Pet's Pleasure (31 page)

She smiled up at Udo and said, “Don’t ask. Don’t tell.”

Udo asked, “That’s highly simplistic, don’t you think?”

“But it works…right?”

Udo lifted one of her hands to his lips. “Right.” He stood. “Shall we return?”

* * * * *

Bekion watched as Udo exited the audience chamber with Starling and Webber on either side of him. They smiled and laughed with each other.

Something inside him loosened when Starling walked toward him. Webber winked at him as they drew closer. Bekion took that as a good sign and turned his gaze to Udo, who retook his throne.

Udo said, “I enjoyed my visit with your lovely pets, King Bekion. I envy you Starling’s company.”

Bekion bowed his head. “Thank you, My Emperor.”

“But meeting her was not the purpose of my calling you here. I have heard of your search for a bride.”

“It has yet to yield a candidate I find worthy.”

“To that end, I offer one candidate for your consideration.” Udo gestured behind Bekion. “My niece, Countess Minari, last-born daughter of my younger sister, the queen of Yras.”

Bekion turned and faced this new surprise. He’d dreamed of the worst possible scenario when Udo summoned him to court two months earlier than his regularly scheduled visit. The thought that his emperor had a prospective bride for him wasn’t among Bekion’s imaginings.

Minari walked toward Bekion, wearing a mildly annoyed expression. She looked him over even as he regarded her.

A riot of red-gold ringlets topped her head. The style appeared natural rather than an effect her maid had achieved. Even with such a hairdo, she appeared every bit an adult. No one could mistake this beauty with upturned, feline-esque yellow eyes and full lips for a child. Her tight, plunging-neckline dress hugged her generous full curves, proclaiming her fully matured.

She was a beautiful woman. Bekion swallowed, trying to wet his suddenly dry throat. Marrying Minari would put him in the succession line for the throne should anything happen to Udo and his children. The thought made him equal parts giddy and scared.

He faced Udo once more. “Surely your niece could be offered to a husband more worthy, Supreme Emperor Udo.”

Udo said, “And that is you, King Bekion. Lady Starling has convinced me of that. Your rule of Panagiota is to be praised and emulated. I think my niece would make you a proper wife and Panagiota, a worthy queen.”

“Is this an order or a suggestion, My Emperor?”

To Bekion’s ears, it sounded like an order—one Bekion shouldn’t turn down or else he might undo all Starling had done for him, whatever that was. He wanted this session to end so he could question Starling about her conversation with Udo. And what had been Webber’s role?

Minari said, “My uncle is making a suggestion, King Bekion, because he knows the choice of whom I marry is up to me. Not even the power of supreme emperor gives him the right to dictate a husband to me.”

Udo heaved an annoyed sigh and rolled his eyes. “On that point, my niece speaks truth. I promised her mother she could choose her husband. However, that doesn’t mean I won’t make suggestions. I would like for you two to get to know one another at least.”

Bekion bowed. “You requested my presence for the month, My Emperor. My time is yours.”

“Excellent.” Udo looked at Minari.

She said in a grudging voice, “It would be an honor to spend time with you, King Bekion. I have heard much about you. Some of it seems highly unlikely given your short term as king. Perhaps this month will reveal what is truth and what is rumor.”

She held her hand out to him.

Bekion took her small hand in his and bowed over it, laying a kiss against her knuckles. “I hope I can live up to your expectations of me, Countess Minari.”

Udo said, “Retire to your chambers for now, King Bekion. I know you must be tired from your long trip. We shall speak at length during dinner tonight.”

Bekion bowed to Udo and then ushered Starling and Webber out of the room. He couldn’t get to his designated apartment fast enough. He left Webber to Nausic and hurried on to his chamber.

Once behind closed doors, he faced Starling.

She said, “Minari seems nice. She’s very pretty, Bekion.”

“She is but that doesn’t concern me at this moment.” He lifted her against his chest but didn’t deposit her on the bed. Instead, he held her tight and inhaled her scent. “You don’t know how hard it was for me to let you meet with Udo alone.”

She hugged him and he tightened his grip. She said, “It was fine. It seems rumors of our relationship have reached Gorov.”

“I’d thought as much. How did you convince him they were false?”

“I didn’t. I’m not about to lie to a supreme emperor.”

Bekion pulled back so he could see her face. “Then what did you say when he asked you?”

“He didn’t ask me, not flat out. He hinted at the question but never came right out and asked. Udo likes you, Bekion. He wanted an excuse not to have to punish you. Since I didn’t confirm anything, he’s decided to let the matter drop.”

“Good then.”

“However, if someone presents him with irrefutable proof, you’re in big trouble.”

He loosened his hold on Starling and set her down. “The next few days will test my control more than I care to think about.” He shoved his hand through his hair. He knew he and Starling would have to abstain to keep from being caught. He hadn’t predicted the difficulty of not touching her.

His body knew her touch. When he only had hints, it was easy to deny her. Now… He stalked to the bed and sat.

Starling crossed to him. **I have something to tell you.** She grinned as she said the words.

Her use of English let Bekion know her next words were of utmost importance. If Udo had a way to spy, he wouldn’t understand the conversation. Bekion still hadn’t made the translations public. He didn’t know if he ever would.

He pulled Starling across his lap, making sure she sat against his hard arousal. That little bit of contact relieved and tortured him simultaneously. **What is it?**

He listened as Starling relayed all that Udo had told her. He couldn’t believe half of what she said. The other half seemed too improbable even to consider. **Are you sure you didn’t misunderstand him, Starling? I can’t believe his ancestor declared copulating with humans bestiality because of the misery he endured from lack of attention from his father.**

**But it makes sense. His father did what he did because of his children. Even you were worried about a child.**

**Because everyone would realize it was a half-breed. I never thought the child would be in danger.** He hugged her tighter. **It’s unfair to you and the other Earth-origin humans but I understand the necessity of it now.**

**Who knows, in a few more generations the law may change. Udo was surprised at Webber and his height. He actually thought Webber was a
jattikan
. Udo, like most everyone else, hadn’t realized humans have gotten so tall. True, it’s only a small cross section but the numbers of taller people are growing.**

**That doesn’t help the current issue, Starling.**

She kissed his chin, not offering a helpful solution.

He didn’t have any suggestions either. He had thought introducing Starling and Webber to Udo would be the first step in solving Bekion’s dilemma. It hadn’t helped at all. He doubted prolonged exposure to Starling and Webber over the course of the month would help.

The next day proved that point many times over.

Udo invited Starling and Bekion on a tour of his private garden. The imperial garden consisted of a vast forest that covered a large portion of the planet’s surface. Since the whole of planet Gorov served as the imperial residence, the size of the garden made sense.

Bekion, Starling, Udo, Webber, Nausic and Udo’s guards boarded a hover transport that took them deep into the garden to a wall spanning in either direction as far as Bekion could see. The height of the barrier rivaled the trees around.

The transport landed at the only visible entrance—two large double doors with a guard station situated to one side. The guards saluted Udo before opening the doors so the transport could pass.

The need for the wall made no sense to Bekion. More of the garden greeted them on the other side of the doors. The transport stopped at a paved walkway that led to a glass dome that matched the wall in its height and reach.

Udo exited the transport then turned back. “Lady Starling, I have something I must show you.” He held out his hand to her.

Starling took it without asking and let Udo guide her forward. Bekion followed behind them. Webber, Nausic and the other guards stayed with the transport.

Udo led them down the path toward the dome. When they drew closer to the glass fixture and yet another doorway, he ushered Starling forward so she walked ahead of him. Opening the door, Udo said, “There you are, my dear. It’s my understanding you arrived on the same poacher’s vessel as these others.”

Bekion and Starling both stared in amazed wonder at the houses on the other side of the glass. Several people, several
humans
, milled around. Their attention turned to the doorway when it opened. A few of the people pointed at Starling and spoke to each other.

Bekion couldn’t believe his eyes. He’d heard the stories of Udo confiscating the poached pets. Bekion would have never guessed this was what had become of them.

One human woman squealed, “Oh my God!” The frantic yell came seconds before the woman launched herself at Starling and hugged her tight. “It’s you! It’s you!”

Starling laughed as she returned the woman’s hug. “Monica Conners. How the hell are you?” Happy tears glittered in Starling’s eyes.

“I’m wonderful thanks to Udo.” Monica held Starling out at arm’s length. “How are you? Were you rescued like the rest of us?”

“Well, no. I—”

“Forget all that. I’ve been praying and praying but I didn’t know if God would grant my wish since I didn’t know who I was praying for.”

Starling laughed as she backed up a step and held out her hand. “Starling Moddel of Florida.”

“Monica Conners of…wherever the hell I happen to be at the moment, but my parents are located in New York—the state, not the city.” Monica took Starling’s hand and shook it.

Bekion enjoyed the women’s enthusiasm and felt Starling’s joy as his own. He asked, “I take it you know this woman, Starling?”

Starling faced Bekion. “Yes and no. She was on the ship with me, like Udo said. She’s the first person I saw when I regained consciousness.”

“You were touch-and-go there for a little bit.” Monica’s eyes widened. “Oh! He’ll want to see you.”

“He?” Starling and Bekion asked in unison.

“Doc Samuel. Kevin Samuel. Well, he’s a doctor now thanks to the schooling he’s been receiving here. He was only a student when you met him.”

Understanding shown on Starling’s face. “The man who warned us.”

“Yup, that’s him. Come on.” Monica pulled on Starling’s hand but she didn’t move.

She looked up at Bekion and Udo. Bekion clasped his hands behind his back and smiled at her. “Go on. I’ll be here. I’ll even contact Nausic so he can bring Webber.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He nodded.

She faced forward. “Lead on then.”

Bekion watched Monica pull Starling to the center of town, where several happy people swarmed Starling with hugs and kisses. The sight was a poignant one.

After a steadying breath, Bekion tapped his cuff. “Nausic, bring Webber.”

“Coming, Your Majesty,” Nausic said.

Bekion looked at Udo. “Thank you for this, My Emperor. Starling will thank you too once she comes out.”

Udo said, gesturing around him, “This is a habitat, for lack of a better word. It spans quite a bit of land and houses all those humans recovered from the poachers, while giving them room to grow. There are still a few missing, however.”

Bekion knew the direction of the conversation. “You want me to relinquish Starling and Webber to you.”

Udo smiled then started walking, following a pathway that ran the length of the glass dome.

Bekion had no choice but to walk with him.

Udo said, “I always said you were one of my more astute monarchs, Bekion. While I may not believe how you came into possession of Starling, I am willing to believe you did not set out to own her. The addition of Webber to your household was simply an aftereffect of capturing the poachers.”

They stopped and watched the goings-on. Webber had arrived. The crowd that swarmed Starling moved on to him. Bekion couldn’t hear them but the excitement needed no translation.

Udo said, “They need not burden you any longer. Starling and Webber can live amongst their own. They don’t have to conform to
jattikan
life in the role of a pet.”

Bekion looked at the glass and the pathway that traversed the perimeter. “Forgive me for saying so, Supreme Emperor, but this is an exhibit, not a habitat.”

“It is.”

“Instead of being pets, they would be animals in a zoo. Starling and Webber wouldn’t want to live like this.”