princess can get their fill.
“Uh…” I say. “Well, thanks.” I pull my arm from her grip.
“The queen is expecting you. I don’t want to keep her waiting. But… if you’re still unsure… it’s better to be late than confused. Don’t you think?”
“Umm… OK.”
She smiles at me. “I’m not sure how you got out here. Were you…” She pauses. “Did you change your mind? The queen will ask you before the ceremony begins. You must consent. That’s the only way it will work.”
“What will work?”
“The breeding ceremony.”
I reach up and run my fingers through my hair. “For fuck’s sake.” Here we are again. Is this the purpose of this little trip through the spin node? To be constantly reminded that there is only one reason for Corla and I to be together and that’s for sex?
I hold up a finger. “One question.”
She smiles. And glows a little. “Ask.”
“What’s the queen’s name?”
The girl giggles. “Corla, of course.”
“Of course. That’s… fantastic.”
“She really likes you.”
“She does?”
“Yes. She’s very excited about this pairing.”
“Pairing?” I deflate a little. For a moment there I forgot that I’m sun-fucked star-crossed and had a sliver of hope that maybe, just this once, we were really gonna get our chance.
“Breeding season.” The girl chuckles. “It’s all very confusing, I know. I mean…” She sucks in air through her teeth. “Trust me, I’ve lost track of so many things already. And we’re only halfway through.”
I suck in some air too, wondering what kind of kaleidoscope of psycho this trip will turn into.
The girl is staring at me. Almost mesmerized.
“What?” I ask. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Your… eyes.” She practically moans the words. “They’re so very, very… violet.”
“Oh,” I say, rubbing a hand down my face. “Yeah. Them.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever quite seen a pair so… vibrant.”
I shrug. “They’re not like Serpint’s. Or Valor’s. He’s got nice eyes. Everyone thinks so. I used to call him pretty boy when he was younger.”
The girl cocks her head, confused.
“Never mind,” I say. “So what can I expect from this… pairing? Is there a ball? Do I need a creepy red and black suit? Will everyone be watching to make sure I… you know, get her pregnant? Will a bot fly around recording it? How’s this go down?”
The girl blushes bright pink. Her eyes even glow brightly. “Well… we’ll all be there.” She giggles. “I’m not sure we’ll be watching. But if you want me to watch closely, I can. If you maybe want a… report afterward on your… performance. And I know you all think you’re going to impregnate the queen, but don’t get your hopes up, Crux. That’s why there’s five more men after you today.”
Five. More. Men. After me. Today.
“How long has this been going on?”
“Oh…” The girl chews her lip. Like she’s thinking. “I’ve lost count. Weeks, though. I do know we’re about halfway.” She perks up. “But who knows, maybe you will be the one? Then we can all go back to our regular lives tomorrow. Not that I’m complaining,” she adds quickly. “It’s fun. Don’t get me wrong. But I’m starting to get pret-ty tired.” Then she squeals and covers her mouth. “I can’t believe I just said that.”
Oh. OK. I think I get it. “How old are you?”
“Seventeen. It’s my first year.”
“And when we get to wherever the fuck we’re headed right now… you’ll be…?” I’m not quite sure how to finish that question so I just let it hang there.
“Yes,” she says, then looks down shyly. “I’m your helper. Oh, but don’t worry. I have a whole team to help me. We’re all yours.”
“All mine?” And I’m not proud of this. Like at all. But my cock starts to get hard.
“The first time. She only needs you for the second time. Both…” She looks down at my groin. “You know. She needs… both. That’s how it works with you Akeelian men. Right?”
“Right,” I say. “But… what if both of my guys pop out?”
She frowns. “Oh, no. Please, do not tell me you jerked off while you were missing in the forest! Oh, my sun.” She glances down at my groin again.
“No, no, no,” I say, putting up a hand. “I didn’t.” At least I don’t think I did. No real way to know for sure, is there?
“She’ll know. We do the royal test. So we’ll know, Crux. If you… tugged on it to try to fool her.”
“Royal test?” Well, that’s a bit of fun news there. Looks like this little spin node scenario