Free Pet's Pleasure by Zenobia Renquist

argue.
    Rois edged the door open. He waved his hand near the sensor and light flooded the whole closet. After a few glances around the room, Rois relaxed and replaced his baton. “There she is,” he whispered, pointing in front of him.
    Bekion followed the direction of Rois’ finger. Starling had buried herself in the back corner of his closet. She sat hunched in on herself. He assumed she was asleep even though he couldn’t see her eyes, since she hadn’t moved when he entered the room.
    He lifted her gently, careful not to wake her and to keep her wrists from contacting each other. The sight of tears running down her cheeks almost made him think she feigned sleep, until he realized she cried whilst sleeping.
    He whispered, “What stress you must be under.”
    Starling shifted and a soft sob escaped her lips.
    Rois asked, “Bekion?”
    Bekion looked over his shoulder. “Clear the inner chamber. Do it quietly.”
    Rois nodded and left the doorway.
    Bekion carried Starling to the door but stayed within the closet until the last person had left the bedroom. Rois signaled the all-clear and Bekion carried Starling to the couch across from his bed.
    Furielle stood there with a nightgown in her hands.
    Bekion shook his head at the woman. “Leave her be for now, Furielle,” he said in a low voice. “Fetch a blanket and then retire for the night.”
    “What about her dinner?”
    “If she professes to hunger when she wakes, I’ll summon you.”
    “Of course, Your Majesty.” Furielle curtsied and then rushed out of the room.
    Bekion lowered Starling to the couch. She immediately curled into a tight ball, facing the backrest. Only Bekion lunging forward and slipping his hand between her wrists kept the two cuffs from touching each other and setting off her alarm. The contact didn’t seem to disturb her. Her sleep persisted even as her shoulders shook from her crying.
    Furielle returned with a blanket and a small pillow. Bekion lifted Starling’s head enough so the pillow could be placed and then, after situating her hands away from each other, he stepped back so Furielle could drape the blanket.
    He signaled Furielle away. She dropped another curtsy and left. Nausic and Rois waited for his next command. He said, “Give me something to muffle her cuffs.”
    Nausic nodded and walked away.
    Rois asked, “Shouldn’t you simply deactivate them?”
    Bekion smiled ruefully. “As much as I would enjoy missing dinner this night and hiding in my chambers, I have duties yet to attend. This way is best. Nausic will remain to keep watch over her should she need anything.”
    The man in question returned with two small towels and ribbons. He and Bekion wrapped each of Starling’s cuffed wrists with the towels. She didn’t bat an eyelash. That surprised Bekion, considering how long she’d slept earlier.
    He watched her sleep a little longer to assure himself she wouldn’t suddenly wake and need something. Though Bekion expected it, Rois didn’t make his usual prompting noise. It amazed Bekion how much his new pet had changed his routine. She’d been with him less than a day. The coming years would prove interesting.
    He faced Nausic. “Make yourself comfortable. You’ll be here until I return.”
    Nausic bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
    Rois grumbled, “I still don’t like leaving you short one guard, Bekion. It’s irresponsible.”
    Bekion said, “Then choose another and be done.”
    Rois shifted a surprised expression from Bekion to Nausic and then back. “I thought Nausic’s change in duties was temporary.”
    “No, it’s not. Guarding Starling is his only duty now.” Bekion glanced at her one last time and left the room. “I have other things to attend before dinner. Rois, leave the others and see to Nausic’s replacement. I expect to see my new guard at dinner.”
    “Right away.” Rois exchanged words with the guards in the outer chamber before he left the room.
    Nausic followed Bekion a few steps.