Dinner ended and everyone went their separate ways. Bekion retired to his makeshift study to do work. Starling and Webber returned to the viewing area. The technician let them see the locales they indicated.
Vieve joined them at the screen. “Your world is beautiful. If Supreme Emperor Udo saw this, he would never call humans beasts again. Your culture is so rich and varied.”
Starling nodded.
Webber snapped, “Damn.”
His outburst startled Starling. She clutched her chest and looked at him with wide eyes. “What was that?”
**We should have gotten some party favors while they were porting stuff up. I would love to see these guys getting baked. Might help with my relationship issues too.**
Starling wagged her finger at him. **Shame on you, suggesting drugs to get sex. I think I’ll have to lower my opinion of you.**
**Say what you want, Star. I’m ready to get lit, toasted and a little crispy around the edges. Hell, if I could manage it, I wouldn’t mind fried.**
**Well, we didn’t get it during the food roundup earlier, so you might as well give up that dream. I doubt they have the same drugs on Panagiota.**
**We could ask.**
Vieve said, **If you mean recreational drugs then yes we do. The nanites can be programmed to allow you to feel the drugs in safe levels and to determine the duration of the effects.**
Webber said, **I’m good for all night.**
Starling didn’t add to the conversation. She wouldn’t ruin Webber’s fun musings but she had enough of drugs. They had helped her relationship with Bekion to a certain extent but the cost had been high.
The technician said, “You speak so well with them, Lady Vieve. I guess the minimum required for the translation program was reached. I will have to petition to receive a copy. It will make the study of Earth that much easier, to be able to read the signs.”
Starling looked back at the technician, stunned at the woman’s words. She turned to Webber and said, “Speak so well?”
Webber said, “Minimum required?”
They both looked at Vieve, who wore a panicked expression
Starling and Webber yelled in unison while pointing at Vieve, “You were speaking English!”
Vieve cringed before she nodded.
Webber whipped around and looked back at Nausic. Starling followed his gaze. The man wore the same guilty expression as Vieve.
Nausic said, **I can explain, Webber.**
Webber yelled, **I’m going to kick your ass.**
Starling didn’t stay to see how their fight would turn out. She had one of her own to pick. She ran to Bekion’s study and threw open the doors.
Everyone within stopped and looked at her.
She only had eyes for Bekion.
“Starling?” He stood, concern creasing his brow.
She said, “Everybody, get out. Now.”
“What are you doing, Starling?”
“I said now,” she screamed at the top of her lungs.
The people filed out quickly. She had to glare Rois out of the room. He closed the door and she turned her anger on Bekion.
He rounded the desk and went to one knee before her. “What upset you, pretty pet?”
His words made her react before she could think about her actions. She slapped him.
His head snapped to the side. A red handprint appeared on his cheek but faded quickly as the nanites rushed to the site. “I’ve upset you,” he whispered.
She asked through her teeth, **How long have you understood what I’m saying?**
Bekion dropped his head with a defeated sigh. He stood and then fell back onto one of the chairs.
**How long, Bekion? Answer me.**
**Since your attack.**
Starling stared at him. He didn’t act guilty or apologetic. He looked resigned. She shook her head at him. “That’s not fair, Bekion. You know it’s not fair. You should have told me you could understand.”
“I wanted to know what you truly think.”
“About what?”
“Everything. I thought if I asked, you would tell me pretty lies to spare my feelings and then relay your frustrations to Webber. You speak to him more than me.”
She waved that away. “That’s only because we’re both from Earth. He understands me without having to explain myself.”
Since the attack.
She tried to remember every word she had spoken in English in Bekion’s presence. An impossible task.
Rois’ laughter at dinner now made sense. He had started laughing after Webber’s comment about his sexual frustration with Nausic.
She asked, “Rois can understand us too, can’t he?”
“Yes. Rois, Nausic, Vieve, Furielle and I all have the translation. No one else.”
She gasped then and covered her mouth. “You know about Webber and Nausic.”
He nodded.
“Wait. You know about Webber and Nausic. Then why do you keep treating Webber the way you do? You know he isn’t interested in me and yet you still get jealous when he touches me.”
“I become jealous no matter who touches you, Starling. I hate when Furielle touches you.” He stood and went to one knee in front of her. “You are the only person who can make me this crazy. I want you all to myself. It is tempting to lock you away and yet I don’t want to do anything that will hinder your smile.” He reached out to her.
Starling let him caress her cheek. She even turned into his hand, enjoying his touch.
He said, “I do feel guilty for my part in your attack, my love. If not for my stubbornness and stupidity, it would have never happened.”
“Agreed.”
He slipped his hand around the back of her neck and urged her forward until she stood pressed against his chest. “Do not think that means I do not want you. I have waited for you to come to me because I did not want to burden you with my lust.”
She wrapped her hands around his waist. “Burden me. I don’t care. These past few days have made me feel like I was forcing you. That hurt.”
“Forgive me. That wasn’t my intention.”
“Bekion, you think too much. You rationalize things so they make sense only to you. Talk to me. You know my language but you used it to spy on me instead of understanding me. We cannot have a relationship like—what are you doing?”
Bekion slid his hand up her leg, under her dress, until he cupped her behind. He smiled as he pulled her against him and said against her lips, “Burdening you.”
“We haven’t finished talking.” She tried pushing at him but her struggles lacked force. She wanted him. “Bekion.”
“Right here, my love.”
He lifted her dress over her head and cast it away. Next he helped her step out of her panties. All the while, he rained kisses over her body.
She let Bekion lead the encounter. She welcomed the change from their usual. He sat back on his chair and lifted her so she sat astride his lap. She unbuttoned his shirt and ran her tongue over his skin.
He rubbed a single finger between her legs, teasing her sensitive nub.
She said in a husky voice, “We shouldn’t do it like this.”
“Why is that?”
She rubbed her cheek under his chin when she felt herself getting close to climax. She held it back. He needed to come with her, inside of her.
She said, “You’ll think of it every time I sit on your lap. You won’t be able to concentrate. I’ll have to start sitting on the floor.”
“You’re right. We can’t have that.” He stood with her held against his chest, kicked the chair out of the way and then lowered himself so he sat on his knees.
Starling smiled at him.
“Better?”
“Almost.” She reached between their bodies and freed his hard flesh. With a tiny shift on her part, she guided him home. They both sighed at the contact.
Bekion gripped Starling’s thighs and moved her against his arousal. He started to tilt his head back, an expression of
ecstasy on his face, but Starling captured his head between her hands and brought him to her waiting lips.
His tongue slid over hers as they tasted each other. For some reason, the kiss seemed sweeter than usual. His sex was buried deeper inside of her than he had ever reached. She felt every bit of him to the very depths of her soul. It felt wonderful. Starling wondered if Bekion felt the same.
She pulled her mouth from his to ask, only to have him start nibbling her neck. Coherent thought became overrated.
He shifted beneath her, moving his legs so they extended in front of him, and then sprawled back.
Starling stared down at him when he released her hips and stopped moving. “Bekion?”
“We haven’t used this position since…” He lowered his eyes from her gaze. “I want to help you get over that time, Starling. Truly get over it. I think this is one way.” He met her gaze again. “Move for me.”
As much as she wanted to argue, she didn’t. Bekion was right. Since the attack, she had avoided being on top of him because it reminded her of the frantic sex she’d endured to negate the aphrodisiac.
Even now, waves of self-loathing as she remembered that time made her want to demand Bekion choose a new position.
Instead, she moved.
Slowly. Oh so slowly. Up then back down.
Bekion brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips.
She held his gaze as she moved. There was only longing there. He’d worn the same look that day as well. No revulsion. He didn’t think her disgusting for the way she had acted.
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.”
<
br /> “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.”
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