[Jendri 05] - The Abasing of Jendri Read online

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  THE QUEEN'S SLAVE WOMAN

  BOOK V

  THE ABASING OF Jendri

  By

  SUSANNA VALENT

  * * *

  CHAPTER ONE

  V'Anekka usually loved their private rooms. The muted colors of the walls contrasted with the bright tapestries that adorned them, creating a soft, soothing atmosphere. Pieces of carefully chosen furniture placed at just the right angles created a welcoming flow to the apartments and the smell of aromatic woods in the fireplace pleased the senses and comforted the soul. Or at least it did once. Before Sharue, before the nights were filled with an emptiness that made V'Anekka's insides ache with need.

  Keeping a wistful sigh at bay, V'Anekka tried to focus her attention on the board game in front of her. That was the point of the game, after all: to keep her mind off things over which she had no control. But she was unable to fool herself as well as she would have liked. Again V'Anekka looked up from their game to the water clock.

  Jendri looked met her gaze and the two of them shared a knowing look. Jendrickar Verrian, the Queen Consort, the First Consort, the Duke of Paxverdi and K'Endarra's senior wife. Jendri, who, by right, had more to lose than V'Anekka did. Giving in to the sigh at last, V'Anekka asked the question both of them had tried not to think about. “Do you suppose K'Endarra will ever sleep with us again?"

  Jendri smiled sadly. “One of these days, when the newness wears off, I'm sure she will. After all, it was only a few weeks ago she promised us everlasting slavery. She seemed eager to subjugate us completely, so she must have plans to follow through."

  “She neglected to mention it was long-distance slavery. She must have slept in the harem five out of every seven nights for the last month,” V'Anekka rolled the dice and moved a marker. “And when she is here, she is inert with satiation."

  “She does fulfill her marital obligations. She comes once a day with each of us no matter who else has received her favors."

  “Barely,” muttered V'Anekka.

  Jendri looked up sharply. “Darling, believe me when I tell you I know all too well your frustrations, but never let her hear you grumble or complain. I shudder to think..."

  V'Anekka held up a hand. “No, of course, you're right. After all, between the two of you I have been given so much, yet, I need her. I need to feel her pleasure more than once in such a long period."

  “I know. I feel it's all my fault,” Jendri apologized.

  “No! You were doing your duty as a consort and faithful wife. You were just trying to please her. She would have replaced me in the harem eventually anyway,” V'Anekka said quickly, reaching to pat Jendri's hand.

  “But probably not with Sharue,” Jendri pointed out.

  “Perhaps. But she has been this way before with a new concubine. She was certainly this way with you. We thought we'd never see her again after you were captured. It was close to a year that if we saw her once every couple of weeks, it was a major event."

  “I didn't make it easy for her to subdue me. Little did I know,” Jendri mused, “that she wanted nothing but worship. What a life I have had since those early days. And yet, it's true, we don't get enough of her. It isn't my pleasure I need; it is hers. To feel her come...” Jendri trailed off.

  V'Anekka nodded. “God knows I don't begrudge her the sex. No one woman can meet all her needs. But ... I do long for her touch."

  “As do I,” Jendri said. “She barely remembers to remove the Jewel so I can bathe properly.” The senior Consort shuddered. “And she replaces it all too quickly. A few quick thrusts on my part and she is done."

  “What I would not give for a few quick thrusts right now,” V'Anekka sighed.

  “I daresay in your state, it would be enough to set you off,” Jendri sympathized. “But she has made it plain that I am to serve you as you require, as part of my slavery to her, so if you wish..."

  V'Anekka toyed briefly with the idea. She often did. Jendri was a beautiful woman, utterly passionate and giving. When Jendri gave herself to K'Endarra, it was enough to make every noble Asperian climax in response. But she shook her head firmly. “No, it does not please me to demand pleasure from you when I can't return the favor. And she might still come home tonight,” V'Anekka said hopefully.

  “She might,” Jendri agreed, not wanting to burst the younger woman's bubble. She reached for the dice. “I believe it is my turn."

  * * * *

  But K'Endarra did not return to her apartments that night. She did, however, appear the next morning.

  Immediately Jendri and V'Anekka leaped from the bed and fell on their knees before their wife to kiss her feet in greeting.

  “My darlings!” cried the Queen with a laugh. “But surely you have not missed me if you have passed the night together."

  “We only shared the bed, but neither of us has taken pleasure, my lord,” Jendri told her quickly.

  K'Endarra reached down to stroke Jendri's thick red hair. “I believe you, my love. Come share a bath with me now. V'Anekka, please join me for breakfast in an hour or so."

  “As you wish, my lord,” V'Anekka said quietly, bowing her head as K'Endarra swept by her.

  Jendri rose and followed the Queen of Asperia into the large bathing chamber. “Would my lord be so kind as to remove the Jewel?"

  “Of course, love. Come here,” K'Endarra invited her. She sat down on a marble bench so that Jendri could recline across her lap on her back, legs spread wide, her silk robe open. “It pleases me no end that you so willingly remain chaste,” K'Endarra murmured as she rubbed her thumb over the large ruby which guarded her first wife's clitoris.

  “Ahhhhhhhhh,” Jendri arched and groaned. “Oh, yes, my lord, it pleases me as well, but I long to be with you."

  “You are with me now,” K'Endarra said gently, kissing her.

  “I love you so,” Jendri whispered. “Ah! Gods!” she gasped as K'Endarra opened the tiny lock and slid the Jewel out through the piercings in Jendri's labia. Instantly her fingers were in Jendri's canal, which spasmed in delight to receive them.

  With absolute certainty, K'Endarra caressed the swollen clit, gauging her Consort's response. When Jendri was gasping with the imminence of her orgasm, K'Endarra withdrew. “Bathe me, slave."

  Suppressing a moan of frustration, Jendri rose from K'Endarra's lap, removed her boots with tender kisses, and undressed them both so that they could sink into the steaming, bubbly water.

  As Jendri massaged K'Endarra with exotic soaps and oils, she begged, “Please, let me feel you come before you go out for the day."

  K'Endarra smiled and stretched. “I have just come from my harem where I have had immense pleasure. Do you think you can arouse me enough so soon?"

  “Please let me try, and oh, my love, V'Anekka needs you, too,” Jendri reminded the Queen.

  “So many needy women, so little time,” K'Endarra smiled.

  “You make us needy, K'Endarra,” Jendri said, careful to keep her voice playful. Not only was this a monarch with absolute power, but Jendri had made a vow of faithfulness and obedience. To top it, off, Jendri had requested, even begged for, slavery in
their relationship. She had to remain respectful at all times, no matter how deep their love.

  “That is your chosen fate, my darling,” K'Endarra pointed out.

  “And I love it, my lord. It is only your pleasure I seek."

  “You may seek it now, if you wish,” K'Endarra suggested silkily. Despite her protests that she was not in need herself, Jendri's submission and desperation were exciting her, as always. Jendri was the consummate slave.

  Her heart pounding with anticipation, Jendri asked, “Here? Or would you prefer that I pleasure you with my mouth?"

  “We will go to the table,” K'Endarra decided. “Quickly now. Bring towels."

  Jumping out of the sunken tub, Jendri grabbed a pile of luxurious bath towels and followed the Queen to their all-purpose exercise room. In this airy, bright room there was a table for massages and other activities. Jendri had been pierced on it, and had received her Jewel there. It had also, once upon a time, been used for torture and punishment, but K'Endarra had had it refurbished for more pleasant functions, one of which was the sexual use and discipline of her wives in their roles as her slaves.

  Jendri spread the towels over it and climbed up, opening her legs and arms to offer herself to the Queen. K'Endarra licked her lips with anticipation and began to work her way up Jendri's trembling body. She kissed her way from Jendri's ankles up to the joints of her thighs, teased her clit eagerly and entered the hungry canal with her tongue until the Consort begged for mercy.

  When Jendri's cries were at their most piteous, K'Endarra shackled her ankles and wrists and mounted Jendri's face. The Consort was thrilled. By now there was no doubt of the Queen's arousal. The exposed portion of her main clitoris, about the size of half a small plum when fully erect, was completely engorged. This meant the more massive, interior of the immense organ was also hugely swollen, as were the auxiliary clitoria near her ovaries. Thus her orgasms were somewhat akin to a chain reaction in length and intensity, and this was why K'Endarra needed so many women, and why her women were so addicted to her. In Asperian nobility and aristocracy, these organs were a recessive trait, and when one high-born Asperian came, any others within range might experience sympathetic climaxes, if they were lucky.

  However, Jendri was not an Asperian. Her background and history were absolutely foreign to Asperia. But as she lay under K'Endarra's questing body, sucking greedily at the fruit that was her lord's seat of pleasure, her mind was only on the Queen. K'Endarra was pushing mightily into Jendri's lips and tongue, and as the Consort writhed in her shackles, she was careful to gently touch her teeth to the sensitive organ, wrenching gasping cries from her lord and lover. K'Endarra's legs trembled, her whole body stiffened, and then screams of ecstasy split the air and reverberated from the marble walls. Jendri was vaguely aware of the hard pulsing of her own clit, writhing in its jeweled restraint, but most of her attention was on her wife, on maintaining contact with the magnificent organ that filled her mouth.

  K'Endarra came for what seemed to both of them like an eternity, and then it was over. It didn't have to be over, but K'Endarra withdrew gently. “I have to save something for V'Anekka,” she grunted.

  “I understand,” Jendri whispered, her voice hoarse with need. She had expected no mercy for herself, in any event, but V'Anekka, an Asperian aristocrat, had different needs. Jendri did not wish to leave K'Endarra sated, as infrequently as she returned to her wives of late, and as intense as V'Anekka's needs were.

  K'Endarra caressed Jendri and kissed her gently. Bringing her women down from the peak of arousal without permitting release was a practiced art form with the ruler of Asperia. “All right now?” she asked solicitously.

  “Yes, my love, much better,” Jendri groaned, having no idea when her next orgasm might occur. That was entirely up to K'Endarra.

  “Oh, don't forget the diplomatic reception tonight,” K'Endarra reminded her first wife as they strolled back to the main bedchamber together. “It will end late, and I intend to sleep in your bed."

  “My bed?” Jendri cried in amazement. “Do you mean it, my lord?"

  “A problem, Your Majesty?” K'Endarra grinned.

  “Nuh-nuh-none,” Jendri finally managed to babble. Her legs felt weak again. K'Endarra did not sleep in Jendri's bed unless she meant to give her wife complete pleasure, as Jendri was not permitted orgasm in K'Endarra's bed. Only V'Anekka, the newest and favorite wife, was accorded that privilege.

  “So then may I assume you will be ready for me?” K'Endarra teased.

  “More than ready,” Jendri affirmed. She realized she had begun to sweat again, and almost wished K'Endarra would go to V'Anekka and leave her alone with her anticipations for that evening. Being with K'Endarra was like always being on fire, and K'Endarra seldom felt the need to extinguish the blaze.

  “Until tonight, then,” K'Endarra said, pecking Jendri on the cheek. The Queen then rang for her valets, which was Jendri's signal to depart the chamber for her own apartments. She loved valeting K'Endarra herself, but only when they were going to be intimate. When Jendri was in such a frantic state and K'Endarra was on her way out, it wasn't worth the additional anguish.

  In her enormous bedchamber, Jendri threw open her closets. She had three changes of clothing to select, and then she would let her own valets prepare her choices. Normally she would consult V'Anekka, but the other Consort was occupied, and pleasantly so, Jendri hoped. She could still pass judgment on Jendri's post-reception apparel once K'Endarra left for the day.

  Evening dress was easy. The evening formal uniform of the commanding officer of the Paxverdi Lancers was expected. K'Endarra herself would be in military full-dress, Jendri well knew. Her day-wear also was military, as she was K'Endarra's military chief of staff and often spent her working days at the defense ministry. A less fancy uniform would suffice for that.

  The real challenge was what to wear after the reception. Something K'Endarra could easily shred in her passion? Something alluring, or would it be wasted? Something completely exotic? Or might they play a game? Perhaps nothing at all would be best. Jendri's palms began to sweat again and she wiped them absently on the folds of her robe. She rang for her valets and detailed one to let her know when the Marquess of Esuria, as V'Anekka was formally titled, returned to her private chambers. Then with the assistance of the second valet, Jendri dressed while the last one took away the full dress uniform to ready it for the evening's festivities.

  “You sent for me, Majesty?” V'Anekka said from the doorway of the First Consort's bedroom. Her face was flushed, her smile beatific.

  “Oh, no, my dear, not at all. I merely wanted to know when you got back,” Jendri smiled. With a wave she dismissed her valets. “Come talk to me,” she invited V'Anekka, sitting down on her bed and patting the silk spread beside her. “Tell me all about it."

  “You have guessed, of course,” V'Anekka giggled.

  “Your countenance betrays you,” Jendri gently teased.

  “I do not mind you knowing,” V'Anekka confessed. “It is a chance to relive the encounter."

  “Go on."

  “I had K'Endarra for breakfast!"

  Both women laughed aloud.

  “Details,” Jendri pressed.

  “Oh, well, we sat down to eat, and actually did have our meal, but then she dismissed the butler and began relating the details of your encounter,” V'Anekka explained.

  “Oh, my!” Jendri blushed.

  “Very spicy fare indeed,” V'Anekka laughed. “And she knew it would arouse me. As soon as she had me squirming in my chair like a schoolgirl, she demanded satisfaction, which I gave her on my knees. And it was while she was coming that I, well, you know...” the Second Consort trailed off. “She does not even have to touch me."

  “She could have saved time by simply having you observe our bath,” Jendri remarked wryly.

  V'Anekka's face fell. “I know she left you in want, and I am sorry, but you both insist you need and enjoy it."

  “Yes, my need d
oes give her greater fulfillment,” Jendri said with a sigh. “And whatever pleases her, pleases me. Also, I understand you need it as intensely as she does, and this does not distress me."

  “You are too kind,” V'Anekka murmured. “I did need it."

  “Then I hope you will not be unhappy to hear she plans to sleep with me after the reception,” Jendri said.

  “Does she?” V'Anekka clapped her hands, eyes wide. “Oh, I am happy for you!"

  “The bad news is, once she does, she may not do it again for at least a week. Especially now."

  “You mean Sharue,” V'Anekka said. “It always comes down to that."

  Jendri reminded her, “Again, she is with each of us every day. It has only been a few months since she took Sharue's virginity, and the young woman has been quite the challenge. It would be easier if she gave in."

  “Ah, you mean her, er, self-centeredness."

  “What a diplomat you are!” Jendri laughed. “Come, help me choose what to wear for her tonight. We can discuss Sharue later."

  “Inevitably,” V'Anekka remarked. But she rose from the bed to help her friend. Nothing took precedence over pleasing their lord and wife.

  * * *

  CHAPTER TWO

  “Look at the way they look at her,” Jendri murmured to V'Anekka.

  “Pheromones,” V'Anekka said. They were partially hidden behind some potted palms in the grand mirrored hall, watching their wife engage with her guests.

  “She certainly has them in abundance. I believe most of the people in this room want her,” Jendri said, her fingers tightening on the stem of the crystal champagne flute she was holding.

  V'Anekka's nose twitched. “You certainly do."

  “I do not deny it,” Jendri sniffed, and they both laughed. “A good thing there is no dancing or I would be in a puddle on the floor."

  “She would hold you up,” V'Anekka said dreamily. “She would carry you effortlessly around the room."

  “I would pass out from ecstasy,” Jendri breathed. “Really, we must stop this."

  V'Anekka snickered. “Beg to come on her boots."