Pet's Pleasure (30 page)

She shifted forward so her hands rested on Bekion’s stomach, bracing herself. With a small swirl of her hips, she sped up the pace.

Bekion emitted a satisfied sound. He gritted his teeth and dug his fingers into her thighs.

His patience made Starling love him even more. She twisted her hips to show her appreciation. Bekion’s grip tightened.

Every few strokes she twisted her hips, rubbing Bekion so he stirred her inside. The sensation drove her to move faster. She wanted more of him. Not because of some drug. She wanted him because he felt wonderful.

She pushed off his stomach and leaned back with her hands on Bekion’s thighs. That gave her the leverage needed to swirl her hips the way she wanted. She threw back her head and gave in to the feel of Bekion and his sounds of pleasure.

The sensation of his fingers touching her nub drove her over the edge. She arched her back and cried out as her climax rolled over her. Even while in the throes of her own orgasm, she continued moving until Bekion joined her.

He pulled her legs and bucked his hips, driving his sex as deep as he could go. After a shuddering breath and a satisfied groan, he relaxed once more.

Starling sat up so she could sprawl over Bekion’s chest, breathing hard. She felt so good. The memories hadn’t surfaced and ruined it all. That made her extremely happy and tired.

Bekion ran his fingers up and down her spine. He said in a soft voice, “I must present myself to Supreme Emperor Udo. You and Webber as well.”

Lethargy vanished.

Starling whipped up her head and stared at Bekion. “What?”

He passed his hand over her cheek, smoothing away her worried expression. “There is nothing to fear. Udo has called me to attend him for a month. It is a normal visit. He also wishes to meet you.”

“When?”

“A Panagiotan escort vessel will meet us once we return to Gorov Empire space and take us to the imperial palace.”

“You didn’t say anything about this before. What does Udo want? Are you sure he only wants to meet us? What if that’s an excuse to trap you?” She started to sit up but stopped when she remembered she and Bekion were still connected. The little bit of movement rubbed Bekion’s flesh inside of her. It made her shiver. Her body heated as it readied for round two.

Now wasn’t the time.

Bekion grinned at her. “I thought it might be a trap. In the past, I would have said Udo is a ruler much like me who prefers a frontal attack as opposed to subterfuge. Recent events have changed my outlook on many things. I cannot afford to be so naïve any longer.” He met her gaze. “Tinette armed me well. Her former power is mine. I will use that power to make sure you stay happy and free. You have my word on that.”

His words scared her. She pushed away from him, ignoring the way her body chilled at the loss of their intimate contact, and went in search of her clothes.

“Starling?” Bekion sat up and watched her.

She shook her head at him. “This is my fault. I did this to you. If you had never met me, you wouldn’t be acting like this.”

He stood. “The way I’m acting is necessary.”

“Are you listening to yourself?” She threw the clothes she had gathered down in frustration. “You wanted to be a shining example of what a monarch could truly be. Now you’re talking about blackmail as though nothing bad will come of it.”

“I want to keep you safe.”

“Not like that,” she yelled. “If you do this, if you go this route, you’re going to hate me one day. You’ll look back on your life and you’ll see your downfall started with me.”

“Yes it did. I know that already.”

Tears stung her eyes.

Bekion grabbed her arms and forced her onto his lap as he sat down. “Starling, listen to me.” He framed her face with his hands, holding her so she met his gaze. “I would love to be the king I envisioned. It isn’t possible. Webber is right. This is how the game is played. I can look down on Tinette all I like but her rule was solid, her power uncontested. Everyone attributes Panagiota’s golden age to me. I’m finishing what my mother started.”

He slid his hands down to her shoulders. “You are the woman my tutors warned me about. You are the one who makes me think more of her than my crown and my kingdom. I am lucky you have my best interests in mind at all times.”

“I do,” she whispered. “That’s why—”

He put a finger over her lips. “Keep me honest, Starling. Continue to point out my flaws and wrongdoings. You did not corrupt me. You became the living embodiment of my conscience. Will you do that for me?”

“I can’t.”

Bekion blinked a few times in confusion. His hold on her loosened.

“You don’t listen to me. How can I be your conscience when you won’t listen to me?”

A slow smile curved his lips. He gripped her shoulders once more. “I will. Your every word, in any language, is precious to me. I will listen. If I do not, then send Webber after me. I’ve given him permission already to beat me if I upset you.”

“We’ll hold you to that, Bekion. I don’t want you to lose your way.”

“With you as my guiding light, that isn’t possible.”

Something hard pressed against her thigh. She shifted against it. Bekion’s breath quickened.

Bekion resituated her so she sat astride his hips then lowered her onto his hard need. He let his eyes sink closed.

“Bekion, we cannot do it this—”

He ground out, “Do not be my conscience now, Starling. Please, not now. I will deal with the consequences later.”

As much as she wanted to argue the point, it was two against one, with her body and Bekion beating her brain.

She asked, “So this visit is only to meet Udo and that’s it? How long will we be there?”

Bekion nodded as he bucked his hips beneath her. “It is a once-a-year occurrence that lasts for a month. During that time, the attending monarchs posture while their guards and army representatives engage each other in games of might to prove who is best.”

“That sounds boring.”

“It is. We will distract ourselves in other ways.”

Starling rubbed her breasts against his chest. She bit her lip and then thought better of it and bit his chest. Tiny little nibbles that made Bekion move faster.

She said, “We have to be careful the month we’re there.”

“I know.”

“I mean it, Bekion.” She clamped her legs together and lifted away from him. At the same time, she grabbed his jaw and made him look at her. “This is me telling you something as your conscience. You said you would listen to me.”

He leaned forward and kissed her. “I am listening, my pretty Starling. If I cannot touch you while at the imperial palace, then I will spend the entirety of this trip getting my fill of you.”

Starling couldn’t and wouldn’t argue with that logic. She lowered herself once more.

The month in Udo’s palace would be interesting. Hopefully it wouldn’t prove dangerous as well.

Chapter Twenty

Supreme Emperor Udo swept his gaze over Starling. “What a lovely human. Bring her closer.”

Bekion carried Starling to the throne dais and set her on the third step, seven down from Udo. She stared up at him.

He beckoned to her, “Come here, human.”

“My name is Starling,” she snapped, crossing her arms, not moving.

Bekion passed his hand over her shoulder.

She ignored his silent warning. She was a pet. It didn’t matter how she talked to Udo. And she refused to let him treat her like a dumb animal.

Udo smiled at her. “No insult intended, my lovely. Come closer.”

She walked up the stairs and waited. He beckoned her closer still. She said, “No touching.”

“As you wish.”

She moved closer.

Udo stared at her.

A wild hair made her start posing and doing little turns.

He clapped. “Very lovely indeed. A prize human to be sure.” His smile flattened and he met Bekion’s gaze. “She is from Earth, after all.”

Bekion said, “Supreme Emperor, I—”

“Will spare me your excuse about a plot to capture the poachers, because I don’t believe it.” Udo stood and held his hand out to Starling. “Come, Mistress Starling. We shall have a chat, you and I.”

Starling wanted to glance back at Bekion but didn’t. Udo outranked him. Bekion couldn’t stop what was about to happen, whatever it was.

She said, “It’s
Lady
Starling. I am a baroness of Panagiota.”

Udo said, “I had heard but I didn’t believe it. Excuse me then. Lady Starling, I would appreciate your presence for a private conference.”

His words sent a roll of murmured disbelief over the crowd that Starling found all too familiar. She smiled up at Udo. After curtsying to him, she took his hand. “It would be my pleasure.”

Udo chuckled as he led her behind his throne to his private audience chamber. It looked vastly different from Bekion’s. It had no desk, only two wide, cushy-looking couches. The room also lacked bookshelves or cabinets or anything else to make it appear as an office.

Starling looked back when Udo closed the door. Her joking attitude faded. She was alone with him now. What did he want?

She wanted to ask him but knew such a question might betray her anxiety, which would make Udo suspicious.

He asked, “Do you require assistance sitting?”

Starling looked at the couch and sighed. “Yes, though I hate to admit it.
Jattikan
furniture is too big.” She reached upward.

Udo grasped her waist, set her on the edge of the couch and then stepped back. He took up position on the one opposite from her. They sat in silence for a few breaths. Starling didn’t know what to expect and she wouldn’t start talking lest she educate Udo about the wrong thing.

He said, “I’ve heard many rumors coming from Panagiota. That fact has saddened me greatly. Only good news has ever reached my ears in the last three years of Bekion’s rule. I thought he would be different from his mother.”

“He isn’t a thing like Tinette,” Starling yelled, angry at the insult. If she had anything to say about it, Bekion would never be like his mother. “Have you even met her?”

“A few times. Many times during her reign she came close to spending the rest of her days in an imperial prison. My agents could never find solid proof with which to convict her. Her own husband became a fugitive of the empire to keep her secrets safe.”

Starling bowed her head. The less she said about that subject the better. Tinette may not be a queen any longer but Gorov didn’t have laws concerning statutes of limitations. Tinette’s crimes would lead to a death sentence if anyone ever found her husband.

Udo said, “I see you have heard that story.”

She crossed her arms and kept her gaze on her lap.

Udo chuckled. “Be easy, little one. I couldn’t care less about Tinette and her past. If she is stupid enough to slip in her old age and reveal something that would condemn her then I will deal with it when that circumstance occurs. My immediate concern is Bekion.”

She lifted her gaze to his face. “Why? From all I’ve learned, Panagiota has prospered and become a jewel in the Gorov crown thanks to Bekion. What could you possibly have against him?”

“You.”

“What’s that mean?” She knew exactly what he meant but played dumb.

“All the rumors I’ve heard are about you, Lady Starling. They brand Bekion a pet-lover. People speak of a movement to make Earth humans citizens of the Gorov Empire with equal rights. They say Bekion started that movement.” He paused and waited.

Starling met his gaze but said nothing. She knew nothing of this movement he mentioned. And she had nothing to say about her sexual relationship with Bekion. Denying it would be a lie Udo would probably read in her manner. Affirming his statement was out of the question.

Udo sat back against the cushions of the couch as he regarded her. He seemed to come to a conclusion. “My grandfather ten generations ago enacted the law that branded humans as animals and copulating with them as bestiality.”

“Bekion said it was because he thought humans were inferior.”

“That couldn’t be further from the truth but it is the lie passed down over the centuries.”

“So what’s the truth?”

“The father of my grandfather ten generations removed married a human. She was his empress and ruled Gorov at his side.”

“Bullshit!”

He laughed. “I see I’ve surprised you.”

“Did they have a nasty breakup or something? Does that mean you’re part human?” Starling couldn’t see it if he was. That had to mean humans and
jattikans
could have children.

“Though my ancestor had children with his human bride, none of those children survived long enough to have offspring. I am a full-blooded
jattikan
. And my ancestor loved his human wife until her dying day.”

Starling deflated, though her disappointment didn’t lessen her interest in the topic. “Go on.”

“My ancestor had six children—four with his human wife and two with his
jattikan
wife. His half-human children didn’t live long.
Jattikan
-human hybrids are born one of two ways—with
jattikan
height and human-sized organs or human height and
jattikan
-sized organs. In both instances, the children are born sterile. They die painful deaths at an early age. Their organs are either overtaxed or crushed.”

“Even with nanotechnology?”

“The only reason my ancestor had four children with his human wife was because he’d hoped science could help them conceive a child that would live out a full life and have children of its own. Every instance met with failure. Several others around the empire experienced the same.”

Starling mourned on behalf of those who had lost their children in such a painful way. The thought of Bekion selling her children—not that she thought he would do that now—had depressed her beyond measure. She couldn’t imagine having a child just to watch it die.

Udo said, “The heartbreak of losing so many children so tragically drove my ancestor’s wife into a deep depression that eventually claimed her life. He remarried and had his twin
jattikan
children within a year after his first wife’s death. It was said my ancestor became a changed man after that. His rule turned rigid and he passed many strict laws.”

“Including naming humans animals.”

“No. He did nullify all
jattikan
-human marriages and made it illegal to take a human as a spouse. He could think of no other way to keep others from repeating his mistake. His son named humans beasts. He hated his father’s love for his first wife. That same love kept his father from truly caring for his second wife and the children she gave him.”

“That’s so sad.”

“It took two generations for humans to become a new, exotic pet. Their culture went from one of equality to one of slave. There were those who didn’t accept the change. The pet-lovers make sure no child results so there is no proof of their transgression.”

“Makes sense.”

“Even the way the humans look now is because of my ancestor. We’d taken thousands of humans over the centuries. No reason exists for them to be as inbred as they are.”

“But you did it…
he
did it so they looked less like
jattikans
.”

“Yes. It worked to a certain extent. But there are those who don’t care and those who buy from poachers.” Udo sat forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. “Which brings us to the present and you.”

Starling scooted off the couch. “I’ll be right back. I want you to meet someone.” She walked away before Udo gave her permission. He didn’t stop her.

She exited the audience chamber to the throne room. It quieted the second she appeared beside Udo’s throne. Everyone looked anxious. Bekion had a question in his eyes but she didn’t acknowledge it or him.

Instead, she beckoned Webber over. Unfortunately, Bekion came with him.

She took Webber’s hand in hers and turned back to the audience chamber.

Bekion reached for her. “Starling—”

“Udo and I are having a nice chat. Don’t ruin it.” She met his gaze and hoped he gathered her meaning from that single look.

Bekion dropped his hand and stepped back. “Of course, I…make sure not to insult the supreme emperor. We are his guests.”

“I know. We’re fine.”

Bekion glanced into the room. He hesitated for several breaths before returning to his former spot.

Starling closed the door then led Webber to Udo. She said, “Supreme Emperor Udo, this is Webber Logan, my mate. Tinette acquired him for me because she knew I was lonely and wanted a companion.”

“But you…” Udo stood and walked closer to them. He peered at Webber. “That uniform. You are a knight of Panagiota. You’re
jattikan
, aren’t you?”

Webber grinned. “Nope. I’m a human guard dog. Unlike Starling, I can do more than look pretty.”

Starling would have hit him for that comment but it wasn’t the appropriate time.

Webber said, “I was on the same transport as Starling at the same time. Everyone kept mistaking me for a short
jattikan
, so no one bought me.” Webber held out his hand to Udo. “Nice to meet you.”

“And you.” Udo continued staring at Webber in disbelief even as they shook hands. “I did not realize humans had gotten so tall over the years.”

Webber said, “I’m the runt in my mother’s particular litter.”

“Runt?”

“My brothers are taller.”

“Taller?”

Starling smiled at Udo’s disbelief and confusion. “You all haven’t been keeping that close an eye on Earth, have you?”

Udo shook his head. “No. There was no reason once my ancestor outlawed harvesting from Earth.” He looked Webber over once more. “Fascinating. And you say he is your mate? Don’t you worry for your children?”

Starling said, “No. They’ll probably be his height. All the people in my family are tall. I also happen to be the runt in my family. But in my case, I was born much, much shorter than everyone else. My mother says it happens every few generations. Mine just happened to be the lucky winner.”

Udo’s expression turned thoughtful. “You think parading a mate before me will convince me you are not Bekion’s lover?”

She watched him. That had actually been her hope. She wanted it to work. She didn’t have any other ideas.

“A child with your mate would have worked better.”

“I haven’t known Webber long. I’m not the type of girl to fall into bed with men I’ve just met. And if we had gotten hot and heavy on the first night, I wouldn’t have children to parade before you because I would still be pregnant.”

Webber said, “Besides, pregnant or not, you wouldn’t be any less skeptical.”

“You speak truth.” Udo returned to the couch and gestured for them to do the same.

Webber gave her a hand up then hopped up beside her.

Udo said, “You are much smarter than I gave you credit for, Lady Starling. I thought you might betray something to prove true the rumors I’ve heard.”

Starling cocked her head to the side. Genuine curiosity made her ask, “Do you hate Bekion that much?”

“On the contrary, I’m quite fond of him. That’s why I hoped the rumors I heard were wrong.”

Both she and Webber kept their silence. They didn’t look at each other either. Starling appreciated that Webber knew what to do without prompting from her. They watched and waited.

Udo sighed. “I will not act on rumors alone. That doesn’t mean I think they are false. You’ve given me no reason to believe, without a doubt, that they are true. Until such time as you or some other does, I will consider this matter at an end.”

“Might I make a suggestion?” Starling stood and went to Udo, placing her hands on his knees. “On Earth, in my country, they used to have a saying that helped a lot in situations like this.”

Webber gave a chuckling snort.