The Breeding Lands (An Epic Erotic Fantasy Novel) (7 page)

And that was just fine with Violet. She preferred the quiet, simple life that the moors offered. She didn’t want to belong to a brute that had battled for her in a strange blue desert. It was barbaric and unnatural. People were meant to fall in love, be equals, and have families. Violet imagined she and her future husband would buy their own small farm in the moors, raising animals and providing small services to survive. Violet’s father was also a wood maker, and her mother made clothes.

Violet had not showed any skill in wood making but she had become an excellent seamstress, even better than her mother if she was honest, and she had been creating some new garments that she was hoping to sell in the community store.

“You are awfully quiet,” her father mused, as they traveled down the hill and a few homes came into view.

“I was thinking about the tribes.”

“Are you worried about the selection?”

Violet thought about it for a moment. “No, not really,” she answered truthfully, “I just find it all so strange. It’s hard to imagine that so many women are taken from their homes and families and sent to live with those monsters.”

Her father nodded, deep in thought. “It is very strange. And we are very fortunate that the scouts never visit here. But you must keep in mind that those women are also very brave and doing us humans a great service. They are essentially protecting us from the men of the tribes. If it weren’t for those one thousand women, the tribe members would have free run of Nihilo Terra and could set foot in the Eastern Highlands any time they desired, taking whichever women they pleased.”

Violet gulped at the thought. It was dreadful.

Her father continued. “Imagine if a wolf came running up our property and then shifted into a man. Perhaps he liked how Blythe looked. No one would stop him from having his way with her. And then nine months later, Blythe, a wife and mother, could give birth to shifter offspring.” Violet shuddered. The picture her father painted was harsh and frightening. “You must never forget that those women are serving us.”

“Yet, some women like it, don’t they Father? They want to be selected?” she asked, trying to imagine the thought.

“Well, yes. Think about some of the women of North Point,” he explained, referring to the large and dirty city that lay in the north of the region. It was teeming with filth and poverty. “Imagine those women having an opportunity to get out of that city? To travel somewhere different and have nice things?”

“But does every tribal region live in wealth and luxury?”

“No, but those women take their chances. I’m sure there are shifters who live in dirt caves, but there are also supposed to be beautiful homes on the tribal lands.”

“Well, I’m certainly glad that I don’t have to worry about it,” Violet said confidently. Hopefully in a year’s time, she would be married and starting her family. There was nothing she desired more.

They were nearing the neighbor’s house, and Violet squinted at it through the sun. The house was painted a fresh white, and it looked beautiful against the lush greenery. If Violet squinted just enough, she could make out the sea miles and miles in the distance. It blended effortlessly into the sky and she wondered if it looked the same up close. Bryan’s father was working in the yard, and he pulled off his straw hat and waved to Violet and her father. When the carriage came to a stop, Violet hopped out and went to say hello.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Woods,” she said kindly.

Mr. Woods shook her hand, “Hello, Violet. You look prettier every time I see you.”

Violet blushed. “Thank you.”

Mrs. Woods came out of the house, her young daughter clinging to her apron. “Violet!” she exclaimed, “So lovely to see you!” She lowered her voice in a friendly way. “Bryan has been very eager to see you.”

This made Violet’s heart leap and she could only smile happily. She knelt down to greet Bryan’s young sister, Adelaide.

“Hi Adelaide. You’re looking very lovely today.”

Adelaide peeked her head out from around Mrs. Woods’ legs and smiled shyly. Her dark hair was in two long plaits down her back and she was wearing a pink floral dress. Violet went to the carriage and picked up the crate of eggs, while her father balanced the two crates of milk and cheese.

“Thank you so much,” Mrs. Woods exclaimed, as she ushered them inside, and then began to work on putting the items away. Violet looked outside to see Mr. Woods placing two thickly wrapped brown paper packages in the back of the cart. Violet knew they wouldn’t be able to stay more than an hour, so that they could get the meat back and put it on ice. When Violet turned back around, Bryan was standing in the shadow of the back door.

“Hello, Violet,” he said cordially, walking towards her to shake her hand.

“Hello, Bryan,” she said shyly, feeling how strong his hand felt. His hair was just a tad too long, and he brushed a long strand out of his face and looked down at her. He had grown at least a foot since Violet had seen him last.

“Would you like to take a walk?” he asked. “I’ve been working on a pond out back.”

“Yes, please.”

Violet gave her father a quick smile and followed Bryan out back. Once out of the close watch of their parents, Violet felt them both relax.

“How have you been?” Bryan asked, turning to look at her as they walked along the back of the property.

“Well, thank you. My brother and his wife had a baby boy last month. He’s precious. They’ve been visiting more lately and I love having them around.”

“How nice for your family.”

“How have you been, Bryan?” She gazed up at him, watching his reaction.

He smiled. “I’ve been well. I’ve just about completed all my studies. Father wants me to help more now that my schooling is just about finished. But I don’t mind. I want to take on more responsibility. I’ve been thinking about the future more.” He glanced sideways at Violet.

“I think about the future, too,” she said softly.

“I know that our parents want us to marry,” Bryan said suddenly, stopping and causing Violet to nearly bump into him.

“Yes, I know,” she said truthfully.

“And is that what you want?” His eyes searched her face.

“Yes. I would like that.”

While Violet didn’t feel the sparks and butterflies that she had always imagined she would feel, she still felt warm towards Bryan and her stomach did a little flip flop as she stared into his eyes. He nodded and grinned. “Good.”

They walked in silence until they reached the small pond. “It’s beautiful!” Violet exclaimed, dropping to her knees to examine it. A handful of brightly colored fish weaved in and out of the rocks.

“Where did you find these fish? They are amazing!” Violet had only seen live fish a handful of times, and never in these colors. There was a bright pink one, as well as a deep purple one, along with others that were yellow, striped, and dotted.

Bryan looked sheepish. “I had to clean out the animal stalls for nearly a year to get my father to buy them. They were transported to the store. I think they come from the Western Mountains.”

“Wow,” she breathed, watching the sunlight dance off a fast yellow fish whizzing by.

“So, now you know that I have a strange interest in exotic fish,” Bryan chuckled, “Do you have any special interests?”

Violet looked down at her hands. She wanted to tell Bryan that her special interest involved having lots of adorable babies, but she thought that might be overdoing it. “I sew,” she admitted.

“Really? My mother always complains that she can’t even sew an apron.”

“Oh, aprons are quite simple. In fact, I could make her one. I’ve been working on some new outfits. Not that they would have much purpose here on the moors, but I’m proud of them.” Her voice picked up with excitement.

“What kind of outfits?” Bryan looked genuinely interested.

“Skirts and dresses with ruffles and dresses with cut out shapes. It’s all very different. Sometimes my parents let me wear them around the house.”

“Dresses with cut out shapes?” Bryan eyes widened a bit.

Embarrassed, Violet bit her lip. She stood up so she was as level with Bryan as she could be. “Yes. I know it sounds silly.”

“It doesn’t sound silly at all. It actually sounds, very appealing.” Bryan’s voice took on a low, throaty quality. The sound made Violet’s skin warm and tingly. “If this works out,” Bryan said motioning to the two of them, “Would you wear one for me?”

Feeling extremely indecent, Violet nodded in agreement and then quickly set back off for the house. “I probably need to be going soon,” she said quickly, feeling self-conscious from what had just passed.

Bryan hurried to catch up with her. “Violet! I hope I didn’t offend you.”

Violet came to a halt. “No, you didn’t. I’m just not experienced with any of this.”

Bryan gave her a lopsided grin. “Neither am I.”

They walked back to the house with smiles on their faces. Violet tugged at her long ponytail, feeling her soft tresses beneath her fingers. She knew she would be happy with Bryan. He was kind and easy going, not to mention very attractive. She would need to overcome her shyness, though. Once she was his wife, she would be sharing all parts of herself with Bryan. At the house, Violet saw her father loading a few more small things into the carriage.

“Violet!” he called, waving. “Are you just about ready to leave?”

“Yes, Father!”

Mrs. Woods came around the corner and pulled her into a tight hug. “Oh those eyes!” she exclaimed, pulling back to look at Violet’s face. “You are the prettiest girl for miles and miles! Bryan will be lucky to have you.”

“I will be lucky to have him, too.”

Mrs. Woods laughed, planting a big kiss on her cheek. “I can’t disagree with you, there.”

Mr. Woods bid her goodbye, and Adelaide waved from inside the kitchen window. Bryan came over and shook Violet’s father’s hand and then helped her climb up into the carriage. “The selection will take place in a few weeks,” he told her, “once that’s been taken care of, we will make our plans.”

Violet smiled happily and nodded as her father pulled the carriage away. “Good bye! See you soon!” she called out to the Woods family as they made their way home.

That night after dinner, Violet’s mother came knocking on her door after she put her nightgown on. “I heard how well things went at the Woods’ house,” her mother said sitting on the bed.

Violet sighed happily and sat next to her mother. “Bryan wants to marry me too. Once the selection happens, we can make our plans.” Her mother pursed her lips and then smiled. “What is it Mother?” Violet asked.

Her mother shook her head, waving her hand and stood up. “It’s nothing. I’m just being an overprotective worrier. I’ll feel better once the selection has taken place.”

Violet stood up and went to her mother. “Mother, you know they rarely come to our area.”

“Yes, I know, Violet. But it’s my job to worry about you,” she trailed off and Violet felt a knot in her stomach.

“Mother,” she whispered, “what?”

Her mother spoke in a rush. “I just don’t want anyone laying eyes on you. From a distance you look like just another dark-haired girl, but up close,” she sighed. “Your eyes make you very appealing, Violet. That’s even more rare than a light haired girl. I don’t want any scout seeing you up close.”

Her mother’s voice was stern on the last two words and Violet felt herself pale. “Alright, Mother.”

The weeks went by, and Violet kept waiting for word that the selection had passed. She knew it would be any day now, that they would get word that all the women had been selected for the Mating Ritual.

“Violet,” her father called, after breakfast. “I need to make a trip to the store. Would you like to come with me?”

Violet looked over at her mother who looked wary. “We haven’t gotten word that the selection is over,” she said quietly, “I don’t want to risk Violet being seen.”

Her father laughed and waved his hand. “No one will be there! And I love having Violet’s help. Plus, I heard Mrs. Shire was looking to put some new garments in the shop.”

“What? New garments? Please, Mother! I have an entire trunk of clothes upstairs that I’ve been wanting to show her!” Violet’s mother paused, looking torn. “Please, Mother.”

“Fine, alright. But if you catch wind of any scouts in the area, come directly home! Do you both understand?”

Violet and her father nodded and then Violet happily bounded upstairs to collect her clothing pieces. The ride to the store was long, and Violet couldn’t help but crane her neck and watch as Bryan’s house blended into the distance. Her father caught her staring and shook his head, smiling.

Finally, after nearly two hours, her father pulled the cart up to the store. Violet all but leapt out, not paying much attention to the other horses tied up outside the store. She could see the sea better from the store, as well as some of the small seaside towns. Usually she loved to look at the calming waves and the strange buildings clustered so close together, but today she was too excited.

Her father was dragging the trunk out of the cart, and Violet did a quick once over of her outfit. She was wearing one of her own pieces, though it was one of the more demure ones. It was a long violet dress with a simple neckline that cinched at the waist. The skirt filled out a bit at the hips and then fell straight to her ankles with a band of ruffled material hanging over the top layer, allowing her to move more easily.