I step forward and cut him off. This is not the time nor place to hold such a conversation. Shaking my head, I urge him toward the vehicle so I can convince my sister to be on her way. His shoulders ripple as he stalks off, irritation rolling off of him in waves.
“I don’t understand why you have to rile them up,” I murmur. “They’re only helping me.”
“That’s precisely the point. When are you going to put away all this foolishness and join us at court?”
“The family gave me five years. Once that time is up, I’ll concede, but not a day sooner.”
“You do realize how bad you’re making us look, right? The fact that Father indulges you at all... I don’t understand it. You were always coddled. Even as a baby. Well, mark my words, when this experiment of yours fails, and it will fail, Father already has an Icorian senator lined up and waiting for you to be his wife.”
For a moment, she stops and looks down at her perfectly manicured hands. “But why do you want to wait when he’s such a prime specimen... It’s beyond me. You can live a life of ease and luxury. You can be a senator’s wife. You’re just doing this because you’re being stubborn.”
“No,” I cry out, tears burning in my eyes. “I’m doing this because I want to actually make a difference. I want more than just lavish parties and days spent in idle nothingness.”
“Five years,” she huffs as she turns around. “That’s what you agreed to. Five years.”
Unable to keep the frustration at bay, I slide into my seat and slam the door to the vehicle with a loud bang. Next to me, Draagor fires it up and drives it out of the city. Thankfully, he doesn’t say anything, but I watch him glance over at me every so often.
“You might as well say what’s on your mind,” I grumble. “It’s better than just staring and hoping words will fall from my lips.”
“If I had known your father was funding this, I wouldn’t have accepted the money. Neither would have Morthran. That money should go to helping you improve things.”
Another heavy sigh slips through my lips as I allow myself to hunch over and feel the impotency slithering through my veins. “I can’t have you working for free. That wouldn’t be right.”
“It wouldn’t be for free,” he grins. “We have cows to drink from and pleasure. That is reward enough.”
“Right. And that’s what all the other Ranchers pay their ranch hands with. Milk. I didn’t think you were this delusional. But then, you’ve stuck it out with me for four years, so I’m not sure I can fully speak to your sanity.”
“I’m not insane,” he teases. “The Medical Ranchers had me checked. Seriously though, it’s not as if you’re doing me any favors. I fully plan on using this as experience if or when I decide to look for another ranch. You’re not the only beginner here. It’s not as if Morthran and I came to you as mighty experienced ranch hands. We’ve all had to learn together.”
I mull over his words a moment as we pass the growing fields of Ovibrosia. It’s always so peaceful out here, so calm. The air is cleaner, and there’s not as much noise or rushing around as there is in the capitol. Peace. It’s literally the only word I can think of.
Something in me belongs here. I can feel it. I’m never happier than when I’m fingers deep in the dirt coaxing something to grow. I just wish it actually worked.
“Did you really mean that?” I finally whisper.
“Mean what?”
“About you and Morthran not taking money to actually help make this ranch work?”
“I mean, I can’t fully speak for him, but I know I’d give up that money in a heartbeat if it meant making this farm successful.”
“Take me to the auction then. Perhaps between the both of us, we can grow our herd. It seems the only way to get ahead. I foolishly thought I’d be able to actually grow things and flourish here, but I guess it’s just a passing fancy. Time is short. Too short. I suppose I need to grow up and do what’s needed instead of what’s wanted.”
Glancing over, I take in Draagor’s large grin. “Fine by me. More milk, more tits, and more pussy to break in.”
Of course, that’s what he’d think about. If only there were some sort of direct benefit for me like there is for them. Unfortunately, I’m just not wired to want women. If I did, this would all be so much easier.
Excitementand a fractious buzz of anticipation sizzle throughout the large, darkened room. As much as the dread of spending more money sits like lead in my gut, being here sweeps me up until I have just a small, frisson of enthusiasm. The low murmured tones slide over my body like a hum of electricity until all I can think about is the cows I’m about to see.
I’ve only been to two auctions before now. It’s how I have my current stock. However, it never ceases to amaze me just how exhilarating it is. Someday, I’ll be in the same position as the other Master Ranchers, with several cows to their herds.
As much as I want to make this ranch work based on the produce I can make, it seems as if milk might be the way togo. If anything, these heifers might make me enough to look profitable. All I need is a foothold. That’s it. If milk is what will get me there, then that’s what I have to do.
Unfortunately, as each cow is brought up on stage for bidding, the numbers instantly go far out of my range. It’s not surprising, though. This round, they’ve managed to procure some of the finest cows Earth has to offer. One by one they come up to the stage and flash their milk-ladened tits and gleamingly aroused pussies.
Perfect for Ranchers.
Perfect for ranches.
