Instructing the Novice Read online

  “Don’t say that, Lizabeth.” Lone’s eyes were troubled. “You’re beautiful—you know you are. You’d definitely be a target.”

  Lizabeth bit her lip—her assistant had never said such a thing to her before.

  “Well…thank you,” she said hesitantly. “But I don’t want you to feel like you have to protect me. I’ve traveled in countries where they’re hostile to women before. The trick is keeping a low profile and keeping covered up—usually it’s when you start showing bare shoulders and legs and making direct eye contact with strange men that things get dicey.”

  “Traveling through Friezen territory isn’t the same as going to a country on Earth that’s hostile to women,” Lone objected. “The Friezens…you would be extra attractive to them. Because of your dark hair and light eyes and for…other reasons.”

  Lizabeth wanted to ask what other “reasons” he thought the alien misogynists would be attracted to her but Lone was looking so upset she decided to drop it.

  “Lone—” she began but he shook his head.

  “They even…” He swallowed, looking sick. “Even practice female genital mutilation. It would not be safe for you to be anywhere near the Friezens alone.”

  “Ugh!” Lizabeth shivered. “All right—you’ve convinced me. We’ll go together. You can be my guard in the hostile territory and my, uh, what did you say they were called again?”

  “The males who come to learn from the female teachers are called ‘Novices’,” Lone supplied.

  “And my Novice at the Tower,” Lizabeth finished. “We can learn Yonnite law together. Will that suit you?”

  “Very much…Wise One.” There was a faint sparkle in Lone’s gray eyes and he gave her a little half-smile.

  “Wise one?” Lizabeth put a hand on her hip. “Seriously? Is that what you have to call me? Because I don’t mind telling you, it makes me feel even older than I already am.”

  “You’re not old,” Lone said quietly. “And it’s either ‘Wise One’ or ‘Mistress.’ Which do you prefer?”

  “You can’t just call me Councilor Paige? Or Lizabeth?” she inquired.

  Lone shook his head.

  “Titles and appearances are very important at The Tower of the Higher Mind. As your Novice, I have to show you proper respect.”

  She frowned. “And what exactly does that entail?”

  “I’ve only done a little research but for one thing, I have to sit at your feet when I learn from you.” Lone demonstrated by sliding off the couch and kneeling at her feet, much to Lizabeth’s discomfort.

  Just being near the big Kindred and smelling his warm, spicy scent made her breasts swell and ache with the pressure of the nectar they were producing. She could feel the nursing pads she’d shoved into her bra getting soaked and hoped she wouldn’t leak through her blouse and give away the fact that she’d been lying about not having any more needing attacks. Plus, she still had that damn vibrator inside her too—what if Lone heard it over the soft yoga music now that he was closer to her?

  “Lone…” she began, pressing her thighs together and folding her hands nervously in her lap. “I don’t think we should…should do this.”

  “Do what, Mistress?” he murmured, looking up at her—though he didn’t have to look far because of his great height.

  “Lone, don’t play,” Lizabeth said, wishing her voice didn’t sound so high and uncertain. What was wrong with her?

  “I’m not playing…I’m practicing.” His gray eyes were earnest. “I have to show you proper respect. In fact, if what I read was correct, I have to kiss your hands every time we meet.”

  He took her hands, though Lizabeth tried to protest and draw them back, and pressed her right palm to his lips.

  God! Oh God, oh God, oh God!

  Lizabeth thought she would die from mortification. She had been touching herself with that hand before he had come to her door. Would he be able to scent her desire on her fingers? This was so embarrassing!

  If Lone did catch the scent of her juices, he didn’t say anything about it. But Lizabeth saw his nostrils flare and then his eyes were suddenly half-lidded as he placed another gentle kiss to her palm and fingers, playing special attention to her index and middle fingers, which she had been using to stroke herself.

  “Mistress,” he murmured. “Hear me now and may the iron pierce my heart if I lie—I mean you no harm and wish only to serve you in every way.”

  “That’s beautiful,” Lizabeth said uncertainly. “But I really don’t think you should…should say that to me, Lone.”

  “It’s part of the Novice’s oath to his Mistress,” he told her, at last releasing her hands, which she drew back and bunched into her lap in a tight knot. “I’m to say it to you when we enter the Tower.”

  “You are?” Lizabeth asked breathlessly. She lifted an eyebrow at him, trying to regain some composure. “And…it doesn’t bother you? Acting so subservient?”

  “There’s a difference between subservience and adoration,” he said softly. “Those at the Tower of the Higher Mind don’t believe that a Wise One should take a Novice unless the two of them honestly care for each other and he earnestly yearns to serve and protect her.”

  It was on the tip of Lizabeth’s tongue to ask if her assistant really felt all that for her…but she kept her lips resolutely closed. Lone was just playing the part, she told herself—“practicing” as he had put it. She would be the worst kind of fool if she acted like any of this was real.

  You’ve been down this road before, whispered a warning little voice in her head. You know he’s too young for you. Don’t go there again!

  “So,” she said at last, when she was certain she could trust her voice not to tremble or flutter. “When do we leave? You’ve probably already packed the shuttle and gotten permission from Commander Sylvan and the High Council—right?”

  He gave her an easy grin.

  “You know me too well. We can leave by tomorrow morning if you’re sure you want to go?”

  He made it a question and Lizabeth frowned.

  “Why would I not want to go? The dangerous landing area aside, it sounds like the perfect opportunity to learn Yonnite law from a true professional.”

  Lone nodded. “Yes, but I thought you might want to research it yourself. There are rumors of…hidden practices at the Tower. Certain unspoken rules which must be obeyed. If we dig a little deeper, we might be able to find out exactly what is expected of us once we get there.”

  “Well…” Lizabeth began.

  Just then the soft music coming from the exer-cube cut off abruptly. Lizabeth winced. Damn it—she must have turned it on the timed setting. The sudden silence in the room seemed deafening.

  Lone, who was still sitting down by her feet, frowned and cocked his head.

  “Do you hear a…buzzing sound?” he asked, wrinkling his brow.

  “No, I don’t hear anything.” Lizabeth shifted away from him again, which cause the bullet to move inside her pussy. She was beginning to feel like she might go insane if she didn’t get the damn thing out soon!

  “No, I’m sure I hear something,” Lone insisted.

  “Probably nothing. So Yonnie Two sounds not unlike Yonnie Six,” Lizabeth said quickly, talking loudly to cover any possible noise. “Female-dominated, matriarchal society. Only instead of Mistresses and slaves, there are teachers and students.” She shrugged. “I can do that and if you don’t mind playing my student or Novice, I’m sure you can too.”

  “It’s not a problem for me,” Lone said. “I’ve been in contact with the Mistress Superior, Lady Verlandah. She’ll send out a welcome party to lead us up to the Tower as soon as we call and tell her we’re on the way.”

  “Good.” Lizabeth nodded decisively. “Then let’s do it.” Getting off the couch quickly, she stood and put some distance between herself and her assistant. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d better pack.” She paused. “Uh, what kind of clothes should I bring?”

  “None,” Lone said