Outside, they’d all been shrouded in cloaks and skins. Although it was dark, perhaps they always dressed like that when they left the cave. The garments would protect them against the rays of the twin suns if they were caught out there unexpectedly when daylight dawned.
He made an impatient gesture, and she turned her back to him as she stretched the cylerian further, drawing it over her shoulders and down to her waist. Slowly, she worked her arms free, first one then the other. She stopped, glanced back at him with a pleading look, and made a twirling motion with her fingers. He grunted and half turned away. The women followed suit, though she caught one of them peeking over her shoulder. Lexi frowned at her, and the woman turned her back completely.
Gently, Lexi pulled the garment down over her hips, hissing when the cool air hit her inflamed bottom. One hand crept back to touch it. Her skin felt hot but the pain had faded to a sharp sting. She rubbed her hand across her bottom again, and the odd tingling between her legs fanned out through her belly.
She worked the cylerian the rest of the way down and stepped out of it. The stone floor felt cool beneath her feet. Cool but not unpleasantly cold. Lexi stuck one hand into the basin of water. It was cool, too, compared to the temperature she’d programmed for the bathing tub in her apartment.
Stepping in, she laid her head back against the smooth stone. The water soothed her burning bottom and eased the tension in her muscles. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, allowing herself a moment of relaxation.
The two women must have heard her because they hurried to the tub. One scattered another bundle of herbs over the surface while the other scooped out a pitcher full of water, pushed her shoulders forward and dumped it over her head.
Lexi came up spluttering and heard the man roar with laughter. She tossed her head, swiped wet strands of hair out of her eyes, and looked up to find him watching her, a huge grin on his face.
“Now, Ayron, don’t be mean. You’re embarrassing her.”
“She doesn’t look embarrassed, Nadina. She looks pissed.”
The young woman glanced at her. Lexi glared and hunched over, covering her breasts as best she could with both arms crossed over her chest.
“Maybe a little of both? Anyway, we’ve got her in the water,” she replied. “You can leave now.”
Her captor, the man called Ayron, waved a hand dismissively, never taking his eyes off her. “Not a chance. She’s already gotten the best of you. Twice, by my count. I’m staying until she’s ready to be delivered to Mother Eva.”
Nadina grinned. “I know how men are. You just want to watch.”
He grinned back, not even bothering to deny it.
“Fine. You can wait over there in the corner.” She shooed him to the far side of the room. Then she put the plug back in the wall, stopping the flow of water. Mara grabbed a bowl filled with nasty-smelling leaves that had been soaking on a side table. She and Nadina each took a handful of the leaves and began mashing them into Lexi’s hair.
Lexi was about to push the women away, but one look at Ayron’s face stopped her. She was certain he’d simply haul her from the tub and spank her again, this time on her bare bottom, until she quit fighting them. Besides, even though they tasted awful, the herbs they gave her earlier did make her feel better. These people had learned to survive despite the conditions here. Maybe she should allow them to do whatever they thought was necessary, no matter how bad the gooey mess smelled. She’d get it out of her hair eventually.
A moment later, she regretted her decision. The women were bent on covering her entire upper body with the horrid mess. Face, neck, shoulders — even her breasts. When her nipples tightened into hard peaks at the unfamiliar sensation of touch, Lexi was grateful the green goop covered her face. At least Ayron wouldn’t see her blushing.
The women backed off, and Lexi sighed. She’d endured the embarrassment, and it would all be over soon. But, to her horror, they took her hands and pulled her to a standing position then slapped more smelly wet leaves on her stomach and back, moving lower and lower on her body.
Nadina pushed her head down, forcing her to bend over. Four hands prodded her legs apart. Mara slathered every inch of her backside with the mess. Then she spread apart Lexi’s bottom cheeks and worked a handful in between them, grazing Lexi’s anus with a finger as she did.
The sensation sent a shiver rocketing through her. Nadina felt it. She made a soft noise and ran her hand down Lexi’s front, stroking the fold of skin over her clitoris. Lexi wanted to smack her hand away, but she didn’t dare do anything that would earn her another punishment. Instead she closed her eyes and tried to block out what the woman was doing.
Nadina kept on, massaging gently until Lexi’s tiny nub swelled and throbbed. Then she took another thick handful of mashed-up leaves and spread them between her legs, spreading apart Lexi’s folds and working some into her vagina.
Lexi cried out, shocked. The leaves set off waves of sensation inside her, hot and cold at the same time. The waves became stronger, flooding through her entire body. She started shaking uncontrollably. The women pushed her to her knees, then farther down, until she was completely under the water.
She held her breath, but her heart was pounding from the violent shudders rocking her body. Panicked, she thrashed around, arms and legs flailing, afraid she’d drown if she didn’t get air.
Strong arms lifted her clear of the water. Ayron scooped her up, crushing her against his chest. She gasped for breath, struggling. Heedless of the green goo dripping from her body, he cradled her against him until the shaking subsided.
“She’s frightened,” he said, waving the women away. “She didn’t know the herbs are meant to cause that reaction — get the blood flowing and leach out the poisons from her body.”
He stood there, rock solid, held her tight, and made low, soothing sounds. Weak and trembling, Lexi sagged against him, her head resting on his chest. She had a quick flash of memory, of being held that way long ago, as a tiny child. Giving in to a sudden urge, she wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed herself to accept his comfort.
Gradually, her heart quit pounding. Her breathing slowed. Conscious awareness seeped back in, and she realized he’d jumped into the tub and now stood there, dripping wet and nearly as covered with green slime as she was.
Her sensory awareness kicked into overdrive again. Slick, wet skin, cool against hers. The rhythmic thump of his heart pulsing in his chest. Suddenly she couldn’t bear the suffocating closeness, the forced intimacy. The arms cradling her became restraints, holding her in a vise-like grip. She couldn’t get away.
He must have felt the tension in her body. Slowly, he eased her to her feet, keeping his arms around her until she could stand without support. He turned to the two attendants.
“Ladies, I think she’ll be all right. Now I’d better get out of this tub before you decide to wash me too!”
