“Lamira, you must tell me the truth now.”
All the post-climactic languor fled her body in a single moment. She stiffened in his arms, attempting to sit upright. He didn’t allow it. “Don’t lie again.”
She blinked up at him. She wanted to obey. But how could she? It would mean her death.
“Are you really from an agrifarm?”
“Yes, my lord. I swear it.” She met his unbelieving eyes.
How could she prove her innocence?
“I can show you the plants I’ve started in your great hall,” she offered. She’d been dying to show him her work but had made herself wait until more had sprouted.
He lifted her to her feet, his lips pursed. “All right. Show me.”
She turned big pleading eyes on him. “Take the plug out? Please, my lord?” It still burned, heating her pelvis from the inside out.
“No.” His voice had the hard edge to it. He had not forgiven her, no matter what gentleness he’d shown after sex.
“You’re still angry.”
He nodded. “Yes. I don’t see the point of keeping a slave I cannot trust.”
She stopped on her way to put on her clothes, a chill running through her. “Zander,” she breathed, her vision blurring.
Would he send her back? The thought of returning to the agrifarm, even to her mother, left her empty. That wasn’t where she belonged. The crystals had spoken to her. She’d seen the baby.
That’s right, she’d seen the baby. He wouldn’t send her away. She’d prove her innocence to him. She yanked on her clothing and drew herself up, her head held high.
~.~
Lamira chattered on about her plants, using the Latin Earth names for the little sprouts. The glow on her face nearly matched the sunlight pouring in through the crystals, shining through her coppery hair in shimmering waves.
She walked stiffly, the plug in her ass plainly causing her discomfort, the flush on her face as clear a readout as the one on his cuff.
He liked her aroused. Maybe he’d keep her that way all day until she confessed her secret. It was hard to believe she was a spy. She wasn’t good enough at it. But why wouldn’t she tell him how she knew about Gunt stealing crystals?
“So you see? Soon we’ll have fresh food grown here. The plants love your crystal light—it’s amazing how quickly the seedlings have grown. Three times as fast as they would’ve on the agrifarm. I only wish I had more space. I’d love to have an entire room of raised beds to work with.”
He steeled himself against her beauty, against the way his lips fought to reward her excitement with a smile. The more he was around her, the more discombobulated he became. This human was trouble for him.
He gripped her elbow. “It’s time for your ass-vecking.”
Her green eyes flew wide and the color drained from her face. “But, my lord…”
“Unless you’re ready to tell me how you knew about Gunt?”
Her expression clouded, worry gathering on her brow.
“Let’s go.” He tugged her back down the hall, the thought of taking her ass putting a spring into his step.
Perhaps their impasse did not have to be unpleasant. He certainly enjoyed punishing his little slave.
He led her to his chamber and propelled her into the washroom. “Clothes off.”
Like an obedient breeder, she stripped, folding her clothes neatly and stacking them in a pile on the counter. She seemed eager to appease him. He could get used to having her around. And that was cause fo
r concern. Because, right now, he should be focused on winning the battle for Zandia.