“You didn’t tell me this before now. Why?”
“It didn’t come up in conversation. I figured you wouldn’t mind either. You’re going to the throne room regardless of what I do. With one of your best guards at my side, it’s all good.”
“He is one of my best.” His agreement was hesitant even though he gave it.
“Then there was no need to worry.” She looked up at Nausic, who stared at Bekion in wide-eyed surprise. She tapped his leg. When he looked at her, she smiled up at him. “Right?”
Nausic nodded sharply then snapped to attention. “Yes. There is no need for worry. Lady Starling will be safe with me.”
Bekion seemed annoyed but Starling gave him points for not turning the whole thing into an argument.
He said, “In the future, you will pose your requests to me, not Rois.”
“I didn’t want to bother you but I’ll keep that in mind. Breakfast?” She jerked her thumb toward the table. The more she smelled the food, the hungrier she got.
He nodded and ushered her to the table with his hand on her shoulder. He scooped her onto her seat and then sat on his own.
After a few bites of food, Starling brought up the topic they had started the night before. “What’s the failsafe?”
Bekion held up his arm, showcasing his arm cuff. “My cuff functions in much the same way as yours, except I can remove mine. When deactivated, the cuffs do a quick perimeter and interior scan. If a door is opened when it was shut or a person leaves, then they reactivate automatically. This allows the users to sound their personal alarm if the change in surroundings is a threat.”
“Okay. That makes sense.”
“When you opened the door, my cuff beeped in a similar manner to the way it beeps when I deactivated yours for the night. I have learned to wake when it makes that sound, as my life may be in danger.”
“Has it ever been before?”
“Twice, but that is a topic for another time. I tell you all this so you will not venture out again.”
“Why not include the outer chamber?”
“Neither of us would get any sleep then. They are quiet but many servants enter and leave the outer chamber at various times at night. None disturb the inner chamber unless they need me for something important.”
“Okay. I’ll stay put if I happen to wake up in the night. Can I work on my tablet or would the noise wake you? Transcription-mode only, of course.”
“So long as you do not leave the inner chamber, you can do as you please.”
Yup, they were getting along better. She glanced over at Nausic, who hadn’t come out of attention to speak to the other guards. She hoped she could start to get along with everyone, Nausic especially since he was her guard. Maybe their morning run would help.
Breakfast ended and Vieve hustled Bekion off to the meeting of the empire’s monarchs. That left Starling with Nausic and a handful of servants. She presented herself to Nausic. “I’m ready.”
Nausic left the room and walked at a fast pace ahead of her. She had to jog to keep up with him, as she knew she would. He probably saw this as more of an annoyance than actual exercise.
To break up the tension, she said, “You looked surprised back there.”
He glanced back at her. His expression had changed from surprised to perplexed. “King Bekion agreed with you.”
“Yeah, he does that sometimes. I didn’t think he would forbid me from exercising. That’s a little extreme even for him.”
“I meant he agreed with you when you said I was one of his best.”
“You are. That’s what he said the other day.”
Nausic stopped walking. “He did?”
Starling jogged in place. “Yes. Why does that surprise you?” She asked the question and then knew the answer. “Oh. You thought being switched to guard me was a demotion.”
“How could I think anything else? You are King Bekion’s pet.”
She shook her head and continued jogging down the hall. When Nausic caught up with her, she said, “I won’t take offense at that even though I should.”
“I meant no insult.”
“But you were insulted when Bekion assigned you to me, regardless of the fact that he did it because he knew you were the best one for the job.” She glanced up at him. “Otherwise he would have given Rois the job.”
Nausic stopped again but Starling didn’t stop with him. Her words must have been a revelation to him. Her heart warmed that he’d been half-assing his job because of a misconception. At least nothing had happened during that time.
She slowed her momentum when she neared a corner, not wanting to get out of Nausic’s sight. She may be mad at the man but that upset didn’t come coupled with stupidity.
He caught up with her and they continued around the corner. “King Bekion spoke to you about me.” He shook his head and seemed as if he would ask her a question but stopped himself.
She smiled up at him. “Stop being so nervous around me. I’m half your size. I doubt I could do anything to hurt you.”
“I do not know how to interact with a human.”
“Then interact with me the way you would a jattikan.”
He frowned a little even though he made an affirmative noise.
“As to your earlier remark, yes, Bekion assured me I could have no better guard than you. He said it wasn’t only because you were one of his best but because of your past with Kuruk.”
“Yes.”
“What past, if I’m allowed to ask?”
Nausic didn’t answer. He must not have wanted to talk about it. They reached the throne room doors. The guards went to attention when they saw Nausic. He nodded to the men.
Starling ignored the men the way they did her. She stretched in place, counting silently to herself as she twisted her upper body and stretched her arms.
One of the guards asked, “What is it doing?”
The other guard said, “It’s a human. Who knows what those things are thinking? We should worry for our king if he catches her delirium.”
She said, without stopping her movements, “I can understand every word you say, gentlemen.”
The guards gasped.
She grinned at them. “I’m perfectly capable of repeating everything you say too. You might want to remember that in the future.”
The first guard said in a rush, “Sir…Sir Nausic, we didn’t say anything insulting.”
Starling grabbed Nausic’s hand and pulled him. “Let’s get back. We don’t want to keep Bekion waiting. I’m sure he’ll want to hear all about my little outing.” She shot the guards a smug look.
The men stumbled over each other’s words, trying to excuse themselves. That made Starling happy. Let them sweat about it.
She ran back the way they’d come, with Nausic following after her.
Nausic said in a low voice, “Kuruk molested my sister.”
Starling almost tripped over her feet in her attempt to stop. She faced Nausic. “Excuse me?”
“You asked about the past that made me your ideal guard. My younger sister visited me here one summer. She would have stayed for a month but she left after a week.”
“What did Kuruk do?”
The better question was did she really want to know? Bekion had said Kuruk treated his pets cruelly. She didn’t think the boy would do the same with people. But people who mistreated animals tended to mistreat everything.
Nausic said in a quiet, distant voice, “I left her alone to attend an errand because the other guards were nearby. She wandered away from them. She went missing for a half hour.” He clenched his fists. “That was all the time he needed. Kuruk had followed my sister to one of the observation huts. Once she’d entered, he blocked the door and set fire to the building.”
“My God.”
“She survived because a noblewoman noticed the fire. I knew Kuruk had done it. He had been angry with her because she’d refused his invitation to spend time with him.”
“You didn’t have
proof?”
“No. I cannot accuse the prince without proof but all believe as I do, including King Bekion. My parents summoned her home after the incident. She hasn’t returned since.”
Starling digested that information. Bekion had the right idea, naming Nausic the best man for the job. Someone with a score to settle made a better guard than someone just doing their duty.
Nausic looked at his arm cuff. “Let us finish this exercise so you may join Bekion.”
“What’s wrong?” She glanced at her cuffs but didn’t see anything interesting. She wasn’t even sure her arm cuffs had the same functions as Bekion’s and his guards’.
“King Bekion is summoning you.”
“Well, let’s get back so I can get cleaned up.”
They started forward again.
“Nausic?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for telling me. I’m sorry about your sister.”
She glanced up at him but he didn’t answer. She nodded to herself. The topic was better left alone. He hadn’t said how long ago the incident had occurred but his pain seemed fresh.
Nausic whispered, “King Bekion’s trust is not misplaced. I will keep you safe.”
“Thanks.”
Nausic escorted her back and left her at the inner chamber door. Furielle awaited Starling there with a towel slung over her arm.
Starling stripped as she walked toward the bathroom. Behind her, another woman picked up the trail of clothes. It hadn’t taken Starling long to get used to the maids. It irked her, having them do everything, but she couldn’t get around it. As the old saying went, she couldn’t beat them so she joined them.
Once under the warm water of the shower, she sighed. Even though her exercise hadn’t been strenuous, the warm water beating against her skin felt good.
Low laughter made her jerk around. “Furielle?”
The woman stood leaning against the doorjamb. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I only marvel at how like a jattikan woman you are.”
“You all keep saying stuff like that. It makes me want to see one of your humans so I can see what stereotypes I’m up against.”
“You are so much like a jattikan woman that it amazes me Bekion hasn’t had sex with you.” Furielle gave her a questioning look. “Or has he? That would explain why he is so anxious to be near you at all times.”
“Um, no. And what do you mean he’s anxious to be near me?”
“He’s already called for you three times.”
“For what?”
“I’m not privy to that information. I came here to hurry you along.” She stepped closer. “Has he?”
“Has he what?”
“Had you?”
“I said no. Isn’t that illegal since I’m his pet?” It was a safe assumption to make though it annoyed her to make it.
Furielle shrugged. “You do not look like the other humans. Some would mistake you for a half-tall if they saw you and didn’t know you were human.” She stopped with a thoughtful expression. “Bekion had a half-tall once. She was the daughter of a nobleman who came to call at court over some favor. The daughter offered herself to Bekion as a way to gain his acceptance though she didn’t think he would take what she’d offered. Bekion likes shorter women. He has no limitation of how short.”
“You said he slept with you. You’re the same height as him.”
“I’m convenient when he needs release and is feeling impatient. He does not turn to me normally. Watch the women who catch Bekion’s eye. He always chooses ones who are shorter than him. If the top of their head is above his shoulder, he’s instantly not interested. Vieve knows this and sends small, petite women to slake Bekion’s lust.”
“That doesn’t mean he’ll turn to me. He already said I wasn’t his type.”
“He will have you in time. Possibly only once as a curiosity but he will do it.”
“And you won’t think that’s disgusting?”
“You aren’t as grotesque-looking as the other humans I’ve seen.” She gave a dismissive shrug.
“Gee, thanks.”
The woman grinned. “You’re welcome. Now please hurry.”
“Okay. I’m hurrying.”
Starling doubted Bekion really needed her for anything. He probably wanted her someplace where he could see her. She hadn’t pegged him for the anxious type.
Well, whatever. It didn’t matter. So long as she had a place where she could do her project, she would be wherever Bekion wanted her to be.
Chapter Eight
Starling looked up from her tablet when Bekion entered the room. His appearance shocked her. This was the first time in two jattikan months—she didn’t know the Earth conversion but it amounted to one hundred days for Panagiota—that she had seen him act so drained and exhausted.
He dragged himself along to the bed and sat down hard beside her with a tired groan. His actions made Starling smile. Her amusement grew as she watched him trying to massage his own shoulders.
She set aside her tablet and moved over to him. Pushing his hands out of the way, she started kneading the muscles of his neck. “What happened? You’re one giant knot of tension. I’ve never seen you like this before.”
He sighed and slumped forward. “I went to speak with my mother. Such an endeavor is always a trial.”
“I remember, though I thought that was because of me. I take it this is normal.” She pushed his shirt aside then dug the heel of her hands into the area below his neck.
Bekion gave a growling moan. “Your hands feel so good, Starling. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
He slipped his shirt off and tossed it aside.
Starling took that as an invitation and moved her hands lower. She reached the bottom of his back and had to stop. The position was hard on her own back.
She said, “This would be easier if you lie down.”
Bekion sprawled on his stomach and let one of his hands flop over the edge of the bed. With his face down on the pillow, he appeared passed out.
After a moment to think about it, Starling straddled his waist. She could get more leverage that way. She used his butt as a cushion then went back to kneading the muscles of his back.
He continued to make sounds of satisfaction at her ministrations.
“Can you breathe like that?”
“Yes,” came his muffled reply.
“Okay.” She shrugged.
“Wait.” He lifted his head from the pillow. “Stand up.”
Starling braced her hands on his back and pushed up. She figured he wanted to resituate himself. “Do you want me to walk on your back? I hear that’s kind of soothing. I’m also light enough that I wouldn’t be scared of hurting you.”
“Maybe next time.” He flipped to his back, jostling her in the process, and smiled up at her. “Sit down.”
She didn’t argue as she parked herself on his stomach.
“You may continue.”
“I can’t do this with you looking at me, Bekion.”
He closed his eyes.
She grumbled, “That’s not what I meant.”
“Continue.”
Starling chalked it up to being spoiled all his life and resumed kneading his shoulders. It was awkward. Bekion couldn’t be getting anything worthwhile out of a massage like this.
If professionally trained, she could do a frontal massage. She only knew back massages and those she’d learned watching movies. No one had complained before, so she must be doing something right.
Bekion’s hand on her behind made her jump. She froze as she stared down at him.
His eyes remained closed. “Why did you stop?”
“You’re joking, right?”
“Keep going.”
She restarted her motions. The hand on her behind moved, squeezing then releasing then squeezing then releasing, over and over. She decided not to complain about it. It didn’t differ from the way he groped her while they slept.
When his other hand cu
pped the juncture between her legs, Starling squeaked. She tried to get away but the hand on her behind kept her in place.
“Relax, Starling. I’m returning the favor. One good massage deserves another.”
“You don’t have to. I’m fine. I have nothing to be stressed about.”
He eased her panties aside and drew one finger over her lower lips. She grabbed his wrist to pull him away. This was a bad idea. She had started it but lost control of the situation. She hadn’t planned for this. Bekion looked stressed and she wanted to help but not like this.
He delved his finger deeper and caressed her damp flesh. Starling pressed her lips together, stifling a moan, and shivered. He swirled his fingers around and around.
“Stop,” Starling said with a gasp.
Bekion opened his eyes and held her in a piercing gaze she couldn’t break. “My stress is partially your fault, Starling. You should take some responsibility.”
“What did I do?”
“You sleep beside me every night.”
“How is that my fault? You commissioned the stupid bed and won’t let me sleep on it.”
He continued as though she hadn’t spoken. “You curl yourself around me. I wake up in the night to your breasts pressed against my hands or my arms, your breath tickling my neck.” He thrust a finger into her depths and she yelped. “The heat between your legs burning my thigh.”
“That’s not totally my fault. You get grabby while you’re sleeping. I can’t get free. Like I said, let me sleep on my bed and we would avoid all this.”
“And deny myself? Never.” He pushed his finger higher to punctuate his words.
Starling found herself moving her hips against the intrusion so she could feel more. It felt good to be touched. As much as Bekion said she tortured him, he’d been doing the same to her.
He said, “You want this the same as me. You wouldn’t flaunt yourself before me otherwise.”
“I don’t flaunt myself. You’ve already seen me naked once. What’s the point of being modest after that?”
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