Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 87050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Alpha’s deep voice cut through the general’s speech, his tone severe. “General Vex,” he said, his silver-violet eyes flashing with an intensity that made even the battle-hardened Vionian officer pause. “Before we proceed further, there is something I must ask of you.”
The general straightened, his expression a mixture of curiosity and wariness. “Of course, Captain Alpha. What would you have me do?”
Alpha’s massive hand gestured toward me, and I felt my heart leap into my throat. “This young woman,” he said, his voice softer now but no less commanding, “is Tessara. She was a concubine aboard one of your Imperial starships, subjected to unspeakable cruelties in the name of your former Emperor.”
I felt all eyes on the bridge turn to me, and I wanted nothing more than to disappear into the floor. My cheeks burned with shame and fear, my body trembling despite Sala’s comforting embrace.
“I want you,” Alpha continued, his gaze never leaving the viewscreen, “to apologize to her. Personally. For all that she and countless others like her have endured under your empire’s rule.”
Shocked, I shook my head violently, terror coursing through my veins. What was Alpha thinking? Surely this would only incur the wrath of the Vionians, bring their anger down upon me even from across the vast distances of space. I opened my mouth to protest, but no words came out.
The general’s eyes widened in surprise, then softened with understanding. He took a step closer to the camera, his gaze seeming to pierce through the viewscreen and meet mine directly. To my utter amazement, I saw his eyes begin to glisten with unshed tears.
“Tessara,” he began, his voice thick with emotion. “I… I cannot begin to express the depth of my sorrow for what you have endured. The atrocities committed by the Emperor’s regime, the pain inflicted upon innocent souls like yourself—it is a stain upon our world that can never truly be washed away.”
He paused, swallowing hard before continuing. “On behalf of all free Vionians, I offer you my most heartfelt and sincere apology. We failed you. We failed countless others like you. Our silence, our compliance, allowed unspeakable horrors to be perpetrated in the name of Imperial glory.”
Tears continued to shine in the general’s eyes and his composure seemed to waver as he finished. “I know that words can never undo the damage that has been done, but I hope I and the new regime can find ways to make real reparation in the years to come.”
I stood there, frozen, as the general’s words washed over me. His apology, so heartfelt and unexpected, sent a wave of conflicting emotions coursing through my body. Gratitude warred with confusion, relief with a deep-seated shame that I couldn’t quite shake.
My mind reeled, memories flooding back in a dizzying torrent. I remembered the cruel punishments aboard the Conqueror of Bresla, the pain and humiliation that had been my daily existence. But alongside those dark recollections came flashes of something else—moments of unwelcome pleasure that had left me feeling dirty and broken, wanting more but despising myself for it.
I recalled the way my body had responded to Lieutenant Jorg’s rough touch, even as I tried to stop myself from feeling it. The shameful wetness between my thighs when he would spank me, the forbidden thrill that ran through me when he used me roughly. I had told myself it was just a survival mechanism, my body’s way of coping with the trauma. But now, faced with the general’s apology and the promise of freedom, I found myself questioning everything.
The recent memory of Sala’s soft flesh only added to my confusion. The exquisite pleasure she had given me, the tender way she had kissed and caressed my body—it had awakened something within me that I couldn’t ignore. And now, standing here on the bridge, the thought of watching Alpha claim Sala in front of everyone sent a jolt of arousal through me that made me want to curl up and hide.
I felt more tears begin to fall, hot and fast, as I struggled to reconcile these conflicting feelings. How could I accept the general’s apology when part of me still craved the very things I had been conditioned to endure? What did it say about me that even now, in this moment of historic change, I found myself aroused by the thought of forced submission and brutal dominance?
Sala’s arm tightened around my waist. I pressed myself against her, grateful for her presence even as it added another layer to my internal turmoil. The gentle contact of her bare skin against mine made me shudder at the ambiguous reminder of the hot, forbidden intimacy we had shared in her and Captain Alpha’s cabin.
Alpha’s deep voice cut through my swirling thoughts. “General Vex,” he said, his tone grave but tinged with approval. “On behalf of Tessara and all those who have suffered under imperial rule, I accept your apology and your unconditional surrender.”