The wheels of the wagon crunched rhythmically against the gravel of the Imperial Highway.
It had been hours since they left the forest. The dense canopy of trees had given way to rolling hills and open fields, bathed in the twilight of a setting sun. The air was cooler here, carrying the scent of dust and distant rain.
Lila sat on the driver's bench, her hands wrapped tight around the leather reins. Her hood was pulled up, shielding her face.
She stared straight ahead at the rhythmic bobbing of the horses' heads, trying to focus on the road. Trying not to think about the fact that she was driving away from her father, effectively kidnapping her own mother.
"Lila," Kael's voice drifted from behind her.
She flinched. The wagon had a canvas cover over the back, creating a small, private room on wheels. A heavy curtain separated the driver's bench from the bed. Kael pulled the curtain aside.
He was sitting right behind her, his legs stretched out. Elara was curled up on the furs beside him, her head resting on his lap, looking peaceful and dazed.
"Yes, Master?" Lila answered, keeping her eyes on the road.
"You're tense," Kael observed. He reached out, his hand sliding over her shoulder, massaging the tight muscle of her neck. "Are you having second thoughts?"
"No," Lila lied quickly. The brand on her hand felt warm, a gentle reminder of her contract.
"Just... focusing. The road gets busy near the city. Bandits. Patrols."
"Patrols," Kael mused. "That sounds exciting."
He shifted. Lila heard the rustle of fabric.
"Elara," Kael whispered. "Wake up. The swaying of the wagon is... stimulating. I think my condition is acting up again."
Lila heard her mother stir. "Oh? Is it the pressure again, Master? Do you need me to drain it?"
"Yes," Kael said. "But not back there. Come here. I want to watch the scenery while you work."
Lila stiffened. "Master, we're on the main road. People pass by. Other wagons."
"I know," Kael purred, leaning closer to Lila's ear.
"That's why you're going to be our lookout, Manager. If you see someone coming, you let us know. But you don't stop the wagon. And Elara doesn't stop working."
Lila gripped the reins until her knuckles turned white. "That's reckless."
"It's exhilarating," Kael corrected. "Do it, Elara. Kneel."
Lila felt the shift in weight as her mother crawled forward. Elara knelt on the floorboards of the wagon, right behind the driver's bench. She positioned herself between Kael's legs.
"Are you watching, Lila?" Kael asked, grabbing Lila's chin and turning her head slightly.
Lila looked down over her shoulder. In the gap between the seat and the curtain, she saw Kael expose himself.
She saw her mother, the woman who used to scold her for showing too much ankle, eagerly grasp him, licking her lips like a starving animal.
"Mom..." Lila whispered.
Elara didn't look up. She descended on him.
Slurp.
The sound was wet and loud over the creaking of the wheels.
"Eyes on the road, Lila," Kael commanded, releasing her chin. "You have a job to do."
Lila snapped her head back forward, her heart hammering against her ribs. She could hear everything.
The rhythmic suction. Her mother's soft moans of encouragement. Kael's heavy breathing right behind her ear.
It was a sensory nightmare. Every bump in the road jostled the wagon, making Elara choke or gag, which only seemed to make Kael laugh.
"Smooth driving, Lila," Kael teased. "You're making her work for it."
"I'm trying," Lila gritted out, steering the horses around a pothole.
Suddenly, a bell rang out in the distance.
Lila squinted. Coming toward them around the bend was a large merchant caravan. Four wagons, heavily guarded by mercenaries on horseback.
"Master!" Lila hissed. "Caravan! Coming this way! Guards!"
"Good," Kael said calmly. "Keep driving. Wave. Be polite."
"Stop her!" Lila begged, glancing back. "They'll hear! They'll see!"
"If you stop her, I'll punish you right here in front of them," Kael threatened. "Elara, don't you dare stop. Deep throat. Take it all. Silence is golden."
Elara obeyed. She took him all the way to the base, filling her mouth completely to muffle the sound. She began to bob her head furiously, her eyes rolling back, tears streaming from the corners as she gagged silently.
The caravan drew closer. The lead guard, a man in chainmail on a black horse, trotted past.
"Evening!" the guard called out, raising a hand.
Lila's heart stopped. She forced a smile. She raised a shaking hand. "Good evening, sir!"
The guard slowed down slightly, looking at the wagon. "Traveling late? Oakhaven gates close at midnight."
"We... we're rushing to get there," Lila stammered. Her voice was high, panicked.
Behind her, she felt Kael shift. He was thrusting into Elara's throat now. Lila felt the impact against the back of her seat. Thump. Thump. Thump.
The guard frowned, looking at the canvas cover. "Everything alright back there? The wagon is shaking a bit."
Lila's blood ran cold.
"It's... it's my husband," Lila lied, the words tumbling out in a panic. "He's... sick. Fever shivers. My mother is tending to him."
The guard's face softened. "Ah. apologies. Safe travels, miss."
He kicked his horse and rode on. The rest of the caravan rumbled past.
Lila let out a breath she felt she had been holding for a lifetime. She slumped forward, trembling.
"Well done," Kael whispered, his voice thick with pleasure.
"Husband. I like the sound of that."
He grabbed Lila's shoulder. "Since you saved us... you get a reward."
He reached over the seat. His hand slid under Lila's cloak. It found her breast.
"Master!" Lila gasped, trying to steer the horses. "I'm driving!"
"Drive with one hand," Kael ordered. He pinched her nipple through her shirt.
At the same time, he grabbed Elara's hair, pulling her off. "Finish me, Elara. Use your hand. I want to focus on Lila."
Elara switched to a furious handjob, coating Kael in saliva. Kael focused entirely on Lila.
He fondled her, his fingers digging into her flesh, claiming her while she tried to navigate the road.
The combination of the adrenaline from the guard, the fear, and Kael's touch was toxic. Lila felt that same heat rising in her belly, the Contract rewarding her for her deception. She had lied to a guard to protect her Master's pleasure. She was complicit.
"Does it feel good, Lila?" Kael whispered. "Knowing you fooled him? Knowing you're smuggling a monster into the city?"
"Yes," Lila whimpered, hating herself. "Yes."
"Good girl."
Kael groaned, his hips bucking. He released into Elara's hand, spilling warm seed all over the floorboards of the wagon.
He withdrew his hand from Lila's shirt.
"Clean up, Elara," Kael ordered, leaning back against the furs, satisfied. "Lila, wake me when we see the city walls. I want to make an entrance."
Lila drove on into the deepening night. Behind her, she heard her mother cleaning up the mess, humming that soft, happy tune.
Lila looked at the road ahead. There was no turning back now. She wasn't just a victim anymore. She was the getaway driver.
[Corruption Progress: Lila]
Current Level: 45% (Complicit / Thrill-Seeker)
Status: The Accomplice.