But one look at Rafe’s face and I dismiss that thought. He looks like I’ve disrupted his carefully planned day of important business meetings.
“Step forward, Eve,” Rafe commands. “It’s time for your punishment.”
I take a deep breath and obey him. I notice he now has his IC in his hand, and I wonder if it’s open to the Venus Lock controls, and my mind begins spinning with the pain he might be able to cause with that.
“You activated Ghost Mode,” Rafe says.
Heat rushes into my face. “Sovereign, I?—”
“You stripped, allowed yourself to be gagged and tied up, then you opened yourself for phantoms, all the while thanking them as they used you like a common human pet on an Imperial ship.” His voice doesn’t rise. It doesn’t need to.
Lorian pushes off the pedestal and circles me. “It was glorious to watch you beg the holograms to ruin you. To fuck your mouth and cunt. You were so close to release, and you actually thought I wasgoing to let you have it.” He tilts his head. “Tell me, my sweet heretic, did you imagine one of them was me fucking you? Or my brother? Or did you prefer not knowing at all? Just strangers with erect dicks needing a hole?”
“I didn’t choose it, Sovereign Lorian. You left the Venus Lock open, and the computer in my room?—”
“Exactly,” Lorian interrupts. His hand brushes my cheek with mock affection. “I gave you the freedom to choose. The rare gift of temptation. And you showed us who you really are. Oh, my beautiful little sinner. I see you.”
The words hit the core of my soul, unexpectedly.He sees me.This great galactic alien man sees me.
Rafe runs a large hand down my back. “You betrayed us with your human body. Obsessed with sex. We can’t have this, Eve. We have to punish you, or else you will never learn to resist your natural human impulses.”
I start shaking my head. “Please, Sovereigns?—”
“There will be no excuses. Today we will have a special punishment session to remind you of your position and how important it is that you keep your mind off sex and on your job,” Rafe says.
“Wait, Sovereigns, I?—”
“If you try to make another excuse, we will do this publicly. Is that what you want?” Rafe asks.
I feel sick at the thought. “No, Sovereigns.”
“Strip.”
My fingers tremble as I peel away the tunic, then the trousers, until I’m naked except for the obscene bra Rafe had made for me and my underwear. My nipples protrude through its open cups, framed like trophies.
Rafe’s hand gestures sharply. “We are past this, Eve.Take it all off.”
I fumble with the bra straps, but before I can drop them, Lorian snatches the fabric from me. He loops them around my wrists and yanks them tightly until the edges bite into my skin.
“Perfect,” he mocks. “Bound by the very thing that was supposed to cover you.” He tugs, forcing my arms high so my breasts lift. “Just like the ghosts made you. Only now it isn’t just a fantasy.”
I watch as Lorian retrieves the neural paddle, tapping it lightly against his palm. “On your knees,” Lorian orders. “Let the goddesses witness your punishment.”
I sink to the cold floor in defeat. The circle of holographic goddesses flickers around me; twelve serene faces watching me. I’m trembling while I wait, imagining what is going to happen now. Although that paddle from yesterday didn’t leave any marks, I will never forget how excruciating the pain was when I was beaten with it.
“Kneel properly,” Rafe says. “Back straight and head up. Do not close your eyes at any point during your punishment. You will hold this posture until I say otherwise.”
I obey, spine rigid, thighs spread just enough that the Venus Lock hums against me in warning.
Lorian circles me with the paddle balanced in his hand. “Look at her, Brother. Already shaking, and we’ve barely begun. Shall I help her learn stillness?”
Rafe doesn’t look at him; his serious silver eyes remain on me. “If she breaks posture before the Chime sounds, she will feel the paddle.”
The minutes drag like hours. My knees burn. My arms ache from holding them so rigidly. A tremor runs through me, and before I can stop it, I shift.
The paddle cracks across my ass, and it hurts so much I almost lose my balance.
“Stay still,” Lorian says.
