Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Ha—very fucking funny,” he said dryly. “I look like a fucking Nubinian Concubine in this outfit.”
“No but you do look like someone…” She looked him up and down speculatively and then snapped her fingers. “I know who you look like! Have you ever seen The Revenge of the Jedi?”
“The revenge of the what?” Braze growled, frowning.
“Never mind—it’s a science fiction movie—a classic. In the first part of it the main female character—Princess Leia—has been captured by this huge slimy alien called Jabba the Hutt. And he makes her dress up in an outfit just like the one you’re wearing. All you need is a gold metal bra and a collar with a long chain attached to it and you’d look just like her. Well, not just like her,” she amended, smiling. “But the bottom half of the costume is the same.”
“Like I said—fucking ridiculous,” Braze growled.
“You’re dressed the same as the other males we’ve seen,” she pointed out. “Look at that guy right there.” She nodded at the male standing quietly in line in front of them beside a lovely petite woman with long black hair and silvery gray skin with purple spots. The male had on the same two panels of fabric but his were green. The color went well with his blue skin tones which were accented with orange stripes.
Most of the Salimbans they’d seen had colorful skin with varying patterns of stripes, spots, or dots. And Kaitlyn was right—they were dressed the same way she and Braze were.
“At least you don’t stand out,” she said, nodding at the male again.
“Yeah…I guess not. I still don’t like it though,” Braze grumbled.
It wasn’t the way the couple in front of them were dressed that interested him, though. What he was watching was their interaction. The male was a good head and shoulders taller than his petite female mate, but he was resting on his knees beside her. He had one long arm looped around her slender waist and he was leaning his head against her side.
The female was carding her fingers through his shaggy hair affectionately. As the two of them waited for their turn at an audience with the Empress, they spoke in low voices.
“Now just remember, keep your head lower than mine while we’re in the Royal presence,” the female was saying. “You must show deference to me in order to show reverence for the Empress.”
“Yes, my cherished one,” the male murmured, rubbing against her like a cat that wanted to be stroked.
“And if you’re very good, I’ll give you a reward,” his mate promised. “I might even let you come—would you like that? How long has it been since I allowed you a release, my sweet?”
“Gods, so long!” the male groaned, pressing against her. “My cock is hard just thinking about it!”
“You have to be very, very good if you want me to stroke it for you and let you come,” his wife warned. “You must impress the Empress with your obedience and do anything I tell you to do.”
“Yes, my cherished one.” He nodded eagerly.
“Good boy. As soon as we’re done here, I’m going to tie you up nice and tight and take my time with you.” She carded her fingers through his hair and leaned down to give him a kiss. The male turned his face up and received the affectionate gesture eagerly, kissing her back with passion.
As he watched the display, Braze felt a complicated knot of emotions forming inside himself. Part of him felt disdain and disgust for the way the other male was groveling at his female’s feet—it wasn’t right to be so openly subservient, he thought—especially not in public where anyone could see.
What if it was private, though—just the two of them? whispered a little voice in his head. How would you feel about him submitting to her then?
Braze didn’t know. But he did know that his shaft was fucking hard now—it was making a tent in the silky maroon fabric. He kept picturing the male tied with his hands above his head or behind his back—helpless while the female touched and teased him and made him fucking crazy with need…
“Oh—there they go,” Kaitlyn whispered, and they watched the couple ahead of them walk through the vast golden double doors that led to the Throne Room. “Let’s be ready—we’re next.”
“Uh, right.” Braze cleared his throat. “Did you, er, hear what they were saying?” he added.
“Yes, I caught some of it. Why?” Kaitlyn gave him an appraising look and Braze wondered exactly how much of the conversation she’d overheard. He’d always thought that humans had weak hearing, but her brown eyes were sharp as she looked up at him.
“Uh, because—I think I’m supposed to keep my head lower than yours when we get to the Empress. So I’ll probably kneel beside you, like that male was doing with his mate.”