Tales of the Shareem - Aiden and Ky Part 7

This Shareem, the one whoad been broken and ruined, was different. How brave was she, really?

But she knew shead never have another chance to be with him. Some women saved for years to gain admittance to his palace of pleasure. If she walked away from this chance, shead never forgive herself.

Her heart raced. aAll right. Iall do it.a aGo close the doors.a Shakily Judith crossed the room and pulled the storm door over the faded red awnings. Shead installed no windows because insulating gla.s.s was too expensive and the Bor Nargan sun too intense to let pour through non-insulated windows. Once she closed the door, they were shut into a cool, dim cave.

When she turned back she saw that Calder had risen from his seat and moved to the bar, though shead never heard him cross the room.

aAre you going to show me what you do in your pleasure palace?a she asked, trying to keep the tremble from her voice.

aNo, you have limited s.p.a.ce here. But I will show you the heart of it.a He flicked a switch behind the bar and plunged them into darkness.

Judith froze. She couldnat hear him or see him, and the sensation unnerved her.

She jumped when his strong hand came down on her shoulder. She could see only a huge shadow and the faint glitter of his eyes, but she could feel the warm bulk of him, smell the scent of leather and Shareem.

He slid his hand to the nape of her neck and put his mouth against her ear. aWhat do you truly wish, Judith? Deep down in your heart?a Her heart right now was flip-flopping, and she had no idea.

aYouall tell me,a he said. aBefore we are finished, in this s.p.a.ce of time, you will tell me what you truly want.a aBut I donat know what I want.a Except for you to keep touching me.

aYou will learn. We will learn together.a His hand tightened on her neck then she felt a cool leather strap encircling her throat. His eyes burned in the darkness, and she had the strangest sense he could read her thoughts, even those she hid from herself.

What donat you want me to see, Judith? It was Calderas voice, but not harsh and broken as when it came through his throat.

aIa"a Her words were cut off as Calder swept her legs out from under her. She landed on her back on the hard floor and he crouched over her, one knee ruthlessly pinning her.

Judith tried to squirm away and couldnat. As Calderas large hands ripped her shirt open from neck to navel, she started to screama * * * * *

Brianne lay her head in her hands, elbows on the clear gla.s.s top of her desk. She wore a body-skimming silk dress, having thrown off her more formal clothes when she came home from the interviews. She couldnat stand to be dressed as a responsible member of the ruling family right now.

The silk felt good against her skin, nothing hampering her. This was Brianne as herself, nothing more.

The deed was done, the engagement over. Shead told Dranis the night before that she could not continue with the bargain of marrying him. Head taken it badly.

Badly was an understatement. Head started by jumping up from the table where theyad been eating dinner and throwing his gla.s.s of wine across the room. Brianne had stared in shock, never having seen Dranis show any kind of emotion before.

Head started raving about suing her and her family for breach of promise, then head sneered that shead turned into a Shareem wh.o.r.e.

Brianne had frozen in place, wondering how head found out about her train rides with Aiden and Ky. But as head rampaged on she realized he was only talking about her seeing Aiden in the coffee bar.

What happened there, Brianne? head snarled. Did you let the animal touch you? Is that why you released him from jail, because you like animals?

Dranisas face had been purple, his eyes bulging, and shead thought head get violent. Her guards had registered her distress on her body monitors and rushed in to see what was going on.

The bodyguards had to escort Dranis from the room, from her apartments and from the compound. Then had come the official announcement, the statement read in the formal enclosed garden on the other side of the compound. The hundreds of cameras in her face, the reporters eager to be first with the story.

Shead read her statementa"which her grandmotheras staff had vetted, making at least a hundred changes before theyad let her say anythinga"and refused to answer any questions.

Dranis maAren and I were not a compatible fit for lifemates, and I made the decision to let him pursue his own interests.

The inevitable questions were screamed at her. Did you have a fight? Did your grandmother tell you to break up? Did it have anything to do with the Shareem arrested for molesting you?

Shead turned and walked back to the safety of the compound as though she didnat hear the questions.

It had everything to do with the Shareem, but not in the way the reporters thought. Aiden and Ky had opened her eyes, not only to her s.e.xual feelings but to how narrow her life was in truth.

Brianne daAroth gave to charities and helped the downtrodden, but she did so from a safe distance, from inside her guarded compound. She didnat know the people she helped or even if she truly helped them.

Shead known in the back of her mind that Shareem existed and were treated as less than human, but shead never bothered to investigate what their lives were really like. They were basically slaves, genetically bred to want nothing more than to give a woman the best s.e.x possible. If their lives were empty besides that, they shouldnat care. Their ability to feel deep emotion had been taken from them, in order to keep them under control.

But they did care, and they did hurt, and they resented that they were treated like c.r.a.p. Powerful Brianne daAroth hadnat done a thing about it, but that would change, starting now.

Shead never known it was possible to feel affection for Shareem, to wonder what they did when they werenat with her, to want to make their lives better. Shead seen that Ky cared for Aiden and knew that Aiden, for all his carefree att.i.tude, cared for Ky. Brianne wanted to make sure they could enjoy their deepening friendship in peace.

The door to her inner apartment slid open. aI said I donat want any visitors,a she snapped without looking up.

aI convinced them to let me in.a Brianne raised her head with a gasp. Ky leaned against the doorframe, his long body taut, his blue eyes giving her a measuring stare.

She stood up. aNo one told me you were here.a aI asked them not to.a She couldnat imagine her curt head guard Harbourgh taking orders from a Shareem. Then again, if Harbourgh thought Kyas request was in Brianneas best interest, head let him in. Harbourgh had his own ideas.

aWhat do you want?a Ky walked across the room, his stride slow, never moving his gaze from her. He halted next to her and twined strong fingers through her hair, forcing her to look up at him.

His face was granite hard, no softening for her. She realized she was looking at the level three, the male Dom, the real Ky. He leaned down and spoke into her ear, voice hard.

aA master always punishes his sub when sheas done something bad.a

Chapter Eight.

New Sensations.

Brianneas eyes widened. aSomething bad?a Kyas strong fingers loosened her hair from the tight coiffure she hadnat combed out yet. Locks of brown hair fell to her shoulders and slithered down her back.

aDid you ask me before you broke off your engagement?a Ky said. aDid I give you my permission?a She looked at him in confusion. aWhat? That had nothing to do with you.a aDonat lie to your master. Spankings are hardest for lies.a Warmth pooled at the base of Brianneas spine. aIam not lying. I would have broken it off with Dranis even if I hadnat met youaa She faltered. Would she really have done so? Or would she have continued lying to herself, saying that marrying him was best for herself and her house?

Ky drew one finger down her cheek. aThe reporters made the connection between Shareem and your decision. I made the connection. Iam betting Dimwit maAren made the connection.a He brushed his thumb across her lower lip. aWhy did you break it off, Brianne?a Her throat squeezed, dry. aI had to. It wasnat fair to him.a Kyas fingers closed around her chin. aWhy did you break it off, Brianne?a aI told you. I could no longer go through with it. I couldnat let him marry me.a aYouare lying again. You didnat break it off for him. You did it for your own selfish needs.a Her anger flared. aVery well, I loathe him. Iave always loathed him but I didnat realize it. Heas petty, narrow-minded and selfish. He calls you an animal and is disgusted by you when you are ten times the man he is.a aIam not a man.a Ky withdrew his touch but did not step away. aNeither is Aiden. Youare throwing away everything you have for Shareem grown in a vat, who donat care about you one way or another.a aDo you think that matters?a She glared up at him. aDo you believe I broke off my engagement so I could tell you aIave fallen in love with you, letas shack upa?a aThat would have been even stupider.a She tried to ignore the sting his words caused. aWhether you or Aiden speak to me again doesnat matter. Iam surrounded by people who were willing to kill Aiden for even looking at me, and you for trying to help him. I have the power to try to change that and I will use it. And I canat have a husband who curls his lip at Shareem and undermines my work behind my back.a She ran out of breath. Ky watched her, eyes still, the power of him making her want to back up a step. She held her ground.

aSo youare not doing this for me,a he said. aBut for all Shareem.a aYes. Talan daUrvey does what she can, but she hasnat got the power base that I do. Iam in the ruling family. She has the wealth, she understands Shareem, and I have the power. Think of what we can do together.a A muscle in his jaw twitched. aYou plan to turn the Ministry of Non-Human Life Forms upside down? To give Shareem the same rights as other Bor Nargans?a She nodded. aIs that so bad?a aVery admirable. If you can do it.a He moved to her again, fingers in her now-loose hair. aBut youare still lying.a aAbout what?a aYour motives. You are still lying to me, and youare lying to yourself. But if you want to save Shareem, sweetheart, let me show you what Shareem really are.a Her heart thudded. aI know what you are. I was with you and Aiden on the train.a He traced her cheek, his fingers light, but she could tell his gentleness was forced. aI was being nice to you because Aiden was there. He likes it when Iam nice.a aWhere is Aiden?a she asked nervously. aI thought you were a team.a aI like to work alone on occasion. Like this one.a aYou came here to berate me.a aNo.a His fingers moved over her eyelids, down her cheek, traced her lips. aI came here to teach you about Shareem. About level threes. Do you know the ancient saying, In for a penny, in for a pound?a aIave heard it. Iam not certain what it really means.a aYour adoring fans likely believe that you had an affair with a Shareem. So why not have one all the way? We gave you a taste, now really sink your teeth in.a She swallowed. aWhy do you want me to?a aTo show you what youare trying to save.a He tilted her face up to him with strong fingers. aHalfhearted efforts will only make it worse for us. You need to know everything about us. You have to truly want to free us or walk away.a aWhy would you try to change my mind? Donat you want to be free?a His smile was feral. aI do, darling. But I want your efforts to be sincere. Are you willing to be my sub, Brianne? Are you willing to find out if this is really what you want?a aTo let you bea"my master?a aYou know a little about it, do you?a aIave been reading.a aYouare precious, Brianne.a She gave him a hard look. aI am a determined woman. You wonat break me that easily.a His voice softened a notch. aI donat want to break you, love. I want to educate you. Are you willing to let me teach you?a He needed her permission to begin. Shareem were powerful, but their lady had to say they wanted it or they couldnat touch her.

Well, Ky was certainly touching her. But he wouldnat go forward without her permission, and they both knew it.

She wet her lips and met his gaze, her quim warming and squeezing. aIam willing,a she whispered. aWhat do you want me to do. Strip?a Her heart raced as she said the word. The irises in Kyas eyes widened and his fingers warmed. She knew he was arouseda"a Shareemas body temperature rose and his pulse doubled when s.e.xually excited.

To her surprise, he chuckled. aNo, I donat want you to strip. I want you to dress for me.a * * * * *

Brianneas confusion was adorable. She had no idea what Ky meant, little innocent. So he showed her.

What theyad done on the train had been playtime, a little taste to scare her and punish her for getting Aiden arrested. He believed now that it hadnat been her faulta"the wheels of her office turned even without her. He hadnat gone full Dom on her because head sensed how inexperienced she was, but tonight would be a different story.

If she wanted to save all the Shareem on Bor Narga because she felt guilty, well then head let her know exactly who she was saving.

He didnat believe she was sincere for one minute. Shead discover the reality of Shareem and recoil, just like all her kind did. She sat in her beautiful tower and worried about the downtrodden, but shead never experienced what it was like out there in Pas City, underground.

Literally underground. The place head take her tonight existed ten stories below the streets, a secret playground collectively maintained by level three Shareem as a place to let loose.

Ky instructed Brianne to dress in robes that would conceal her ident.i.ty and to leave her bodyguards behind. In answer to her startled questions, he a.s.sured her shead be perfectly protected from predators by Ky himself.

aMaybe,a Brianne said, giving in. aBut who protects me from you?a aTonight, I am your master. I take care of you, and you trust me to.a aI see.a He put his lips to her ear. aThatas what submissive means, love. Submitting yourself entirely to me.a He nibbled her lobe and she squirmed. Ky just stopped himself turning the nibbles into sharper bites. His level three instincts made him want to be rough with her, but she was new to this.

For nowa aWill Aiden be coming with us?a she asked.

aNo.a aI see,a she said again, sounding disappointed.

Of course shead be disappointed. Aiden had that come here, baby, let me make you feel good att.i.tude, and every woman he touched melted in pleasure. Ky melted in pleasure as well, and that was forbidden.

Forbidden.

Ky had a sudden flash of a white room, of himself lying naked on the floor, screams coming from his mouth. Across the room a red-haired Shareem with beautiful eyes watched in anguish. Iam sorry, Iam sorry, I didnat know they were going to do this to us.

aKy?a Brianne touched his arm, concern on her face. Ky growled, pressing away the unwelcome vision. Head thought the d.a.m.n memories would fade, but no. They were as clear today as they had been twenty years ago.

aWeare leaving.a He clamped his fingers around Brianneas arm and dragged her from the room.

They left the compound by a hidden entrance to elude any reporters that might be sniffing around and faded into crowds heading to the train station. Ky couldnat be mistaken for anything other than Shareem, but Brianne wore the robes and face veils of a middle-cla.s.s widow. People stared but didnat tumble to the fact that she was Brianne daAroth.

They took the train to the back streets of Pas City and a store with a discreet custom-design shop in the bas.e.m.e.nt. The man who ran the shop was a genius, living to create exquisitely s.e.xy clothes for women. His clientele ranged from working-cla.s.s women who were not ashamed of being Shareem followers to upper-cla.s.s ladies indulging in private fantasies.

The manas eyes lit up when he beheld Brianneas figure, full in the b.r.e.a.s.t.s and hips, curved at the waist. While he checked his workroom for the best material to use, Ky picked out a mask that would both hide Brianneas face and not be out of place where he would to take her.

The black velvet mask spread out in a b.u.t.terfly shape across her eyes and down her cheeks. Ky fastened it securely under her hair with computerized clips that sealed it in place.

When the dressmaker returned, he asked her to strip completely.

Ky smiled at Brianneas sudden shyness, but the dressmaker only whipped out a scanner and ran it over Brianneas naked body, clicking his tongue in approval at the measurements that turned out on his screen.

aEasy-peasy,a the man said. aI can outfit her right away and in something lovely. Iam sure youall both like it.a When the couturier turned away and excitedly entered his back room, Brianne reached for her robes.

aKeep them off.a Ky hid a grin when her eyes widened. aPlease your master. From now on, you will either wear what I choose for you or be naked for my pleasure.a Brianne hesitated, the robes in her hands. He could see thoughts warring in her eyes, curiosity and excitement about what head ask her to do coming up against the fact that Brianne daAroth didnat take orders.

He waited for her decision. Would she throw on the robes and run back to her comfy and safe apartments? Or give in to temptation and entrust herself to him?

Slowly she opened her hands and let the robes fall to the floor. Ky warmed as he looked over her lush body, bared for his delight. This was going to be good.

The couturier returned with a leather dress that was bright red and thin and soft as silk. It fit Brianne perfectly. The dcolletage skimmed just above her nipples, lifting her b.r.e.a.s.t.s for nice shadowy cleavage. The leather wrapped itself lovingly around her hips and emphasized the deep curve of her waist. The black high heels the couturier said would go excellently with it emphasized her long and s.e.xy legs.

Ky rested his hand on her hip and drew her to his side. aNow, thatas perfection.a Behind her mask her eyes held a mixture of shyness and wonder. He sensed that shead never tried to be s.e.xy before, never thought of making herself into an object of desire. He hoped she was learning it was fun to be desired.

aNow for the finishing touch.a Ky signaled the couturier who smiled and returned with cuffs made of the same soft red leather.

The cuffs sported thin rings through which Ky could lace leather bondsa"not now, but later when things grew more interesting. He wrapped the cuffs around the startled Brianneas wrists, sealing them seamlessly.

Last was a collar of black leather that snapped around her slim neck. Ky couldnat afford elaborate jeweled affairs like Calder could, but it was well made and bore a ruby-colored stone that rested at her throat. The collar also had a thin ring in the back, to which Ky clipped a leather leash.

aYou look pretty,a Ky rumbled.

Brianne studied herself in the five-tiered mirror, staring in wonder. aIam not sure pretty is the right word. I looka"strange.a aYou look drop-dead s.e.xy. Youall have every Shareem crawling to you with his tongue out, but youare mine tonight.a He splayed his hand on her waist. aRemember that. If you go to any of them without my permission, itas punishment time.a aGo to them?a She looked up in surprise. aWhy would I?a aThe pheromones fly around something fierce where weare going. Youall find yourself thinking things and doing things before you can stop yourself. But you will stop. Or find me, and Iall stop you.a aFind you? I have the feeling I wonat want to leave your side.a Ky nodded. aYouare catching on.a Before they left, Brianne tried to pay the bill.

aNot tonight, sweetheart,a Ky said, hand on her wrist. aTonight, I take care of you.a aBut this must have been expensive.a Ky gave her a cold stare until she stilled, flushing. aYouare on your way to punishment, love.a Brianne opened her mouth as though she would argue and then closed it. aAll right. I agreed to do it your way tonight.a He saw in her eyes that she would try to settle up with the couturier later. Upper-cla.s.s ladies always wanted to pay at first, wanting to treat Shareem as their boy toys. They learned quickly just who was in charge, and in the end stopped trying to be in control.

Later, when the lady recovered, she would send her Shareem lavish giftsa"or hide from him entirely, depending on what the experience did to her.

aPut it on your account?a the couturier said to Ky with a knowing wink.

aPlease.a And that was that.

Ky blindfolded Brianne before they reached their destination. aThis is a private place,a he explained as he gently tied the black silk over her eyes. aI donat want you sending your bodyguards down later to clear it out. We like it here.a aI wouldnat do that,a she said indignantly.

aYou might. You think youare open-minded and have a soft spot for Shareem, but weall see. Women react in all kinds of ways to what weare going to do.a He paused. aYou might even laugh. Some of the games get funny.a aI feel ready for anything,a she said breathlessly.

aSure, I believe you.a aJust donat let me trip. These heels are unbelievably high.a aThatas because theyare not really for walking. Hang on to me and youall be fine.a Brianne did hang on to him in a gratifying way. As they entered the underground play place for level three Shareem she wrapped both arms around his waist and didnat let go.

They plummeted down ten stories in a grav tube to the forgotten warehouse level threes had turned into a s.p.a.ce to call their own. Here they brought their subsa"one-night stands or more permanent loversa"for games and other interaction.

The place had public rooms and private, food and drink, and bedrooms for resting as well as play. Some rooms were dungeon-like, with racks for tying partners to, a selection of floggers, manacles and chains, swings and many choices of s.e.xual toys. Other rooms were simple bedrooms or sitting roomsa"you didnat always need accoutrements to make s.e.x good.

Level twos sometimes brought women here as part of their fun and games, but level twos didnat take it as seriously as did level threes. Level twos might indulge their ladies in a bit of spanking or tie-me-up, but level threes looked upon bondage as an art form. Level twos laugheda"level threes were dead serious.

A dozen other Shareem had already arrived by the time Ky and Brianne stepped out of the grav tube, their subs in tow. Most of the ladies wore masks to protect their ident.i.ties, though some of the lower-cla.s.s women or those who said to h.e.l.l with it went bare-faced.

Shareem pheromones already hung heavy in the air, and Ky could taste the growing excitement of the ladies. A Shareem in the street above could get a hard-on just walking by.

Ky felt Brianne sway against him as they moved through the rooms. The atmosphere would relax her inhibitions as they moved through the night. She had no need for fear here, because it was harmless.

Mostly.

Ky removed Brianneas blindfold and tucked it into his pocket. With her face-covering mask and her dark hair cascading down her back, she looked very little like the cool, neatly coiffed woman who appeared on digitals. She looked like a woman ready for s.e.xual play, willing to seek it with a Shareem.

Ky was used to the place, but Brianne gasped as they walked around. Many of the women wore a variation of Brianneas dress, cut high in the hip and low in the breast. Most garments were leather of every color, from black to red to bright yellow to electric blue. Some ladies had chosen sheer fabrics instead, and one wore shimmering red silk that outlined every curve.

aSheas lucky sheas thin,a Brianne murmured.

All the women wore collars, from plain black leather strips to silver collars studded with jewels. Some women sported high stiletto heels like Brianneas, some went barefoot. All had tethers attached to their collars, either hanging loose between their b.r.e.a.s.t.s or wrapped around the hand of a Shareem.

Ky knew all the Shareem here, some more than others, and a few had become good friends. It was nice to be able to talk freely about s.e.x and bondage techniques without having to worry about patrollers listening.