Imperfect Partners(19)
“I don’t want Nebula to be embarrassed. She seems sensitive about her tattoo, and I imagine she feels the same about the glowing cock Pak Song gave me, though she hasn’t said so. I know men dominate and that females are supposed to come only when they’re mastered, made to feel helpless against their own desires. It’s just…”
“Just that you feel less than a man?”
“Maybe. A t the very least, I feel different. I want to enjoy the kind of devotion from Nebula that you have from Doreen, the same kind I sense that Guy has from Cassie. Nebula has been wounded more mentally than physically. She is only now beginning to believe she can have any more than a sterile existence. So am I. We need some time alone, to learn to love ourselves as well as each other, before we join in the public rituals of the mated couples on Luna Ten.”
“That makes sense. By the gods, man, they shouldn’t have done this to you.” When Shedir spoke, he scowled as though he’d like to punish someone—anyone—who had taken part in Conan’s mutilation. “A nd the rulers shouldn’t force Nebula or any other woman who carries the mutant gene to destroy her femininity. Leave it to me. A nd Doreen. We will see that you are not subjected to the scrutiny of everyone on Luna Ten when you mate. Now that Guy is properly groomed once more, let us pay a visit to Eli, the jeweler, to find some baubles for our mates.”
Chapter Eight
Conan tried to conceal his discomfort when Eli, the wizened jeweler who had made his reputation by providing the most beautiful selection of precious adornments on Obsidion, looked up at him, shock evident on his wrinkled face.
“May I show you something for your Master?” he asked, obviously struggling to regain his composure.
Conan forced a smile. “I am no slave. I wish to purchase a gift for my own slave.” The old man shook his head. “You are the second eunuch to come in my shop today, seeking a gift.” He sighed as he met Conan’s gaze.
“Times must be changing quickly. I apologize for showing my surprise. I meant no disrespect. Just tell me what you have in mind.” Conan considered for a moment and then gestured toward a display of jewelry with gems ranging from pale lavender to purple, from smooth stones to highly faceted ones. He considered rings, earrings, nose jewels and pendants before settling his attention on a beaten-gold slave collar embellished with large, irregularly shaped gems in mottled shades of purple with a matching pendant surrounded by faceted, violet-colored stones. “I like that collar, but I don’t recognize the stones. What are they?”
“The cabochon-cut stones are opalites, sometimes called Tiffany Stone. It does not surprise me that you are drawn to them, as they come from Earth, from a place that used to be called Utah. The small, faceted stones are tanzanites, also brought from Earth at great cost in lives and riches. Here on Obsidion, it is said that together they restore sexual potency.”
“Then it is appropriate that I feel drawn to them, don’t you think?”
Eli, who had been studiously looking away from Conan, met his gaze and smiled, apparently put at ease when Conan jested about his status. “Yes. It is. A nd since you have given me a suggestion, I will make you a very special price on the collar.” He swiped a card into the lock atop the case, opened it and brought out the collar.
“A suggestion? What have I suggested?”
“You have saved me thousands of credits by reminding me of the stones’ significance to those like you, but most likely you don’t know as the news has not been announced. Meredith the matchmaker has arranged a marriage between my eldest daughter and Crown Prince A rik.” Conan lifted the collar, admiring the workmanship. “No, I did not know. My congratulations to you. I still don’t understand how I may have saved you credits.”
“The prince’s wedding attendants will be the royal eunuchs, and there are four of them. Since you reminded me of the significance of these stones, I have decided to make the attendants’ gifts with opalites and tanzanites rather than with my daughter Emerald’s name stones, which are far more costly. Her gifts for the prince alone will pauper me, and I must economize wherever I can, because I have two more daughters to settle with husbands.”
Conan looked down at the collar, its weight sufficient to remind a wearer of her enslavement but not great enough to cause her pain. He imagined how the stones would complement Nebula’s pale, almost-lavender eyes. “I will take this collar, and I would like to see those tanzanite jewels as well.” He gestured toward trays near the end of the display case.