They had seen the gym and the med bay, along with the easy-to-use regen unit.They had grabbed snacks and taken over the rec room, watching vids.
Chloe looked at Margo.“So, you really won’t let me repair you?”
“No.These markings got me out of that cell and out of the women’s quarters.I was back in a uniform in two days.Aken-Var was so pissed.He yelled at me in open court for two hours.I just checked my nails and dripped blood on the floor.”
Skylar asked, “Why was he mad?”
“He’s not allowed to play with a marked warrior.It is an ancient ruling put in place to keep the rulers from distracting their army.With a rating of one or zero, they have the stamina of beasts and the seductive powers of gods.”
Cori said, “Come on, I have to see this guy.”
Margo chuckled, and she brought him up on the screen.His blue eyes were unmistakable.
Skylar looked at him.“Whoa.”
Chloe blinked.“What she said.”
The man was sculpted green muscle, scarred by battles decades ago; he had a very human face with pointed ears and jutting tusks from his lower jaw.He was shirtless and wearing bands of gold down his biceps and forearms.Dark leather pants were very faithful to everything nature had blessed him with.His age was hard to define.Somewhere between thirty and sixty.
Cori whistled softly.“So, what does an unmarked female look like?”
Margo snorted, and she brought up an image.
Chloe looked at the huge, jewelled halo radiating from around the woman’s head.She saw the smooth skin, the whisp that concealed the woman’s breasts, and the gauzy silks that flowed from hip to floor.There were gems everywhere, and the woman walked to Aken-Var, curtsying until he took her hand and pulled her into the space between his knees.The kiss was fascinating to behold, and when Aken-Var pulled the woman to him, there was no doubt as to what was about to happen.
Margo ate some fruit.“As a first date, it was pretty good.”
“Wait.That was you?”Chloe stared at the figure as it writhed against the orc.
“That was me.I was dressed all fancy and had to appear in front of the court, looking like that.”
Skylar cleared her throat.“You...whoa...this is more foreplay than I am comfortable with.”
Margo turned the display to pretty landscapes and ancient cities.“Apologies.Zowoth are numb to that kind of thing.The first coupling had to be done in the court, so that gets you used to things pretty fast.”
Chloe said, “And you just did it?”
“Sure.I am fifty-five.No one is really looking anymore.”She shrugged.
“He was looking.”
“I was a novelty.”She chuckled.“First of my kind, and he fit.”
Cori blinked.“Whoa.”
“Yeah, but what wasn’t said is that after I fought my last battle in the arena, they offered all the winners places in the Zowoth.He took me by the hand and led me to a repair unit, telling me that I would still be a warrior, but I didn’t need to wear the markings.That was a big, fucking lie.You have to wear the marks, or you lose rank.”
Chloe said softly, “So, when you put your marks back on, you regained your employable status.”
“Yeah.The funny thing is that my cell was recorded.I have found the files.”Margo sighed.“It was embarrassing.When they first put me in there, I called for him.That lasted a few hours, and then I understood what was happening.I got some sleep and got to work, and no one noticed.”
She shrugged and offered Chloe some fruit.
Chloe took the fruit and felt her skin touch Margo’s.
Margo jolted.“Was that healing?”
“No, I don’t know what it was.If you need it, I will put the marks on you again.”
