Pet's Pleasure (15 page)

“Leave.”

She sketched a quick bow and exited.

Bekion left the bed, followed her to the door and locked it.

Starling sat up, straightening her nightgown as she went. “Now what?”

He returned and sat beside her. “I am lucky those who surround me are loyal to a fault. They protect me no matter what I do.” He caressed her cheek. “Even when what I do is wrong.”

Starling sighed as she leaned back, pulling away from Bekion’s touch. “Different words, different tone, same meaning.”

Bekion let his hand drop. “Yes.”

“I know.” She left the bed. “I know. It’s bestiality.”

“Don’t say that.”

“It is. Everyone in this empire knows it. You know it. All someone has to do is report you and you could lose your crown.”

Bekion smiled at her. “I see you measure Gorov by the laws of your world. In this matter, our justice systems differ. One needs to do more than report a crime for it to be tried. There must be proof. As my pet, you cannot testify.”

“So if Vieve had snapped some pictures and presented those, then you would be in trouble.”

He nodded. “As well, if more than five credible witnesses all report seeing the same thing.”

“Bribery would take care of that.”

“To falsely accuse is to chance suffering the same punishment the accused would have endured. The same is true for those who accuse without proof. Such laws passed generations ago to dissuade people from abusing the laws for their own gain. Many past lords and monarchs lost much because of false accusations.”

“Witch hunts. I know all about those. So, not much finger-pointing happening here. That doesn’t matter. We’ve been lucky. Vieve and Rois are loyal. Can you say the same for everyone else who might barge through that door, locked or not? What’s to keep someone from blackmailing you if they catch us?”

“Blackmail carries twice the sentence as the crime of the one blackmailed. As well, those who witness a crime and do not report it are tried along with the accused as conspirators.”

“But you said they couldn’t testify without proof or four other people to corroborate their story.”

“There is a difference between reporting and accusing.”

“So if I see someone doing something wrong, don’t report it and that person goes to trial and it’s found out that I knew about their wrongdoing and said nothing, then I would be on trial right along with them—if I were a
jattikan
.”

“Yes.”

“Vieve and Rois won’t file the reports.”

“No.”

Starling would have asked another question but a saddened look crossed Bekion’s face. She put her hand on his knee. “What’s wrong? Are you worried Rois and Vieve will file the report?”

“No. I said already they are loyal to me. I think of my father.”

“I haven’t met him.”

“You won’t. He exiled himself shortly after Kuruk’s birth. Supreme Emperor Udo needs my father and the proof he has in his possession before Udo can accuse my mother.”

“Accuse your mother of what?”

“That I cannot say because I do not know. My parents kept their secrets far from me so I could ascend the throne without contest. I have heard rumors and whisperings. Knowing my mother as I do, I believe most of them.”

Starling stepped back, a little overwhelmed. What had started out as a simple conversation about restraint and denial had turned into so much more. “But why does Supreme Emperor Udo need your father? He’s the supreme emperor. He should be absolute.”

“My father once told me the supreme emperor rules only because the monarchs of the empire allow it. The empire wasn’t always known as Gorov. It once carried the name Valneut, now the poorest planet in the empire even after all these centuries. They abused their power. The monarchs rose up with Gorov at the helm and overthrew them. Gorov’s then monarch was declared emperor and the empire’s name changed.”

“What’s that got to do with your mother? Is she planning a revolution?”

“She isn’t that ambitious. However, Tinette is much beloved the empire over. She championed many lost causes and fought against unfair laws. Her actions benefitted several planets of the empire. True, she did so to put those planets in her debt but she did it nonetheless. Udo knows her popularity. If he accuses her without solid proof, his position will weaken.”

“Which is why he wants your father so badly. Haven’t you people ever heard of spousal privilege?”

“No.”

Starling blinked at him in surprise. She’d expected him to say yes. “It’s a law where I’m from that says something like the courts cannot compel a person to testify against their spouse about things shared in confidence.”

“An interesting law but not one we have here. Only pets and slaves carry such immunity.”

“And no one else witnessed any of Tinette’s crimes besides her husband?”

He gave her a rueful smile. “None would be foolish enough or brave enough to speak out against her. Tinette knows a great deal of damaging information about many monarchs and nobles of the empire. She alone is privy to the information though I suspect she has a way of relaying it to my father. The chance that she may speak out against others to lighten her own punishment keeps her accusers at bay.”

“Smart woman.”

“Very.”

Starling met his gaze. “She gave birth to a smart son. One who knows this thing between us cannot happen. Ever.”

Bekion folded her hands in his and brought her close. “It would be easier for me to accomplish such a feat if you found my attentions unappealing. I do not force myself on the unwilling.” He kissed her hands one at a time. “Tell me you don’t want me. That will end it.”

She tried but her lips refused to speak that lie, not even to save them both. Her body craved Bekion’s touch. This longing went far beyond loneliness or sexual frustration.

“I can’t.” She dropped her gaze and freed her hands. Separating from his warmth and denying the promise of more passion took more willpower than she had ever used before.

She shook her head at him as she turned, presenting him her side. “But that doesn’t mean anything, Bekion. I know you pretty well after watching you these past two months. Even if everyone on Panagiota vowed never to tell, you won’t do it. The guilt of breaking the law would eat you alive.”

He laughed but there was no humor in it. “My mother always accused me of being too honest. It is interesting to hear the same insult from you.”

“It’s not an insult.”

He stood and walked toward the bathroom. “Enough of this.”

“You know I’m right.”

He stopped in the doorway with his hand clenching the doorjamb.

She said, “No more sleeping together. No more sitting on your lap. It all needs to end. I’m novel to you. Don’t make a mistake that will ruin your entire life because of curiosity and a whim.”

As much as those words hurt, as much as she had hated hearing them before, she still said them. Bekion was a good man and a fair ruler. The history she had learned showed Panagiota needed a king like Bekion, who was leading them into a golden age.

She refused to be the reason he fell.

Bekion entered the bathroom and closed the door after him without saying a word.

In a way, she took that as his agreement. He’d probably needed to hear it from someone else before he resolved to do the right thing.

Chapter Eleven

“Your Majesty, she is making a mess.” Nakavel, one of Bekion’s many secretaries who worked under Vieve, watched Starling with a disapproving glare.

Starling grumbled under her breath but continued. She had complained of boredom with the translation project but Bekion had no other task for her to do. When she heard he needed some tablets shredded, she volunteered.

Shredding tablets that had outlived their usefulness ensured the data it once housed would never be accessed again. The machine Starling used crumbled the tablets into small bits that got deposited in a wastebin not quite adequate enough to catch all the pieces.

Bekion tried ignoring Nakavel. Unfortunately, ignoring him didn’t make the man go away. Vieve had sent her staff to fill in for her while she organized the research about Ajoki River.

Finding out the river possessed a treasure long buried had surprised Bekion. The secret of the treasure had passed down through generations of Ruset’s family. Somehow Orvey had learned of it.

Vieve now oversaw the planning of the river’s excavation as well as the reconstruction of Ruset’s and Orvey’s properties. Bekion wanted the best heading such an endeavor. The ten people who milled around Bekion reinforced how truly gifted Vieve was.

Nakavel asked in a whining voice, “Is it building a nest?”

Bekion said, “My pretty pet is helping me since no one else saw fit to accomplish this chore before now.” He glanced at Starling and caught the superior expression she threw at the complaining man. Bekion chuckled.

Nakavel moved away. He went about his various tasks but continued glancing toward Starling and making comments under his breath about the mess she made. Bekion finally put down his work and looked at Starling.

She had a sizeable pile of chewed-to-bits tablet pieces around her. The wastebin held the majority. She stopped after every fifth tablet and gathered the wayward bits into a pile she scooped back into the bin. To his eyes, Starling tried, in her own way, to keep the mess to a minimum.

Nakavel heaved an annoyed sigh and grumbled more.

Bekion had had enough. “Starling, stop. You’re finished.”

She looked at the five bins full of tablets behind her and then at Bekion. “No, I’m not.”

He beckoned to her.

“I’m not finished.” She gestured to the mess. “I’ll clean it up. There was no point now since it’ll return as I shred more.”

He agreed with her but stood and walked to her.

“Bekion, please.” Her eyes shone with dejection.

“This is not the duty of a pet. And look at your hands. Furielle won’t like this mess one bit.” He lifted her and settled her on the crook of his arm. “Besides, another has volunteered to take over this chore.”

He watched the secretary as he lifted the bin one-handed and then emptied the contents onto the floor. Bekion used his foot to spread the mess around.

Several people in the room gasped when he tossed the wastebin across the room, spreading the mess even farther.

He pinned Nakavel with a look. “Clean up this mess. When you’re done, you will finish shredding all the tablets here and in the storage room.”

Nakavel ducked his head. “Ye-yes, Your Majesty.”

“Good. The rest of you vacate the room. Leave Nakavel to his duty.”

“I’m not to receive help?” Nakavel watched with wide-eyed horror as everyone left.

Bekion said, “Why would you? Alone, my pretty pet did a fine job. I’m sure your work will be exemplary by comparison.” He exited, happy to be leaving Nakavel. He would talk to Vieve about the man.

He smirked when Starling giggled under her breath. She whispered, “Petty.”

He gave her a squeeze, which made her laugh louder.

She said, “You left your work.”

He shook his head. “I can do it in my chambers. It will be quieter there. I’ll be happy when Vieve returns. She may be a pushy woman but at least she does her job without complaining.”

“It also helps that she likes me. She wouldn’t have complained about the mess I was making.”

“Also true.” He made a thinking noise. “Maybe I should worry about how much she spoils you.”

“She doesn’t spoil me.”

He snorted. “Who gave you three boxes of pebble candy?”

“Vieve.”

“And the bell beads that adorn your hair?”

Starling touched her head, making the beads at the end of her braids tinkle. “Vieve.”

“Who commissioned the table and chairs you use in the main dining hall?”

“Vieve. But that’s because she beat you to it. She probably thought you would request it eventually and decided to get it done before you asked.”

“I enjoyed having you sit on my lap,” he grumbled. The topic strayed to dangerous territory and they had yet to reach the privacy of his bedroom. “It matters not. I have validated my point. You are being spoiled. In my experience, spoiled women cause trouble.”

“I’m not a woman. I’m a pet. Pets are meant to be spoiled. So there.” She stuck her tongue out at him.

Behind him, a few of his guards chuckled under their breath. Bekion joined their amusement and shook his head. “
I
am supposed to spoil you, not my secretary.”

“If it makes you feel better, Vieve always says the presents are from you.”

“She should inform me of the presents before giving them to you.”

“Now who’s whining?” Starling lifted an eyebrow at him when he met her gaze.

He stopped, put Starling on her feet and then walked away.

Starling called after him, “Petty.”

He didn’t acknowledge her. He did smile though. Laughter escaped him when she caught up with the group at his chambers. She had Nausic carrying her. He said, “Spoiled.”

“I’ll admit to mine when you admit to yours.”

Bekion said to Nausic, “Take her to the inner chambers. I need to work without interruption.”

Nausic nodded and walked away.

Starling called back, “It’s my naptime anyway.”

Her childish antics put Bekion in an upbeat mood. When his secretaries arrived, the mood faltered a little. His work continued.

Without Nakavel’s complaining, everyone performed with more efficiency. Bekion would mention that fact to Vieve. He allowed her to manage her staff but she would have to give Bekion a very good reason to keep Nakavel in his employ.

Bekion managed to finish all the tasks laid out for him except one. He picked up the tablet and rose from his seat. Everyone in the outer chamber stopped and looked at him.

He said, “Leave. We’re finished for the day.”

Everyone bowed before filing out of the room. Rois and Nausic alone lingered.

Bekion said to them, “Take a break. I’m going to the inner chamber. I’ll call if I need you.”

Both men bowed and left.

He waited for the door to close and then went to the bedroom. He shut the door and set his cuffs to sleep mode. His gaze traveled to Starling. She lay sprawled on the couch with scarves wrapped around her wrists.

He untied each scarf with slow movements so as not to wake her and then deactivated her cuffs. Lifting her legs, he sat down and situated her feet so they rested on his lap. That small amount of contact soothed him. He leaned back with a contented sigh.

After a moment to relax, he could look at the final tablet without a sense of annoyance. He laid it on his thigh while he rested one arm on the armrest and the other over Starling’s ankles.

Without thinking, he started moving his hand over her body. She shifted and made a small mewing noise. That drew his attention to his motions. With a sly smile, he moved his hand with purpose and passed it over her breasts.

Starling shifted.

Bekion trailed his fingertips around the small bud that had appeared under the fabric of Starling’s clothing.

She shifted again, moving toward his hand. A soft moan escaped her lips.

As invitations went, he liked the way hers sounded. He unbuttoned her dress enough to slip his hand underneath and caressed her bare skin. The contact made her startled. Her eyes snapped open.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked in a soft voice. He didn’t stop the movements of his fingers and noticed Starling relaxing once more.

“Yes, I did. I was having the most interesting dream.” She looked down at his hand. “Now I see why. What are you doing?”

He hefted the tablet. “An export-import report. They always bore me. However, I’ve found a way to aid my concentration.” He tweaked her nipple and then moved his hand to her other breast.

“You know that’s not what I was asking.”

“Oh, this?” He wiggled his fingers.

Starling’s breathing quickened and she bowed her back a little, pressing her breast into his hand.

“I had the sudden urge to pet you in hopes that some of your relaxation would flow into me. That is what pets are for, isn’t it?”

“This isn’t petting.” She pushed at his hand. “It’s also not allowed. We talked about this, Bekion.”

“You’re right.”

She breathed a sigh. She sounded so relieved.

“That isn’t petting.” He moved his hand down her chest to her belly and back. “This is.” When he moved his hand down again, he unfastened more of the buttons that ran the length of her dress, bearing her body to her upper thighs. With slow motions, he stroked from the tops of her legs to her bellybutton.

Starling squeezed her thighs together. At the same time, she twisted to the side, ready to jump off the couch.

Bekion pressed against her stomach, holding her in place.

She shifted and squirmed, trying to dislodge him. “We talked about this. Stop.”

“I am petting you. You cannot expect me to own a pet I cannot touch.”

“That’s not what you’re doing and you know it.”

He leaned over her. “And what am I doing, pretty pet?”

She shivered when he smoothed his hand up her body and cupped one of her breasts. He moved a single finger back and forth over her nipple. He wanted to take it into his mouth. His tongue remembered how soft and responsive that little bud could be.

“Bekion, please,” Starling whispered in a breathy voice.

“I plan to please you right now.” He set aside the tablet and gave her his full attention, staring down at her with a hungry gaze.

No other woman’s beauty could compare to Starling’s. Bekion continued indulging in the occasional maid as a measure to ease his lust. Those empty releases kept him from taking Starling to his bed to satisfy his need for her.

After twelve days of such measures, he knew a simple truth. Those encounters didn’t alleviate his need to touch Starling.

He drew his hand down her body and reveled in the feel of her skin. Bending over her, he inhaled her sweet scent. It was a mix of earth and sweetness that only Starling could produce. Her fragrance intoxicated his senses whenever he smelled it.

He grinned when Starling tensed, holding her breath. He moved his hand past her bellybutton. Her rapid breathing indicated she wanted him to continue. She’d stopped denying him.

He said, “I wonder.”

“What?”

“Do humans purr?” He ran his fingers over the curls that hid Starling’s most intimate treasure.

Starling met his gaze as she lifted one knee and shifted her legs open.

Bekion slipped his hand lower and delved one finger deep into her liquid heat. Her inner muscles clenched around the intrusion as he pumped his finger inside her.

A smirk curved his lips when Starling did actually start purring. She rolled her hips against his hand and pushed upward. Her body begged for more.

“It seems humans do purr, after all.” He removed his finger and eased his hand back up her body to tease her nipples once more.

“That’s it?”

He chuckled. “Now, now, my pretty pet. We can’t—”

A chime sounded seconds before the bedroom door opened, interrupting his words.

“This is King Bekion’s private…” Furielle stumbled to a halt and stared at Bekion. Behind her, an unknown maid gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.

Furielle stumbled out quickly, “For-forgive my intrusion, My King. I didn’t realize you were here. We will leave.”

“Hold, Furielle.” Bekion didn’t act guilty or stop his motions. He did, however, lengthen his strokes so it looked as though he was petting Starling. For her part, Starling stayed relaxed and didn’t act embarrassed. He met Furielle’s gaze. “Come here and feel this.”

Furielle hesitated the span of a breath before she moved to his side. He motioned to Starling’s bare stomach. Furielle looked at him then Starling. She touched Starling’s stomach briefly and pulled away.

“Furielle, I doubt Starling will bite you.” Bekion crossed his arms and watched the woman, her nervousness easy to see.

She touched Starling’s stomach once more, rubbing for a bit before she pulled away.

Bekion remained silent and waited.

Furielle pressed her hands together in agitation and then frowned down at them. She sniffed her fingers then looked at him. “This is the scent of the moisturizing oil Starling uses after her bath.”