Earlier, when they had been before the Queen, and his Lady had chosen the others, Mika had been ashamed of the jealousy he had felt with each new selection. Then, however, she had placed him in charge of her household! He felt exultant to have received such a significant sign of favor. Now, she had called him to her first, and he trembled in equal parts anticipation and triumph. Much to Mika’s relief, his fellow slaves were pleasant and amiable; there would be no dissension in her household, nor any struggles for dominance amongst the small group.
    Cassie lifted her hand and pulled the tie from his silky black hair, letting it tumble down, gleaming in the late afternoon light. Burying her hands in the silken mass, she let her fingers massage his scalp lightly as his eyes slammed shut with bliss at his Lady’s touch.  
    Mika moaned