“Oh!” Trin tried to pull away. “You don’t have to do that!”
Thrace almost said he wanted to do it—that he wanted to touch her any way he could, which was true. But then he thought better of it.
“Yes, I do,” he said, continuing the foot rub despite her protest. “I have to be the perfect devoted slave, hopelessly enamored of his mistress here. This is part of it.”
“But you don’t have to keep it up while we’re in our private rooms,” Trin protested. She still seemed uneasy about letting him touch her this way, even though he’d held her in his arms most of last night. It occurred to Thrace that she was a very self sufficient female and one who had never really had much intimate physical contact with another person—especially not a male. So getting her used to his touch would take some work on his part.
That was all right—he was willing to put in the effort.
“And how private do you think this room is?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
“Well the doors are closed and there are shades over all the windows,” she said, indicating the tall, floor to ceiling drapes which were outlined by weak grayish light around the edges.
“But how do you know there aren’t cameras or vid equipment trained on us right now?” Thrace asked. “Think about it, Trin, Lady Malroth told us that lady Tam-tam is a voyeur. And what about the way she was urging us to explore each other in bed?”
Trin’s cheeks flushed. “That was kind of weird,” she admitted. “You think she might be…watching us?”
“Maybe. What do you think these are?” Thrace indicated four tiny black dots, one at the middle of each bedpost. They were positioned to give a perfect view of whoever was lying there—if they were what he suspected.
“Oh!” Trin looked at them. “Hidden vidcams? Do you think they’re wired for sound?”
Thrace frowned. “I doubt it. The acoustics in this room would be terrible for it. High ceilings, too many echoes. If they wanted sound, they would have put us in a much smaller, more insulated room. No, if I had to bet I’d guess that Lady Tam-tam just likes to watch.”
“You really think so?” Trin asked, wide-eyed.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. I’ll try to find out tonight.” Thrace finished her right foot and reached for the left. He was pleased when she didn’t try to pull away this time. “I’m going to go out while you’re getting dressed and talk to some of the other slaves. Need to get some insight on how we’re supposed to behave here.”
“You’re right—we need to know the exact rules of etiquette for the grand reception tonight,” Trin said thoughtfully. “We don’t want to offend anyone and I have to admit…” She sighed. “I have no idea how to behave toward you. Am I still supposed to treat you as a slave, or are you my equal?”
“Since they’re doing a whole night devoted to the ‘beauty of male submission’ I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to act as your equal,” Thrace said dryly. “But I don’t think you’re supposed to abuse me publicly either.”
“Well, that’s good anyway. I never wanted to act like a bitch mistress from the Seven Hells to begin with.” Trin sighed as he pressed his thumbs to the delicate arch of her foot. “Goddess, you’re good at that!”
“Glad you’re enjoying yourself, Mistress.” Thrace grinned at her. “Just your devoted slave here, doing everything I can to give you pleasure.”
“Very funny.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “You were very convincing back there with Lady Tam-tam you know—telling her how you, uh, fell in love with me when I bought you.” She cleared her throat and his cheeks got flushed again. “You had her completely fooled.”
“I wasn’t trying to fool her—I was telling the truth,” Thrace pointed out. “About the way you bought and rescued me, I mean.” He grinned at Trin. “Of course, you’ll notice I didn’t mention anything about the way you kept me chained to my bed for the next several days.”
“Or the way you tried to choke the life out of me,” Trin reminded him but a little smile was playing around the corners of her mouth. “Or the way you rescued me from B’Rugh and a fate worse than death. Ugh.” She shivered.
“Well, she doesn’t need to know everything,” Thrace said.
“She especially doesn’t need to know that we’re only together until we do this deal.” Trin spoke casually but her words caused a strange hollow sensation somewhere in the pit of Thrace’s stomach. Which made no sense.
“Of course, the deal,” he muttered, frowning.
“I’m worried about it,” Trin admitted. “I don’t think Lady Malroth was too thrilled that we got her room and Lady Tam-tam’s instant affection. It might ruin everything.”
“I doubt it,” Thrace remarked. “She seems like a shrewd businesswoman and you’re offering good quality crystals for a very fair price. She’ll still want the deal. Get her alone after the reception tonight and talk to her then.”
“All right, I will. And I hope you’re right.” Trin looked at him. “I know you hope so, too. Even though I’m not required to treat you like dirt, this can’t be easy for you—being my slave and having to act like you’re madly in love with me. I mean it’s just…silly.” She coughed.
“Uh-huh. Ridiculous,” Thrace said softly, though he didn’t know who he was trying to convince—her or himself. “Anyway, we’ll be out of here soon. Until then, let’s just play our parts. And let me find out how we’re supposed to behave.” He let her small foot slip from his hands and stood up. “Wish me luck, Mistress—I’m going on a fact finding mission. Or, if anyone asks, I’m searching for some calming mint oil to rub into your temples because you feel a headache coming on.”
Trin smiled. “You’re too much, Thrace. Okay, be careful. I think I might just lay down here for a little while and take a nap.” She yawned. “I don’t know why but I’m so sleepy.”
“Aftereffects of the passion berries,” Thrace told her. “It’s all out of your system but it still leaves you feeling drained. Sleep while you can, I’ll come back in time to wake you for the reception.”
“Okay…” Her eyes were already closing and her long, black hair was spread over the blue and gold embroidered pillow. The thin lace panels covering her breasts and sex showed her warm brown curves and her beautiful face was tranquil and serene.
Thrace couldn’t help thinking what a lovely sight she made lying in the center of the sleeping platform like a princess out of an old story. On impulse, he took her hand in his and bent to place a soft kiss in her palm.
“Oh!” Trin opened her eyes and looked at him uncertainly.
“Sleep well, Mistress,” he murmured. Then, reluctantly, he let her go and left.
Chapter Sixteen
“Wake up, baby. Time to get moving.”
The deep voice in her ear was familiar. But who could be calling her ‘baby’? Everyone she knew called her by her surname, as was the custom on Zetta Prime. Well, except for her mother who called her by her first name, Lonnara. So who…
Thrace. It’s Thrace, a little voice in her head whispered. Sure enough, when she opened her eyes, he was sitting beside her on the bed holding a turquoise lace and Neptharian silk gown in his hands.
“What’s that?” Trin asked groggily. Goddess, she felt like she’d been sleeping for a hundred cycles and her head throbbed like a rotten tooth.
“Your outfit for tonight. I just resized it. Sit up and put it on—the reception is in fifteen minutes.”
“That soon?” Trin sat up in a sudden panic but the motion caused a spike of pain to pierce her brain. “Goddess of Judgment, my head.” She put a hand to her forehead and winced.
“Here. Hold still.” Large warm fingers were suddenly at her temples, rubbing something cool and soothing into her throbbing flesh.
“What’s that?” Trin muttered.
“Calming mint oil of course. Told you I was going to get some. Breathe it in—it’ll help.”