Nausic bowed. “As you wish.”
Starling yelled, “What’s going on?”
Everyone looked at her.
Finally.
She gave them her best annoyed look. “Well?”
Bekion wore a humoring expression as he stooped and placed his hand under her chin, smoothing his thumb over her cheek. “I said you would come to no harm while in my care. Nausic as your guard will ensure that.”
“I need a guard now? Why do I… What the hell is wrong with your brother that I need a guard? I’m not…” She stopped. It was all too much. She hung her head and whispered, “I just want to go home.”
“You already know that’s impossible. Dwelling on it will only depress you.” Bekion straightened and turned his attention back to Nausic and Furielle.
Thanks for that round of indifference, Starling thought.
Bekion said, “Furielle, take Starling to the bathroom. Clean her and get her dressed. I’m returning to the throne room. I shall retrieve Starling later. Keep her in my chambers for now.”
He patted Starling’s head again.
“That reminds me,” he said. “Furielle, reprogram the nanites to allow Starling’s hair to grow back.” He turned and walked away. All the guards except Nausic followed him.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Furielle said with a curtsy. She walked over to Starling. “Shall we get you clean then?”
Starling gave the woman a wary look. “You’re not going to try to drown me like those doctors did, are you?”
Furielle laughed and motioned for Starling to follow her. They entered the second room Furielle had exited earlier. It was a bedroom. They crossed to yet another door, which led to the bathroom where Starling suffered being lifted onto a table because it put her at eye level.
“That was the nanite bath,” Furielle said. “The doctors’ goal was not to drown you but to make you healthier. Once the nanites are in your system, removing them is next to impossible, thus the process does not need repeating.”
“Nanite bath? You mean nanotechnology?”
“The same.” Furielle pulled off Starling’s toga and tossed it aside.
“Are those little machines the cause of my hair loss?”
It had taken Starling years to get her hair to recover from all the relaxers and treatments she’d used since adolescence. She’d finally gotten it back to how thick it was when she was younger. She hoped the nanites could restore it. Scratch that. The nanites better restore it.
Furielle said, “A temporary problem that is easily fixed. Once reprogrammed, the nanites will return your eyelashes and eyebrows as well as the hair on your head. Is there any particular length you want? Or color?”
“Of my hair? How about the color I was born with?”
The woman didn’t seem to take offense at Starling’s tone. That made Starling angrier. Why did Starling get the feeling Furielle was humoring her?
“And length?”
“To my shoulders.”
“All right. I’m sure King Bekion will want to make it longer. He prefers women with long hair. Until he says otherwise, shoulder length is acceptable.”
Starling gnashed her teeth. If the woman planned to dismiss every answer, why did she bother asking? The thought fled her mind when Furielle palmed Starling’s breasts. Her indignant tongue-lashing came out as a garbled squeak. The stress must be getting to her if she couldn’t form a coherent sentence. What was wrong with these people and why were they obsessed with her breasts?
Furielle said, “You are very well-endowed. That’s good.” She gave the breast in one hand a little squeeze then did the same to the other. “King Bekion likes women with large breasts.” She stopped fondling Starling’s breasts to run her hands over Starling’s legs.
“He said he wouldn’t sleep with me.” She tensed when Furielle’s hands skimmed her inner thighs. If the woman got too personal, Starling planned to kick her in the face.
“King Bekion is male and you are female. It doesn’t matter what he said. He will copulate with you.” Furielle finished her analysis without getting too intimate then helped Starling to the floor. “This way.”
They walked to a corner of the bathroom that had a shower and handheld nozzle. Starling reached for the nozzle but Furielle grabbed it first.
Starling said, “I can—”
“Stand under the water and don’t fidget. I don’t want to get wet.”
For a few seconds, Starling had an internal debate on whether she wanted to pick this fight. Considering her track record, it wasn’t worth the frustration. She walked forward and stood with her arms out.
With a soapy sponge in one hand and the spray nozzle in the other, Furielle washed Starling starting with her breasts. Starling checked the urge to punch the woman in the eye.
Furielle said, “King Bekion likes women.”
“I didn’t think he liked men. But thanks for the—”
“He especially likes women who are shorter than him. The majority of the women who are employed at the palace are shorter than him by his order because he beds so many of them. He’s had many lovers. If not for the nanites, he would surely have an heir and a queen by now. Possibly several bastards as well.”
“Should you be telling me this?”
“His tastes stem from his average height, or that is my theory. He always thought he would be taller, Rois’ height at least but that didn’t happen. Unlike many of the other kings of the Gorov Empire—”
“The what?”
“King Bekion has no harem. He doesn’t need one. All the women of the palace are ready and willing to serve King Bekion whenever he calls.”
“Isn’t that nice for him?”
“Once he has gotten over his initial shock of owning you, he will bed you. He is a seasoned lover. You’ll enjoy it.”
“Have you?”
“A few times.”
“Whoa.” Starling jerked around, facing Furielle. “You’re actually listening to me?”
“I’m not deaf.” Furielle turned Starling so she faced away and continued washing. “I envy you, in fact. King Bekion tired of me quickly, as he will you. But for now you are new and that means he will have sex with you sooner or later.”
“I just met him. I don’t know about him or you but ‘easy’ isn’t tattooed on my forehead or my ass.” She looked over her shoulder. “And you should know.” She wiggled her bottom for emphasis.
“Cute.”
Starling heard a hint of annoyance in the woman’s voice. It was about time.
“Look.” Starling faced Furielle. The woman shut off the water with a sigh but Starling didn’t let that deter her. “Obviously you’re not pleased to be taking care of me.”
She took Furielle’s eye roll as an affirmative.
“Lucky for you, I know how to bathe and dress myself. I can make your job very easy if you do me two tiny favors.”
“And those are?”
“Number one, stop treating me like I’m a moron. I understand you and I know you understand me.”
“And the other?”
“Number two, stop touching my damn breasts. You’re the second woman to cop a feel since I arrived. You’re an advanced race, I assume. That can’t be socially acceptable.”
Furielle nodded. “I can do both.”
“Good to know. Shake.” Starling put out her hand. Furielle took it. “Good girl,” she cooed, leaning over and patting Furielle’s head.
Furielle jerked back with an angered look.
Starling gave her a knowing smirk. “Annoying, isn’t it?”
Rather than yell or say something sure to put Starling in her place, Furielle laughed. The woman straightened and handed over the shower nozzle and soapy sponge. “You can finish.”
“Yes, I can.”
Furielle was almost out the door when Starling called out to her.
She turned back. “Finished already?”
“What about my hair?”
“Once you finish.”
It was a little too early to tell but Starling was sure she and Furielle would get along now that they had an understanding.
Chapter Three
Bekion called a short recess after two hearings. He wanted to return to his chambers. Thinking of Starling had distracted him. That surprised him more than a little bit. He’d met the girl only a short time ago and she already filled his every thought.
His obsession with her had to be a fleeting thing. Once he had time to grow accustomed to her, she would be like everyone else around him—easily dismissed and overlooked.
Rois asked, “Is there a reason we’re practically running down the halls, Bekion?”
Bekion didn’t slow his pace or act embarrassed. He also didn’t answer. Rois would draw his own conclusions and didn’t need Bekion to validate his theories.
Once his chamber door was in sight, Bekion slowed so he entered at a normal pace. He nodded to Nausic, who stood outside the inner-chamber door. Bekion assumed Furielle had kicked him out so she could attend to Starling. He told everyone to wait outside for him and entered the bedroom.
Furielle looked up and straightened quickly so she could curtsy. “Just in time, My King.” She moved to the side, allowing him to see around her.
Starling stood with her hands on her hips. She wore a simple formfitting, long-sleeved dress with slits up to her midthighs. It was an outfit that flattered Starling’s curvy figure, which he could see better now that she wasn’t hiding under a swathe of cloth and slouching.
The full breasts he had felt against his arm when he carried Starling earlier strained against the V-neck of the dress, which dipped down to her navel. Only the tiny cords attaching one side of the V to the other kept the twin globes trapped and out of full view. More’s the pity.
Bekion liked breasts, even if these particular ones belonged to a human. With a little more height, she could be mistaken for a jattikan woman from the sun-side planets of the Gorov Empire. Bekion couldn’t understand how a race that so resembled his own had ever been deemed pets. Dwelling on it wouldn’t change anything though.
He nodded his approval. “Very nice, Furielle.”
Starling said in a flippant tone, “Yeah, you’d never know we spent the last half hour arguing about what I should wear.”
“It was only ten minutes,” Furielle said. “But given the difference in the way our peoples tell time, we’re both right.”
“Huh?”
“Our clock is based on increments of one hundred, unlike yours, which is based on increments of sixty.”
“How do you all know so much about Earth?”
Bekion said, “Before we jattikans harvested humans for pets, we visited Earth to learn about the culture. The endeavor proved trying, as your people feared us on sight.”
“Well, duh. You all are giant-sized compared to us.”
Furielle said, “No, you humans are short.”
“Enough,” Bekion said in a stern voice. He faced Starling.
She looked up at him. “Now what?”
Furielle offered the two black bands to Bekion. “I was about to put them on her and explain their use. Would you like to do the honors, Sire?”
“Yes.” He took the bands, walked forward and went to one knee once he reached Starling.
She was even more beautiful up close. She had full lips, high cheekbones and large, light-brown eyes. The beauty of an adult looked up at him. How had he ever mistaken her for a child?
He reached for her arm but she backed away. “Starling?”
She shook her head at him. “Oh no you don’t. I’ve played that game already. I’m not doing it again.”
She eyed the bands he held then took another step back.
“Game?” Bekion understood her hesitance when she placed her hand at her throat. “The poachers used a choke collar to restrain you.”
She nodded. “And the others.”
“These are different. They keep track of you.” He held one of the bands out to her then urged her to take it when she hesitated. She handled it as though it would attack her. “You see? They are too small to fit your neck.”
She handed it back to him. “Then where do they go?”
“Around your wrists. The palace is big. I wouldn’t want you to become lost should you be separated from Nausic or me. They also serve another purpose.”
“What?”
He reached for her again but she continued regarding him warily. “It won’t hurt. I promise.”
“It better not.” She walked forward and presented her arms.
Bekion attached the black bands around one wrist and then the other. He then struck her wrists against each other. A cacophony of bells filled the room. Starling ripped her hands away from Bekion and covered her ears.
As he expected, the guards he’d left standing in the outer chamber rushed in with their weapons at the ready. Rois looked around for the nonexistent threat then lowered his baton. “What’s happening?”
“A demonstration,” Bekion said, gesturing to Starling and her new adornments.
“Damn it!” Rois shoved his baton back into his belt and waved the other guards out of the room with a sharp jerk of his hand. “Bekion, warn us before you do that.”
“Apologies, my friend.”
“Oh yeah, you’re real sorry. I can tell,” Rois bit out. He made an annoyed sound as he followed his men.
Bekion watched the man leave and then faced Starling. His little pet lowered her hands and looked at the bands. When she would have struck them again, he grasped her wrists and kept them apart.
“Once was enough, Starling. It is an alarm. Strike the bands against each other and my personal guards will be alerted to your distress. I, as well. We will be able to home in on your location through the tracking devices the bands contain. And, as you already heard, the noise of the bells is at a debilitating decibel, chosen to distract and disorientate your attackers long enough for you to escape.”
Starling said, “All this is to protect me from your brother.”
“Not only my brother but others who would do you harm because you belong to me.”
“Why humans? Why me?”
He debated ignoring her question. She wouldn’t like his answer. But she probably wouldn’t stop asking until she heard it. “Like yours, my people have feline and canine pets. But they found pets capable of coherent conversation preferable. My ancestors sought out a planet of inferior creatures and harvested them.”
“Inferior? That’s a little unfair.”
“At the time, your people still believed your planet to be the only one with life and the center of the universe.”
“Okay, so way back when there were a few idiots but we’ve long since gotten over that.”
“And the harvesting stopped, except for the poachers. They habitually make trips to Earth, stealing humans from heavily populated areas. The imperial police are at a loss to stop them so they punish those who buy from the poachers instead.”
“You. Well, I guess not you. You’re the king after all.”
Bekion straightened to his full height. “True, I am a king but I am not the emperor. It is my hope Supreme Emperor Udo will not look too harshly upon those of my staff who purchased you.”
“Supreme Emperor? You said you were king.”
“I am king of Panagiota. But my planet is one of many within the Gorov Empire. Each planets’ kings and queens are answerable to the supreme emperor.” He took a deep breath then blew it out. “However, I shall worry about punishment when it happens. For now, I must face my people.”
He placed his hand on her head and smiled down at her. “Are you ready to venture from this room and see more of your new home, Starling?”
She looked at the door and then him. “Do I have to?”
“You’re not curious?”
“I am but…”
Her expression was one of worry. He started to say something meant to soothe her when Vieve entered his bedroom unannounced. Bekion thought he’d b
roken her of that habit. “Your rudeness is ever present as always, Vieve.”
“But you never hold it against me, do you?” Vieve said, winking at him. “Besides, you should be happy to see me. I have come bearing that which you bade me to find.” She held out a small black pouch with a single strap that dangled below it.
“My purse!” Starling rushed forward.
Vieve surrendered the item with a pleased smile. “It’s intact. Schel didn’t think disposing of the bag and its items important enough to do immediately. He didn’t care when I relieved him of them either.”
From the way Starling dropped to her knees and dumped the contents of the pouch, Bekion doubted she had heard Vieve’s words. She sifted through the pile. It resembled bits of trash and junk to him.
One item made her gasp. She clutched it to her chest and bowed her head.
He thought she may have hurt herself and crouched near her. “Starling?”
She held up a yellow stone with another stone embedded in its heart. “A gift from my father. It’s an emerald fossilized inside a piece of amber. Emerald is my birthstone and the amber matches my eyes, so my dad said. He said when he saw it he thought of me. I was on my way to get it mounted as a pendant when the poachers took me.”
Bekion reached for it. “May I?” He smiled when she handed him the stone, which he gave to Vieve. “If you please.”
Vieve turned the stone this way and that. “The nanites should be able to polish both stones and shape them without marring the structure of either. I’ll have this back to you soon.” She walked away, leaving with the same speed she had appeared.
“Where is she… What is she going to do with my amber?” Starling jumped to her feet and took a few steps to follow Vieve. She stopped and looked back at Bekion.
“Don’t worry, Starling. She won’t hurt it. You wish it mounted so you can wear it. She’ll see to it.” He patted her head as he stood once more. Tiny hairs prickled his fingers. Hopefully, Furielle set the nanites to hyper so they replaced Starling’s lost hair quickly.
Starling knocked his hand away. “Stop touching me. Owning me doesn’t give you the right to touch me.”
“Doesn’t it?” He cupped her chin and held her so she looked up at him. “Ownership gives me permission to do as I please. Most owners don’t allow their pets to wear clothing, especially not clothing this fine. This,” he rubbed the fabric of her dress between his fingers, “is a very expensive cloth. Only the most affluent of my nobility can afford it. Having you wear it is the height of decadence.”
Pet's Pleasure Page 4