To Collar and Keep

by Stella Price

  “This place is great, though I wasn’t expecting this level of…”

  Minerva laughed. “Thank Mother. She pulled some strings to show how powerful Arcane is.” She smiled at her mother.

  “Really? I always thought Tempest was the frontrunner for power.”

  “We are,” she said proudly. “But until Ben repopulates the house we are still considered second best. That will change though.”

  “Repopulate?”

  Minerva quickly explained about Ben’s parents disappearing along with the entire clan. Arabella felt for her friend’s Satyr. As much as she wasn’t happy with her family and birth clan, without them she wouldn’t be the person she was now. But Ben had already begun to bring his house back to its rightful place, and she could see how proud Minerva was of it.

  Arabella nodded and raised her glass. “Well, here’s to repopulation.”

  “Amen. Now, have you seen anything that catches your eye? I’m not a huge fan of D&G. Versace has my heart, but don’t tell Mother.” She grinned.

  “It’s all very pretty, but, no, I think I’m rather set on door number two.”

  They left the store while most of the other girls were still milling about making choices, leaving Stephanya and Ellen to hit SPACE while Mina and Bella hit La Perla. Mina smiled as they walked into the store and frowned as she saw two of the more unlikable females from Rummer, Jasira and Delia. Both had made it more than clear by their attitudes that they wouldn’t be befriending her anytime soon. Arabella just hoped that they’d leave her alone to shop in peace. She didn’t have to get along with them just as long as they didn’t try to make her a target. She’d known women in Greece who lived their lives in pure misery just because they had something that the others coveted.

  Delia smirked at them and stood a bit straighter, slipping her hand on her hip as she stuck her chest out a little more.

  Mina rolled her eyes at the display put on by the lower house females. She walked over to a rack and picked up a bra and shook it at Arabella.

  “Now, this is sexy. What do you think? Blue or green?”

  Arabella walked over and looked at them both, ignoring the girl as best she could. “Blue, I think, matches your colouring much better.”

  “So you’re going to get the green then?” Mina asked and grinned. “It’s too perfect to not get it too.”

  Arabella nodded. “I guess I’ll have to try the bra on then, see if it works.”

  “It will, your body is made for anything sexy. It’s like gospel. Same with mine.”

  “Now that, I don’t agree with…,” Jasira said as she walked up. “Not about you Lady Tempest, far be it from me to deny the truth.” She looked at Arabella with slight disgust. “This mongrel,” she motioned to Arabella, “has no business here. She’s not fit to breathe the same air as our prince.”

  Mina smiled an overly sweet saccharine smile at the two Rummer females, for Delia had joined her companion, and rolled her eyes. “Seriously? You are so jealous about her luck that you’re going to disparage your own clan princess?”

  Delia snorted. “Not my princess. You’ll see, he will be tired of you soon enough. No one is more suited for an American Satyr than an American female. You don’t have the training we do, do you? No, you simply just don’t measure up.”

  Arabella knew if she didn’t stop this behaviour it would never end. She’d vowed that she’d be no woman’s target, not back in Greece and not now. She gave them a smile and shrugged. “It’s possible, but then again, I was the one who served him last night, this morning, and oh yeah, when I get back to the hotel, I will be serving him again before tonight’s festivities. I’m the jewel of my father’s clan, and I’m highly thought of as the most desirable concubine in all of Europe. I doubt that you’re fit to breath the same air as I, let alone my Satyr’s,” she emphasised the word my, drawing it out. “And yes, I am wearing his collar.” She patted the buttery leather and bit her bottom lip, then licked it, a tease and show to the girls as she remembered Harley’s attentions just hours before. “So you will address me as your princess, or I will make your life a living hell from here on in.”

  Jasira rolled her eyes. “Not for much longer. If you think you’re the only female he’s going to collar, you are sadly mistaken.”

  Arabella’s heart sank at those few words and all her confidence vanished, leaving her world spinning. Surely he wouldn’t, he’d promised. She masked her terror as Mina laughed.

  “As if Prince Harley would ever take another when he has the pride of Europe at his beck and call…” She moved her hand around Arabella’s waist and up, her other hand following suit. “She is just too perfect. So spit your venom elsewhere, or I will make sure you have no chance at becoming a concubine in Tempest, and I know how your mother is hoping for that for you, Jasira.”

  The other girl’s face went blank, and she muttered a small apology to Mina. She then pulled Delia away and out of the shop.

  Mina kissed Bella on the cheek and sighed. “I’m sorry about that, Bella. They are all bitches, every last one of them. Truth is, I wouldn’t let any of the Rummer females into Tempest, at least none born in the past eighteen years. Don’t worry though, they will run out of steam soon enough.” She pulled her hands off Bella’s chest and turned back to the bra. “And this will look perfect on those.” She motioned to Bella’s breasts.

  Bella chuckled to herself, not surprised by Mina’s ability to brush off the issues and get back to what mattered. She supposed Mina had had enough practice to know how to deal with it all, but the entire situation still hurt. She didn’t think she would be met with open arms by the females of her Satyr’s clan, but this ugly behaviour was a bit more than she was expecting.

  Mina was the only good thing about all of this, and she knew they were going to be good friends. They weren’t clan members though, in fact they’d rarely see each other. Chances were that the next time she had a run in with Jasira and Delia, she’d be on her own. As for their words, she’d have to believe in Harley’s promise until she had a reason not to trust him.

  Bella smiled. “Okay, well, I guess I’m going to have to try it on then.” She picked up several other pieces that took her fancy, including garters, bras and underwear, and they made their way over to where several corsets were hanging.

  Bella almost purred with delight when she found one that was absolutely perfect. Silver, black and blue, it had a dip front, heart-shaped top and both side ties and a back closure. It was stunning with its shimmery and soft fabric and thick lace. She picked it up and shook it at Mina.

  “Look! Pretty?” she asked with a slight squeal to her voice.

  “I’ll say. Looks like a production to get into, though,” Mina commented on all the strings and the buckles.

  “Yeah, I think I’ll need help if I try it on.”

  Mina laughed. “Obviously. Come on, I’ll help you.”

  They gathered up their choices and walked towards the back where there were several changing booths. Several other females from Toloose and Estales were there as well and waved to them as they found their way into one of the rooms.

  “Well, they are a boisterous group, the Estales, I mean. The Toloose females are normally quite austere around their males. It’s very rarely they get to let their hair down.” Mina shut the curtain and turned to Arabella. “I don’t have anything against them, two of my good friends ended up at Toloose, though they had hoped to be single concubines, they are each one of three. Are you going to miss your home clan? I mean, were you happy there?” she asked as she slipped off her top and tried on one of the bras in her hand.

  “It is all I know, and I suppose for a time I was happy there. I went to college, with Bastian, of course, though I was allowed to study what I wanted.”

  “Really? My parents wouldn’t let me go to school. I had tutors.”

  “I think they regretted it. I loved it there, I really didn’t want to come back. I even did Bastian’s work to keep us there longer. Once I go
t back, I was less satisfied with my home life, and to be honest, scared about meeting Harley and becoming his.”

  “That’s changed though, right?”

  Arabella beamed. “Yes, he isn’t anything like my father, and he’s made promises to me I never thought possible.”

  “Harley isn’t stupid. He will do what works to keep you happy. He’s been anxious about you for a long time, and after seeing him this morning…” She grinned. “I haven’t ever seen him that…radiant.”

  Arabella laughed. “Radiant? Seriously?”

  Mina shrugged and motioned to Bella. “Take the top off. Let’s get you strapped up.” She winked and watched as Bella pulled the shirt over her head, then smiled. “Shit, you don’t even need a bra. I’m surprised Harley hasn’t decreed that you will never wear them. Ben tried, until I mentioned that after having Jared, gravity tends to rule them, so I get a reprieve.” She winked. “Having Jared was the second most amazing thing I have ever done, but trust me, I would have rather waited a while for it. My rack will never be the same as the night I was presented to Ben.”

  “I don’t know. You look pretty perky to me.”

  “Not as perfect as I used to be.”

  “And other babies?” Arabella asked genuinely interested.

  Minerva shook her head. “Not for a while. I want to enjoy my body as it is for as long as I can.” She giggled.

  She slipped the corset around Bella’s torso and fit the cup area to her breasts, then looked in the mirror they were facing. “What do you think? If you don’t like it, it’s not worth trying to lace it.”

  Arabella gave a small smile. “It is really pretty. The colour is rather flattering. Maybe it’s because it’s not laced, but it doesn’t fit my breasts too well. I feel like Jessica Rabbit here.”

  Minerva grinned and helped refit the corset to Bella’s breasts once more, then looked over her friend’s shoulder into the mirror and met her eyes. “You know, Ben told me to seduce you, but that’s not why I’m here. I like you, you remind me of me when everything was new to me. I would like us to be friends, especially because Harley and Ben are so close.”

  “I thought we were friends, Mina.” She smiled at Lady Tempest. “And I don’t care if you seduce me. I’m sure I’d rather like it.”

  Minerva walked around to the front of Bella and smiled as she kissed her sweetly on the lips. Her arms came around Bella’s waist as she anchored herself to her friend.

  They kissed, touched and giggled. This was all new to Bella, and she said as much.

  “You mean to tell me you weren’t tutored?” Mina asked with a smile.

  “Not like you were here. In Europe, we don’t meet our contemporaries, we live secluded with our families.” She shrugged. “I have three brothers and no sisters. The closest family to mine is another Stereopes, my uncle’s compound. So it wasn’t like I could if I wanted to, everyone who surrounded me were family or my father’s or uncle’s females.”

  Minerva nodded. “Well, hell, that’s interesting. I didn’t know that.”

  “We are tutored in theory only, practice is, as you say, reserved for the Satyr that collars us.”

  Minerva giggled. “I’m sure Harley wouldn’t mind me initiating you…”

  Arabella smiled. “Harley told me to have fun, and you’re fun…” She leaned in and kissed Minerva.

  Minerva pushed her back against the glass and kissed her, both set of hands touching and seeking. Mina nibbled on Arabella’s neck, her hands pushing down the corset top, and she palmed her breasts again. Arabella bit her bottom lip, and Mina pulled away.

  “Go with it, Bella,” she breathed as she pushed Bella to a sitting position on the bench and went to her knees between Bella’s thighs.

  Minerva’s mouth went to a nipple, and Bella gasped. The feeling was different than when Harley’s mouth touched her flesh, but it was far from unpleasant. Mina suckled, licked and bit softly, and soon Arabella was squirming where she sat.

  She felt the tightness, her body wakening to the pleasure the other girl was bringing forth. “I…oh…,” she said as Minerva kissed her again, slipping her hand into Arabella’s panties. Mina’s fingers slipped into her wetness, petting at her slick flesh, and she moaned softly.

  Mina grinned and moved forward, offering her a lace clad breast. Bella took the hint and nibbled and licked at the offering, enjoying the texture and feeling of the warm, soft skin and the rough lace. Mina’s nipple beaded under her ministrations.

  Mina worked Bella expertly, her fingers petting, sliding into her sheath as her thumb played havoc on her clit. Bella whimpered and kissed Mina again. She climaxed, her moan of pleasure swallowed by Minerva’s kiss. The kiss broke and Bella panted, her head on Mina’s shoulder.

  “Wow,” she breathed and Mina giggled. “I think I missed out with my tutelage.”

  Mina nodded. “I think so. Ben wants to know what you taste like Bella… I would hate to disappoint him.” She winked.

  Bella bit her bottom lip. “Only if I can return the favour…”

  Chapter Seven

  Harley made it back to his tower bedroom to find Bella sitting naked, but for her collar, on their bed with a bunch of outfits laid out around her. She smiled at him as he walked through the doorway to the bedroom proper, and she pulled her knees up. She hugged them with her arms around them.

  “So? Did you have a good time shopping? Find something to wear for the party tonight?” He scanned the outfits with undisguised interest. Three dresses, all Betsy Johnson, several garments from La Perla and a bag with True Religion’s logo on it crammed with jeans sat on the floor. He puzzled over this, why would she not present them to him? It was a question for later.

  The three dresses were all different, but distinctively one style—hers. One was more of a silky slip dress, strapless with a sexy keyhole in a cerulean blue with purple and lime green lacy accents around the hem. He knew her perfect breasts would fill it out beautifully. The second was a strawberry colour, corset top attached with mesh to a micro mini skirt with black straps and accents in leather. The third had him salivating. It was a spaghetti strap, long dress in black with purple lace cut-outs and a slit up the side he was sure would reach her waist. There was a pair of purple silk thong underwear next to it, with ties on the sides.

  “I found lots of things,” she said with a little frown. “That’s the problem. I can’t exactly wear them all.”

  “True. I like that you’re not wearing anything at all right now.” He smirked. “It does please me greatly. I like your choices, though why are the jeans stuffed in the bag?”

  “They’re old. I wore them out, but one of the other girls spilled wine on them. I doubt they can be rescued.”

  “Well, that’s reassuring. My first thought was that you didn’t think I would approve of a woman in jeans.”

  “Don’t you? I’m sorry it didn’t cross my mind… You didn’t give that impression.”

  “Oh, I approve. There’s something very sexy about a woman’s ass hugged in denim.” He winked. “I like your choices in outfits for the night’s festivities.”

  “Will you help me choose which to wear?” She smiled at him as she asked. “Normally I take way too long and always end up with the wrong thing.”

  Harley walked over to the long dress with the purple thong and pointed to it. “Thoughts of this on you make my cock ache. I insist on this one.” He smiled and sat in the overstuffed chair next to the bed.

  “Excellent.” She beamed at him. “Shall I wear it for you now or shall I remain as I am?” She asked, her eyes flashing lustfully at him. “Your glorious cock hasn’t had much attention all day.”

  He crooked his finger at her. “Oh, as you are, love. I think I’ll insist you stay nude around our house and anywhere we are that isn’t public. Now attend me, your perceptions were correct.”

  “Of course.” She smiled, simply dropping to her knees before him and making short work of his zipper. Her small hand cupped him gently as she
kissed his tip, licking a hot line down his shaft.

  With his pet before, he was careful not to praise her or to give her ideas above where she would rank in Satyr society. With Bella, she was a queen in the making, and he wanted her treated as so. He reached down, caressed her face and smiled at her. “Such a good girl. Did you have a good time with the other girls?”

  “Minerva was fantastic.” She moaned as her lips teased him, feathering over his skin. “The others were typically female. You’re a highly sought after male…which doesn’t surprise me.” She smiled wickedly up at him as she sank down, her lips engulfing his shaft.

  “So I hear. You have nothing to worry about, pet. I told you it would be only you, and I meant it. I’m glad you got on with Minerva.”

  She moaned her agreement, bobbing her head along him.

  “We will be sitting with the Tempest contingent tonight, as a favour to my cousin, so you should be quite content. Now quit your teasing and get in my lap. I have need of you.”

  “And I have need of you.” She kissed him again with one last suck. Then she crawled onto his lap, straddling him.

  “Oh? You have taken to your role quite well, my love.” His hands went to her waist to steady her on his lap, and his fingers rubbed, massaging her hips.

  “Mmm, can you blame me?”

  He smirked. “Can’t fault you, love. So tell me about your trip. If you can get through it, without crying out…” He let the dare hang in the air between them as he moved her and sunk her down on him, marvelling as he realised she was soaking. She had either gotten up to something shopping, or she was on the verge from his orders.

  She moaned as she sank down on him, her body welcoming him. “I’ll sure try. The trip went well. We started out shopping. Mina and I got lots of goodies.”

  “Indeed. I expect you to try each of them on for me. Then what? You said the women were bitchy?”

  She paused, her whole body stopping. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.” She frowned, shaking her head. “Women will always be bitchy.”