Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 130317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
And then a new voice broke through the auditorium.
“Why, whatever can be happening in here?” it demanded. “How is it that you’re having a punishment and your Prophet has not been invited?”
FIFTY
SEV
Sev opened his eyes, which had been squeezed shut as he did his best to absorb the brutal blows. He didn’t think anything was broken, but he was definitely going to have some bruises and possibly some scars when this fucking punishment was over.
His back stung like fire but he was glad he had taken the beating. The thought of Mia being subjected to this pain and humiliation was too awful to bear—and it would have been more than he could stand if he’d had to watch it. The Rage would have overtaken him for sure if he saw the woman he loved being caned and he probably would have gotten them both killed. No—it was far better to let himself be beaten than to have to watch it happen to Mia, he thought.
The new voice in the antechamber surprised him and he twisted his head around to see The Prophet, wearing his gold-trimmed white robe and a gleaming smile, striding down the aisle towards them. He also had the glowing jewel around his neck, Sev saw—it glimmered and sparkled and seemed to defy any attempt to look directly at it.
“Who are these fine people?” he asked, as though he was meeting Sev and Mia at a fucking company picnic instead of walking in on a brutal caning. “They must be new recruits!”
“Yes they are, my Prophet, but I am afraid they are having difficulties following our ways.” The deep-voiced Elder spoke respectfully and all of them bowed deeply to The Prophet as he mounted the stage.
“Well, there are always going to be a few hiccups along the road to perfection,” The Prophet said easily. “Are they a married pair? A husband and wife?” he asked, looking back and forth between Sev and Mia, who was standing at the end of the stage with wide eyes.
“Yes, they are my Prophet.” The deep-voiced Elder cleared his throat. “This is Brother Severith and Sister Mia,” he added, introducing them with odd formality, given the circumstances.
“You’ll forgive me for not offering my arm for a warrior’s clasp,” Sev growled dryly, still twisting his head around to see The Prophet. “I’m a little tied up right now—or should I say manacled.”
“So I see. Elders, release this man at once!” The Prophet snapped his fingers and two of the robed and hooded Elders hastened to obey.
“But my Prophet, the woman of the pair was caught red handed in the middle of Orgasm Theft!” the deep-voiced Elder exclaimed. “This punishment was richly deserved!”
“I’m certain it was and I’d like to have that footage sent to my private quarters at once,” The Prophet said. “But for now, I’d like to get to know our new friends better and offer them a Binding Ceremony. After all, how can they follow our ways until they are properly Bound together?”
“A Binding Ceremony!” The deep-voiced Elder sounded aghast. “But my Prophet, they have not earned that yet! We have been watching them day and night—they aren’t even close to being worthy.”
“Worthy or not, I want them both in my Inner Chambers now.” The Prophet spoke firmly and the Elders jumped to obey.
In no time Sev found himself unchained from the post. His back still burning and aching from the beating, he went to put a protective arm around Mia, but she made no move to reciprocate the gesture. Looking down, Sev realized she was mesmerized by the damn sparkly gem around The Prophet’s neck.
Cursing under his breath, he put one hand over her eyes and waited until she drew in a quick, surprised breath.
“What? What’s happening?” Sev could feel her eyelashes flutter against his palm as she blinked rapidly.
“Fucking Prophet had you hypnotized,” he growled softly. “We’ve been invited back to his ‘private chambers’ so just keep your eyes closed and I’ll lead you.”
“Ah, I see the two of you are ready to go,” The Prophet exclaimed, turning his blinding smile on them—luckily, Mia couldn’t see it this time as she had her eyes tightly shut. “Do come with me—we’ll have the Binding Ceremony right now,” he added and led the way down off the stage and towards the exit.
Warily, Sev followed him, keeping an arm firmly around Mia’s shoulders. Behind him came the Elders with blasters pointed at their backs. It seemed they were going to have a visit with The Prophet.
This should be fucking interesting, Sev thought.
He had no idea how right he was.
FIFTY-ONE
SEV
At the very back of the cathedral-like space was a small door, hidden behind a large urn of fresh picked flowers. There was a scanning mechanism like the one that led out to the tunnel which went to the Docking Cave, Sev saw. The prophet pressed his hand to a panel and leaned forwards to allow an ocular scope to scan his right eye. After a moment there was a soft beep and the door popped open.