Read Online Pet's Pleasure by Zenobia Renquist - Free Book Online Page A

interesting.” Bekion stood with Starling sitting on the crook of his arm. He pulled the blanket from her shoulders and tossed it to Vieve.
    Starling wished he’d let her keep it. Goose bumps rose all over her body as the cool air of the throne room surrounded her.
    He whispered without moving his lips, “It’ll be warmer in my chambers.”
    She nodded.
    Everyone bowed or curtsied as Bekion and his entourage left. The people in the halls genuflected. Though their heads were bowed, the people’s gazes remained upon Starling. She continued to be the center of attention. She was happy when they reached the royal wing and left the crowds behind.
    Vieve broke the silence. “Bekion, did you read the note I highlighted concerning the land Mistress Ebeun reacquired?”
    Bekion said, “I noticed it.”
    “Shouldn’t you have made it known the land is seventy percent prize soil? I doubt Master Leidus would have signed it over if he’d known. The land debt could have been paid after selling a few bags’ full.”
    “Prize soil?” Starling asked.
    Bekion said, “A naturally occurring substance on Panagiota that is highly coveted the universe over, even more so because we export only a small amount each year. The soil never loses its nutrients. Even if diluted over a large field, one bag can enrich the soil of the most barren of locales for a decade, if not more.”
    “Wow.”
    Vieve smiled at Starling. “Panagiota usually sells the products of the soil, not the soil itself. That means Mistress Ebeun will probably buy a title in a year, if not less.”
    “Buy a title? Your nobility purchases their titles?”
    Bekion said, “They can. As king, I can grant nobility to favored individuals and family members.”
    “And bribery is the fastest way to being a favorite.”
    Bekion clenched his teeth and made an annoyed noise. “It’s not bribery. I am simply rewarding those who donate to the welfare of their planet.”
    Starling rolled her eyes then said in English, **You say to-may-to. I say to-mah-to.**
    Bekion stopped walking and met her gaze. “I recognize the sound of that phrase from earlier. You will translate it.”
    She pursed her lips and crossed her arms.
    “Be stubborn then.” He put her on her feet and walked away.
    She trailed after him. “You think making me walk is some kind of punishment?”
    “Making you walk relieves the burden on my arm. I shall think of a worthy punishment for your uncooperative behavior later.” He stopped walking again and looked at Vieve. “How does one punish a human?”
    Vieve said with a shrug, “From my understanding, the same way you would a child. Some spank them, some refuse to feed them and others isolate them from the attention they are used to receiving.”
    “Hmm. I will have to think on that.” He continued walking.
    Starling stayed in her spot, watching Bekion and the others leave. If he tried to spank her, she would break his fingers. Missing dinner didn’t matter much thanks to the big lunch she’d had. And if he put her in isolation, she…would think of home and everything else she missed.
    She gripped her pendant. At the end of the day, she was still kidnapped and would never see home again. Everyone was an unknown and her situation was uncertain.
    Did Bekion really plan to punish her for not translating what she’d said? What if he got sick of her attitude and gave her to Kuruk rather than deal with her?
    Someone put his hand on her shoulder. She looked up and found Rois had stayed behind with her. He smiled down at her and rubbed her shoulder. “Don’t worry, little one. Bekion won’t hurt you.”
    She wanted to ask if the man knew that for certain but kept the question to herself.
    “Why not translate what you said? Is it so damaging?”
    She shook her head.
    “Then what is the harm?”
    Why didn’t she translate for him? It was a simple enough phrase to explain. Some part of her rebelled though. Her language was the last thing that belonged to