The water Tisha summoned is warm against my skin, and I’m standing naked in a copper basin she conjured from thin air about ten minutes ago.
Her hand moves across my shoulders with a soapy cloth, working in methodical circles. The basin sits in the middle of our room, barely big enough for me to stand in comfortably, and water sloshes over the sides every time I shift my weight.
“Are you still embarrassed about last night?”
“No.”
Tisha’s cloth moves down my back, scrubbing away the sweat from last night’s marathon session. Her touch is firm but not rough.
“Listen, Vincent.” Her voice drops lower, more serious. “We’re going to own you for the rest of your life. That’s just reality.” The fabric pauses against my spine for a moment before continuing. “So if you fall in love with us, it won’t be the end of the world. It’s pretty common, you know.”
I turn my head to look at her over my shoulder. Her green eyes are focused on her work, not meeting my gaze.
“Common?”
“Yeah.” She moves around to my front. “Studs fall for their owners happens all the time. It’s not weird or anything. Plus owners fall in love with their studs even more often.”
The words settle in my chest with an uncomfortable weight. I look down at the soapy water pooling around my feet, watching it swirl when I shift.
“I don’t love Meira.”
“I know.” Tisha’s grin returns, bright and knowing. “But you will eventually.”
“What makes you so sure?”
Her hand pauses on my stomach. She looks up at me, and there’s affection mixed with certainty in her expression.
“Because she’s amazing.” The words come out simple, matter-of-fact. “And you’re going to figure that out the longer you’re with us.”
I watch the cloth move across my stomach, processing her words. The certainty in her voice grates against me in a way I can’t quite articulate.
“What if I find a client I fall for?”
Tisha’s hand stops mid-stroke. She looks up at me, and her expression shifts to sympathy.
“Then I’d feel bad for you.” Her voice is gentle, almost apologetic. “Because we’re not going to sell you, Vincent.”
The finality of it hits harder than I expect. My chest tightens, and I force myself to keep my breathing steady.
“What about when I’m old and useless?” The question comes out quieter than I intend.
“That’s part of the slave contract for studs.” Her tone is matter-of-fact, like she’s explaining basic arithmetic. “Studs have to be taken care of. That’s the rule.”
I blink, trying to process that. “Oh wow...” A hollow laugh escapes my throat. “So I guess I’ll at least get to die comfortably?”
Tisha nods, her green eyes meeting mine with earnest warmth. “Hopefully.”
I chuckle despite myself, the sound coming out darker than I mean it to.
“I can bathe myself, you know.”
Tisha’s cloth moves to my thigh, her movements unhurried. “I’d prefer to do it.” She pauses, glancing up at me with a slight grin. “If you did a bad job, Meira would be mad at both of us.”
The image of Meira’s cold disappointment flashes through my mind, and I suppress a shudder that has nothing to do with the cooling water.
“Fair enough.”
Her hand continues its work, thorough and methodical. The silence stretches between us, broken only by the splash of water.
The door opens, and Meira steps through. Her silver hair catches the afternoon light filtering in from the window, and those pale eyes sweep across the room before landing on us.
“Ah, good.” Her voice carries approval as she takes in the sight of Tisha washing me. “Once you’re done with that, we can take him out to find his first client.”
My stomach does a complicated flip. The moment I’ve been dreading and anticipating in equal measure. Actually going out there and doing what they bought me for.
Tisha pauses. “I can do it alone if you’d rather?” She looks up at Meira, and there’s an offer in her tone. “Give you some time to yourself.”
“No.” Meira’s answer comes without hesitation. “I want to make sure I see everything myself.”
Tisha’s eyebrow arches as she looks up at her wife. “I’m better at haggling than you are.”
“Yes.” Meira’s pale silver eyes lock onto mine for a moment before shifting back to Tisha. “But I want to make sure our property is being sold for a proper price.” She pauses, and her jaw tightens slightly. “And I’d like to make sure we’re not letting any...” Her voice drops lower. “Unsavory creatures try to sink their teeth into our Vincent.”
Tisha’s grin returns. “Okay.”
The water has started to cool, and I feel goosebumps rising along my arms.
“How exactly does this work?” I ask. “Do I just stand on a street corner, or...”
“Gods, no.” Tisha laughs, the sound bright and genuine. “We’ll go to the market district. Find someone who looks like they can afford you.” She wrings out the fabric, water streaming between her fingers. “Then we negotiate.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.” Tisha continues. “Though if you see someone you’re particularly interested in, let us know. Enthusiasm sells.”
Meira’s voice cuts through before I can respond.
“But no Onis.” Her tone is firm, leaving no room for negotiation. “And no Orcs either. I don’t want you getting traumatized by someone like Kanna on your first go.”
“I bet Kanna is gentle.” Tisha says.
Meira’s head tilts slightly, and I watch her expression soften with consideration. “I agree.” She pauses, and her lips press into a thin line. “But her version of gentle is probably bone breaking.”
Tisha chuckles, the sound warm and knowing. “Yeah.”
“Maybe a fox girl or bunny girl then?” I offer, trying to sound reasonable even though part of me is still thinking about crimson skin and burning red eyes.
Tisha’s cloth moves to rinse my leg, and she grins up at me. “Let’s just start with big tits, alright?”
My eyes light up. “Yeah, that’s more important.”