Tears leak out of my eyes and run down my cheeks.
Papi lifts his hand from my chest to cup my face, and I lean into his touch. I’m scared about so many things. There is somuch I don’t know yet. Everything is so new and frightening. I’m worried about my voice and whether or not Papi is going to let me perform when I get stronger. I’m worried that he’s not going to let me sing for people because it’s not something that’s done here on Eleadia.
My worries are real, and they run deep, but I’m not hesitant about my feelings for Papi. I love him deeply already even if it isn’t rational. IknowI love him, and I want everyone else to know it, too.
Papi rubs my tears away with his thumb.
My voice squeaks when I speak again. “When can I get the pretty nipple rings, Papi?”
He smiles. “I don’t think any Little girls have done it this soon, Baby girl. There is no rush. But we can go see the stones anytime you’d like if you want to.”
I smile and manage to kick my bare feet out. “I’d like that.”
Papi sits taller and waves a hand toward a man who is now pushing Sophie on the swing.
“Is that Ekert?”
“Yes.”
Ekert stops the swing, helps Sophie down, and takes her hand as the two of them make their way toward us.
I can’t help but smile at how carefree and happy Sophie looks. She’s grinning wide and skipping alongside her Papi. The hoops on her nipples bounce with her every step. I’m pretty sure the stones are diamonds. They’re nearly clear and sparkle as the bright Eleadian sun hits them.
When they reach us, Papi rises, and Ekert holds out a hand to shake. “Raevion. How are you?”
“So good.” Papi sets a hand on my shoulder as he resumes sitting next to me. “This is Sara.”
Ekert squats down in front of me so we are eye-to-eye. He pulls Sophie between his legs and keeps an arm around her waist. “Nice to meet you, Sara. This is Sophie.”
Sophie gives me a little wave. She’s pale-skinned, and her cheeks are rosy. I think she’s shy.
It’s hard not to stare at her nipples. It’s so strange seeing all these women with no clothes on, breasts bare, nipples sparkling with gemstones. When will I get used to this?
“Your tattoos are so pretty,” she tells me softly.
“Thank you.”
Sophie relaxes slightly. “I helped my Papi pick out the prettiest ametrine stones for you.”
“Thank you,” I repeat. “Maybe I could see them.” I glance at Papi. I assume this is why he asked them to come over.
“Anytime you’d like,” Ekert responds, glancing from me to Papi. “How many days have you been home?”
Papi chuckles. “Three. Sara is a curious Little one. She’s already anxious to see the pretty stones.”
Ekert smiles. “That’s wonderful. Why don’t you come tomorrow?”
I swing my feet out slightly with excitement. I can’t wait until I have better motor control. It’s frustrating being immobile. I lower my gaze to the diamonds again. “Did it hurt?” I murmur.
Sophie shakes her head, causing her blond pigtails to swing around. “No. It won’t hurt at all. Your Papi will numb your nipples with his quill. You won’t feel a thing.”
Oh, right. I hadn’t thought of that.
Ekert has his arm around Sophie’s middle right below her breasts, and he slides his hand up to cup one of her pale breasts and toys with the hoop.
Sophie arches her chest. “Papi…” she complains.
He chuckles as he releases her nipple and kisses her shoulder. He looks at me. “Tell Sara how the piercings feel now, Baby girl,” he encourages.
