“Not for a lot of females,” Thrace pointed out. “It is theway most people–hell, most species—reproduce, you know.”

“Well not my people,” Trin said sharply. “Idon’t want to be penetrated anymore than you do. It’s…wrong.”

He winced and sat back.

“Point taken. All right, let’s forget about itthen. I have plenty of mint oil if you get another headache.”

“Thank you.” She smiled at him. “That’s verythoughtful. So what did you learn about our roles here?”

Thrace shrugged. “Not that different from Yonnie Six,really, except there’s no punishment involved. Well, no punishment by pain anyway.I am still expected to wait on you hand and foot and drop to my kneesand kiss you to show reverence when we’re announced at the reception…that kindof thing.”

“I’m sorry about that.” Trin bit her lip. Whenshe’d first had the idea to buy a male slave to act as her prop duringsituations like this, she’d been thinking that males were big dumb brutes—moreanimal than anything else—so the idea of one of them subjugating himself to herin public hadn’t seemed like a big deal. After all, her stallion, Swift wasquick to come running and was happy to perform a few tricks for the treats shealways carried in her pocket. Trin had imagined training a slave much the sameway.

Now she had a slave—albeit a temporaryone—and she knew he was sharply intelligent as well as proud and strong. AskingThraceto bow and scrape to her every whim seemed wrong…degrading.

Her feelings must have shown on her face because Thracetook her hand in his and looked into her eyes.

“It’s all right—I don’t mind, Mistress.”

“How can you not?” Trin protested. “All this bowingand kissing my foot in public…”

“It’s not your foot I’m supposed to kiss. Haven’tyou ever been to a Yonnite High Reception before?”

“Not one where I was announced. Why, what are yousupposed to kiss?” Trin felt a surge of apprehension.

Thrace raised an eyebrow at her. “Your panties, Mistress.”

“My what?” Trin’s heart started to pound.“I really don’t think—”

“Hey, it’s all right.” Thrace stroked a strand of hair outof her eyes. “Listen, baby, I know you’ve never been kissed there so I promiseto be gentle.”

“I’m not a baby—I’m your Mistress,” Trin remindedhim a little sharply, though she secretly rather liked the sweet, caressingname he called her when he forgot himself.

“Mistress, then. What I’m trying to say is, it’sjust a quick kiss—nothing too deep or intimate. A formality, really.”

“A formality,” Trin echoed doubtfully. “Well, Iguess…”

“It’ll be fine,” he assured her. “But right now,you need to get ready or we’re going to be late.”

“All right, what am I wearing? That?” Trin eyed theturquoise gown apprehensively. If anything it looked even more revealing thanthe yellow gown she’d fallen asleep in.

“Afraid so,” Thrace said. “I checked and this isthe kind of dress all the mistresses are wearing to the reception tonight—thelatest Yonnite fashion. You probably won’t like it but it’s going to lookfucking gorgeous on you.”

Trin grimaced. “I hate it already.”

“At least the shoes have a lower heel,” heremarked, showing her a pair of turquoise sandals with straps over the arch andheel. “So they shouldn’t hurt your feet as much.”

“Anything but the boots I’m used to is probablygoing to hurt,” Trin groused. She sighed. “All right—let’s get this over with.Give me the dress and point me towards the fresher.”

Silently, Thrace complied.

After ten minutes of trying to get comfortable inthe new outfit, Trin looked down at herself and grimaced. She’d been right—thegown was more revealing than the yellow one. Instead of a whole panel oflace to cover her chest, it only had a thin rectangular strip which barely hidher nipples and stretched tightly from side to side. It kept wanting to comeloose and Trin had to adjust it several times to get it to stay in place.

Below, the gown was no better. There was no lacepanel this time. Instead, the dress had a kind of strange draw-string typefeature which split the bottom part of it into puffy wings. When thedraw-string was pulled, the dress spread wide in front and back and onlycovered the sides of her legs, leaving her ass and sex on display. This clearlyrevealed the turquoise panties that matched the gown, much to Trin’s growingdismay.

The panties consisted of a tiny lace triangle whichbarely covered her pussy slit and a few lacy straps which went over her hips tohold it in place. They did their job poorly and the triangle kept twisting toone side or the other, exposing her in a most embarrassing way.

“This is ridiculous,” she muttered, releasing thedraw string so that the dress closed and she was covered. “It’s excessive evenfor Yonnie Six. I’m not walking around exposed all night. There—that’sbetter,” she added, looking at herself in the 3-D viewer. The top of her dresswas still obscene but at least her ass and crotch were modestly covered now.

“Almost done? Reception in five,” Thrace called through the door.

“I know. I’m coming.” Taking a deep breath, shestepped out of the fresher. “How do I look?”

Thrace frowned.

“Too covered up. You’re wearing the dresswrong—it’s supposed to be open. How can I get to your panties to kiss youotherwise?”

“I’m not wearing it open,” Trin said firmly.“It’s ridiculous to expect—”

Suddenly a sharp tapping sounded on the door. Trinexchanged glances with Thracebut before either of them could answer it, it burst open to reveal LadyTam-tam, looking resplendent in an orange and purple mu-mu which swept to thefloor and covered everything, which hardly seemed fair to Trin.

“My darlings,” she exclaimed, coming over to them.“Forgive the intrusion but I just remembered that I forgot to give you a newcollar for your love-slave. And I promised you one so faithfully—Icouldn’t go back on my word.”

“Of course, Lady Tam-tam, please come in,” Trinsaid, trying to smile. “I’m very grateful—I can’t wait to take the pain collaroff Thraceand give him a new one.”

“Good. Here it is.” She withdrew a long, thinrectangular box from the folds of her voluminous gown and opened it, showingthe contents to Trin. Inside was a black leather collar studded with palesilvery-blue gems.

“Oh—it’s lovely,” Trin exclaimed, honestlyimpressed. “But it looks so expensive! What are those gems?”

“Lathian sapphires.” Lady Tam-tam beamed. “Theylook more expensive than they are though—don’t worry about it. Consider them mygift to you.”

“Thank you.” Trin turned to Thrace. “Let’s get rid of that paincollar, shall we?”

“With greatest pleasure, Mistress,” he rumbled,sinking to his knees before her so that Trin could reach the fastening to theblack and silver pain collar.

She took it off, reflecting that just a few daysago it was the only thing that had persuaded her to trust Thrace and his intentions towardsher and her crew. But things had changed now. Maybe it was the way they hadgrown to know and respect each other or maybe it was…something else. But she nolonger needed the pain collar to feel safe around him. She felt only relief asshe discarded it.

The new gem-studded collar fit Thrace perfectly, emphasizing hisstrong throat and broad, bare shoulders. Trin took a little longer than sheneeded to putting it on, enjoying the touch of his warm skin and the way he lookedkneeling in front of her. Goddess, she’d never thought much of the male formbefore but Thracereally was a work of art. Every muscle was sculpted, standing out inbold relief.

Impulsively, she carded her fingers through hishair, caressing him gently in the way she imagined a real mistress would dowith a slave she cared for. Or maybe it’s just because you want to touchhim, whispered a little voice in her head. But Trin pushed it away—she wasjust playing a part for Lady Tam-tam, the same way Thrace was.