Thorn was going to be a challenge to train and no mistake, Neh’sa thought as she strapped in for landing opposite her huge new submissive. He was Alpha through and through and not likely to submit easily. Add that to the fact that he neither feared pain nor craved it the way some submissives did, and his training was likely to be extremely complicated.
Well, she loved a challenge. But before she could start with the big Kindred, she had to attend to the Devotion Ceremony which was happening within the hour at her home. The guests were probably already arriving and Maximus, her faithful but ancient butler-slave, would be hard pressed to keep up with them even with the help of the house droids. Neh’sa would have to rush to get ready and make certain everything was just perfect before the ceremony began.
As if sensing her need to hurry, the ship sped through the brilliantly lit night skies of Yonnie Six, skimming easily over the chasm which surrounded Opulex, the capital city of the planet.
Neh’sa lived on the very top floor of the Zendreth building in the center of downtown Opulex. It was a towering, octagonal structure, one thousand and one stories high and Neh’sa owned the one thousandth and first story exclusively. There were other, lesser Mistresses on the lower stories below hers and then some businesses and boutiques and finally a lovely and expensive restaurant simply called First on the bottom floor.
Neh’sa rather enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the lower stories, mainly because they never intruded into her own tranquil realm at the very top of the building. As the ship swooped through her private entrance, over the heads of the restaurant patrons, and climbed steeply towards the top of the building, Thorn gave a low whistle.
“So this is where you live? Nice.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Neh’sa smiled out the window as she watched the hover-lifts, outlined in shimmering gold and pink lights, rising and falling between floors. There were balconies on many stories with tropical flowers and vines dripping over their sides. The riot of colorful plants took advantage of the huge skylight at the top of the building which allowed sunlight to pour in during the daylight hours.
On some floors she could see Mistresses dressed in their finest attire, getting ready to go out for the night. Most of them had at least one and sometimes two or more body-slaves following behind. Alas, many still used pain collars but Neh’sa was working to stop the inhumane practice and most of her own friends had come to see that trust between a Mistress and her body-slave was much more effective in the long run than nerve-shattering bouts of pain.
“Do you own the entire building?” Thorn asked her.
Neh’sa laughed at the idea.
“Goodness, no. Some Mistresses own their own buildings and I probably could if I wanted to live further out where prices are lower. But I like being in the center of town and besides, what would I do with so much space? No, I only own the penthouse floor at the very top—the one thousand and first.”
“Oh, only the penthouse floor, hmm?” Thorn muttered dryly. “Seems like the training and sale of slaves to other Mistresses is a pretty lucrative business.”
Neh’sa lifted her chin and stared down at him, despite the fact that he was so much taller than she.
“Thorn,” she said quietly. “I hope you know that money isn’t the only reason I train submissives. And if you denigrate my chosen profession again, you will be punished.”
He looked like he wanted to say something else but finally he simply nodded and murmured, “Yes, Mistress.”
“Very good.” Neh’sa nodded. As strong an Alpha as he was, it wouldn’t do to let him start disrespecting her. And as for punishing him, well, she’d consider how best to do that later.
The ship reached the top of the building and the door to her private parking area slid open. The droid pilot settled them neatly into the snug space and they were home.
* * * * *
Neh’sa went into motion immediately. Opening the door latch, she looked back at Thorn.
“Can you walk all right? Your feet—”
“Are fine, Mistress,” he assured her. Indeed, after her gentle bathing, the skin was already beginning to heal—even faster than he’d expected. The rest of his cuts and lacerations were also knitting together extra fast. It made him wonder if there was something in the water or the ointment she’d used that had caused his body to heal so quickly. Or maybe the pink glow he’d thought he saw coming from her palms wasn’t his imagination after all…
“If you can walk then follow me,” she said briskly. “I don’t have much time for a tour right now but at least I can show you where to stay during the ceremony.”
Thorn raised an eyebrow at her.
“So I’m not invited?”
“Most certainly not.” She frowned. “I never allow a new submissive to come out at a public gathering until he’s proved himself worthy and ready for display. I’ll want you to stay out of sight during the entire ceremony—is that understood?”
Thorn had taken orders from female superiors before so he wasn’t sure why it irritated him to take them now. Maybe it was the fact that his new Mistress “owned” him in a way none of those other females ever had. But for whatever reason, he felt a sharp retort rising to his lips. With some difficulty, he swallowed it down and nodded.
“Understood. I’ll stay away.”
“Good.” She nodded. “I’m glad you’re going to be amenable. I really don’t have time to devise a suitable punishment for you right now—there’s too much to do for the ceremony. I meant to be back here hours ago.”
“I guess our little incident in the parking area of the auction house delayed you,” Thorn remarked.
“Some.” She smiled a little. “But I don’t mind.”
She led him from the parking area into a tiny antechamber and from there into a lavishly decorated but still comfortable bed chamber.
“This is my room,” she told Thorn, motioning for him to sit on a padded stool at the foot of the immense canopied bed. “You won’t normally be allowed in here but for now I think it’s the best place to keep you out of the way during the ceremony.”
Thorn grunted an agreement and was about to ask a question when she came up to him and planted the toe of one boot right between his thighs, dangerously close to his still exposed shaft which had, mercifully, finally gone down again.
“Mistress?” He looked up at her uncertainly.
“Help me with my boots,” Neh’sa commanded. “Your training begins now, Thorn. A good body slave is always willing and able to help his Mistress dress and disrobe.”
“Oh, of course,” he said, feeling stupid. The new boots she’d put on in the ship when she changed out of the ones with the broken heel were high, soft suede that went almost to her mid thigh. They were fastened with a row of small silver buttons that ran down the inside of her leg and each had to be unfastened in turn.
Thorn felt unaccountably clumsy as he did the simple task. His hands seemed to be too large for the tiny buttons and the toe of her boot kept nudging gently but noticeably against his most sensitive areas.
He wondered if Neh’sa knew what she was doing but he couldn’t tell by her expression. If she didn’t stop he was going to get hard again—hard from her fucking boot touching his shaft! It made him half angry—half aroused. What was it about this female that he couldn’t resist?
At last both boots were off and then she allowed him to help take off her tight trousers, black lace-up corset, and the flowing white shirt underneath. At last she was down to some tiny, lacy underthings that showed off her full curves to perfection.
Despite her petite stature, Mistress Neh’sa was by no means a skinny woman. In fact, she was what Thorn had heard the Earth brides on the Mothership call “plus sized” which only made her more desirable in his eyes.
He loved a female with curves—there was so much more to hold on to.
“Well, Mistress,” he said huskily when she was naked except for the brief, lacy top which showed the hard points of her nipples and the tiny pair of white lace panties which barely hid her pussy. “Should I help you take off the rest of your clothing as well?”
Neh’sa gave him a long, considering look before shaking her head.
“I think not. You want to do it too much—we’ll save it for a reward later on.”
She didn’t wait for Thorn to reply but disappeared into a large, walk-in closet. When she came out again, she was wearing a long, sheath-like dress made of tiny, sleek red feathers. The feather gown clung to the curves of her breasts and hips, molding itself to her petite but luscious body beautifully. Just in the center of the dress, right below her belly, was a high slit which clearly showed the matching red lace panties which went with it.
Thorn couldn’t help himself—his eyes were drawn to the tiny, lacy things. The material was so thin he could see the plump lips of her soft little pussy clearly and the panties were cut so low it was obvious that she was completely bare of any kind of hair.
He could even see the top of her slit which made his mouth water. Like all Kindred, he needed to taste his female. Though he supposed that technically he was Neh’sa’s male rather than the other way around, he still felt possessive of her somehow. The fire burned brighter inside him and he wanted to grab her by the hips and drag her forward until he could bury his tongue in her tight little slit to make her moan.
Neh’sa seemed to see where his gaze had landed and guess his thoughts.
“Do you want to kiss my panties, Thorn?” she asked softly. “It is tradition, you know, for body-slaves to kiss their Mistresses there during formal functions.”
Thorn licked his suddenly dry lips. “Is it?”
“Mmm-hmm.” She gave him a slow smile. “And some Mistresses carry it further and make it a nightly ritual. It shows respect.”
Kissing her panties every night, getting to press his face to her soft, sweet pussy and inhale her maddening feminine fragrance—maybe this mission wouldn’t be as bad as he’d envisioned, Thorn thought.
“Is that right, Mistress?” he murmured, looking at her with half-lidded eyes. “And what if the body-slave wants to, ah show respect to more than just his Mistress’s panties?”
“Hmm, if he wants to pay obeisance to her pussy, you mean?” Neh’sa purred softly, taking a step towards him.
“Exactly.” Thorn’s mouth watered some more. Gods, he could almost taste her salty-sweet flavor on his tongue! Could almost hear her soft moans and feel her slender fingers tugging at his hair. She might be in the dominant position but he would be the one to make her beg and plead if he could only get his mouth between her legs.
“Of course, it’s not considered strictly proper to let your slave kiss more than your panties—at least, that’s what the prudes who run most of our society would have you believe.” Neh’sa gave a soft laugh. “But if your Mistress wishes more from you than just a good-night kiss on her panties, it’s easy to tell.”
“And how…how can you tell?” Thorn asked, his voice hoarse in his own ears.
“Because she’ll tug the front of her panties down to give you better access—like this.” For just a moment she reached down and pulled at the thin, red lace panties, baring her entire pussy slit for him. Then she widened her stance, letting him look his fill.
Thorn felt his mouth go dry as he saw her ripe outer lips spreading open to reveal the tight little button of her clit. She was glistening with moisture as though this teasing little game they were playing was turning her on as much as it was him.
The sight of her open pussy coated with her honey was almost more than he could stand. His cock surged to life and he was ready to sink to his knees before her when a mechanical voice suddenly intruded.
“Mistress Neh’sa, most of the guests are assembled. Butler Maximus has asked me to alert you that all is in readiness for the ceremony to begin.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” Neh’sa promised the disembodied voice which seemed to come from some kind of intercom system. “Tell Maximus to have everyone arranged and ask Lo’im and Lady Tandy to get into position by the fountain.”
“Yes, Mistress,” the voice announced and with a metallic click, it was gone.
“Very well.” Neh’sa sighed and straightened her panties again, hiding all but the very top of her slit once more. “We can continue this discussion later. Right now I need to fix my hair before I go out to officiate.”
She crossed the room quickly and settled herself before a 3-D viewer which showed her from all angles. Looking into it, she met Thorn’s eyes.
“I don’t suppose you can do hair, can you?”
“Afraid not,” he rumbled. He would have loved to bury his hands in her rich masses of dark hair—bury his face in it too and inhale her feminine fragrance—but he’d never had any formal training in arranging female hair.
Neh’sa sighed. “A pity. Lo’im could have helped me but he has to be in place for the ceremony.”
Thorn felt a stab of jealousy, though he didn’t like to admit it.
“Lo’im?”
“My last submissive. The one pledging his devotion to a new Mistress today.” For a moment her dark and lovely eyes looked sad. “Come here anyway—you can at least watch and maybe you can help me next time. A good body-slave should be able to dress his Mistress’s hair as well as she can.”
Thorn frowned and shifted on the padded leather bench uncomfortably. The sight of her beautiful, curvy body and her soft, wet pussy had made him hard again and it bothered him to walk around with his cock exposed and at full attention.
Neh’sa frowned at him sharply.
“I said come here, Thorn. Are you bucking for a punishment already? You’re not behaving like a very obedient submissive.”
A low growl that was anything but submissive rose in his throat and he stood up abruptly.
“You want me to come? Fine, I’ll come, Mistress.”
He came to stand behind her, knowing full well she could see his shaft in the viewer behind her.
Neh’sa eyes grew wide and then she nodded thoughtfully.
“Oh, I see the problem. This really bothers you, doesn’t it—being exposed?”
“No,” Thorn growled, still standing stiffly behind her.
She met his eyes in the mirror.
“I think it does. But you shouldn’t be ashamed, Thorn. You have a beautiful body and a gorgeous shaft. The fact that you’re hard is a compliment to me, not a condemnation of your self control.”
There it was again—the all important control. At the moment, Thorn wished he had more of it.
“Can I help in any way, Mistress?” he muttered, ignoring her comment. He still wanted to touch her, even though the fire inside him was burning much higher than he liked.
“Come a little closer and just watch,” she directed.
Thorn obeyed and had to stifle a gasp when she shook out her hair and the long, silky strands brushed against his bare and aching shaft. Gods, was she trying to drive him crazy?
Neh’sa gave no indication that she’d noticed how she was touching him as she went about piling her long, dark hair into a mass of loose curls at the top of her head. With a few twists and some jeweled pins she effortlessly transformed her silky tresses into an elegant up-do which left the tender nape of her neck bare.
It looked achingly kissable and Thorn wanted to lean down and press his lips to the vulnerable flesh but he knew he wouldn’t be allowed. Gods, the more he was around Neh’sa, the more he wanted her! He wondered if he would ever be allowed to touch her or taste her at all?
He fucking well hoped so or this was going to be the longest mission of his life.
“All right now,” Neh’sa said, breaking his train of thought. “Help me into my shoes and I’ll be ready to go.”
Looking around, Thorn saw a pair of high heeled black shoes with open toes and long black ribbons attached to the heels. Apparently they were supposed to fit on his Mistress’s feet and the ribbons would tie around her slender ankles.
Kneeling stiffly because of his throbbing erection, he got into position before her and slipped the first shoe onto her impossibly tiny foot. He couldn’t help noticing that from the tips of her toes to the back of her heel, her foot wasn’t as long as his hand from fingers to palm. If he did ever get the chance to touch her he would have to be careful, he decided. She was so delicate a big brute like him might break her.
“Very nicely done, Thorn,” she murmured as he finished fitting the shoes and tying the ribbons around her ankles. “We’ll make a first rate body-slave out of you yet. Now I have to go officiate at the ceremony. Help me up.”
She offered him her hand and he rose stiffly and took it to pull her to her feet.
“Well?” Neh’sa twirled in front of him. “How do I look?”
Thorn frowned. She was gorgeous in the sleek red feather dress but he didn’t like how exposed she was. He’d been told how the Mistresses of Yonnie Six often dressed to accentuate their sexual assets but he hadn’t expected it to bother him so much.
“Exposed,” he said flatly. “Are you sure you want to go out there showing so much skin?”
Neh’sa raised an eyebrow at him.
“This is the latest fashion and actually, quite a modest one for Yonnie Six, especially here in Opulex.”
Thorn couldn’t help himself. “But if other males see you—”
“The only other males here tonight will be body-slaves and I assure you, I will be quite safe around them,” Neh’sa told him.
Thorn shook his head. “You wouldn’t be safe around any male in that outfit—body-slave or not. You’re too fucking tempting, Neh’sa—I mean Mistress,” he corrected himself. “I think you’re underestimating the force of a horny male’s sex drive.”
She frowned. “What are you saying, Thorn? You think someone is going to attack me in my own home?”
“I don’t know—I hope not. But I’d feel better if I was closer to you for protection. I’m your body-slave, after all. Shouldn’t I be near enough to keep you safe?”
She shook her head. “I told you, I don’t allow untrained submissives out in public functions. Your concern is touching, Thorn, but completely unnecessary. Please just stay in my bedchamber out of sight during the ceremony.”
Thorn didn’t like it—didn’t like it one fucking bit. He had all kinds of images in his mind’s eye of out-of-control horny slaves trying to touch his new Mistress. The very thought of that—of another male’s hands on her—made the fire inside him rise almost uncontrollably.
He had no idea why he felt so possessive and protective of her—they still barely knew each other, after all. But she made his body react in a way no other female had ever done and when she touched him…Gods, when she touched him, all he wanted was for her to touch him again and never stop.
It’s nothing, he told himself uneasily. It’s just that your whole mission depends on her. If something happens to her you won’t be able to get the information you need.
As he tried to convince himself it was true, Neh’sa swept from the room, her long skirts trailing behind her, leaving him alone in the bedchamber.