Keeping a wistful sigh at bay, V'Anekka tried to focus her attention on the board game in front of her. That was the point of the game, after all: to keep her mind off things over which she had no control. But she was unable to fool herself as well as she would have liked. Again V'Anekka looked up from their game to the water clock.

Jendri looked met her gaze and the two of them shared a knowing look. Jendrickar Verrian, the Queen Consort, the First Consort, the Duke of Paxverdi and K'Endarra's senior wife. Jendri, who, by right, had more to lose than V'Anekka did. Giving in to the sigh at last, V'Anekka asked the question both of them had tried not to think about. "Do you suppose K'Endarra will ever sleep with us again?"

Jendri smiled sadly. "One of these days, when the newness wears off, I'm sure she will. After all, it was only a few weeks ago she promised us everlasting slavery. She seemed eager to subjugate us completely, so she must have plans to follow through."

"She neglected to mention it was long-distance slavery. She must have slept in the harem five out of every seven nights for the last month," V'Anekka rolled the dice and moved a marker. "And when she is here, she is inert with satiation."

"She does fulfill her marital obligations. She comes once a day with each of us no matter who else has received her favors."

"Barely," muttered V'Anekka.

Jendri looked up sharply. "Darling, believe me when I tell you I know all too well your frustrations, but never let her hear you grumble or complain. I shudder to think..."

V'Anekka held up a hand. "No, of course, you're right. After all, between the two of you I have been given so much, yet, I need her. I need to feel her pleasure more than once in such a long period."

"I know. I feel it's all my fault," Jendri apologized.

"No! You were doing your duty as a consort and faithful wife. You were just trying to please her. She would have replaced me in the harem eventually anyway," V'Anekka said quickly, reaching to pat Jendri's hand.

"But probably not with Sharue," Jendri pointed out.

"Perhaps. But she has been this way before with a new concubine. She was certainly this way with you. We thought we'd never see her again after you were captured. It was close to a year that if we saw her once every couple of weeks, it was a major event."

"I didn't make it easy for her to subdue me. Little did I know," Jendri mused, "that she wanted nothing but worship. What a life I have had since those early days. And yet, it's true, we don't get enough of her. It isn't my pleasure I need; it is hers. To feel her come..." Jendri trailed off.

V'Anekka nodded. "God knows I don't begrudge her the sex. No one woman can meet all her needs. But ... I do long for her touch."

"As do I," Jendri said. "She barely remembers to remove the Jewel so I can bathe properly." The senior Consort shuddered. "And she replaces it all too quickly. A few quick thrusts on my part and she is done."

"What I would not give for a few quick thrusts right now," V'Anekka sighed.

"I daresay in your state, it would be enough to set you off," Jendri sympathized. "But she has made it plain that I am to serve you as you require, as part of my slavery to her, so if you wish..."

V'Anekka toyed briefly with the idea. She often did. Jendri was a beautiful woman, utterly passionate and giving. When Jendri gave herself to K'Endarra, it was enough to make every noble Asperian climax in response. But she shook her head firmly. "No, it does not please me to demand pleasure from you when I can't return the favor. And she might still come home tonight," V'Anekka said hopefully.

"She might," Jendri agreed, not wanting to burst the younger woman's bubble. She reached for the dice. "I believe it is my turn."