Pet's Pleasure (32 page)

“The humans have privacy. It is only when they leave their domiciles that they can be observed. There are no surveillance devices, only this wall.” Udo faced Bekion with a stern look. “They are amongst their own kind, as they should be.”

Bekion could feel the trap closing around him.

“The campaign to make Earth humans citizens of the Gorov Empire has reached me. Know that it will never happen. No matter how the humans have grown or changed, I will uphold my ancestor’s ruling.”

“Starling told me the story of your ancestor and his son.”

“She repeated a partial tale. The full account is the reason the rules concerning Earth and its inhabitants exist. Through several recent scientific expeditions, I have assessed that planet. Nothing I have seen has convinced me adding Earth to the Gorov Empire would be in any way beneficial. As I refuse to add the planet, so too do I refuse to add its people on an individual basis.”

Bekion agreed, for his own selfish reasons, but didn’t voice his opinion aloud.

“While their abduction is unfortunate, they cannot return to Earth. Each has been introduced to the nanite baths and there is no way to completely remove them. That technology has no place on Earth.”

“I agree.”

“One day, we of the Gorov Empire will see Earth as an equal worthy of joining our ranks. Until that time, we shall watch over its children who have strayed to our shores and keep them safe.”

“That is best.”

“So you agree then, this habitat is the safest place for
all
of them.”

If Bekion didn’t choose his next words wisely, he could lose everything. “I agree Starling would more than likely be happier with her own kind. When Webber was added to my household, her spirits lifted. She became more active.”

“Exactly my point. This amount of humans should make her ecstatic.”

“I shall ask her then.”

“Ask her?”

“If I’m allowed? You have already said you see Starling as a sentient being capable of rational thought. I wouldn’t force this decision on her.”

Udo nodded. “Very well. Ask her, then. However, the way you ask her must be impartial and without threat or bribery. I want to know her true feelings.” He gestured behind him.

They walked back. Nausic stood watching the goings-on from the open doorway. He wore the raw expression on his face of a man in true pain.

Bekion cleared his throat.

Nausic snapped to attention, sketched a quick bow and then stepped to the back of the walkway.

Bekion stood in the doorway. After a little mental preparation, he called, “Starling, Webber.”

The humans all stopped and stared at him. They looked scared. Most ran back to their houses and shut the doors. The only ones who stayed were Monica and a male. They looked defiant, as though they would protect Starling if need be.

Starling trotted over to him. “Bekion, this is Kevin Samuel.” She indicated the man who had stayed. “He helped me somewhat while we were all on the poachers’ ship.”

Bekion nodded to the man. “Thank you for that.”

Kevin seemed a little nervous and mumbled something Bekion didn’t quite catch.

Starling asked, “Bekion, did you need something? Is it time to go?”

“Supreme Emperor Udo has extended an invitation for you to stay with your friends here.”

“That’s great!” Monica gushed. “You’ll love it here.”

Starling looked back at the woman then to Bekion. “And you said what?”

No!

Bekion kept himself calm and blank. “It’s not for me to decide. I said I would ask you and that’s what I’m doing.”

She looked beyond him to Udo. Bekion didn’t bother following her gaze. He didn’t know what she was thinking. It took all his willpower to keep his voice and demeanor neutral when he wanted to demand she return with him.

He clasped his hands behind his back as he’d done earlier. It kept him from grabbing her and hugging her tight. He had to concede to her choice, even if it meant losing her.

“Can… I want to think about it.” She took a few steps past him and faced Udo. “Is that okay, Udo?”

“Take all the time you need, Starling,” Udo said.

Webber walked toward Nausic. “Well, I don’t need time. This is a nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live here. I’m going back to my room.” He bounced the back of his hand against Nausic’s hip as he passed him. “Come on. Bekion, call us when it’s time to go home to Panagiota.”

Udo moved so he blocked Webber and Nausic’s exit.

Webber looked at him, showing his annoyance. “Something wrong?”

Udo asked, “Are you sure?”

“I didn’t say what you wanted so now you’re going to force the issue, is that it?”

“No. I only want you to be sure.”

“Hmmm, let me think.” Webber rested his chin on his fist. “Think. Think. Thi… Yeah, I’m sure. I don’t like being an ant on a farm. At least with Bekion, I know I can go wherever I want, whenever I want and do whatever I want.”

Bekion said, “Within reason.”

Webber snorted. “Hah! You haven’t stopped me yet.”

“I’m at a loss as to how.”

“My point exactly. Why give up all that to live in a zoo?” He looked back at Starling. “We have fun on Panagiota, Star. Frankly, I feel sorry for them. You should too. But hey, it’s your life.” He faced Udo again. “I made my choice. I saw the sights. Now let me out unless you plan to keep me here by force.”

Udo stepped to the side. “My invitation will always be open to you should you change your mind.”

“Don’t hold your breath.” Webber stalked out of the room with Nausic following him.

Bekion turned his attention back to Starling. Her decision concerned him most.

She looked after Webber with a worried expression. She then turned that expression to Monica and Kevin.

They had pleading looks in their eyes.

Monica said, “Come on, Star. We have a good life here.”

Starling nodded. “You do and it’s beautiful.”

Kevin said, “Then stay.”

She said in a cautious voice, “I’ve been through a lot. I’m sure you all have too.”

“Coming here saved my life,” Monica said. Her eyes took on a haunted quality.

Bekion didn’t have to ask. The one who had bought Monica had probably abused her before Udo’s intervention.

Starling placed a hand on Monica’s shoulder and mouthed an apology. The woman gripped Starling’s hand.

Bekion’s chest tightened. He could feel the inevitable closing in around him. He would lose her and couldn’t stop it.

Starling said, “Monica, Kevin, it was good seeing you all again.”

Monica grabbed Starling’s arms. “We’re all human here. We have lives here. Stay.”

Starling said, “I have a life on Panagiota.”

“You’re a
pet
on Panagiota.”

“Better a pampered pet than a trapped animal.”

Monica snapped, “That’s not what we are.”

“None of us can return to Earth. That’s a sadness that will remain with me forever. But I have the freedom of an entire planet and the protection of that planet’s king.” Starling glanced over her shoulder at Bekion.

He hoped his demeanor remained stoic even though he had started to relax. Starling wouldn’t stay. She only had to figure out a way to extricate herself without hurting her new friends.

She returned her gaze to Monica and pulled gently out of the woman’s grasp. “I may not have the type of freedom I want—we both want—but it is freedom, Monica. I’m not going to trade that for a snow-globe version of home.”

Though the woman’s eyes shone with tears, she still managed a tiny laugh. “It does look sort of like that, doesn’t it?”

“Just a little. I’m betting the seasons aren’t the same.”

“You’d be right. There will be no winter here. Udo says the forest is always green. And with a
jattikan
day being ten hours long, which is close to twenty-eight hours back on Earth or so Udo and his scientists told us, it was a little hard to figure out our sleep patterns at first.”

“I had the same problem. Webber too. Naps help.”

Bekion noted with relief that the mundane topic seemed to calm both women.

Monica sighed before pulling Starling into a tight hug. “You’ll come and visit?”

“Of course. Bekion visits Udo—” She looked in his direction.

Bekion said, “At least once a year. I can make it more if Starling wishes.”

“See?” Starling pulled back from Monica and smiled at the woman. “You won’t have time to miss me. And now you know I’m safe and happy.”

“It was a wild ride.”

“That’s not over yet.”

Monica hugged Starling again. “Come back to visit before you leave, okay?”

“Screw that. I’ll be visiting every day I’m here. I may not want to live here but I don’t mind visiting.”

Kevin joined the hug. “You almost make
me
want to go with
you
.”

Bekion cleared his throat.

They all looked at him.

He said, “Don’t take offense, Kevin. But after dealing with Webber, I doubt I’d like to own yet another male.”

Kevin asked, “Short visits, maybe?”

Bekion gestured to Udo. “That is for your benefactor to decide.”

Udo came forward, looking down at Starling and she back at him. “You’re sure?”

Starling said, “I’m not as flippant as Webber with my responses but the sentiment is the same. I’ll visit but I’m not staying. Nothing will change my mind.”

“As you wish.” Udo walked away.

Everyone watched him leave.

Starling asked in a wondering voice, “Did I make him angry?”

Bekion smiled down at her. “I wouldn’t say that, pretty pet. If I had to guess, I suspect the supreme emperor was sure you would stay and hadn’t thought of the possibility that you wouldn’t. He’s probably upset.”

“He doesn’t have to be. I don’t need to be saved. I already was.” Starling walked over and reached up to him.

Bekion lifted her and settled her in the crook of his arm. “You don’t wish to stay longer? I can always come back later.”

“Nah. I’m feeling a bit boxed in and I want to calm down Webber.”

“As you wish.”

She waved at the others as Bekion walked away.

Once they were they were far enough from the glass dome but still some distance from the transport, Bekion asked in a low voice, **Why didn’t you want to stay?**

**It’s a generous offer. I’m happy the others are safe but that’s not the life for me. I’ve already given up one family. I’m not doing it again.**

**So long as you won’t regret this.**

**I would regret it more if I had decided to stay, realized it wasn’t the life for me and then found out I wasn’t allowed to leave.** She looked at him. **And there is nothing you can say that would convince me
he
would let me return to you if something like that happened.**

**You’re right.**

She nodded. **That’s what I thought. So we won’t be talking about this again, will we?**

**No.**

**Good.**

**Good.**

Bekion had sweated. He didn’t want her to abandon him. Now that he knew she wouldn’t, he would do all in his power to make sure she stayed happy and safe at his side for the rest of their days.

Chapter Twenty-One

Starling couldn’t stand watching Bekion with Minari any longer. She couldn’t look away either. He never laughed like that with Starling. Nor had he ever been eager to see her like he was to see Minari.

Bekion and Minari sat on a picnic blanket under a shade tree. Other monarchs and nobles enjoyed private picnics in the area as well. Starling had been sitting with them until a few minutes ago. Their flirting looks and little intimate jokes started grating on her nerves so she left. Not far though, since Nausic and Webber weren’t there and only Rois guarded the area.

Udo allowed one personal guard per patron in his garden. Starling didn’t count as a patron. Any more than the one guard was an insult to the safety of his house. Starling didn’t care how safe his house was. She wouldn’t go wandering around without a proper guard. She stayed near Rois’ side and glared at Bekion.

She had thought, after Udo’s little attempt to separate them, her relationship with Bekion was deeper. Instead it seemed he wanted the continued presence of his beloved
pet
while he had relations with another woman.

Minari placed her hand on Bekion’s upper thigh. Starling’s urge to throw things at Minari’s head in the hopes of killing her grew in leaps and bounds. The woman even leaned into him and whispered in his ear. Whatever she said made Bekion laugh and cover her hand with his own.

Rois leaned down and whispered to her, **You seem angry, Starling.**

She looked up at him. She had almost forgotten he knew English now too.

**Is something amiss?**

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him. She stopped herself. After one last glance at Bekion with Minari, she turned away. **I’m just homesick.**

**Earth or Panagiota? Or do you consider Panagiota home?**

**I’m sure Bekion told you what the emperor tried to do.**

**He did.**

**Then you already know the answer to that question.** She tapped her cuff and then scrawled out a quick message to Nausic, calling him to get her.

Rois asked, “Leaving?”

“If Bekion asks, tell him I went back to the room.”

“You know he will ask.”

She looked over at Bekion and Minari. They had leaned even closer as they spoke, so much so that their cheeks touched. Their distraction with one another left no room for anyone else, least of all her.

She said, “I seriously doubt that.”

“Lady Starling,” Nausic called from the entrance of the private garden.

Starling gave Rois a half-wave and walked away.

She asked Nausic once she reached his side, “I didn’t interrupt anything, did I?”

Nausic blushed before clearing his throat. **As you abstain, so too do I.** His voice sounded strained.

Starling patted his leg. **It’s almost over.**

The month had passed slowly but it passed. They would return home soon, leaving Minari far behind. That thought appealed to Starling. She wasn’t one to wish away her time but she wanted this visit to hurry and end.

Nausic held open the door to his room so Starling could enter.

Webber called, “Yo. Thought you would be enjoying family bonding with Minari.” He jumped back when she glared at him. “Whoa. What’s that look for?”

Hearing the woman’s name made Starling want to hit something. Preferably Bekion with a large blunt object.

Starling stalked over to Nausic’s bed and climbed onto it without permission. “I’m sleeping here tonight.”

“The hell, you say!” Webber tugged on her ankle.

Nausic stopped Webber before he pulled Starling to the floor. “Stop.”

Webber said, “She can’t stay.”

Starling crossed her arms and presented the men with an unmovable object. “I’m not going back to that room.”

Nausic asked, “Why, Lady Starling? Is something wrong?”

“All Bekion does is talk about
her
. It’s driving me nuts.”

Webber made a sound of understanding and gave her a superior look. **Your man has found someone his own size to play with.**

Starling flipped him off.

“I told you, whenever you want to, just let me know.”

Nausic rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Starling. “I thought you liked Countess Minari. You spoke of their union with happiness and hope when you first met her.”

“Yeah, but I thought…” She trailed off.

What? What had she thought?

Bekion would marry Minari and then Bekion and Starling would continue with their illegal love affair?

Hah!

Minari had beauty and wit and, most of all, she was
jattikan
. Not only that but her head reached Bekion’s shoulders exactly. Starling hadn’t forgotten what Furielle told her all those months ago. It was true after all. Women taller than his shoulders didn’t hold his interest for long.

Minari definitely had his interest. He always hurried to see her. It was maddening.

She whispered, “Just…let me stay here, please. It’s only a few nights until we go back home.”

Webber crossed his arms. **And what—you go back to sleeping in Bekion’s closet? You just love rolling over for that man, don’t you?**

**It’s not like I can tell him not to marry her, Webber. If not Minari, he’ll marry someone else. He needs a proper wife and an heir. Those are things I can’t be and can’t give.**

Maybe Furielle had been right all along. Starling had been a curiosity to Bekion, exotic. He may have professed to love her but that was lack of options speaking. Now someone more familiar had presented herself so he wanted to be with Minari.

Starling would do the adult thing and stand aside. Even if doing so made her feel as though she was dying inside.

“Please.” The sound of tears in her voice disgusted her. She held them back but it was a near thing.

Webber sighed. He climbed onto the bed and hugged her close. “You know I’m just giving you a hard time. Sure, you can stay here.”

Starling hugged him.

Nausic rubbed her back.

All their attention almost made her lose control over her tears. She refused to cry. Not over something like this.

She took a deep breath and shook herself. “Distract me. There has to be a game we can play or something.”

Webber and Nausic exchanged a look.

Starling added quickly, “A nonsexual game.”

Both men laughed.

* * * * *

Bekion helped Minari stand and then bowed over her hand. “Your company enchants me as always, Countess Minari. I look forward to dinner tonight so we can see each other again.”

She giggled up at him. “I look forward to it as well, King Bekion.”

He watched her walk away. The movements of her body were distracting, after all. Also, people expected it of him. Some of the nearby couples winked at him when he looked around. He grinned at them as he departed.

He left the private garden, heading for his room. Rois fell into step behind him. Once they had passed the majority of the people milling around the halls, Bekion asked, “Where is Starling?”

“She said she would return to your room.”

“Good. She must have become tired.”

Rois coughed a little.

That reaction made Bekion stop. “What?”

“You could say she is tired, Bekion, but fatigue isn’t the cause.”

“Meaning?”

“She seemed more than a little upset about the time you are spending with Countess Minari.”

Bekion started walking again. “That is necessary. Minari is a good woman. She will make Panagiota a worthy queen. I must court her properly. Starling knows that.”

“What a woman knows and what a woman feels are two different things, Bekion.”

Such sage advice didn’t fit, coming from Rois’ mouth. That didn’t change the meaning of the words.

Bekion agreed. Starling may know his duty but that didn’t mean seeing it through wouldn’t hurt her. He needed to make it up to her.

Rois bowed to him once they reached Bekion’s chamber. Bekion entered, ready to face Starling’s wrath. She wasn’t there.

A scene like this had played out once before. Remembering it made his blood freeze. He tried to stay calm as he opened the door and confronted Rois. “Where is she?”

Rois frowned. “She isn’t here?”

Bekion growled at his answer.

“Nausic escorted her, Bekion. Perhaps she went to his room.” Rois jumped out of the way in time to miss being mowed down.

Bekion ran the distance to Nausic’s quarters at the end of the building. He pounded on the door.

Nausic opened it with a surprised expression. He bowed quickly. “King Bekion.”

“Where is Starling?” Bekion rushed through the door, making Nausic jump back much as Rois had.

“She is here, of course, Your Majesty.” Nausic gestured across the room.

Starling and Webber sat at a human-sized table playing cards. They didn’t acknowledge his entrance.

Bekion relaxed and let himself breathe normally. She was safe. This wasn’t a repeat of the kidnapping incident. He had overreacted.

After a few deep breaths to calm his racing heart, he walked over to the table. “Starling, there you are. I thought something happened to you.”

She stiffened but didn’t look up at him or give him the smile he expected.

“Starling?”

She said in a cold voice, “I thought you would be with Minari tonight.”

“I do have a meeting with her later this evening.”

“Well, have fun and don’t worry about me. I’ll be sleeping here tonight.”

**Like hell.** Bekion reverted to an English curse he’d heard Starling utter many times, because it was the only appropriate response. He stalked over and grabbed her around the waist. She didn’t fight him. That was a good sign at least.

He walked out the door with her tucked under his arm rather than in her usual position. He carried her like that all the way to his room. Many servants gave him perplexed looks. He greeted them and exchanged a few pleasantries but didn’t slow his pace.

Once in his room, he slammed the door shut and then dumped Starling on his bed. “What is wrong with you?”

“Nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. Tell me.”

Starling tried to get off the bed but Bekion got in her way. He planted his hands on either side of her legs and leaned into her. She shied away from him and turned her head.

He asked, “What is this? Why are you acting distant from me, Starling? Have I done something to upset you?”

“That you don’t know pisses me off even more. Just move so I can go back to Nausic’s room.”

“No.”

She pushed at him. He grabbed her hands and held her as he kissed her lips. She turned from his kiss, so he held her chin in place and tried again.

“Bekion, stop it. Just stop.”

He pulled back so he could meet her gaze. “Why are you denying me, Starling?”

“You have Minari now. What do you need me for?”

He released her and straightened. “You’re jealous.”

Starling jumped from the bed and ran to the door.

Bekion followed her. He held it closed with little effort though Starling still struggled to get it open. With his free hand, he caressed Starling’s side.

She froze.

He moved his hand forward, under her shirt. Her heart beat rapidly beneath his touch.

“Stop it,” she whispered even as she pressed against him and arched into him.

He moved his hand lower until he felt the moisture between her thighs. He stroked her lower lips several times, enjoying the feel of her hips moving to make the contact more intimate. He denied her that fulfillment.

She clutched at his wrist and urged him to touch her the way she wanted.

Bekion continued teasing her. He bent over her and whispered in her ear, “Even when I marry Minari, I will still want you, Starling.”

He sucked her earlobe between his lips and drove his fingers deep inside her at the same time. Starling slapped her hands over her mouth but he heard the muffled moan of satisfaction.

His reaction almost equaled hers. They had abstained for almost a month. He ached to be inside her.

That single thought took hold and all else no longer mattered. He pulled the clothing from Starling, turning her so she faced him as he went. She hugged his shoulders and kissed him.

He continued moving his fingers inside her. “I have missed you all these days, my pretty pet. Even as I courted Minari, I thought of all the things I wanted to do to you once we had returned to Panagiota.”

“Lock the door.”

Bekion had expected Starling to say something else. Words that mirrored his own, for instance. He thought perhaps he heard her wrong. “What?”

She framed his head with her hands. “Lock. The. Door.” Each word was punctuated with a kiss.