Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 117336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
One of the men reaches for a roll, and then another, and then it is as if the dam has burst. They fill their plates to overflowing and cram food into their mouths quickly, eating as if I will change my mind and snatch it away. All is silent except for their smacking and chewing, and I pick idly at the bit of bread on my plate. "I am glad you are enjoying my hospitality," I begin. "I have chosen all of you for a special mission."
They immediately stop eating and watch me. One has a greenish cast to his skin, and I can hear him swallow.
"Nothing like that," I say, and it takes everything in me not to snap at them. I need them to think we are friends and they are serving me out of affection. I smile coolly. "It's a favor, really. And it's not even for me. It's for my consort. I want to make her happy."
The men relax, as if by simply mentioning Melina, I have won their trust. It confirms my decision that taking one of the females here as my mate was a wise choice.
"I cannot leave the fort myself." I gesture at the ceiling, indicating the skies outside. "I must stay here with my dragons on the walls and protect the people. But I should like to get my consort a gift. One that will tell her how special she is to me. Something that will impress her greatly." I steeple my fingers and gaze out at them, smiling. "Which is why I am sending out the four of you. You are my cleverest soldiers. I know you will choose wisely."
One chews with his mouth open, squinting at me. "So like…what do you want us to get?"
"I would like for you to choose. Surprise me. Think of what she would like, and bring it back to me so that I may gift it to her." I get to my feet slowly, smoothly. "I am counting on all of you to make excellent choices. Whoever chooses the best shall be amply rewarded. I look forward to seeing what you bring me tomorrow morning."
One speaks out as I turn to leave. "But, sir…"
I ignore him, heading out. Does he need me to spell it all out for him? Ridiculous. Perhaps he's not as clever as I'd thought. I can only hope the others are more effective than that fool.
It is a quiet day, with very few projects calling for my attention. I have men working on digging a well for the people in town. I have already set up programs for schooling for the young children of this town. I am still working on a way to employ the young females here without angering the militia. The men visit the whorehouses often and if they need to see to their needs in order to serve mine, so be it. Without anything in particular calling me this day, I decide to walk the streets of Fort Dallas.
It is not a charming place. The streets here are a mixture of dirt and the hard substance they call concrete. Weeds grow everywhere, and there are no manicured gardens, no fluid architecture. Dwellings have been erected wherever there is a safe spot, and they are covered in scraps of metal and clustered together in protected spots. I try to imagine this as the place I have seen in the magazine pictures, when the metal cars moved on the highways and the houses were spread out in neat array and people shopped at these places instead of built lean-tos against them. A goat trots past me, bleating, followed by a young child. Another woman walks past, a bucket in her arms, and ducks her head in greeting. Her stench nearly flattens me as she drifts past.
How do humans not smell themselves?
It takes everything I have not to curl my lip with distaste. Instead, I paste a benign smile to my face and head toward the far end of this avenue, where I know Melina's clinic is located. Her doors and windows are open, and I can see a figure moving around inside. Her light scent drifts out onto the street, refreshing and sweet. Odd how I don't find her nearly as unpleasant to smell as other humans. Even freshly washed, they turn my stomach. Not Melina, though. She fills me with a deep sense of pleasure and my sac tightens under my cock as if sensing her.
I clench a fist, willing my body to obey before I step inside.
The interior is slightly cooler than outside, and my eyes adjust to the darkness quickly. Melina sits next to one of the cots, wearing a slinky silver dress that clings to her curves. There is a man lying in the cot, and she leans over him, pressing a wet towel to his forehead.