Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“That sounds interesting,” she said carefully. “What’s the, er, compensation like?”
“Oh, it’s more than generous, I assure you! And your male-wife would only have to produce a couple of times since we would be doing a limited time offer with his seed.”
“I see.” Andi nodded. “Out of curiosity, do you have any other Kindred ‘producers’ there?” she asked.
“Actually, yes. We have one big fellow—even bigger than your male-wife, if you can believe it. I think he has some Giant Kindred blood in him. Anyhow, he’s become our prize milker—he produces so much. And of course, with his genetic background, his seed is always in demand.
“We had difficulty selling it at first because women had some trouble conceiving with Kindred seed. But then we learned the secret—a woman using Kindred seed must be pleasured as she is inseminated. And now it’s the most popular seed we sell!”
Bingo! Andi knew for certain now that the elusive milking farm was where Commander Kier was being held. Now she and Thrax just had to get to it and rescue him.
“How interesting,” she said with studied casualness. “Well, I might see my way clear to offering my male-wife’s seed if the price is right. But I’d like to see the facility first before I make up my mind.”
“Oh, of course. We’d be happy to give you a tour.” Queen Pantyitch nodded graciously.
“Wonderful! Then just give me the coordinates and I’ll fly there as soon as possible,” Andi told her.
But the other woman frowned and shook her head.
“Oh no—I couldn’t possibly do that. The location of the milking farm is secret. You see, we’ve had so much trouble with industrial espionage—other conception centers trying to steal our stock—it’s just ridiculous. Why, we had to move from the Southern Continent to the Northern Continent just to find peace!”
Andi remembered that Commander Sylvan had thought the milking farm was on the Southern Continent of Salacious Delta—possibly the information he’d received was old.
“All right,” she said. “But if you won’t give me the coordinates, how am I supposed to get there?”
“Oh, you can ride with me, my dear. I’m going up there tonight and I’ll bring you with me. You can tour the facility and spend the night. If you decide to sell us your male-wife’s seed, we’ll milk him several times and then I’ll bring you back to your ship the next day. What do you say?”
Andi frowned. What could she say? On one hand, she didn’t want to offer Thrax to be “milked” which didn’t sound like a very pleasant procedure at all. On the other hand, this might be their only opportunity to find the hidden location of the milking farm and rescue Commander Kier.
Of course, Commander Sylvan had told them to let him handle the matter diplomatically, but it seemed obvious to Andi that no amount of diplomacy was going to convince Queen Pantyitch to give up her prize “stud.”
Still, she hesitated. She couldn’t consult Thrax—not even silently because Queen Pantyitch would see her making eye contact and wonder why she was looking at her male-wife when she ought to be making the decision all by herself. What should she do?
“All right,” she said at last, nodding. After all, she could always back out at the last minute if Thrax objected. “We’ll come with you to tour the facility. But my male-wife doesn’t have to contribute if I don’t want him to—correct?”
“Certainly—it’s completely up to you,” Queen Pantyitch assured her. “Well then—shall we go?”
“What—right now?” Andi asked, surprised. She’d been expecting to be able to get some free time to talk to Thrax before she actually committed them completely. But it didn’t look like she was going to get it.
“Yes, I’m finished here. It’s time I was back at the milking farm,” the other woman said briskly. “I’m supposed to meet my business partner there tonight—we have matters to discuss.”
“Your business partner? Who is she?” Andi asked.
“Oh, you wouldn’t know her. And besides, she prefers if I don’t spread her name around. She’s what you might call a silent partner.” Queen Pantyitch waved a hand dismissively. “Now come—I’m in a hurry.” She was already rising and beckoning for her male-wife to follow her.
“But…I don’t have anything with me for an overnight stay,” Andi protested. “If you’d just let me go back to my ship for supplies—”
“No need,” Queen Pantyitch cut her off. “I can supply everything you need—both for you and your male-wife. Now, come.”
She was already leaving the room and Andi felt that she had no choice but to follow her. Clearly the head of the Ruling Collective was used to being obeyed.
Andi rose and cast a look over her shoulder at Thrax. Their eyes met and she raised her eyebrows. Should we?
Thrax shrugged, his broad shoulders rolling under the abbreviated leather shirt he wore. Looks like we already are, the gesture said.