Zara had to admit the outcome for Astra had to be better than exile even if Astra had to submit to sex. “What became of her?”
“Her people forgave her and peace was brokered,” he ended the story with some degree of haste.
Was that really the end?
“It’s a very interesting legend, but what’s it got to do with me, sir?” She had an inkling she was the new Astra. Surely it wouldn’t involve everything he’d implied, like how Astra had become Brynt’s mistress?
“I’m offering you the choice: a public whipping or the Ordeal of Astra. You would be privately punished and submit your body to another’s desires for the duration.” He maintained a steadfast gaze with a glimmer in his eyes and she squirmed, unable to look away.
It couldn’t be possible—what he proposed was unbelievable. “You?” she exclaimed.
“Me. I am a high-ranking judge and licensed to claim a convict for an ordeal. I will take you to my residence, where you be locked away from prying eyes. A room without luxuries but better than a detention cell.” He stepped toward her, closing the gap and she held her breath. When he reached out to touch her chin, she didn’t flinch, but she snatched a breath. He towered over her and nudged her head up, forcing her to meet his steely gaze.
Oh, my God, she nearly blurted. The warmth of his breath bloomed over her. She crushed her legs together instinctively. Did he know? How could he. She’d not been examined.
“I would be your prisoner? Punished by you?” she whispered. How could she agree when she didn’t know him? Who was this judge and why was he willing to take her to his home to conduct this ordeal? Was he simply after a woman, a human female, to fuck? Or worse, was he a sadist?
“At my discretion. But only me. You would be saved from public humiliation and from your fellow humans witnessing your punishment. They would never know.” He stroked his finger down her cheek. “No tears? You’re not afraid of me?”
She was still trembling. She had to tell him, because at the moment there was no choice. She couldn’t follow in the footsteps of Astra.
“I’m a virgin,” she blurted.
His hand dropped and his eyes widened in surprise. “You’ve never been with a man?”
She smirked, feeling a little mollified by the admission. “Well, yes, but not that way, and just because I get drunk… not all students…” she added feebly.
He laughed softly. “Forgive me, I have been presumptuous with my views of human copulation. Is it not your way to fuck once you come of age?”
Zara rubbed her hands up and down her arms. The direction of the conversation was creeping into the intimate, but if that was what he wanted from her, then he had to understand her better.
“It used to be something you did on the wedding night, you know.” She shrugged a little nervously. “Not so much like that these days. I’m twenty. I’ve just not met the right man.”
“Mmm, I see. Then if I was to tell you I promise to take your virginity with consideration, would you still accept my alternative sentence?”
Fuck, he’s keen.
He wanted her. She tingled all over and she shouldn’t. It couldn’t be right. He was going to punish her, fuck her, do whatever the hell he liked. “And then, after you take my virginity?” she asked slowly.
“You are mine,” he said softly.
“For how long?”
He was close again, hovering right by her breasts and so close to brushing against her. “Until two moons have come and gone. Two moons of Halos.”
Which meant about seven weeks on Earth. That long! Would it take that long to complete her public whipping? Probably not.
“I don’t know, sir,” she stuttered, feeling overwhelmed and uncertain.
“I want you, Zara. I want to punish your sweet bare ass with my hand. I want to witness you come when I demand it. I want to enter you. You will submit and serve me every day. You will stay naked in my presence. In return I shall ensure your privacy is protected, your criminal files kept confidential and you will come to no harm.”
The room was hot. Or felt hot. The blood had rushed to her cheeks and she swayed.
He caught her arm and steadied her. “Sit down here.” He led her to a chair and she flopped onto it.
He brought back the glass of water and held it to her lips.
After the cool liquid trickled down her dry throat, she spoke. “I don’t want to be whipped. Will you whip me?”