Page 81 of The Pleasure Contract

“There is no way a female would ever agree to such a thing,” the recording of Zyre says.

The Az in front of me grins in response. “But that is the beauty of a human female. They will let you do all manner of things a respectable species would never dream of.”

My heart sinks.

“I’m telling you,” Az continues. “And I’ve told all of my team. Just get yourself a human. They will sign a pleasure contract – no half-breed offspring need come of this. Only fucking. It is the best contract you will ever sign.”

“And if they don’t sign a pleasure contract?” the recorded Zyre asks.

Az shrugs in front of me. “It is not as though they have any right to refuse.”

The projected recording disappears like it’s been sucked back into Zyre’s wrist comm.

I stand there, staring into blank space, wishing my memory of that conversation could also disappear along with the projection.

“I’m so sorry,” Zyre whispers again, his voice a little hoarse.

I look up at him, my vision blurry. “Yeah,” I croak. “So am I.”

35

Az

Iam losing my Goddess-damned mind.

Lois has been acting strange for the past few days, and I do not like it.

She either is too busy to pick up my communications, claims she is too tired to talk, or, on the odd occasion she does pick up, she feels very… off.

If Glex or Zyre have done something to upset my female, I will personally rip their horns from their skulls.

“What is going on with Lois?” I ask as soon as Zek answers my communication.

“Greetings, Prince Az. I am well, thank you for asking,” he quips, reprimanding me for my abruptness.

“Zek,” I groan, gripping my hair tightly at the roots. “I swear to The Four, if she is upset, I am breaking Glex’s doors down to-”

“But they are classically designed in top-grade carved berry-wood! Complete with inlaid glow-stone handles,” Zek interrupts, horrified. “It would be a crime to architecture and design to harm such beautiful doors.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh. “Zek,” I try again. “Forget about the doors-”

“How could I?!” he continues. “If you could only see the ones on the thirty-fourth floor! Oh my horns! There is a full carved tableau of-”

“Zek!” I start massaging my temples to keep my wits in check. “Please just tell me how Lois is.”

The male sniffs on the other end of the communication. “Lady Lois’ nutritional intake is in line with a healthy diet for an adult human. Her liquid intake is adequate but could be improved. She has taken to swimming in the lagoon room frequently, so her exercise is at the level of-”

“She’s not a fluffy pet or an animal from a menagerie, Zek! Has someone done or said something to upset her?”

Zek clears his throat. “Not to my knowledge, Prince Az, no.”

Irritated, I growl, “Just tell me she’s coming to watch the game today.”

“We are indeed about to leave for the arena.”

“Fantastic, you’ve been so much help,” I grit out sarcastically before ending the call.

When I look back up again, six pairs of eyes are all staring at me.