Pet's Pleasure

by Renquist, Zenobia

  Bekion said, “Continue then.”

  Ebeun gestured with her hands quickly—sign language. Mil watched her while he translated, “The land these two men fight over was not their uncle’s to give. He rented it from my grandmother for a yearly sum.”

  “He paid that debt in full,” Leidus said.

  Bekion barked, “I didn’t give you leave to speak, Leidus.”

  The man stepped back with his head bowed. “Sorry, Your Majesty. It won’t happen again.”

  “And yet you continue.” Bekion drummed his fingers against Starling’s thigh.

  The man nodded his head lower.

  Bekion glared at the man for two more breaths. “Continue, Mistress Ebeun.”

  Mil said for Mistress Ebeun, “Forgive my tone, Your Majesty—though my servant does not properly convey it—but the debt was never paid. Money is still owed to my family. The uncle of these two men stopped paying once my grandmother died. They thought her family had forgotten the debt when we did not.”

  “Why wait until now to claim it?”

  Ebeun’s lips curved into a calculating smile. “Interest, Your Majesty. My father wanted to pursue the family and make them finish the payments. My aunts convinced him otherwise. We would wait to see if our contract would be honored. It wasn’t.” She paused and glanced at the two men.

  They looked at each other then at Bekion. Starling glanced up at Bekion as well. A smile very similar to Ebeun’s graced his lips. He’d even shifted on his seat so he sat a little forward with his chin resting on one hand.

  Ebeun continued gesturing with Mil translating. “When I’d heard their uncle had died and there was a dispute over the land, I knew it was the proper time to step forward. My family wishes the return of the land or full payment of the remaining debt, along with the interest and late fees accrued over the last few years of nonpayment. Whoever you deem the victor between these two men shall be held accountable. Airing this grievance here and now guarantees they will pay.” Ebeun handed a tablet to Mil.

  The little boy walked it to Vieve, who handed it to Bekion.

  Starling caught a glimpse of the number. On Earth, it would be a few million dollars but she knew nothing about Panagiota’s monetary system.

  She asked, “Is that a lot?”

  Bekion turned the tablet so she could see it better and with his finger covered five of the zeros. “The outfit you wear costs roughly this much.”

  Starling nodded. “And you said it’s very decadent and only a few could afford it.”

  “Extremely decadent.” He moved his hand. “This amount is near what Mistress Ebeun would need to buy a small, uninhabitable moon on the outskirts of the Gorov Empire.” He looked at Ebeun. “Is that your goal?”

  Mistress Ebeun shook her head. “I and my family do not want the money, Your Majesty, though it is rightfully owed to us. We want the land.”

  Bekion held out both tablets to Vieve, who took them and resumed her spot. He gestured to Leidus. “It doesn’t matter by what means you gained it, Master Leidus, the land is rightfully yours along with the debt it has accrued.” He waved Vieve forward.

  She tapped on one of the tablets and then walked it to Leidus. The man gaped at the amount listed.

  Bekion said, “You now know your choices. You must either pay to keep the land or return it. Which will it be?”

  Leidus’ hands shook as he stared at the tablet. “This…this…this is ridiculous, King Bekion. The land isn’t worth this much.”

  Starling said with a snort, “It is if you don’t return it.” She hadn’t meant to say anything but there was no taking it back. Maybe this would be one of those times when people ignored her.

  Bekion chuckled. “My pet has spoken my words for me.” He rubbed Starling’s thigh and sat back once more. “Make your choice, Master Leidus.”

  Leidus glared at Ebeun, who awaited his answer with her smug expression. He mumbled, “I shall return the deed.”

  “Now,” Bekion added. “You’ve brought it with you, I know. Sign it over to her and be done so I can call an end to this day and go to my dinner.”

  The transition of ownership proceeded. Ebeun curtsied to Bekion. “I thank you for this return, Your Majesty.”

  “And I thank you for making my last case so interesting.” Bekion stood with Starling sitting on the crook of his arm. He pulled the blanket from her shoulders and tossed it to Vieve.

  Starling wished he’d let her keep it. Goose bumps rose all over her body as the cool air of the throne room surrounded her.

  He whispered without moving his lips, “It’ll be warmer in my chambers.”

  She nodded.

  Everyone bowed or curtsied as Bekion and his entourage left. The people in the halls genuflected. Though their heads were bowed, the people’s gazes remained upon Starling. She continued to be the center of attention. She was happy when they reached the royal wing and left the crowds behind.

  Vieve broke the silence. “Bekion, did you read the note I highlighted concerning the land Mistress Ebeun reacquired?”

  Bekion said, “I noticed it.”

  “Shouldn’t you have made it known the land is seventy percent prize soil? I doubt Master Leidus would have signed it over if he’d known. The land debt could have been paid after selling a few bags’ full.”

  “Prize soil?” Starling asked.

  Bekion said, “A naturally occurring substance on Panagiota that is highly coveted the universe over, even more so because we export only a small amount each year. The soil never loses its nutrients. Even if diluted over a large field, one bag can enrich the soil of the most barren of locales for a decade, if not more.”

  “Wow.”

  Vieve smiled at Starling. “Panagiota usually sells the products of the soil, not the soil itself. That means Mistress Ebeun will probably buy a title in a year, if not less.”

  “Buy a title? Your nobility purchases their titles?”

  Bekion said, “They can. As king, I can grant nobility to favored individuals and family members.”

  “And bribery is the fastest way to being a favorite.”

  Bekion clenched his teeth and made an annoyed noise. “It’s not bribery. I am simply rewarding those who donate to the welfare of their planet.”

  Starling rolled her eyes then said in English, **You say to-may-to. I say to-mah-to.**

  Bekion stopped walking and met her gaze. “I recognize the sound of that phrase from earlier. You will translate it.”

  She pursed her lips and crossed her arms.

  “Be stubborn then.” He put her on her feet and walked away.

  She trailed after him. “You think making me walk is some kind of punishment?”

  “Making you walk relieves the burden on my arm. I shall think of a worthy punishment for your uncooperative behavior later.” He stopped walking again and looked at Vieve. “How does one punish a human?”

  Vieve said with a shrug, “From my understanding, the same way you would a child. Some spank them, some refuse to feed them and others isolate them from the attention they are used to receiving.”

  “Hmm. I will have to think on that.” He continued walking.

  Starling stayed in her spot, watching Bekion and the others leave. If he tried to spank her, she would break his fingers. Missing dinner didn’t matter much thanks to the big lunch she’d had. And if he put her in isolation, she…would think of home and everything else she missed.

  She gripped her pendant. At the end of the day, she was still kidnapped and would never see home again. Everyone was an unknown and her situation was uncertain.

  Did Bekion really plan to punish her for not translating what she’d said? What if he got sick of her attitude and gave her to Kuruk rather than deal with her?

  Someone put his hand on her shoulder. She looked up and found Rois had stayed behind with her. He smiled down at her and rubbed her shoulder. “Don’t worry, little one. Bekion won’t hurt you.”

  She wanted to ask if the man knew th
at for certain but kept the question to herself.

  “Why not translate what you said? Is it so damaging?”

  She shook her head.

  “Then what is the harm?”

  Why didn’t she translate for him? It was a simple enough phrase to explain. Some part of her rebelled though. Her language was the last thing that belonged to her. Not even the amber-encased emerald her father had given her was the same. English remained hers alone.

  Rois urged her forward with a gentle nudge to her shoulder. “Come. We should catch up to the others.”

  She nodded and let him guide her with his hand on her shoulder. He slowed his pace and glanced down at her every few steps as though he expected her not to be there.

  They entered Bekion’s room and Starling found herself happy to see it. She’d only occupied the space for a little while but welcomed the familiarity. It felt safe.

  Nausic stood speaking with Bekion, who frowned as he nodded.

  Bekion faced her and Rois. “What took you two so long?”

  “I didn’t want to rush her. And I wouldn’t carry your pet without your permission.”

  “Granted,” he said in a dismissive manner.

  Starling wanted to say they should ask her permission but held it back. No one needed her permission for anything anymore thanks to the poachers.

  Everyone bustled around the room doing various tasks that didn’t concern her. Bekion was deep in conversation with Vieve about the tablet she held. Like at lunch, the guards conversed amongst themselves. There were even some new people she’d never seen before milling around.

  She sighed.

  “Welcome to your life,” she muttered to herself.

  The open door to the bedroom caught her attention. Everyone was in the outer chamber so it should be quieter in there. No one said anything as she left the crowd, not that she expected it.

  Quiet remained elusive. Furielle stood in the middle of a throng of men and women. She gestured as she gave them orders. Starling didn’t know what was going on and she didn’t care. They blocked the path to the bathroom, eliminating that locale as an escape.

  She walked to the closet, closed the door behind her and felt her way to the back corner. The darkness and the quiet soothed her nerves a little. She made a seat out of some stacked boxes before sitting down to stare straight ahead at the blackness.

  She sucked in a shaky breath and exhaled it as softly as she could lest someone hear her. Tears flowed down her cheeks, hitting her hands, which she fisted on her lap.

  Her entire existence was in the hands of another, who she hoped was fair and decent. That wasn’t the cause of her tears. Worry for the future took second place to the losses of the past.

  Everything familiar was taken from her.

  She would never see home again.

  * * * * *

  Bekion read the last line of the report and entered his authorization code. He handed the tablet back to Vieve. “Is that the last?”

  “Yes, it is. Thank you.” She dropped a quick curtsy.

  He motioned her out of the way and signaled to Rois and Nausic. Both men broke away from the other guards and joined him.

  Rois said, “Nausic told me he encountered Kuruk outside the throne room.”

  Bekion grunted. “Whispers of Starling probably brought him out of his wing of the palace. At least now we know he’s aware of her.” He glanced down and then around the room. “Where is Starling?”

  Rois and Nausic looked around as well.

  Bekion edged people aside when he didn’t immediately see her.

  Furielle exited the bedroom and headed for him. “King Bekion, I—”

  “Furielle.” Bekion met her halfway. “Is Starling with you?”

  The woman frowned and shook her head. “No, Your Majesty. I realized you were back and came out to ask about her. The seamstresses you summoned have arrived to start her wardrobe.”

  He lifted his arm and tapped the homing beacon on his cuff. It beeped and a tiny arrow pointed toward the way from which Furielle had come. He followed it to the closet. Before he could open the door, Rois pulled him up short.

  Rois detached the baton from his hip. “I’ll go.”

  “It’s my closet, Rois.”

  “Did anyone check your room when we returned?”

  “No.”

  “Then I’ll go.”

  Bekion stepped to the side and motioned the man forward. Better to let Rois do his job than argue.

  Rois edged the door open. He waved his hand near the sensor and light flooded the whole closet. After a few glances around the room, Rois relaxed and replaced his baton. “There she is,” he whispered, pointing in front of him.

  Bekion followed the direction of Rois’ finger. Starling had buried herself in the back corner of his closet. She sat hunched in on herself. He assumed she was asleep even though he couldn’t see her eyes, since she hadn’t moved when he entered the room.

  He lifted her gently, careful not to wake her and to keep her wrists from contacting each other. The sight of tears running down her cheeks almost made him think she feigned sleep, until he realized she cried whilst sleeping.

  He whispered, “What stress you must be under.”

  Starling shifted and a soft sob escaped her lips.

  Rois asked, “Bekion?”

  Bekion looked over his shoulder. “Clear the inner chamber. Do it quietly.”

  Rois nodded and left the doorway.

  Bekion carried Starling to the door but stayed within the closet until the last person had left the bedroom. Rois signaled the all-clear and Bekion carried Starling to the couch across from his bed.

  Furielle stood there with a nightgown in her hands.

  Bekion shook his head at the woman. “Leave her be for now, Furielle,” he said in a low voice. “Fetch a blanket and then retire for the night.”

  “What about her dinner?”

  “If she professes to hunger when she wakes, I’ll summon you.”

  “Of course, Your Majesty.” Furielle curtsied and then rushed out of the room.

  Bekion lowered Starling to the couch. She immediately curled into a tight ball, facing the backrest. Only Bekion lunging forward and slipping his hand between her wrists kept the two cuffs from touching each other and setting off her alarm. The contact didn’t seem to disturb her. Her sleep persisted even as her shoulders shook from her crying.

  Furielle returned with a blanket and a small pillow. Bekion lifted Starling’s head enough so the pillow could be placed and then, after situating her hands away from each other, he stepped back so Furielle could drape the blanket.

  He signaled Furielle away. She dropped another curtsy and left. Nausic and Rois waited for his next command. He said, “Give me something to muffle her cuffs.”

  Nausic nodded and walked away.

  Rois asked, “Shouldn’t you simply deactivate them?”

  Bekion smiled ruefully. “As much as I would enjoy missing dinner this night and hiding in my chambers, I have duties yet to attend. This way is best. Nausic will remain to keep watch over her should she need anything.”

  The man in question returned with two small towels and ribbons. He and Bekion wrapped each of Starling’s cuffed wrists with the towels. She didn’t bat an eyelash. That surprised Bekion, considering how long she’d slept earlier.

  He watched her sleep a little longer to assure himself she wouldn’t suddenly wake and need something. Though Bekion expected it, Rois didn’t make his usual prompting noise. It amazed Bekion how much his new pet had changed his routine. She’d been with him less than a day. The coming years would prove interesting.

  He faced Nausic. “Make yourself comfortable. You’ll be here until I return.”

  Nausic bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  Rois grumbled, “I still don’t like leaving you short one guard, Bekion. It’s irresponsible.”

  Bekion said, “Then choose another and be done.”

  Rois shifted a surprised expres
sion from Bekion to Nausic and then back. “I thought Nausic’s change in duties was temporary.”

  “No, it’s not. Guarding Starling is his only duty now.” Bekion glanced at her one last time and left the room. “I have other things to attend before dinner. Rois, leave the others and see to Nausic’s replacement. I expect to see my new guard at dinner.”

  “Right away.” Rois exchanged words with the guards in the outer chamber before he left the room.

  Nausic followed Bekion a few steps. “Your Majesty?”

  Bekion didn’t stop walking or turn back. “Yes?”

  “Would it not be better for the replacement to be Starling’s guard while I return to my normal duties?”

  Bekion turned and pinned Nausic with an annoyed look. “Are you questioning my orders?”

  The man stopped short, surprise making his eyes wide. “Never, Your Majesty.”

  “Do you dislike your assignment? Do you think it’s beneath you to watch over my pet?”

  “No, Sire. But I—”

  “Then I suggest you return to your post before I interpret this line of questioning as a resignation from my employ.”

  Nausic snapped to attention. After sketching a quick bow, he returned to the bedroom and closed the door. Several of the servants inched toward the exit as though sensing Bekion’s bad mood. The room emptied quickly and quietly except for Bekion’s guards and one other.

  Vieve asked as she walked toward him, “Would you truly relieve such a valuable man as Nausic of his duties?”

  “Don’t be stupid, Vieve. It doesn’t become you. I won’t have him thinking his current duties are any less important than his previous.” He frowned at her. “Why have you returned? You said you had nothing else for me.”

  She held out a tablet. “A report request from Gorov about your new acquisition. It arrived a moment ago.”

  “It was too naïve to hope the supreme emperor would take longer to notice, wasn’t it?”

  “Stupidity doesn’t become you either, Bekion.”

  He sighed. After a moment to think about it, he handed the tablet back to her. “I’ll handle that after dinner. What else?”