By the time we'd reached the edge of the dome my legs were beginning to ache. The gravity was stronger on the planet than I was used to and I had been walked pretty quickly through street after street.I noticed there were a few children here and there and some of them even followed my guarded procession for a while, but they stopped if we did and none of them got within arms reach of any of the guards.We stopped by what appeared to be some sort of railed system, many others waiting for transport of some kind. The rails led out of the dome and into another, following a tube-like path as it wove around craters and rocky obstructions."We'll need to wait for suitable transport, ma'am," Brinto said, as we stopped on a small platform down at one end so the others waiting still had space. "It might take a while to get one of the bigger sh

 The nicest rooms in the compound turned out to be little better than a basic hotel room all to myself, with the slight advantage that it was at least large enough I could sit at a small table or sofa while the guards gave me enough space. It was also several floors up and I had a reasonable view from the two barred windows.It was clear, however, that it was still a gilded cage. I wasn't free and I was being kept here until Icaan laid claim to me.Brinto didn't leave me, and unlike before he seemed less talkative, even pacing back and forth while I sat myself down on the sofa.We'd only been there a few minutes when the Frentin in charge came in as well, a girl who couldn't be more than about fourteen following him, a collar around her neck and her eyes down turned.The Frentin carried a handheld co

 As the night went on I still found sleep didn't want to come and I considered giving up. With his shift up, Brinto was relieved by Frith and another of the guards and I listened as they talked quietly before Brinto and his companion left.Frith then ordered the guard with him to wait outside. Although I thought this was a little odd, the guard seemed to think nothing of it and moved into the corridor outside, shutting the door behind himself.It was still dark outside, but the room was lit by enough starlight and lamp light from somewhere that I could see Frith move. He came over to the bed, stopping at the foot of it when I moved."You're awake?" he whispered."Yes. It's hard to sleep when you don't know what your fate will be," I replied, keeping my voice quiet but not bothering to whisper.

 Despite Sadisk's declaration that Icaan had abandoned me, I still didn't want to believe it. And it seemed neither did anyone else. No one moved."Come here, slave. I will begin by dealing out your punishment for escaping your masters and costing them a significant sum of money to have you returned.""No," I said, "Not yet. I said I would wait three hours to allow for issues with your transport shuttles. My heart doesn't believe me abandoned yet."Then I shall break your heart as well if need be, but you will learn to obey." Sadisk seemed to produce some kind of baton from somewhere inside his clothes and strode toward me.I moved to one side and attempted to put the sofa between us as Brinto also stepped into the way."You cannot be serious, Sadisk. Those things

 Silence had settled into the room for at least a minute as no one seemed to know what to do or say and my mind slipped into the turmoil it felt. I couldn't be bought by Icaan. Despite our best attempt at bringing in the credits, he didn't have enough.I couldn't help but cry as my fate ran through my head. Despite Icaan wanting me and me wanting him I was stuck as a slave and I had been put there initially by the very Frentin I loved. It seemed so heartless and unfair but there was nothing I could do about it.Although I considered trying to run again, I knew it was pointless. Every man in the room bar Icaan was now bound to keep me here and I didn't doubt Sadisk planned to punish me enough as it was. Shaking, I reached for Icaan, but he shook his head and pulled away.The movement broke a dam as almost half the room started to talk a