“I’m sorry,” she said awkwardly, putting a hand on his knee. “Last night was…special for me, too. To be perfectly honest, it was the best sex I’ve ever had—and we didn’t even have sex. But…there’s just too much standing in the way.”
“There is,” Rarev acknowledged. “But—”
But a knock on the door—or rather, the crystal panel that served as the door to their room—interrupted him.
30
“I’ll get it.” Rarev got up with perfect unconcern, though he was completely naked, to go to the door.
But was he naked? Em rather thought not. With the fur covering his body, he didn’t really need to wear any clothes. She thought that he and the other Monstrum probably only wore them as a courtesy to other species, who thought clothing was necessary because they had no fur themselves.
Not having fur to cover her, she kept the white linen sheet tucked up to her chin as she waited to see who would enter the room. As it turned out, it was Elfa, smiling and looking happy to greet them.
Em nodded genially at the Rigellen attendant—it was time to start the day. Apparently her serious talk with Rarev about the reasons they couldn’t be together was over.
She didn’t know if she felt sad or relieved about that. Mostly relieved, she decided. It was nice to know that Rarev wanted to be with her, but it was better to stop rehashing why such a relationship would be impossible, impractical, and unsustainable.
The Rigellen attendant was carrying several garments draped over her arm and when she saw Em, her smile widened.
“Hello, Minister Oxley! I came to give you a choice of clothing for the Third Trial and to congratulate you and Chief Commander Rarev on passing the Second Trial.”
“Er…what?” Em frowned. “We already passed the Second Trial? How? In our sleep?”
Elfa looked surprised.
“Why no—you passed it when you allowed Commander Rarev to taste you last night. The second Trial is the Trial of Tasting, after all.”
“Wait…were you watching us?” Rarev demanded.
“Of course.” Elfa’s eyes were wide and innocent. “The ceiling of this chamber is the floor of the observation room above. The Director of Mining and the entire panel of judges observed you passing the trial last night.”
“What?” Em could hardly believe it. “That’s…that’s bloody outrageous!” she exclaimed.
“Also, if you were watching us, why did you not stop the flow of water in the bathing chamber last night?” Rarev demanded. “Did you know that Emilia nearly drowned in there?”
“Oh no—how awful!” Elfa’s hand flew to her mouth. “But we would never watch anyone in the bathing chamber, Chief Commander,” she added in a shocked whisper. “That area is private.”
“And the bed chamber isn’t’?” Em demanded. Then she remembered the way the Rigellens and their slime-wives went about having sex in public all the time—they were almost as bad as the hyper-sexual Lady Tabuu and Lord Torrid! “No, I suppose it isn’t,” she said dryly, answering her own question.
“Of course not,” Elfa said. “And besides, the judges had to observe you to make certain that the passion was real between you. I’m happy to report, they decided that it is and you passed easily,” she added, smiling again. “Now would you like to choose a gown to wear for First Meal so I can lead you to the dining area?”
“I suppose so—thank you,” Em said a bit stiffly. She was glad they’d passed the second trial without even trying, but still miffed that their privacy had been violated. She couldn’t help remembering the way Rarev had ordered her to watch him as he licked her pussy and how all that intimate eye contact along with the way he had touched and tasted her had made her come harder than she ever had in her life.
It had been a special moment—a private moment she wanted to cherish always. And the bloody Rigellens had been watching the whole time!
Well, there was nothing to do now but get on with it, she told herself. Sighing, she motioned for Elfa to show her the dresses, which the Rigellen attendant was only too happy to do.
The first dress was black and sleek and at first Em thought it would be perfect. That was, until she tried it on and found that it had holes cut out which showed her breasts and pussy clearly.
“What’s this?” she demanded, looking down at herself in dismay. Rarev had considerately turned his back, though she hadn’t asked him too, and was putting on the new pair of crotchless black linen trousers Elfa had brought for him.
“Why—it is a garment you can wear during the Third Trial.” Elfa frowned, looking concerned. “Do you not like it?”
“It’s lovely except for the fact that it exposes all my bits,” Em said, frowning.
“Personally, I think it looks beautiful,” Rarev offered, glancing over his shoulder at her. “But I can understand that it would make you feel somewhat…exposed.”