"My father has taken care of the prisoner adequately," Rafe says, each word precise and empty.
"More than adequately," Gai replies, and I see a look pass between Rafe and his father that I can’t read. It’s not hostility, but something more like empathy. Then Gai continues, "Eve is learning her place beautifully. She hardly speaks anymore unless spoken to. And her Imperial is coming along nicely.”
"Although the medical reports indicate regular emotional episodes," Jin Kol notes, scrolling through his tablet with obvious relish. "Crying—as we see now. Sleep disturbances. Night terrors calling out for her owners."
"As I said, these are all minor adjustment issues. She adores her masters, and to be separated from them is difficult for a human,” Gai retorts. “But she always returns to the baseline."
"Fine. I will make a note for review next year. Now, as you all know, by the terms of Eve’s sentencing, in an effort to ensure continued compliance and reinforce the owner-property dynamic, the prisoner will be dominated by her owners both physically and sexually."
"The private chambers for the conjugal visit are prepared," Gai says.
"First, the prisoner will choose," Jin Kol says. "As specified in subsection 54-B of the criminal property management code. Eve, you may select the order of activities. Conjugal privileges first, or corrective measures?"
The entryway begins to spin. I feel everyone’s eyes on me, waiting for my answer.
They’re making me choose?
What fresh new alien hell is this? Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, do I want to be publicly fucked or publicly beaten first?
"I..." My voice cracks from emotion. "I choose the conjugal visit first, Tribune."
Jin Kol's stylus clicks against his tablet. "Noted. The prisoner chooses intimacy before punishment. No surprise given you’re human. You must be desperate for sex given Commander Gai hasn’t touched you. I’m surprised you’ve been able to stand here without showing us all your needy little slit and begging for it.” Another click.
Then, looking at Lorian and Rafe, Jin Kol says, "You have one hour. I'll monitor you from the observation room. Remember, adequate enthusiasm is required, or your prisoner will lose marks on the behavioral assessment, which will add to the number of lashes she receives during her punishment."
“Understood,” Lorian says as if it’s a curse word.
Gai and the housekeeper lead us through the obsidian corridors to the guest wing and then to an elegant room with a large bed with black sheets, and minimal furniture. I can’t see any cameras, but I have no doubt they are all here to catch every look of humiliation and every sound I make as my alien owners use me to prove that I am their property.
The door closes with a soft click that feels much louder than it should.
We all three stand frozen. The air between us is charged with everything we can't say as we are all too aware that Jin Kol is watching and listening to everything.
I want to throw myself into their arms, but for some reason, I can’t.
Rafe breaks the silence and our distance. He comes to me in two long strides and pulls me against him so hard my ribs protest. "Eve. I want to?—”
I breathe him in. He smells like expensive soap, petrichor, and himself. He smells familiar. Safe. But his large grey hands shake as he checks my body for any kind of damage or changes.
“I’m fine,” I say in Imperial.
Rafe closes his eyes like I have wounded him. Then he opens them again and puts his thumb under my chin, and I look up at him. His silver eyes search mine. “Say something else because I know you’re far from fine.”
“I missed you both terribly. I don’t want to be here anymore. I want to return to the Spire. I’ll do anything to come back with you. Please.”
Rafe shakes his head.
I can’t help it. I begin to cry in earnest.“Please, I can’t stay here. I can’t do this. It’s too much. Take me with you.”
Lorian comes up from behind me, and they both hold me together, and I continue sobbing in their arms.
“We want you with us,” Lorian says. “But we can’t right now. We have to keep you safe, and here you are safe. You have to trust us, Eve.”
This makes me suddenly irate. I push back and look up at them hovering over me, encapsulating my small body between theirs, and yell, “Because I’m human. Because I’m your pet, you won’t tell me?! You won’t even tell me why you’re punishing me by leaving me here?”
They hold me tighter between them, not letting me go. Rafe kisses my head and says, “Yes. That’s it.” But I can tell by his tone, that’s not all of it, not even close.
Lorian’s hands frame my face with reverent care, intertwined with Rafe’s. "We're sorry. We're so sorry, Eve.But you must trust us now.”
