tongue around his nipples. Kianto reached for her, but she stopped him with a fierce glare. He put down his hands immediately. He would not want to anger the ladies in their game. Smiling, he gave in. * * * * Deran hastened home. He checked across his shoulder whether guards followed him or if the big, ugly man named Donego made a sport of chasing him to force him to drink more of that strange liquid, but he was alone. It was getting dark and he was tired. The way was terribly long, much longer than it used to be. In his mind he saw Hanjek and the Furious Five bang against doors and digging tunnels to escape the evil Mawanies. He doubled his efforts to get home. His father would listen to him and then the elders in the morning. He panted and struggled to run faster. Deran had known all along that the Mawanies were bad, but he had not realized that there could be Rahenians just as bad. It was a shock, but it would stir unrest among the villagers. He knew there was still lust to fight in them. The story of Hanjek still alive would spread faster than arrows could fly and within half a season time every man would be armed and ready to go against the invaders once more. When he reached his home it was dark. The route had blurred before his eyes and he had taken a strange detour. The hut looked different as well and the torchlight burned all too bright in his eyes. He slipped under the drape to get out of the drizzle. His father looked up, more concerned than angry and his mother came to hug him. “Where have you been, Deran? We were worried.” “I…” He pulled up his nose and searched his mind. When he could not recollect, he shrugged. “I wandered about the village and through the wood.” He kissed her wrinkled cheek. “I’m sorry. I forgot about time.”
Chapter Six Kianto learned that many ways of pain led to bliss. Won Ta Ki taught him some facts about Mawany rituals, about the Creator and their way of life after his rules and why the Rahenians were a special people among the many living in the galaxy. Kianto looked forward to more lessons every day and even more to the tethers she brought with her. Just seeing ropes and chains and blindfolds aroused him so that Won Ta Ki already joked about his behavior. “There will be a time when I just show you a rope and your semen will spill.” “Don’t tempt me.” Won Ta Ki made him stand on tiptoes while his wrists were bound high above his head and still he smiled. “Your learning skills are amazing. I already told the one who made me and he might be convinced to release you once more.” “I doubt it.” Kianto sighed. She had told him that the one who made her would not want her human pet go astray again. She gave no explanation, but held him tethered in her chamber or close to her whereabouts. He was not allowed to stay alone. “Na Ris Nei is very severe.” He shuddered. The sight of the old Mawany gave him the creeps. There were memories assaulting him in his sleep and he understood some of them were reflections of reality and not nightmares. He did not tell Won Ta Ki that he remembered the day he found Hanjek and his men and how Na Ris Nei had reacted. “He rules our home and more. We all follow his orders.” Won Ta Ki made him spread his legs before she unleashed a handful of grown muri on his legs to let them climb higher. Fascinated, she knelt and watched while Kianto put his head back. “I don’t like them,” he pressed. “Why do you do it over again?” “You have to like them, Kianto. They don’t harm you. Instead they bring you joy if you let go of your uneasiness.” “I can’t!” “The process is to enhance your loving abilities.” “My abilities to love? Where does that come from?” He frowned and stared at her just to digress from the worms winding higher around his thighs. Now that he had no hair to hamper them, they obviously enjoyed his human skin. He dreaded them every inch. “Do you use them in your