Free Pet's Pleasure by Zenobia Renquist Page B

bride resume submitted by the bride’s overachieving aunt and an invitation for the next imperial pet show with accompanying rules of entry.
    The first two were mundane and easily dealt with. The third constituted Vieve’s idea of a hint. Bekion tossed the bride resume onto a growing pile of tablets he planned to deal with when the far reaches of the deepest, darkest black hole produced light. He planned to find a bride when he was ready. No amount of Vieve’s hinting would rush him toward a decision.
    He stared at the last tablet. News traveled fast, it seemed. He’d already told Starling he had no intention of entering her into a human show. She probably wouldn’t want to bear witness to one either.
    Despite all that, the tablet proved far more interesting than the work waiting for him. He sat on a nearby chair and read over the events and how the judges chose a winner for each category.
    He mumbled to himself, “Perhaps I should rethink my earlier decision and enter her after all.”
    Starling would surely win top prize and take best in show for the female division of the endowments category.
    Then again, the thought of judges pawing at Starling to determine if her breasts truly were the largest of those presented annoyed him. He doubted she would be very appreciative either. He chuckled as he put the pet show tablet off to the side and attended to more important matters.

Chapter Five
     
    Someone was knocking.
    Starling rolled onto her side, gripping her blanket more securely around her shoulders. “Go away,” she mumbled.
    The room grew quiet and the warmth of her cocoon soothed her into a dozing state. She sighed and decided to sleep a little longer. Persistent knocking roused her once more. She refused to get out of bed and see who was bothering her. Instead, she said in a louder voice, **Leave me alone.**
    “While I don’t understand my pet’s words, I can safely guess from her tone that our sentiments are the same. I don’t have any obligations for another hour, so go away.”
    The sound of Bekion’s deep voice jarred Starling into full wakefulness. She sat up quickly and looked around herself.
    **Please, God, no.** Her words, spoken in English, were little more than a soft breath.
    Her eyes told her the same thing the rest of her senses already had. The day before had happened. Some part of her had held on to a hope of the whole thing being a very vivid dream. But dreams didn’t persist into the waking world.
    A man on the other side of the bedroom door said, “I’m sorry to disturb you, King Bekion, but a communication is inbound for you from the king of Jijyan.”
    Starling looked at Bekion, who sat on his bed reading a tablet in the low room light.
    Bekion grumbled under his breath, “Why does he want to bother me now? We’ll speak to each other at the monarchs’ meeting tomorrow.” He sighed before calling, “Did he give a reason for contacting me at such an hour?”
    “No, Sire. Shall I ask?”
    Bekion didn’t answer.
    There was a scuffling noise on the other side of the door. A moment later, the servant returned. “Sire, Jijyan’s king wishes to report a sighting of the poachers.”
    Starling stiffened.
    Bekion tossed aside the tablet. “Put him through.”
    A male voice from a hidden speaker said, “I thought that would get your attention, Panagiota. We don’t have visual.”
    Bekion asked, “What news have you?”
    “Fine. Be shy then. I have good and bad news, I’m afraid. Like you, my efforts to capture the poachers met with failure. Many of my nobles, however, participated in the auction and purchased several of the humans. Said nobles were handed over to the imperial police and their humans were confiscated.”
    “Where are they now?”
    “Awaiting trial at Supreme Emperor Udo’s convenience.”
    Bekion sighed loudly. “The humans, Jijyan, not the nobles.”
    “Supreme Emperor Udo ordered them delivered to his palace. I don’t know what he has planned for