Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
The Perfumer detached himself from Solon with obvious reluctance. A moment later, he handed Abbey a tiny glass bottle that fit into the palm of her hand. She slipped it carefully into a pocket on the side of her dress and thanked him.
“Just one drop on your wrist and then rub it on your neck,” the Perfumer told her, sounding breathless. “Listen, I know the two of you are going to your rooms for some private time. Have you ever considered adding a third to your relationship?”
“Er…” Abbey wasn’t sure what to say to that, but Solon clearly had no such problem.
“I’m afraid not,” he said firmly. “Though we thank you for the invitation, Monstrum and their mates are exclusively monogamous.”
“Ah, well…” The Perfumer sighed. “You can’t blame a boy for trying! Very well, go on then. Enjoy yourselves and I’m sure I’ll smell you at the banquet tonight.”
“Thank you, Borigard,” Chancellor Maprist said stiffly. “Come, Commander—we must get you washed off before the banquet!” he added. “You certainly can’t go into the banqueting hall smelling like you do now or you won’t come out again alive!”
Abbey stayed close to the big Monstrum on the walk from the Perfumer’s to their guest quarters. Not because she was afraid of tripping—Spex told her where to go every step of the way. But because she couldn’t bear not to be touching Solon for an instant. His Bonding Scent, which had always drawn her, was so magnified now that it was almost like a drug. All she wanted to do was be near him and touch him…and have him touch her.
At last they came to another engraved door which said, “Welcome Commander Solon and Lady Abbey to your rooms.” When she touched its wooden surface, it swung open invitingly.
“I’ll leave you here,” Chancellor Maprist said, his voice still strained. “You have a few hours before the banquet begins—I’ll come back for you and bring you to the banquet hall.”
“Er, thank you, Chancellor,” Solon sounded preoccupied—possibly because Abbey was rubbing against his side—she couldn’t help it! She wanted him so much.
“Be certain you take a shower and scrub off that scent!” the Chancellor directed. “It would be dangerous to wear that in a public place. I’ll have to have a talk with the Empress about the Royal Perfumer!”
And he left them alone, still muttering disapprovingly to himself.
30
SOLON
Solon stared down at Abbey in consternation. His curvy little human seemed completely overcome with lust and he wasn’t sure what to do about it. She was rubbing against his side and moaning softly and her scent told him she was in serious sexual need.
“Come on, lelka,” he murmured, closing the door so they could get some privacy.
He led her to the bed, which was a broad mattress covered in a dark green spread. There was an elaborate headboard which was connected to the night tables on either side. Each table held a lamp and the one closest to them also had what looked like a bird’s nest, lined with tiny, silk cushions.
“Look—there’s a kind of nest on the nightstand. I wonder what it’s for?” he said, trying to distract Abbey from her lust for a moment.
Unexpectedly, the little Eye-pet on her shoulder spoke up.
“That’s a bed for Spex. Spex is tired now—he should rest.”
Abbey’s lust-glazed eyes cleared for a moment and she reached up to tenderly stroke the little Eye-pet’s fuzzy back.
“Are you sure, Spex?”
“Yes. Spex thinks maybe Pretty Abbey and fur-man want to have private times. So Spex will take a nap in the Eye-pet bed,” he told her. “If pretty Abbey will put out her arm and touch the pet bed, Spex can get there on his own.”
Solon helped her find the little nest and once Abbey had her fingertips on it, Spex simply walked down her arm and hopped right in among the tiny silk pillows. He sighed deeply and then all five of his eyes closed and their stalks retracted until he looked just like a ball of blue fuzz. After a moment the sound of tiny snores could be heard coming from the nest.
“Aww, he’s such a cute little guy,” Abbey remarked, her expression going soft with adoration.
“He’s very endearing,” Solon agreed. He was relieved to see that she was no longer so consumed by sexual need. Maybe the scent the Perfumer had made for him was fading…
But the next minute, she turned to him and took a deep breath…and her eyes glazed over again.
“Solon…” she breathed, reaching for him. “Please—I need you!”
“What do you need?” he asked, frowning. “Remember, it’s not our Bonding week yet, Abbey. And even if it was, I wouldn’t Bond you to me when you’re in an altered state of consciousness.”
“I just want to rub against you,” she protested. “Skin-to-skin…or skin-to-fur. I want to feel your fur against my naked body.”