Chapter 11 Part 4 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book 1
"Maman worked for Mistress Polls, and owed her a great deal of money when she died. Mistress Polls made us work it off," murmured Allis.
"Couldn't you have done something else there?" Temmin said to the floor. "Cleaned? Run errands? Washed dishes?"
"Don't you think we would have if we could have?" said Issak. "We were worth too much." Temmin looked up from beneath his golden brows to meet Issak's intense stare. "Do you know how much our virginities brought, Your Highness?"
"Virginities?" he faltered. "But you were only ten, who would--"
"A thousand gold apiece is what she sold them for," said Issak. "After that, clients had us both, or separately, or watched us together. You look a little ill, Your Highness. Didn't you know some men enjoy the company of children? How old do you think we were when this happened? We turn twenty-one this year."
