House of the Twin Jewels

Here is slightly edited excerpt from House of the Twin Jewels. In it, A’Asha, a purple-skinned woman warrior of the Om’Zama, one of the many races of the Andromedan empire, goes out for a night of pleasure with a poet friend.

We entered the lavish foyer of the Jewels. The interior was fragrant and gleaming, softly lit by musk scented candles in sconces and chandeliers. The floors were set with an intricate pattern of colored marble, the walls covered with alternating panels of gilt-stenciled silk and polished woods… .

At one end of the hall, a glittering jet curtain was parted to show a room of silver, mauve and blood violet. The black marble floor was circled with satin couches and low tables set with lush fruits and rich wine. In its center, seated on the round, raised stage, two soft-furred Cedealian hermaphrodites played a teasing duet on lyre and flute. Jeweled belts were locked about their waists instead of the usual bracelets or collars that might mar their wrist ruffs and fluffy white manes… .

At the other end of the hall a wide staircase swept down from the rooms above. There was movement on the balcony as several pleasure slaves gathered to make their entrance, and below, as the patrons gathered to watch. I looked up as you descended the stair and felt my whole body tense to stillness.

They understood your male beauty well here, and played it. They kept you unpainted to emphasize your savage quality, the wild and tawny beast only half tamed. Your hair fell loosely about your face, sun-streaked honey and amber. You moved with feline grace, your nude body slender, strong, and supple, the oiled muscles rippling in the candlelight. Rose colored, flushed, and slightly swollen, your sex swayed as you walked toward me. Naked, your dark gold skin was bound with gilded chains—human strength frail against Andromedan power. The strength and frailty equally enticing.

You felt my gaze and met it, level and cool, owning yourself still. A look that would have been a challenge, if not so self-contained. I stared back, entranced, while everything around you blurred, dissolved in a golden haze, radiance. As if your body cast not shadow but light.

It would be easier if my passions were not so sudden, so total, so few. Better a few small fires to warm the night than a single consuming blaze. Easier still not to care at all.

I thought I had starved my heart into submission… .

You stood now almost at the foot of the stairs, your eyes on the door. I followed your glance and saw S’Karrak had just entered the room. I fought with him on this last galactic campaign and have seen him claim the spoils of war. Rape is a kind word for his pleasures. I saw from your face you knew him too—and saw your defiance even in fear. Then for a moment, your eyes sought mine again, as S’Karrak moved forward to buy you for the evening. I was there before him, laying down my credits and receiving your key in return.

As I approached, you still did not smile but held my gaze. Large eyes, dark-lashed, narrowing as they assessed yet another stranger. I could see the mosaic of their color now, the bright flecks of bronze, green, and topaz. Then you turned and, without touching you, I followed, far enough behind to watch the movement of your buttocks as you climbed the stairs and walked the length of the hallway to your room.

I shut the door behind us. You stood a moment, framed in the darkness of the full window open on the garden. Then you turned, already hard, as I was already flowing…. Standing before me, you lowered that taunting gaze. Submissively, you held out your wrist cuffs to have your chains unlocked. Smiling then, ruefully. Gracefully performing a ritual abasement disguised as a ritual freedom.

It was I who stood rigid for fear of trembling, almost gasping at the first touch of your hands, Terran cool on my hotter flesh. Your fingertips traced the line of my mouth, brushed my cheek. Did they teach you this sweet hesitancy here, as they train your hardness?

“Your skin is the color of plums,” you said, your voice light, husky, a voice for whispers.