Page 35 of Indentured Companion
According to Cassie, Dad’s just declared himself totally bankrupt now, and lost his Caste. Due to the terms and conditions of our indentured servitude, our Caste status is protected under the duration of the contract. The banks are therefore notallowedto come after me or Cassie for collateral, or compensation for his debt. Even our payout is protected from debtors, so they can’t strip us down to the bone once we complete our contracts either. It’s why this was the best solution. It has taken him 4 months, but good ol’ Dad finished spiralling just like we knew he would years ago. Cassie is trying to find out where he is and make sure he gets to a shelter or something. Personally? He dug this hole and should fester in it. Selfish prick. He gambled and drank away his future, and ours. He refused any help or advice. He always apologised for decimating our legacy, but then went right back to it the next day.
So fuck him.
That may be hard hearted of me, but I stopped letting that man disappoint me a year ago, when he used his next of kin privileges to hack into my savings. He took every penny I had, and took it to the nearest casino. He lost it there, of course, and I’ve never forgiven him. What kind of Father does that to his own daughter? That one move ruined any chance Icouldhave had to take over the company when he crashed and burned. That money was supposed to help me and Cassie establish ourselves as heads of the company when he retired. Well? You can’t get more retired than Casteless and hopeless. If Cassie wants to try and get him some help, then fine, but that man broke my heart, and I don’t have it in me to forgive him. I just don’t. The only person I’ve ever trusted not to use me or screw me over, is Cassie…until recently.
I sweep my eyes up to my side at Vrajan and my heart flutters. I trust him. Not just with my blood and my body, but I trust him with my heart too. Lord knows when that happened. I normally guard it a lot more viciously than I have with Vrajan. But there’s just something so nice and honest about him. It genuinely upset him that he couldn’t tell me for a long time about his Bonding Succour. My Dad lied to me every time he opened his mouth, and he only ever copped to it when I caught him in the lie. My so called friends and love interests soonlostinterest, when it became clear my family were headed towards Casteless status. Even our workers transferred to other companies to abandon ship.
Everyone I’ve ever known has abandoned me and Cas. Mum died, but I can hardly blame her for that. Dad abandoned us the moment he chose his addiction and refused help, over me and Cassie. Our friends protected themselves and got rid of us when we needed them the most. My whole life, the only person I could truly trust is my sister. I accepted that would always be the case.
Until Vrajan.
One thing about being his feeding companion and being with him all the time, is getting to know him really well. You can’t hide your flaws indefinitely from someone you have to be withall the time.Other than when I’m asleep or chilling in my room, I’m with Vrajan. When we’re on the main starbase, I’m literally holding his hand. We do interviews together. Attend administrative meetings with endless paperwork he has to proofread and amend with lawyers together. We shop together. We go sight seeing together. Vrajan is fascinated with going to the cinema, but we always have to sit in a VIP booth so the rest of the customers don’t know we’re there, and we never watch a horror film. Namely, because of the Korvians displayed there insult him. Hell, they insult me too now that I know the guy. We’ve toiled through customs together. Answered questionnaires together. Hell, I painted my nails yesterday while Vrajan sat on the bed as he grumbled to me that ‘darn Getrata is at it again’. We both think his left head needs a face lift, the bigoted prick.
Vrajan keeps me company and talks to me while I eat. He’s started joining me for showers…erm…where we sometimes start his feed…and then he fucks me against the shower wall…mmmm…. I am down with all of that. I can’t believe that I freaked out the first time I saw Vrajan without his clothes on. He’s tall, lean, strong but gentle when he needs to be, has anamazingmonster cock that he wieldswonderfully,and well? He’s handsome to look at too. His eyes do it for me. They always have. I’ve never seen lilac eyes so bright, and his diamond shaped pupils draw me in. Now that there’s no pain I’m really enjoying the full experience of being his feeding companion.
I mean, don’t get me wrong. The dude isn’t perfect. He doesn’t alwaysask firstwhen he wants something, like, I’m his feeding companion and therefore, everything goes now right? Nu-uh. There are still ‘Korvis things’ he does, that I’m trying to get used to. I’ve got my head around the whole licking my neck like a giant cat after sex part of his guarding instincts thing he does. I’m used to all the hand holding and invasion of my personal space. The egg thing is a looming timer that makes me a little nervous. Not right now. Right now I like the full sensation I feel for a few minutes after sex before the egg breaks down. Earlier, having the inner egg pushed into me wasn’t astellarexperience, and that was another example of him not asking first.
The growling. Oh sweet lord the way he glares and growls at people he thinks are giving me the eye makes me want to flick his nose like a bad dog. Since his secondary ducts were unblocked and we’ve started doing the pretzel three times a day, he’s become possessive of me. Men, women, or other, it doesn’t matter. If Vrajan thinks they’re checking me out, he will move himself between us and scare the shit out of them with nothing more than a glare and a deep rumbly growl. He can cut that out before he ruins all his hard work. Chuckling that ‘I can’t help it, it’s a Korvis thing’, doesn’t excuse him, quite frankly.
Oh, and then there’s the wardrobe thing. He thinks I haven’t noticed, but he’s slowly turning my wardrobe into particular colours. Red and blue dresses, for the most part, but after today I’m expecting to see more yellow ones too. He has said several times he likes to be able to lift my skirt and get to ‘business’ right away. Space Dracula better not smuggle away any more of my comfy pants and slacks, or I’m going to start messing with his clothes too! Let’s see how he likes wearing pink robes and having glitter bombs go off in his laundry.
I snicker, having amused myself with the imagery. Still, despite his flaws, I always huff and forgive him, and then he makes it up to me. I’m sure he finds things about me annoying too, but hasn’t mentioned any, so I can’t piss him off too much. He makes me feel like I’m special. Damn it. No wonder I pounced on him earlier. How long have the damn boundaries between us been missing? Why am I not more freaked out by the fact that I am totally falling for a black and white cinnamon roll with fangs?
“Are you alright?” I blink and realise that not only was I staring up at Vrajan, but he’s caught me doing it.
“Yes. I’m fine.” I am not fine. I am staring a very worrying realisation in the face. I don’tjusttrust Vrajan. I don’tjustlike Vrajan. I don’tjustenjoy his company and don’t mind his flaws. I don’tjustthink this super sweet Dynast needs me to swat away the BS, so he will succeed in his mission. I don’tjustsupporthis daunting task so much I worry about how what I do and say will affect his mission. I don’tjustthink he’s kind, loyal, honest and trustworthy.
Mother fucker.
I’ve fallen ass over tit for the guy. Shit.
Chapter 26
A trap if I ever heard one
Vrajan.
“Are you sure?” She doesn’tseemfine.
“Yeah, yeah fine.” She clears her throat and looks around the Gala. “Fancy place huh?”
“It’s very large.” I can tell she isn’t going to elaborate on whatever she was consumed by a moment earlier, and this isn’t the place to try and coax it from her. “Korvis architecture is not as open. It’s more like a network of tunnels, which is why our home cities and Motherships are referred to as ‘Hives’.” She returns her attention to me with genuine interest. “We build our homes out of crystals mined from our sector called Lopetaenite, because it has a curious quality.” I walk her around the edge of the hall, and we both ignore the soft gasps and pointing figures as I pass the other guests. My long billowing green chiffon robes, head dress, veil, and golden M crown make me stand out, as well as my superior height. I am recognisable as a Korvis long before anyone looks at my lilac eyes and diamond shaped pupils. For nowIam the one who draws their attention, not the lovely human woman holding hands with me. “Lopetaenite can transmit light easily so we need fewer light sources, but they bend that light so you can’t see through the crystal. It still allows for privacy in each chamber.”
“What does the crystal look like?” Trust the once future heiress to a mining company to be curious about the mineral properties of Lopetaenite.
“Blue and pale, like water.”
“And how is it mined?”
“With lasers, as it’s incredibly strong. Normal drills can’t cut Lopetaenite.” I am looking for somewhere for Valerie and I to sit together, but anywhere there are spaces are also surrounded by hateful glances. All we need to do to succeed at this Gala, is to be present without incident. To show a Korvis can attend a high society event like any other Councillor, and there is no need to worry. It’s important this outing is successful, but I am not going to subject Valerie to prejudice by stubbornly sitting somewhere that will draw ire towards us. I’d rather keep her walking around the hall with me all night if I must.
“Sounds like it would be quite the commodity to trade with.” She smiles, and then huffs with frustration. “Iwouldoffer to hook you up with some contacts to get the ball rolling, but the Korvis aren’t allowed to trade with the empire yet. Oh, and it will make me sick to my back teeth to have to direct you to the competition when youdoget that bill passed.” She sneers like she’s tasted something foul. “Andrews will be your best bet. He isn’t exactly easy on the eyes or ears, and he’s as blunt as they come, but he won’t screw you over.”
“Oh?” I give her hand a squeeze, having located a little seating nook carved into the wall. Soft golden cushions look inviting, and I certainly don’t mind being in close quarters with Valerie. I’m sure she won’t mind our legs touching. I lead her over and we sit together. “I would have thought you would direct me to your father’s company?” She flashes me a grimace and I wonder if I’ve said something wrong.
“Couldn’t do that even if I wanted to.” She shrugs. “As expected, he’s declared bankruptcy. He lost his caste status this week. Stone Inc no longer exists.” She shrugs and purses her lips together bitterly.
“I am so sorry to hear that.” I hold her hand on my lap and pat it. The rest of the party melts away as I focus on her frown. “Is there anything I can do to help?” Valerie smiles like I’ve said something far more profound than I have.
