The oil Sarah is massaging into my hair is doing the same thing for me.
Sarah keeps going, with long, gentle strokes. I feel like a horse getting her mane prepared for a show – and I don’t mind that one bit.
As she kneads my hair, Sarah sighs: "Aurelians are obsessed with fertility. Utterly obsessed with it. The spend their entire lives looking for their so-called “Fated Mate.” A “Bonded” woman who can bear them sons.”
I sit up straighter. So, that’s how Aurelians reproduce…
But I’ve never seen or heard of an Aurelian child, or witnessed a woman pregnant with an Aurelian baby. Why not?
Sarah continues: “Those three can't stand the idea of being the reason the members of their harem never have children. We can't conceive with them – none of us are their Fated Mate – so when we turn thirty-two, we have to leave their service.” She snorts bitterly. “It’s because they don't want to bear the guilt of being the only reason we never have children of our own."
Sarah shakes her head.
"I know they think they’re doing the right thing. I know they think it’s best for us – but those three don't understand how difficult it is.” She sighs. “How you can go back to a human man after you’ve experienced this?”
Her slender shoulders shrug.
“I mean, I guess some do. Some of the women who’ve left got married in the end, and even started families of their own. They had the means to, with the large salaries the Aurelians give to any woman who leaves their harem. Others came back later, when they were in their forties, mostly just because they miss it here. The older women are more independent. They’re here, you know – a few of them. They just didn’t even bother to come and see the new arrival.” Sarah strokes my hair. “I guess it was too painful for them – to see somebody come and take the place you once occupied. Or maybe they just don’t care anymore. The only thing you need to know about them, is don’t mess with Tina. She’s been working for the Aurelians a long time, and they’ve got a huge amount of respect for her. If she doesn’t like you, you’re out.”
I replay Sarah’s words in my head: After you experience... this.
How could anyone go back to a human man after being with an Aurelian?
I bite my lip, feeling a little tingle of shame coloring my cheeks.
"So… Is it really... Is it really...?"
"As good as everyone says?" Sarah laughs. I look up and see the wistful expression on her face reflected in the mirror.
"Yes… and no. It's better... the first time. That’s when they don't know if they’re Bonded to you or not. The passion in them, then. The mating frenzy.” Sarah visibly shudders, her eyes turning dreamy. Then, sadness clouds her expression. “At the end, though… You can see the disappointment in their eyes the moment they realize you aren't linked – you’re not their Fated Mate.”
She strokes my hair, as if trying to distract herself.
“Don’t get me wrong, Mia. They’re still passionate, powerful lovers – but you can tell that they wish you were their Fated Mate. It's still incredible, and – oh, yes, the rumors are all true – but it hurts not to be… y’know. The one."
She laughs bitterly, and finally puts down the hairbrush. Sarah then puts her hands about a foot apart. I look up at her reflection in the mirror, confused for a second…
…but only a second.
As soon as I realize what she’s referencing, I turn bright red.
My eyes widen in disbelief. "No..."
"Oh, yes."
"How do they fit… that inside you?"
Sarah laughs. "Painfully – at first. But oh, so good.” Seeing the confusion on my face, Sarah explains: “They aren't like humans, Mia. Those big cocks? They drip pre-cum all the time, and it...”
Suddenly she stops, giggling with guilt.
“Oh, Mia, I'm embarrassing you! I’m so sorry, don't think about it...” She laughs. “After all, you're not here to join the harem… are you?"
I wince. She came dangerously close to the truth. Suddenly, I can't stop imagining what it would be like.
Foot-long, ivory-white, massive cocks? Constantly dripping pearly pre-cum? Oh, fuck…
It's my darkest, dirtiest fantasy.
But Sarah’s right. I am not here to join the harem. They think I’m here because the Aurelians saved me. Pitied me.
The truth is far, far darker.
I know what I need to do. I’ve steeled myself to do it – but I feel shame and guilt gnawing in my belly.
It hurts, even looking at the reflection of this beautiful blonde in the mirror. I like Sarah. She’s perhaps the first woman my age to ever show me kindness, and friendship…
…but I know she’ll curse my name when I eventually leave, taking those priceless wristwatches with me.
When Sarah finds out I fooled her – betrayed her, and all the others – she’ll hate me, and with good reason.
I close my eyes. I’m a horrible, horrible person. A warm, clean clothe rubs against my face, and I relax under her touch, letting myself drift off a little as Sarah washes off the dirt and blood.
When I open them again, I see Sarah picking out powders and creams, putting them up against my skin tone idly, trying to find the perfect match.
I ask: “Is all this really necessary?”
I’d let myself be drawn into this makeover – passive and obedient because my thoughts were focused on those priceless watches.
Now that it’s happening, though, I’m having my doubts.
There are two grim outcomes to this little makeover.
What if, after all her work, I still look like nothing special? Especially compared to all these other beautiful women?
Or, the more terrifying possibility…
…what if I do? What if Gallus, Varian and Cyrus suddenly take an interest in me that goes beyond my skills
