“Bed slaves! You enslave people?”
“It's not like that. The underwater races give the Sea Dragon Court of their kingdom a tribute of slaves who serve for five years. I have my pick of those slaves to make my bed slaves. They are quite willing, I assure you. It's a great honor to serve our court and an even greater honor to be chosen by me.”
“Do they think so, or are you assuming again?”
Jucai blinked and then frowned. “They say so, Nadar. I do not force anyone into my bed.”
“So you're bisexual?”
He chuckled. “Yes, though I prefer men. My male harem is on this floor and twice the size of my female harem.” He tugged on my hand and led me down another circular corridor like a child eager to show off his toys.
It was the same design as the previous floor—bedrooms around the outside with a central living area. There were indeed more men there than women on the floor below, and themen wore even less clothing than the women, with more gold chains and jewels than fabric. Some of them were fucking. They stopped when they saw the King and stood up to bow, hard cocks swinging before them. I gaped, having never seen, in all my travels, such a display of male flesh, much less this particular array of male flesh.
I learned that Kaikeyo men have six nipples and short tentacles around their cocks, Leeya have delicate fins down their backs, and some Gashi had orange spots on their indigo skin.
“You see?” Jucai waved at them. “I am a generous master. I allow them to fuck each other. Then they do not have to rely on me for their pleasure.”
“How kind.” I grimaced.
He looked baffled. “Why do you sound disapproving? It is a marvelous harem. Look, they have a pool, all the food they could want, fine clothing—”
“What there is of it,” I muttered.
“—and each has a bedroom to themselves. My slaves live better lives here than they do at home.” He frowned to see me still frowning. “I am an excellent master. I never abuse them, and I make sure the Master of the Royal Bed Slaves doesn't either.”
The Master of the Royal Bed Slaves. That title rang through my mind, bringing up all sorts of questions that I didn't want the answers to. The very existence of such a person was an indication of the number of slaves in the Royal Palace of Ilshi.
“I'm sorry, but this feels wrong to me.”
Jucai sighed and led me up yet another flight of stairs. “We come from different worlds. You are bound to be surprised by things that I find normal.”
“You're right.” I groaned in embarrassment. “A diplomat should never scorn another kingdom's culture. I apologize, Your Majesty. I'm here to learn about you and your people, not to judge you. You caught me off guard, but that is no excuse. Please forgive my slip.”
“You are forgiven.” He lifted my hand to kiss it. “I imagine seeing two harems on the way to my bed is intimidating. But I assure you, you have nothing to worry about. I've just met you, and you've already proven more provocative than any slave in my harems.”
“I'm so relieved.” I rolled my eyes.
The King laughed as we entered a library of dark wood and leather furniture. “You're right; now I am being offensive and must apologize. I only meant to confess my fascination for you. Never before have I been so quickly captivated.
I couldn't help feeling smug. I had fascinated and beguiled a sea king with two harems. Now that was a compliment.
Off to one side, a door opened into a room with a long table surrounded by chairs. We passed by it on our way to yet another stairwell. The next floor up featured an open living area with multiple seating arrangements, a central fireplace, and a balcony. Another flight up brought us to the top floor—the royal bedchamber.
A short antechamber opened onto the main room. Jucai led me past a door to a bathroom and another to a dressingroom. In line with the antechamber, they took up a third of the circular space and had the only walls in the room. Golden columns replaced walls to leave the bedroom open to the balcony and sky. Set between two columns, a round bed large enough for eight dominated the space. Purple silk draped golden posts that circled the bed, forming a canopy. A curved table stood as a headboard, holding glass bottles of golden liquid and several boxes. To the left was another bed, but it was rectangular, with a white marble platform that matched the floor. A few pillows lay on the silk-covered mattress, but that was all.
After seeing the harems, I knew what it was—a stage. As a diplomat, I'd traveled extensively, and I'd seen sex shows before. They always made me uncomfortable. I couldn't imagine watching a performance in my bedroom.
The King let go of my hand and tossed his clothes to the floor. His crown went on the table behind the bed. When he returned to me, he took my clothing from me and tossed it onto his.
Sliding his hands up my chest, he said, “Ignore the other bed. It's only you and me. You don't need to be jealous.”
“I honestly don't care who you've fucked in the past, as long as they were willing. I'm not looking for anything serious, just a good time while I'm here.”
The Sea King's eyes twitched, but then he smiled. “Then my slaves shouldn't bother you.”
“They don't.”
I must not have been convincing because Jucai frowned. “I've heard that land kings have harems too.”
