“Oh—it’s lovely,” Trin exclaimed, honestly impressed. “But it looks so expensive! What are those gems?”
“Lathian sapphires.” Lady Tam-tam beamed. “They look more expensive than they are though—don’t worry about it. Consider them my gift to you.”
“Thank you.” Trin turned to Thrace. “Let’s get rid of that pain collar, shall we?”
“With greatest pleasure, Mistress,” he rumbled, sinking to his knees before her so that Trin could reach the fastening to the black and silver pain collar.
She took it off, reflecting that just a few days ago it was the only thing that had persuaded her to trust Thrace and his intentions towards her and her crew. But things had changed now. Maybe it was the way they had grown to know and respect each other or maybe it was…something else. But she no longer needed the pain collar to feel safe around him. She felt only relief as she discarded it.
The new gem-studded collar fit Thrace perfectly, emphasizing his strong throat and broad, bare shoulders. Trin took a little longer than she needed to putting it on, enjoying the touch of his warm skin and the way he looked kneeling in front of her. Goddess, she’d never thought much of the male form before but Thrace really was a work of art. Every muscle was sculpted, standing out in bold relief.
Impulsively, she carded her fingers through his hair, caressing him gently in the way she imagined a real mistress would do with a slave she cared for. Or maybe it’s just because you want to touch him, whispered a little voice in her head. But Trin pushed it away—she was just playing a part for Lady Tam-tam, the same way Thrace was.
Thrace looked up at her gentle touch, his eyes blazing.
“Mistress…” he whispered hoarsely.
“Lovely,” Lady Tam-tam said, smiling. “I just knew those Lathian sapphires would bring out his eyes!”
“They really do,” Trin murmured as Thrace held her gaze with his. “They’re…beautiful.” But she wasn’t looking at the stones.
“Not as beautiful as you, Mistress,” Thrace rumbled. Taking both her hands in his, he brought them to his lips and kissed the insides of her wrists, just over the pulse points. “Thank you for trusting me,” he murmured. “Thank you for understanding that you don’t need pain to command me. You own me, body and soul. No pain any collar could inflict on me would be as deep as losing you.”
“Of…of course,” Trin whispered, rather breathlessly. It was hard not to be affected by his words, even though she knew they were only part of his act.
“That’s wonderful.” Lady Tam-tam’s eyes were brimming. “Oh my dear, how lucky you are to hold the heart of such a male. Truly, I envy you. It makes me miss my poor Nales so much! Well…” She took a deep breath. “It’s time we got to the reception.” She looked at Trin more closely and frowned. “Only you can’t go like that. You must open the skirt of your gown—otherwise how can your love-slave make a proper obeisance and show his affection for you?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Lady Tam-tam,” Trin said. Then, having an inspiration she said, “I guess I just thought since your dress is so lovely and modest I could emulate you.”
“That’s very sweet of you, my dear, but I’m only dressed like this because I don’t have the figure to wear the latest fashions anymore.” Lady Tam-tam smiled. “You on the other hand are just perfect! You need to show off your figure. Now go on—open your gown and we’ll go.”
“Nice try,” Thrace muttered, for her ears alone. Then in a louder voice he said, “I’ll do it, Mistress.” He was still kneeling before her and it only took him a minute to pull the silken draw string, parting the gown both in front and in back and fix it in place. When the small turquoise triangle of her panties was revealed, he drew in a deep breath. “Gods…”
“That’s enough, Thrace,” Trin murmured nervously. “You may rise.”
“Don’t discourage him, my dear,” Lady Tam-tam remarked as the huge Havoc got gracefully to his feet. “He’s simply admiring your beauty. It’s a heady thing to be so desired by a male—don’t you agree?”
“I…suppose so,” Trin said uncertainly. “Honestly, I’m not much used to it. Thrace is the first body-slave I’ve ever owned and before him I didn’t deal with males.” She felt it was wise to stick as close to the truth as possible—at least with her personal history.
“Interesting,” Lady Tam-tam nodded thoughtfully as she preceded them from the room. “Most mistresses are given their first slave by the age of seventeen or eighteen cycles but I suppose that your mother decided to wait and let you choose your own?”
“Something like that,” Trin murmured uneasily, wondering what her mother and everyone else she’d ever known on Zetta Prime would think if they could see her now. They’d probably be horrified to see how close she and Thrace had been getting.
Well, they’re not here and besides, I’m my own woman. I’ve been on my own long enough not to care what they think, she told herself firmly. Still, she couldn’t quite push the thought completely to the back of her mind.
As Trin tried to ignore her guilty thoughts, Lady Tam-tam led them down long, winding corridors richly decorated with gold-framed holo-pics and moving statues. At last they came to a tall set of double doors, covered in vines and flowers which seemed to be real.
“Well, here we are—the Grand Reception Hall,” she said. “Everyone will already be waiting for us. I’ll go first, of course and then you’ll be announced and you can follow. Just come right up to the head table—I have the seat beside me reserved just for the two of you.”
“Thank you, Lady Tam-tam,” Trin said respectfully. “That’s very kind of you.”
“Oh, and one more thing my dear—there is a male here tonight from the Degas system who’s not a slave. I know—I know—it’s shocking.” Lady Tam-tam’s eyes danced. “But I don’t believe they all have to be slaves—actually, he’s royalty, if you can believe that. And I like being a little shocking and naughty sometimes—I’m an old lady. It’s one of the few pleasures I have left.”
Trin smiled. “Of course I’ll treat him with respect as he is your guest.”
“I knew I could depend on you, Lady Trin. Just lead the way and all the rest of the mistresses will follow. Well…” Lady Tam-tam straightened her flowing mu-mu and rapped sharply on the vine and flower-covered doors. “It’s time to put on a show.”
Chapter Seventeen
The doors swung open, revealing a vast room filled with well dressed mistresses and their body-slaves. Flanking the doorway were two muscular male guards in brilliant purple and orange uniforms that matched Lady Tam-tam’s mu-mu.
“The Lady Tam-tam, mistress of Dreaming Hills and of all our hearts. And your hostess here tonight,” one of the guards proclaimed. The entire room erupted in applause—apparently Lady Tam-tam was well liked. Or at least her guests knew they’d better pretend they liked her.
Trin wondered which it was—not that she really cared. All she wanted to do was get through this reception and make the deal with Lady Malroth. After that, she was leaving Dreaming Hills, hopefully forever.
Lady Tam-tam stood framed in the doorway with her chin lifted and surveyed the crowd as the applause swelled dramatically. Then she inclined her head majestically and swept into the room like a queen approaching her throne.
After such an entrance, all eyes were on Lady Tam-tam. Seeing an opportunity, Trin slipped quietly past the door guards and along the perimeter of the room rather that waiting to be announced.
“What are you doing?” Thrace growled softly from behind her as he followed. “You’re supposed to wait to be announced—you just broke a major rule of etiquette.”
“It’ll be fine.” Trin tried to make her voice light. “No one even noticed.”
“You’d better hope not,” he remarked grimly. “Or you’re going to be in a galaxy of trouble.”
Trin felt a stab of apprehension but she refused to show it.