Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Phoebe wanted to ask what the hell they meant, but she remembered just in time that women were supposed to be seen and not heard and that she couldn’t talk to any man but Sirex while she was in the palace.
She wished that Sirex would ask what “non-con” bracelets were, since she couldn’t herself, but her mentor only finished fastening her skirt and then tugged on the harness to get her moving, which made her bite back a moan of frustrated pleasure.
“Come, Phoebe,” he said, frowning down at her. “It’s time we entered the palace.”
“Yes, Sir!” she said breathlessly and hurried to keep up with him so he wouldn’t tug on the harness again.
She had no idea what danger they were walking into.
16
SIREX
The palace was a grand affair—a monument to greed and power, Sirex thought as they passed through the gates and beheld the enormous structure. It was a vast, sprawling structure, several stories high made of green and purple glass bricks.
Normally these were sacred colors to the Kindred—they were the colors of the trees in the Sacred Grove where the Goddess was worshiped. But the palace of the Emperor of Salacious Prime was cold and gleaming in the pinkish light of the red giant sun. There was nothing of the Goddess here, Sirex thought—it was an edifice that spoke of male power and wealth and dominance.
Speaking of male dominance, what in the Seven Hells do you think you’re doing with Phoebe? whispered a judgmental little voice in his head. You’re treating her like you actually own her—like she’s nothing but a piece of property and you can do anything you want with her. Are you sure you’re not letting your Scourge half get the better of you?
The thought brought a mingled flash of lust and guilt and Sirex tried his best to push both emotions away.
This is just an act—it has nothing to do with my Scourge half, he told himself firmly. As soon as we complete the mission and get back to the Mother Ship, our relationship will go back to normal.
They approached the broad, gleaming doors which were made of thick green glass and looked to be at least three stories high. As they mounted the steps to get to them, Sirex was just wondering if he and Phoebe would have to undergo another “inspection”, when the doors swung open by themselves and a male in green, gold, and purple livery stepped out to meet them.
“Greetings—I had a message from the gate guards saying that they had let a merchant through. I am Y’sfer, Undersecretary to the Royal Advisor, Lord Thruck. And you are…?” He raised his eyebrows politely, waiting for Sirex to answer.
“I am Sirex, a merchant from the K’lix system,” Sirex said. “I have very valuable wormhole technology which can be weaponized to bring victory to any army that utilizes it. I believe the Shining One would be interested in meeting with me to discuss it.”
“Hmm, yes that does sound intriguing.” Undersecretary Y’sfer nodded thoughtfully. “Very well, you may enter the palace. However, it is Lord Thruck who makes the final decisions about who may gain a Royal Audience with the Shining One.”
“So I understand.” Sirex nodded.
“Good. Then do come in.”
The Undersecretary stepped aside, allowing them to pass. Sirex gave a little tug on Phoebe’s harness, which made her gasp under her breath. His shafts hardened when he heard that helpless little sound. He liked knowing that he could give her instant pleasure, even if it made her uncomfortable to have such sensations in public. She had asked him to dominate her, and that was exactly what he intended to do—though only for as long as this mission lasted, of course, he reminded himself.
Inside, the palace was even grander. It was also cold, with a chilly air current rushing through the vast, gold and glass hall they found themselves in. Beside him, Phoebe was shivering. Sirex put an arm around her and drew her close to his side. She nestled against him at once, making his heart feel tight in his chest.
“Do you smell something funny in here?” she murmured, her nose wrinkling as she sniffed the air.
Sirex frowned and sniffed himself. There was a sweet kind of odor permeating the palace air but it was hard to place where it was coming from.
“Probably some kind of air freshener,” he murmured back. “They must be fond of scenting the air here, like you humans do on Earth.”
“Maybe…It just smells weird.” She pressed closer to him and Sirex tightened his grip on her, giving her a reassuring squeeze. Gods, he couldn’t forget how she’d come for him when he was mapping her pussy for the harness—come so hard as he stroked her little Goddess pearl…
“If you’d like to follow me, I’ll take you to the Grand Salon where Lord Thruck spends much of his time when he’s not advising the Shining One,” Undersecretary Y’sfer said, breaking into Sirex’s illicit thoughts.