Page 88 of Tempt

For that, I reward him with a single kiss before stepping back. I can’t encourage more. Not now. Not when so much is at risk. Reaching out, I curl the chain around my fingers and give it the gentlest tug.

He responds immediately, taking a step forward.

‘We must go.’

He doesn’t respond other than to give me a single nod, and then closes his eyes as I press the sequence on the portal key and prepare to step through.

nineteen

LUCA

We make our way into the city, walking part of the way, Eissa’s tail wrapped around me. His hand holds the chain attached to my collar, and it feels…strange. Ever since he pierced my nipples, he seems more possessive of me.

Part of me thinks it is just the sight of the piercings, but another part of me believes that it is more. That he finally got to mark me as his, and now he can’t stay away even if he tries.

He might resist me at every turn, but deep down he knows who I belong to.

I turn my gaze up to meet his, and he glances down at me. I can feel him prodding at the entrance of my mind, and I let him, practicing for when we arrive at the gathering for the Vyastil and their companions.

I need to practice being pliable and obedient. It won’t be easy. I tend to push back when I feel threatened, but I can do this for Eissa.

‘I am sorry I must ask this of you,’ he signs softly in my mind. Having my language in my head instead of words I’m still struggling to get used to makes this a little easier.

I peer up at him and give a nod. It’s not like I have a choice, really, but I’m not sure I’d care much if I did.

Right now, I’m wearing the thin, sheer shawl over my shoulders, but everything else is visible, and I find that I kind of like it. I know I look good. I work hard for my body, and the way Eissa looks at me tells me he appreciates my efforts.

I’m still feeling okay about this whole thing as we approach the building. I don’t want to fall apart in front of a bunch of important Vyastil, but Eissa seems to read my anxiety and sets a hand at my jaw.

You will do perfect, my Luca.

This time, I don’t correct him on calling me his. I take a breath and wait for him to pass through the large door, and then I take a step over the threshold. We come into a small, bare entryway, accompanied by only one other Vyastil and their companion. He has dark red hair and is completely naked, his back pressed up against the wall as his Vyastil is on his knees before him, sucking him off before they enter the main floor. The human looks half in pain, half in ecstasy as his fingers curl into the wall behind him. His eyes are screwed shut, and I peer up at Eissa, who speaks to me in my mind.

That is Gerythn, he warns. He is not kind. Do not speak to him or his companion.

I wasn’t planning on it. I’m not speaking to anyone, remember?

Eissa’s rainbow eyes sparkle as he tugs on the thin chain, leading me forward. We move out of the small waiting room and step into a large space, the floors vibrating beneath me. The walls almost glow white as we step inside, and I hold my breath as I take it all in. There are colorful vines on the wall, snaking up around hazy windows and around light fixtures. They’re the only decorations in the large room.

Well, unless you count the companions. Like me, they’re naked except for the jewels on their cocks and piercings in their skin.

Some are standing near their Vyastil, their heads downturned, their hands behind their backs. Some are getting sucked, their heads thrown back in pleasure.

Eissa tugs on the chain, and I step forward toward a long table at the front of the room. Two Vyastil sit behind it and nod when Eissa and I appear. I keep my head down in faux deference, but I’m unable to keep my eyes completely turned away. I want to see what is happening.

An orange-and-green-haired Vyastil inclines his head at Eissa, and I see them speaking, probably in Eretharian. As expected, Eissa does not translate for me, so I watch as they converse. He tugs on my chain again, and my nipples tingle as he does. He must be speaking about me, I think.

My cheeks redden, and I’m glad for it. I want them to think I’m meek.

Eissa steps behind me and cups my cock, almost as if showing it off. I stand completely still, biting the inside of my cheek to keep my attitude at bay. Then Eissa gently grabs my balls and they settle in his palm.

I want to melt into the floor from embarrassment, but keep myself standing as the Vyastil takes me in. He does it slowly, a curious perusal before Eissa’s hand leaves me and he steps back.

The Vyastil behind the table must rank higher than Eissa because Eissa bows toward him when they are finished speaking before he moves to the next one.

I am sorry, my Luca. But I must show you off, he tells me before he does the same thing with the other Vyastil.

I’m on display, I remind myself. I must allow this as much as I don’t like it.