The Sand Bride - Chapter 12
“Right?”
With a light slap on Esther’s thigh, Karzhen chuckled, and the men burst into laughter. “Right,” “Of course,” they chimed in. Only Esther and Hakan, seated nearby, didn’t laugh.
Hakan, sitting near his brother, watched Karzhen with a strange expression before shifting his gaze to Esther and taking another sip of wine. Karzhen, as if to show off, began fondling Esther’s ankle and calf visible under her rolled-up skirt. Esther sat quietly, enduring his touch.
Soon, they would go back to the tent, do that again, and walk the next morning. What would happen after that? Would she be sold as a slave? If so, who would buy her? Was her father still alive? Her mother? Would she ever see them again?
Her imagination increasingly showed her a realistic but despairing future rather than a positive one. It made her want to cry. But if she cried, Karzhen would be displeased.
Esther clenched her eyes, trying not to cry. Karzhen always got annoyed or even angry when she cried.
To be precise, he liked it when she cried during intimacy but hated it when she cried alone. He called it whining, not crying, and said he couldn’t stand whining.
Esther felt depressed realizing even her tears had to align with his whims, but she quickly pushed the thought away. She didn’t want to upset Karzhen while he was drinking.
The feast grew louder. With the Ring of Hell behind them and their destination near, the men couldn’t hide their excitement.
Soon, they could stretch out on comfortable beds and sleep in houses with roofs and windows. Some might head straight to the entertainment district upon arrival, while others might rush to their families.
But even those without homes or interest in entertainment couldn’t help but smile at the thought of their full pockets.
Karzhen was a generous leader to his men, and those he brought on this journey were especially trusted, so he had no reason to be stingy.
As more wood was added, the bonfire roared back to life. The ragged captives, carrying their burdens, disappeared, and Esther, nestled in Karzhen’s lap, lowered her gaze in guilt.
Karzhen paid no attention to what the captives were doing. He idly fondled Esther’s soft, thin body, occasionally taking a drink.
As time passed, the alcohol took effect. The plates of food emptied, and the wine bottles grew lighter.
“So, back then……!”
“This guy’s telling the same story again. He’s drunk!”
“Hahaha!”
Though not severe, the drunken ramblings made those on guard duty, who couldn’t drink much, envious. Karzhen’s expression softened as well.
Esther bit her lip as Karzhen’s hands roamed her chest. He had set down his wine cup and was now teasing her while holding her close. Half-lying, Esther trembled and twisted awkwardly.
“Ah……!”
A short scream escaped her. As she tried to slip away, Karzhen twisted her n****e with a spiteful expression. Her disheveled clothes revealed glimpses of her bare chest. The stares returned. Esther looked like she might burst into tears at any moment.
The shame of being seen by strange men, even Hakan, under Karzhen was unbearable.
She tried to straighten up, but Karzhen’s heavy, solid body pinned her down, leaving her flailing like an overturned beetle. Tears pooled in Esther’s eyes. A sob escaped through her bitten lips.
“Brother.”
A thud—the sound of a wine cup being set down. It was Hakan. He looked displeased.
“If you’re going to do that, go inside.”
“What?”
“Watching is torture enough.”
His tone was more grumbling than angry. An awkward silence fell.
“Is that so?” After a moment, Karzhen burst into laughter. He then stood, tucking Esther under his arm. Esther, limp, flailed briefly as if she might fall, but stopped as Karzhen walked into the tent.
Inside the tent, away from the bonfire’s light, it was pitch black. Karzhen tossed Esther onto the soft bedding. She lay still, silent, resigned to what was coming.
Karzhen didn’t notice, but her quiet demeanor pleased him.
After stripping off his clothes, Karzhen removed Esther’s as well. In the darkness, her skin stood out, pale and marked with his handprints on her neck, chest, and waist. Her thin skin quickly swelled and reddened.
“Ugh…….”
The desert night was cold. Karzhen, who had been playing with her slightly hardened n*****s, buried his face in her chest. Her familiar scent filled his nose. As he sucked on her b****t, Esther turned her head, groaning.
While sucking, his hand moved steadily downward. Reaching between her legs, he rubbed her v***a before inserting a finger. His thumb pressed her c**t, and her inner walls clenched around his finger. Esther’s moans grew louder.
Karzhen’s finger moved more roughly. The wetter she became, the louder her moans. When he pressed her c**t with his nail, she soaked instantly. Feeling the wetness on his finger, Karzhen laughed in satisfaction.
“Now even a finger makes you squirm, huh?”
“…….”
