Chapter 17

I was sitting at the large loveseat with Cirin’s head on my lap, playing with her silky soft hair, when the second sun started setting which gave the room a warm glow. I took another sip of my Bisha beer, imagining Cirin and I were enjoying life together. I sighed deeply, knowing my future was still unsure.

“How was talking to your sister?” she asked as she kept her face neutral.

“It was strange how quickly I fell back on old habits. You know, she is the older sibling who always thought she needed to protect me from the bad world.”

She smiled. “A woman after my own heart.”

“I hope you don’t mind, I promised her we would take care of her travel arrangements.”

Cirin took my hand and kissed it. “Talking about old habits; I think it’s time for Bishojo to become self-supporting and it will take some effort, including spending some money and investments.”

“When will the Queen come back?”

Cirin’s smile suddenly turned into a frown as she replied, “She is on her way back already. I expect her to arrive tomorrow evening.”

“Hmm. Did she cut her visit short?”

She nodded. “She hates being in the spotlight, especially because of the viral feeds. But the main reason is the news about what the Cavendish family is planning.”

I had been thinking about it and I had a hunch about how the Cavendish family were planning to get a hold on Bishojo. I was still waiting for the results of the biogenetic compound sample Pac sent for analysis. I suspected it could be a game changer for Bishojo.

“How did she respond when you called her?”

“In the beginning, she was quite annoyed about the social media videos. She thought you were a bull in a China shop.”

I felt my face getting warm because I knew she was right.

“Aw,” Cirin said cupping my face, “Don’t worry about it, Paul. She was really impressed by how we set things in motion. She thinks your idea to ban the Cavendish family for good has merit.”

I gasped because I hadn’t expected she told the Queen it was my idea.

“Hey,” she said softly with a serious expression etched on her pretty face, “I’ll do anything to keep you on Bishojo. And I told her the truth, didn’t I?”

I slowly nodded but I still didn’t like that I was seen as a careless person.

She giggled. “Don’t worry Paul. She is very keen to meet you. I was told several times to make sure you stay.”

She patted my hand as she said, “Actually, you are the exception to many rules. I never expected Esgalnordes to change back that quickly.”

“Silvy said my pheromones must be very potent,” I joked but then I said with a serious tone, “I think physical contact and emotional bonding help a lot. You know, I think applying the cream on her body was quite an intimate activity.”

“You have a point,” Cirin agreed. “You were so sweet and understanding with her.”

“What else can I do, Cirin?” I responded. “Esgal is supposed to be my partner and I hope I’ll still be here when she is ready for another change.”

“If I believe Silvynorien, it will happen tonight or tomorrow.”

“I don’t think so. I’m convinced the reason Silvy changed so quick was because she claimed me. It took you four days before you were ready.”

She chuckled. “Perhaps you’re right. To be honest it has never happened before that a Bishojan woman hadn’t had sex with her partner. I mean there are many couples who didn’t procreate and even then the Bishojan woman stays a female for at least two weeks after her partner left.”

“That make sense if you compare it with human physiology. It takes about two weeks for the body to know an egg wasn’t fertilized.”

“You are correct.”

“But it still doesn’t make any sense Cirin,” I said, “Why didn’t you stay a Tarakona female? After all you know...”

I felt sorry seeing the poor woman shudder. “Do you remember when Pac killed the last Tarakona and I felt liberated?”

It was strange how my memory instantly recalled the moment Cirin pulled down her t-shirt, exposing her breasts to the alpha Tarakona. Only moments later I prevented her from falling because she felt dizzy.

It dazzled me and I concluded the Bishojan physiology was way more complex. “You mean you were ‘claimed’ by them?”

Cirin started to laugh while she nodded her head. “As I’ve said before; not a single day has been normal, since your arrival.”

“Hey!” I growled playfully. “You can’t blame everything on me.”

Cirin pulled me closer and briefly pressed her lips to mine. “I won’t, but I’ve never felt so alive.”

I wouldn’t mind completely loosing myself in her ocean green eyes as I saw her looking with such longing. “Paul,” she whispered, “hold me.”

I maneuvered myself next to her and then pulled her into a hug. She sniffled when I kissed her on her forehead. “Hey, sweetie,” I said soothingly.

“I saw you making love with Silvynorien,” she muttered. “It was so beautiful and...”

My heart was in my mouth because I felt guilty even though my feelings for Cirin were much stronger than for Silvy. Silvy’s claim created a close bond, but yet, our affection was slightly off, as if it was forced in a way.

Cirin sobbed softly, hiding her face in my chest. “It felt horrible when I envied her because she had you first.”

“She claimed me, Cirin. You can’t compare it with our relationship.”

“I know,” she confessed meekly, “But I really want to become your mate. I just hate that I need to wait.”

I sighed deeply, because I knew I couldn’t do much at all. “It sucks.”

Frederick sat on his knees, checking his prison cell for anything that would help him get out. Most of the walls were welded to the metal floor except for one corner where a panel seemed to have a rubber sealant. It looked like it was a maintenance hatch that was locked from the inside.

He used his thumb nail to test the resilience of the material between the floor and the panel and was pleased it was quite soft. However, it was clear he needed something pointy to pry the rubber out of the joint.

A smile crept onto his face when he saw the jagged piece of metal from the broken tablet lying on the floor and to his satisfaction the sharp metal cut through the rubber.

It was slow going but he gradually managed to create a small gap. He brought his face close to the little opening, trying to smell the air which was escaping from the cavity behind the panel. It had a hint of ozone and the typical acrid smell of high voltage power conduits.

Frederick started to pick small bits of the rubber away, trying to make the hole much wider. He had a plan which wasn’t without risk, but he’d figured it didn’t matter if he couldn’t succeed.

Soon enough, the hole was wide enough to use the tablet’s metal bit as a saw. He grinned as he made good progress, moving his makeshift saw faster and faster.

As soon as he reached the corner, he admired his handiwork, and the ozone made the prison cell’s stuffy air smell fresh. He groaned when he stood again because his back and knees were hurting but he knew it was worth the effort.

He grabbed one of the plastic water bottles from the table that was half full. He unscrewed the plastic cap and tested the bottle’s sturdiness by squeezing it. Satisfied with the result Frederick used his little saw to make a small opening in the cap. The material was a lot tougher than the rubber and it took much more effort to create a small slit.

“Fuck!” He growled when he accidentally ran the serrated piece of metal over his index finger. Annoyed, he stuck his injured digit in his mouth while he held the cap in front of the light. The opening was small, but he decided it was big enough.

He looked at the water bottle and wondered whether it would be effective enough to create a short circuit. It was reclaimed water which meant there were hardly any chemicals in the liquid that would increase the conductivity.

Resolutely, he pulled down his pants knowing his urine would have plenty of salt. Carefully he positioned the bottle in front of his penis and concentrated, allowing a small amount to flow into the opening.

He chuckled as he suddenly remembered how he had fouled the slut with his piss. He always liked to aim at the nose. He thought it was so funny to see the shock of unbelief on their faces, which mostly changed into defeat. It was a pity his father never allowed him to take photos of those sluts with their pretty faces with their makeup totally smudged.