bargain—her fate hadn’t been improved by her rash decision to flee her ordered but restrictive life on Arturia. She’d entered bedlam.
With one foot poised on the steps, she peered out onto the wide grassy plain. Passengers were surrounded by laughing women and men—many of whom swept the women off their feet to spin wildly in circles or kiss them passionately.
“Do they know each other?” Fahgwat asked. “I understood they had not yet chosen mates.”
“They’re sure getting to know them now,” Mary said, with a wry note in her voice.
One woman squealed when a man grabbed her bottom and squeezed.
Fahgwat drew back further into the doorway. “I’m not sure I want to make their acquaintance!”
“Too late to change your mind.” Mary laughed when she looked at Fahgwat’s face. “I didn’t mean that. Honest. This whole place is about freedom. If you don’t like it here, you’re free to leave. I promise.”
Fahgwat released her pent up breath. “Do I appear such a coward?” She was frightened and hated that her fear was so apparent. Despised how fast her heart beat and how her hands shook. She’d felt every bit as terrified when she’d faced Mogi’s auction block.
Mary smoothed Fahgwat’s hair from her face with gentle fingers. “Not a coward, just…young and innocent. Look, I won’t let anyone treat you wrong here. You helped save my friend—that makes you my friend.”
Fahgwat’s relief at not being abandoned so soon embarrassed her. She summoned up a smile. “Then I shall not cower. But are they always this…boisterous?”
“Tell you what,” Mary said with a wink, “one of them tries to squeeze your ass, and I’ll see they draw back a nub.”
Fahgwat’s smile broadened. Mary was built like a warrior with broad shoulders and arms that rippled with well-developed muscles. “I think you could do it, too.”
“Damn straight. ‘Sides, Cantor will make sure no one bothers you. Now, let’s go find that ornery man.”
Mary grabbed her hand, tugging her down the steps and into the midst of the noisy crowd. Even with all the commotion surrounding her, Fahgwat noted distinct differences between this new world and her home.
For one, the faint smell of fish was carried on the breeze—not too strong, but rather tangy and refreshing. The air itself was moist and heavy—so different from the arid climate of Arturia. Green grass, soft as any carpet, stretched as far as she could see, and no one seemed to care that their shoes crushed the tender blades. Indeed, no one seemed to have a care at all, so loud was their laughter.
In the center of all the noise and mayhem, she spied a glint of something golden. Mary pulled her toward it. The glint proved to be long, golden locks of hair on the head of a tall man. When the crowd parted, Fahgwat saw the massively built man pull back his fist and swing at another. His blond hair fanned out around broad shoulders. Her gaze followed the movement in fascination and drifted downward. The white fabric of his shirt pulled tautly around his narrow waist and his black breeches hugged the curve of his masculine backside and thickly muscled thighs.
As she watched, the man’s features formed a dark scowl that inexplicably excited her. He fisted his hands upon his hips, widening the gap at the top of his shirt. His bare skin gleamed with sweat.
Now, Fahgwat comprehended the moist desire she’d listened to throughout her journey. The slick, wet sounds of passion she’d heard had flooded her own body with warmth. Instantly, she understood them better because desire oozed from inside her woman’s flesh to smear along her inner thighs.
Fahgwat, who had been trained for servitude to men, now wondered if she could enslave one man.
Chapter Three
Cantor reached down to haul Darak to his feet. “Sorry about that, mate.”
His friend brushed off the seat of his breeches and gave him a crooked smile. “And here I was thinking you’d pulled the long
With one foot poised on the steps, she peered out onto the wide grassy plain. Passengers were surrounded by laughing women and men—many of whom swept the women off their feet to spin wildly in circles or kiss them passionately.
“Do they know each other?” Fahgwat asked. “I understood they had not yet chosen mates.”
“They’re sure getting to know them now,” Mary said, with a wry note in her voice.
One woman squealed when a man grabbed her bottom and squeezed.
Fahgwat drew back further into the doorway. “I’m not sure I want to make their acquaintance!”
“Too late to change your mind.” Mary laughed when she looked at Fahgwat’s face. “I didn’t mean that. Honest. This whole place is about freedom. If you don’t like it here, you’re free to leave. I promise.”
Fahgwat released her pent up breath. “Do I appear such a coward?” She was frightened and hated that her fear was so apparent. Despised how fast her heart beat and how her hands shook. She’d felt every bit as terrified when she’d faced Mogi’s auction block.
Mary smoothed Fahgwat’s hair from her face with gentle fingers. “Not a coward, just…young and innocent. Look, I won’t let anyone treat you wrong here. You helped save my friend—that makes you my friend.”
Fahgwat’s relief at not being abandoned so soon embarrassed her. She summoned up a smile. “Then I shall not cower. But are they always this…boisterous?”
“Tell you what,” Mary said with a wink, “one of them tries to squeeze your ass, and I’ll see they draw back a nub.”
Fahgwat’s smile broadened. Mary was built like a warrior with broad shoulders and arms that rippled with well-developed muscles. “I think you could do it, too.”
“Damn straight. ‘Sides, Cantor will make sure no one bothers you. Now, let’s go find that ornery man.”
Mary grabbed her hand, tugging her down the steps and into the midst of the noisy crowd. Even with all the commotion surrounding her, Fahgwat noted distinct differences between this new world and her home.
For one, the faint smell of fish was carried on the breeze—not too strong, but rather tangy and refreshing. The air itself was moist and heavy—so different from the arid climate of Arturia. Green grass, soft as any carpet, stretched as far as she could see, and no one seemed to care that their shoes crushed the tender blades. Indeed, no one seemed to have a care at all, so loud was their laughter.
In the center of all the noise and mayhem, she spied a glint of something golden. Mary pulled her toward it. The glint proved to be long, golden locks of hair on the head of a tall man. When the crowd parted, Fahgwat saw the massively built man pull back his fist and swing at another. His blond hair fanned out around broad shoulders. Her gaze followed the movement in fascination and drifted downward. The white fabric of his shirt pulled tautly around his narrow waist and his black breeches hugged the curve of his masculine backside and thickly muscled thighs.
As she watched, the man’s features formed a dark scowl that inexplicably excited her. He fisted his hands upon his hips, widening the gap at the top of his shirt. His bare skin gleamed with sweat.
Now, Fahgwat comprehended the moist desire she’d listened to throughout her journey. The slick, wet sounds of passion she’d heard had flooded her own body with warmth. Instantly, she understood them better because desire oozed from inside her woman’s flesh to smear along her inner thighs.
Fahgwat, who had been trained for servitude to men, now wondered if she could enslave one man.
Chapter Three
Cantor reached down to haul Darak to his feet. “Sorry about that, mate.”
His friend brushed off the seat of his breeches and gave him a crooked smile. “And here I was thinking you’d pulled the long
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