Ruler's Concubine (9 page)

Not liking the turn of the conversation, Lysett forced himself to display approval and acceptance. “That is good news. Good luck and good hunting, Liasion.”

He closed the connection before anything further was exchanged and scrubbed a hand across his face. He was happy for his friend, but that didn’t translate into anything similar for him. Duty. That was his watchword.

Chapter Five

It had been nearly two weeks and she was bored. Bored with her own company, bored with the continual “training”, and annoyed that she had yet to even lay eyes on the Ruler. For someone who wanted a concubine in order to assist in repopulating his kingdom or whatever it was, he sure was missing in action. Other matches had a head start on him and were going to show him up. Celeste nearly laughed at how transparent her feelings were, even to herself. She was actually anticipating her debut as head broodmare. Maybe Bast and his training wasn’t so boring after all. Except, she could admit, if only to herself, it was the pictures of the incredibly handsome and virile Lysett and the tales of his exploits that piqued her interest. If he was even real!

She hadn’t been allowed outside, except for the garden area but once, and she hadn’t been granted any contact with Shirley or Belinda, or any of the others, either. She accepted the need to stay close to home. Bast had told her about a few attempts to approach human females and she doubted it was about merely
approaching
them. That sounded too civilized. But he assured her none had been harmed, and increasing numbers had been potentially matched.

While she was glad everyone was safe, she knew they had at least met the males who chose them to be their concubines. The highlight was the news that Shirley had been chosen by the Commander, something she knew Bast had orchestrated. She suspected warriors wouldn’t be given first choice, at least not until all the males in the political Houses received their opportunity. Politics were likely the same the universe over. Belinda had apparently been offered for, by someone high ranking, and she hoped the other woman’s cynicism didn’t mar the match.

It would be wonderful when the Ruler got the danger sorted, as Bast insisted was happening, and she could leave the house, though. Not that it wasn’t beautiful, and everyone treated her very well, but she needed to be outside and exploring. Celeste felt her palms itch at the thought of working in the soil and nurturing plants and was glad she could soon indulge in the garden. The farming was done by automated means, although some Meridians tended their own gardens and flowers, and Bast agreed that even a Ruler’s concubine could do so—once her studies were complete.

There was still so much to learn. Like the fact the planet teemed with wildlife, yet flesh wasn’t consumed here. Some of the other women had groaned at that news and weren’t reassured that the food provided would be sufficient enough to make up for the lack. She smiled when she thought of how that reassurance hadn’t been misplaced. No wonder these people looked so healthy and were so long lived. Their planet was well, their sustenance contained no chemicals and was both nourishing and healthful. Some of it tasted close enough to meat that even the biggest complainers were silenced. Not that she’d had any opportunity to socialize. At this rate, she’d be attending baby celebrations before she
met
her match. Did they have baby showers here like long ago on Earth?

“My lady?” Bast interrupted her musings. “We have further discussion today.”

With a sigh, she took her seat across from him and answered his questions. Yes, she understood the various Houses of Meridia held varying political beliefs but followed the House that ruled. Yes, she had educated herself on the workings and stance of the present House, and obligingly trotted out her knowledge for him.

The House she would be marrying into—well, not exactly marrying, but becoming a part of—was the House of Daboort, headed up by Lysett. She recited the number of followers and the names of the key members of the upper caste including his parents—who she hoped would like her if she ever got to meet them—but her thoughts kept returning to the Ruler. Her future… What
did
she call the father of her prospective child?

“What do I call him?”

“Who? The Ruler?” Bast blinked his green eyes with those vertical pupils and raised his eyebrows at her. “Sire. Ruler. Master. Any of those will do.”

“Not Lysett?”

Her teacher’s face clouded for a moment before he forced a smile. He avoided her gaze and Celeste’s belly fluttered, and not in a good way. While the information she’d been expected to learn and retain had been lengthy and detailed, she’d always been a quick study and thus far had easily satisfied Bast. He was strict, yet kind in his dealings with her, and she thought a friendship was developing. Celeste had accepted the male’s explanation that she required additional tutoring and time because of who she’d been chosen for, and today had been the only time she’d questioned it. Maybe she wasn’t good enough—

“My lady. Please forgive me. This is a delicate matter and new to all of us. I want you well prepared for this joining and confess I hadn’t thought past the educative part.”

To the “down and dirty” part, Celeste surmised and felt her cheeks heat. She would have to call this Lysett either Sir or Ruler, if she called him anything at all, until, if, she was invited to be more familiar. She took pity on Bast, shoving aside a silly sense of hurt and rejection. She hadn’t even met the Ruler yet, after all, and she had to accept the social mores here. “From the readings and graphics you provided and we what had on the ship, we are not different anatomically when it comes to … uh, procreating, Bast. And I won’t embarrass you by being too familiar with him.”

Again, he avoided looking her way. Finally, he spoke, “You are a cherished, essential part of Meridia now, Lady Celeste. This is not to say there won’t be some difficulties—”

She cut him off, sensing she really didn’t want to hear what he had to share. No sense in adding to her trepidation. “There always are bumps in the road, Bast. Of any relationship. My parents married for love and there were still difficulties.”

“Ah, then you understand. That this isn’t … typical, and my Master isn’t typical either, but he is a good ruler and dedicated to his people.”

So dedicated he yanked a number of Earth’s last fertile—and willing—females to save his people from extinction.
It was a sobering thought and one she’d shied away from considering so succinctly. “You’ve had nothing but good things to say about him.”

Bast laughed, but it sounded hollow to her ears. “I likely sound as a merchant selling something in the market. But know how important you are, my lady. I can’t emphasize that enough.”

He was protesting too much, and if anything, it sparked additional dread. “So when do I meet the Ruler?” It was time to move things along, what with all the information she’d stuffed in her head.

“I will arrange the joining for tomorrow. The healer—medico—has advised you will be at your most fertile for the next few days.”

Celeste couldn’t swallow, her tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth. Now the time had come, she wished she hadn’t believed she was bored.
Be careful what you wish for…
She willed her vocal chords into action. “Like
immediate
joining? I don’t meet him first, get to know him personally—and him, me—first? Spend a little time together, before we…”

Bast shook his head. “This is the way of it, my lady, under the contract and by royal decree. Unless you refuse?”

Wow. The air felt thin and difficult to take in although her lungs labored. She should have asked for a visit with at least one woman who’d taken the final step and become a concubine. She should have gone off her nut and been returned home. She should have asked more questions. She should refuse. But she found she couldn’t… Blame it on curiosity or maybe plain old stubbornness. Or the fact she should have known better to expect anything special. To refuse now and return to the dorm, start all over again, well, she’d never been a quitter.

Staring at Bast, who had now fixed his gaze on her, brow creased with worry, she twitched her mouth into a semblance of a smile. It was like jumping into the pond behind her house in the spring, when she craved an all over bath, despite the frigid water. Best to get it over with. “Tell me what to expect.”

****

This isn't happening
.
This is not happening.
If she kept repeating those words then surely it would be true and she’d miraculously wake up from this erotic nightmare and in her own bed. Except it wasn't a nightmare and she most certainly wasn’t in her assigned bed—or even on her own planet. Although her imagination was fertile—and she’d seen pictures of him—it was unlikely to manifest the enormously good looks and incredible physique of the alien male who was stripping right before her very eyes. Yes, stripping. Removing all of his clothes, not five feet from where she lay on a bed constructed of some otherworldly material that both cushioned and restrained her. Had it only been yesterday when Bast told her today would be the day? No wonder she hadn’t slept well, thinking about this. And why did this Ruler look even better in person?

Once he’d overcome his reticence to speak so frankly with her, Bast had prepared her with stories of his Master’s need, of his sexual prowess and all the pleasures he would bestow, not to mention that cup of elixir she’d swallowed down.

Being assured it was the planet’s best aphrodisiac had her quaffing the liquid as though it were a life saver. Its effects were marked almost immediately as she cataloged an increase in her body temperature and a definite aching in her private parts with embarrassingly obvious lubrication accompanying the throbbing. Even her breasts had ached, the nipples tightening and beading in reaction to the potion.

But the effect had worn off because Lysett had been detained for a considerable period. The delay had given her too much time to reflect on her decision and the strange glowing feelings throughout her body had diminished—until he walked through the door. His good looks stole her breath, and when he began to take his clothes off, she wanted to do shocking, sexual things with him. The emotional and physical swings made her stomach lurch.

Her uninfluenced sexual-self recognized the potency of such a male, and to say she wasn’t naturally aroused would be untrue. Her body acknowledged a male suited to her, awash with chemistry and basic animal instinct. It was simply the circumstances that brought her here, and the stark implications of the contract that spoiled their first interaction. Why hadn’t he deviated from so-called royal tradition and spent some time with her beforehand? Surely Bast had relayed that even an initial chat would be optimum.

Celeste’s heart rate doubled, then tripled, when Lysett’s erection sprang forth as his lower garments were yanked down, and dark spots swam in her vision. That part of him was a duskier gold than the rest of his burnished skin, and freaking 
huge
.

     “Shhh, Lady.” Bast’s caramel tones spoke soothingly in her right ear, and one of his hands tentatively patted her shoulder. She’d very nearly forgotten he was still in the room with her—with her and his Master, although he had handled the process clinically and indicated he would leave before… “You are prepared for this union, as we discussed. It will be over before you know it, and if you get with offspring this first time, there will be no need for further joinings. Unless you wish them. And to beget other children.”

Well, didn’t that make her feel
special
? No pressure either. Merely a vessel out here in space, far away from home, to be used. She blinked away the tears that welled in reaction. Where was her voice? She could still say no…

The Ruler paused in his approach to the bed and glared at Bast after he spoke, though that look encompassed her as well. Celeste had never felt so naked—or so vulnerable. She knew what was supposed to happen. She thought she was ready. Not. And to think she’d scoffed at the wait, chuckled about others procreating before this man. No one would dare. Shocking need warred with apprehension.

“You assured me she was prepared, Bast.” Lysett’s perfect features set in angry lines and those remarkable green eyes now appeared as cold and frozen as that small pond at her home place in the winter months. She tried to use the memory of Earth to distract her, and it caused a homesick shudder to take over her entire body, the gentle clasp of the bed’s fabric undulating to keep her in place.

Lysett’s attention snapped fully to her in an instant, his orbs now glowing with green fire as the vertical slash of his pupils elongated. His gaze raked her body, lingering on her breasts and the apex of her thighs. Despite her limited experience with men, let alone alien men, Celeste recognized lust and desire and her body responded. Or maybe it was apprehension.

“She is prepared, Master. I do assure you. It is merely that a period of time has passed since we expected you to attend her, and it is no surprise that your concubine is experiencing a trifle of anxiety.”

Even with the translator chip, Bast’s wording felt off to her, and she decided to add her own voice. 
This 
was going to happen, this
attending
to her, no matter how she second-guessed her decision, and she believed Bast when he promised she’d be safe here. Having sex—joining—with his Master until she conceived was something she could do. Women did it all the time, had done it over the eons. It wasn’t like she was being forced or anything. And she wasn’t a prostitute, although that profession got a bad rap as far as she was concerned when one considered women had to survive somehow.

She was, according to the contract, a revered commodity, a virgin concubine—who wasn’t going to be a virgin much longer—a concubine who would bear a child for the alien ruler, right? And if the baby was female, she too would be cherished and Lysett would try again to beget a son. And again… All of Bast’s teachings slipped through her brain with lightning speed. Celeste shivered and quit thinking about all those possibilities and focused on what she’d been promised.