The Moon's Shadow by Catherine Asaro Read Free Book Online

that no holo-ads adorned the furniture or trim. He had the authority to prevent the planetary network from marring the privacy of his rooms. But the decor wasn’t what riveted his attention. No, a far more natural beauty caught him. A girl.
    She stood across the room, an impossible vision. Jai flushed, suddenly remembering he wore nothing except a dark nightshirt he had found in the bureau. The girl’s negligee drifted around her thighs, barely veiling her spectacular curves. Her breasts strained against the gauze, the enlarged nipples erect. Her hair glimmered like the proverbial spun gold, but soft and pliant, pouring around her body. And her eyes. They were huge, bluer than the sky on Earth and framed by gold lashes. A rosy blush touched her cheeks, and she averted her gaze with virginal shyness.
    “Who are you?” Jai stuttered.
    “My honor at your presence, Your Glorious Highness.” Her voice was a blend of innocence and sultry promise.
    Sweat broke out on Jai’s brow. “Why are you here?”
    “Lord Xir sent me.” She looked up. “As a present, to welcome you to the palace.”
    “You’re his pleasure girl.”
    “Tonight, I am yours.”
    Oh, Lord.
    “Would you like me to come over?” she asked.
    “Yes,” he managed, forgetting any reasons he might have had about refusing providers.
    She walked forward, her negligee molding to her breasts, her slim waist, her hips, and thighs. Jai couldn’t stop staring. She climbed onto his air-bed and knelt next to him, her hair brushing his arms. He could barely think.
    “You’re so pretty.” Jai winced as soon as he spoke the words. He sounded as nervous as he felt.
    Her smile warmed her face. “You are kind to say so, especially when you are a man of such magnificent form.”
    Even knowing she was supposed to compliment him, Jai wanted to believe every word. Mesmerized, he ran his finger along her lower lip, tracing its curve. She shyly laid her hand on his shoulder, then slid it down his chest. He knew he should hold back, find the hidden thorns on this gift, but he didn’t want to be sensible now.
    “So strong,” she murmured, moving closer. “Hold me.”
    With a sigh, he pulled her into his arms. Her mouth was so close when she turned up her pretty face that he couldn’t help but bring his lips to hers. It wasn’t his first kiss; there had been a few times during his two years on Earth, though he had never gone any further. But it had never been like this. The provider melted against him, warm and pliant, her mouth opening under his.
    With care, Jai laid her on her back, pulling down the covers so she sank into the downy sheets. Then he stretched out on top of her, and filled his hands with her breasts. Being emperor of Eube suddenly seemed less daunting. It had a lot more going for it than he had thought.
    Then he saw the images in her mind.
    Her telepath’s mind magnified their violent impact. She had lain this way with a select few of Corbal’s guests, and had suffered at their hands. Their brutality went beyond Jai’s ability to comprehend. She pretended to want him, but fear saturated her thoughts. She expected the same agony from him—no, worse, because he was the emperor.
    “Gods, no.” Jai sat up, his desire transformed into horror. “I could never—” Too late, he stopped, realizing his words would give him away.
    If she understood what he had just revealed, she gave no hint. “Have I displeased you?” She sat up quickly and laid her hands against his chest, toying with the fastenings on his nightshirt. Her delicate fragrance drew him.
    Jai caught her hands. Her fear intensified, and he longed to say I won’t hurt you. Her fear made him want to hit someone. Even having known what it meant to be an Aristo, he had never really understood. It was beyond his ability to comprehend how they could consider themselves exalted when they committed such violence against people they were supposed to love.
    She had no mental defenses. None. No one