Terran Times Second Wave # 10 - Liberty by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online

to Shoklek. “Is it recorded?”
    Shoklek nodded. “It is official. The data file is being sent to the Imperium Archive as I speak.”
    Rajon sighed with relief.
    “Why the big sigh? I wasn’t going anywhere.”
    Shoklek chuckled, “His Grace had received ten offers for you before you even arrived. Once you were here, the number tripled. He had to bind you to Miexhar or risk the Nyal Imperium trading you as an asset.”
    Libby sighed. “You could have asked.”
    Rajon grinned, “There was no time. You are now of Miexhar in every way but your birth and your obvious height deficiency.”
    “I am perfectly suited to my species specifications.” She felt the weight of the cuffs and smiled at the sensual response that it sent through her. It seemed that everything that touched her skin today aroused her. It was either the tank or the alterations, but she hoped that the effect would wear off. Getting horny just because her gown was scraping against her nipples was not very duchess-y.
    “You are no longer of your species. Miexhar is now your species; you are simply a smaller example of our people, Your Grace.” Shoklek bowed to her.
    She made a face at him and looked up at Rajon. “What happens next?”
    He grinned and rapidly clapped his hands. “You dance.”
    The guards shifted out of position and one took her hand. In an instant, she saw his death, but then, he released her hand to the next man in line. She was swept into a dance that involved being passed from one guard to the next. By the time she had completed the rounds, the men were laughing and she had seen each and every one of them, and they had seen her. Their deaths would be various, but they were prepared for whatever came to them.
    When the last guard handed her off, she tumbled into Rajon’s arms. He grinned. “And now we feast.”
     

 
     
     
Chapter Seven
     
     
    Eating a meal after a week in the tank and reading the deaths of hundreds of people via hand-to-hand contact was not an easy feat, but Liberty managed to locate every individual dish that she could keep down.
    “I admire your determination, Liberty.” Rajon was consuming his own fair share of the wedding feast.
    The feast was just for the household so they could get used to seeing her face. This one day all the catering had come from outside the palace and the contractors were very nervous.
    “Thank you, Rajon. I try hard not to waste the efforts of others.” She cleaned her plate and sat back with a glass of watered-down wine.
    He lifted her free hand to his lips.
    “Why are the contractors so nervous?”
    He shifted his chair closer to hers and leaned in. “A spillover contract with the palace is very lucrative. All domestic arrangements fall in the purview of the duchess and the major domo. If they don’t please you, they won’t work here again.”
    “Well, everything seems delightful, but my senses are a little skewed after the tank. What was done to me by the way?” She sipped at her wine, careful not to spill it on her gown.
    He looked around at the assembly of palace servants and guards. “I do not believe that this is the proper venue for that discussion.”
    As he spoke, musicians sparked up their instruments and tables shoved aside for some grand dances.
    A dozen guards danced, jumped, twisted and stomped to drumbeats in a rhythm with military precision. They moved as one and it was hypnotic to watch.
    When the housekeepers stepped forward and performed a similar dance with only minor changes, Liberty had to give them their due. They could really move.
    The gathering laughed and applauded while one major segment of the palace servants after another proved that they could dance and that they were a team.
    Rajon looked at her and cocked his head. “Are you willing to try?”
    She looked at the jumping, hopping and swaying on the dance floor. “Are you kidding?”
    “It is not necessary but it would make them warm to you with greater speed.”
    “I don’t know how