Playing Their Parts

“Stone…” She shook her head. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” her partner assured her. “Just relax and replenish yourself. I have a feeling we might have a busy night tonight.”

“You do? Why do you say that?” Cassie asked him.

“Because, we have to attend the public viewing tonight,” Stone told her. “The director told me as we were leaving. I guess you didn’t hear him.”

“No, I didn’t. We have to attend the what?” She frowned.

“The public viewing,” he repeated patiently. “It’s in Gozeriam’s throne room—they show the best, er, porn vids of the day—or at least snippets of them. And apparently, his Slimefullness hands out awards to the best actors.”

“Oh my God, how many people will be there?” Cassie sat up, feeling suddenly nervous. “Do you think he’ll show our scene? Do you think everyone will see us?”

“So what if they do?” Stone raised an eyebrow at her. “Are you ashamed of what we did together today?”

“Well, no…but actually yes! I mean, I just don’t know…” Cassie ran a hand through her hair. “If my parents ever found out I did porn—”

“I very much doubt your parents will be in attendance in Gozeriam’s throne room tonight,” Stone said dryly. “In fact, no one you know will be there except me. And if we can agree not to be ashamed of doing what we have to in order to successfully complete this mission, you should have no reason to blush.”

“I’m not blushing!” Cassie protested.

“Oh, no?” Stone’s long fingers brushed over her hot cheek. “You were beautiful today, Cassandra,” he murmured, looking down at her. “Beautiful and fierce and passionate. I was proud to have you as my partner when we acted that scene together.”

“Well…thank you, Stone.” She smiled at him tentatively. “That’s really sweet of you.”

“I mean it, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Every word.”

He leaned down and Cassie was certain he was going to kiss her this time—and she certainly would have let him. But instead, her partner pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and then pulled her close to him.

“Come relax for a while,” he told her. “Tonight will come soon enough.”

“I guess you’re right.” Cassie sighed and snuggled against his side again.

She would worry about the public viewing later. Right now she just wanted to be close to her partner and relax in his arms. They might have to go back to being just friends once they got back to Earth, but for now, she could pretend they were a real couple, which was nice.

More than nice, Cassie admitted to herself. She only wished their new closeness could last after this mission was done.

But she knew that was never going to happen.

Forty-Five

“Okay, now I see why the throne room has to be so big—Gozeriam would never be able to fit all these, er, people in here otherwise,” Cassie murmured as she surveyed the crowd of creatures and people assembled in the throne room.

There were people everywhere and not just humanoids. She saw aliens with multiple heads and limbs, some who looked like animals, though by the way they were conversing, she could tell they were sentient species. There was a cluster of things that looked like giant spiders on one side of the room and an enormous creature that resembled an elephant with only two legs and a dusky dark blue hide. There were even slime tanks and water tanks set up so that the actors from The Pit and the Aqueous tank could attend the public viewing.

“Where would you like to sit?” Stone asked, looking around at the bewildering array for a couple of free seats.

“Anywhere but near the giant spiders,” Cassie said. “Preferably near the back so we can sneak out early.”

“Agreed.” Stone nodded. “Look, I see some free chairs near those chibble-nooks.”

“Chibble-nooks?” Cassie asked. She looked to where he was pointing and saw three creatures about the size of golden retrievers. Actually, they kind of looked like golden retrievers too, except they had human-looking eyes, green fur, and they were all wearing large, festive hats. As she watched, a fourth one joined them and they all got up to sniff each other’s butts—which was apparently their way of greeting.

“Uh, maybe not by the chibble-nooks,” she said, frowning. She could just imagine what would happen if the dog-like creatures decided to introduce themselves. She had no intention of letting them sniff her butt—or of returning the favor.

“Well, we could sit—” Stone began

“Well, hello there, Mistress,” a familiar voice said in Cassie’s other ear.

“Huh?” She turned to see The Beast standing just behind her. A split second later, Stone saw him too. A low growl rose in his throat and he came at once to stand between Cassie and the other male.

“Hey, take it easy.” The Beast held up his hands in a “don’t shoot” gesture. “I just came to tell you that Gozeriam has requested your Mistress and you to take a seat of honor in the front row.”