Pet's Pleasure (26 page)

He nodded. “Fine then. Attend me, Furielle.” He held his arm out to her.

Nausic and Rois stepped out of the way as Furielle wrapped Bekion’s arm around her shoulders and helped bear his weight as they walked to the bathroom. They paused at the bed. Both he and Furielle stared at Starling’s sleeping form with sadness.

Furielle whispered, “I will bathe her next.”

Webber entered the room, hopped on the bed and scooped up Starling.

Bekion pulled away from Furielle, ready to lunge at Webber. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rois and Nausic likewise ready themselves.

Webber said, “She needs a bath. She won’t want to wake up feeling like she’s been rode hard and put up wet.”

“Careful with her,” Bekion warned.

Rois and Nausic exchanged a look before relaxing.

“I am.” Webber hopped down from the bed with Starling cradled in his arms. She never stirred.

Bekion didn’t like Webber holding her.

Movement drew Bekion’s attention back to Rois and Nausic. The men stripped the bed. Fresh, folded sheets sat on the nightstand.

Rois said, “Vieve took care of one set of evidence. I will dispose of the other.” He balled the sheets under his arm, bowed to Bekion and then left the room.

Nausic continued making the bed alone.

Bekion didn’t know what to say so he said nothing. He let Furielle guide him into the bathroom where Webber and Starling awaited them.

Webber said over his shoulder as they entered the bathroom, “Furielle, you do Starling. I’ve got the big guy.”

Furielle sputtered and shook her head. “You cannot. You’ve never attended a bath before. I can—”

“You’re one person. With my help, that’s two. The big guy just needs someone to make sure he doesn’t keel over while scrubbing. And he doesn’t want me touching Starling. I can see it in his eyes.” Webber held Starling out to Furielle. “Take her and get her clean. I’ve got him.”

Bekion eyed Webber. He said as he stripped off his pants, “Touch me inappropriately and I’ll inform Nausic.” He had the satisfaction of seeing Webber look stunned.

Webber asked in a low voice, “How did you know about that? Did Starling tell you?”

“No. I have my sources.” Bekion walked into the bathing pool and sat on the underwater ledge. The hot water soothed his tired body, making him feel his fatigue even more.

“Whatever. Let’s get you clean.” Webber handed Bekion a soapy sponge. He grabbed another, knelt and started rubbing Bekion’s back.

Bekion watched Furielle with Starling. The woman cradled Starling against her body like the child she resembled. Furielle rubbed a soapy sponge over Starling’s skin with slow, meticulous movements. Starling didn’t respond to any of it. She lay there like a lifeless doll. After a while, Furielle started crying silent tears.

Bekion couldn’t watch anymore. His own vision started blurring with unshed tears. He turned away, focusing on getting himself clean. This day and its cause would forever haunt him.

Webber patted Bekion’s head. “I don’t care if you make that face and feel down on yourself now. Get it out. Holding that stuff in isn’t healthy.”

“I don’t need your permission,” Bekion said, pulling away.

Webber grabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked him back, making Bekion wince.

He tried to get free and earned more pain for his trouble. “What are you doing?” He looked over his shoulder at Webber.

The man’s eyes blazed with an anger that mirrored what Bekion felt when he had beheld Starling bound and at Kuruk’s mercy.

Webber said through his teeth, “Beat yourself up all you want now. When she wakes up, you keep that shit to yourself. You understand me?” He yanked the hand in Bekion’s hair for emphasis.

Bekion said, “Yes.”

Webber released his hold and patted Bekion’s head again. “We understand each other then. This isn’t about you. It’s about her. If you make this about you, I’m going to have to have an issue with you. And let me tell you, I can put Nausic down. You won’t even make me break a sweat.”

That Webber bothered to threaten Bekion indicated the depths of the man’s caring for Starling. They may not be lovers but they still shared love. Bekion respected that.

He said, “You may not need or want it but if I do make this about me, you have my permission.”

“You’re right. I don’t need your permission. Thanks for giving it though. Just means I’ll live after I’m done kicking your ass.” Webber gave Bekion a lopsided grin and heaved a big sigh. His whole being shifted back to easygoing.

Bekion resumed cleaning himself.

Webber’s words pulled Bekion out of the depression he had started to feel. Once he rested, he wouldn’t indulge the emotion any longer.

He looked at Starling once more. “I love her. This will be the first and only time I fail her.”

“Glad to hear it. Sucks that you have to marry someone else but she understands that.”

“I know.”

The rest of the bath continued in silence. Furielle handed over a clean Starling to Bekion, who took her to bed. Webber and Furielle left the room.

Bekion deactivated the arm cuffs and then folded Starling in his arms, holding her as close as he could without hurting her. When she woke, all of her enemies would be gone from Panagiota.

That thought lulled him to sleep though he didn’t stay that way long. He blinked at his surroundings, confused at the darkness when it should be light. A quick glance at his arm cuff showed an hour had passed. The need to do something reenergized his body.

He slipped away from Starling. After making sure his actions didn’t wake her, he dressed quickly and left the bedroom.

Nausic, Rois and Webber sat in the outer chamber. Each of them turned surprised eyes to Bekion when he came out. He pointed to Webber and said in a low voice, “Stay with her in case she wakes.”

Webber saluted, entered the room and closed the door.

Bekion faced Nausic and Rois. “Nausic, stay here and stand guard. No one disturbs her. If she wakes before I return, bring her to me.”

Nausic bowed.

“Rois, you’re with me.” Bekion walked out of the room. His other guards awaited him in the hall. He tapped his arm cuff. “Vieve, throne room. Now. Bring Furielle to testify.”

“Coming, Bekion,” Vieve said.

Bekion could leave Aurelan in his prison forever and not care. He wouldn’t. He didn’t want the woman’s continued presence in the palace causing Starling emotional pain.

Very few people appeared to bear witness when Bekion and his guards reached the throne room. Most of the usual onlookers had vacated the palace once Bekion left for his trip. No one knew he had returned yet. They would after tonight.

He took his throne and then nodded to Rois, who signaled the guards.

They escorted Aurelan. Her wrists and ankle shackles clanked as she walked. Other than her mussed hair and tear-streaked cheeks, she looked her usual radiant self.

Bekion said, “Proof of your crimes has been presented, Aurelan. You are guilty. Do you have anything to say in your defense before I pronounce your sentence?”

He didn’t care what the woman said. He already knew her punishment. For the few witnesses, he needed to play his part. That meant hearing anything Aurelan had to say without reacting.

Aurelan said, “I acted rashly, My King. I can only cite my desperation to gain your attention for my conduct. I meant your pet no harm. Prince Kuruk forced me to—”

“Pet?” Bekion frowned down at the woman. “Do you speak of Lady Starling?”

“Yes.” Aurelan stared at him with confusion written plainly on her face.

He laughed and shook his head. “You think I speak of my pet. Why? Your punishment is for your abuse of my favorite.”

“Favorite?” Her confused expression deepened.

Several people murmured to each other.

Bekion reached to the side. From behind his throne, Furielle took his hand and stepped forward. She cupped his hand to her chest as she knelt beside his throne. Bekion leaned over and caressed her cheek.

He whispered, “Are you well enough for this, Furielle?”

“Yes, Bekion. I want it over with.” She kissed his fingers and then gave him a weak smile.

Bekion sat back. He almost laughed at Aurelan’s jaw hanging open. The little lie he and Furielle perpetrated wasn’t practiced but Furielle knew her part without being coached. Neither did she need to act. He knew her wound from Aurelan still pained her though the nanites had long since healed her.

He said to Aurelan, “You dared lay hands on Furielle. I might overlook your other crimes but that is a transgression I will not ignore. Your jealousy of an animal blinded you to the identity of my true lover. No one suspected Furielle because of her attendance on my pet—a task that kept her conveniently close at hand and masked the fact that she is my favorite so others would not abuse her.” He glanced at Furielle. “I miscalculated. My anger with my pet made me abandon Furielle when I left the palace. That put her in harm’s way.”

He turned his gaze back to Aurelan. “That put her in your way when she tried to protect my pet. Do you deny this?”

“I didn’t know,” Aurelan whispered. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I meant her no harm. My goal was the human. I thought she was a lover to you. The rumors said so.”

“Yes, and we all know how true rumors to be. Some see the affection of a master for his pet and suspect the most lewd thing their deviant minds can imagine. Your low opinion of me is surprising. Next you will cite my closeness to my head guard as a sexual relationship.”

Rois snorted and crossed his arms. “Cute as you are, Bekion, you aren’t my type. Sorry.”

Bekion waved the man to silence. “Aurelan, you conspired against me, you trespassed in my private chambers, you have slandered my reputation, you stole my property, you are a conspirator to the obstruction of a royal officer’s duties and you injured my favored lover. For all these transgressions, I am well within my rights to put you to death. Everyone would think that just.”

Aurelan fell to her knees. “Mercy, please, King Bekion. Please.”

“Stop groveling. It’s embarrassing. I have no intention of killing anyone this day.” He stopped and gathered his thoughts. He had to be careful. He almost let anger take hold of him while he listed Aurelan’s crimes. “You and your family are hereby forfeit all properties and possessions. You are banished from Panagiota. I bestow your title and lands upon my favored and her family.”

Furielle gasped loudly as she lifted her gaze. “What?”

Bekion stroked her cheek again. “Though I give her this great gift, I hope she will decide to stay by my side.”

“Always, My King. Always.” Furielle stood quickly and hugged Bekion.

He chuckled at her enthusiasm though kept his surprise hidden. He hadn’t expected her to hug him.

Furielle settled down beside him once more, kissing his hand over and over.

Bekion said, “Aurelan, you and your family have until sundown tomorrow to leave Panagiota. You leave with nothing. A contingent of guards will make sure of it. Hope that you never cross my path again.”

He signaled the guards. They pulled Aurelan to her feet and half dragged her out of the room.

Next came Morn, the man who had given Kuruk the aphrodisiac. Bekion held out his free hand to Vieve, who handed him a tablet. It listed all the substances Morn had supplied Kuruk over the years. Each substance had been found in Kuruk’s chambers and traced back to minute amounts missing from the infirmary.

Bekion handed the tablet back to Vieve and waved her toward Morn. The man took the tablet when she offered it to him.

“Do you deny supplying the former prince with these items?” Bekion asked as a formality. This man’s sentence was already decided, like Aurelan’s before him.

Morn said in a pitiful voice, “He is a prince. I couldn’t disobey him.”

“So you broke imperial law and gave him substances only trained medical professionals should possess?”

The man bowed his head and started crying.

Bekion was sick of looking at the man. “You are banished from the palace and the entire Eastern hemisphere of Panagiota. I also revoke your license to practice. The only reason your sentence is not worse is because of the former prince’s involvement. Dismissed.”

The guards led the man away, having to half drag him since he acted incapable of walking.

Bekion stood, helped Furielle up and escorted her back to his audience chamber. The door closed behind them with Rois on the inside.

Furielle dropped Bekion’s arm and then curtsied to him.

Bekion said, “You did well, Furielle. Thank you.”

“I am happy to oblige you, My King. Your lies were warranted to protect Lady Starling. Naming me as your favored lover will direct attention to me.” She nodded. “I can handle it. I only wish the title were truly mine. What will you do with it so others do not discover your falsehood?”

“I do not know what you mean, Furielle. The title is yours.”

She lifted her head quickly. “What?” she asked, repeating the same surprised tone she had used in the throne room.