Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 87050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
I felt a chill run down my spine, memories of my time aboard the Conqueror of Bresla flooding back. The oppressive atmosphere, the casual cruelty of the officers—it all made a terrible kind of sense now.
“In the confines of their ship,” Dr. Porter said, his tone grim, “the Vionians evolved a nonconsensual form of dominance and submission to keep order. The strong ruled over the weak, and women… well, women became little more than property.”
The holographic display showed scenes that made my stomach churn—women in chains, being used and abused by leering men in uniform. I saw Lydia and Elara exchange horrified glances, their faces pale.
“When they finally reached their destination,” Dr. Porter continued, “the Vionians founded Vion Prime. But their brutal society had become so ingrained that they couldn’t imagine living any other way. They began to expand, conquering nearby systems and establishing what would become known as the Vionian Empire.”
I found myself nodding along, pieces of my past falling into place. The cruelty I had experienced, the complete disregard for my humanity—it wasn’t just the actions of a few evil men, but the result of generations of warped social evolution.
“The Vionian Empire,” Dr. Porter said, his voice filled with disgust, “represents everything that the Magisterian Federation, and Prosperia herself, stands against. Where we practice loving discipline and consensual submission, they use force and fear. Where we cherish our women as precious gifts to be protected and guided, they treat them as disposable objects.”
As Dr. Porter spoke, I felt a profound sense of gratitude wash over me. My horizons were broadening, my understanding of the universe expanding. For the first time, I truly appreciated the enormity of what Alpha, Sala, and Gamma had done for me by bringing me to Prosperia.
“You see, girls,” Dr. Porter said, his gaze sweeping across the classroom, “the universe is vast and full of wonders. But it also harbors great darkness. It is our duty—and our privilege—to stand as a beacon of light, to show that dominance and submission can be beautiful, loving, and consensual.”
That night in the academy’s dormitory, Mrs. Porter put Lydia, Elara, and me to bed. The room felt cozy, with three narrow beds arranged against the walls, each topped with a fluffy white duvet and an assortment of pillows. A large window looked out over the moonlit grounds of the academy, the silvery light casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor.
Sitting on the edge of my bed, I ran my fingers over the soft cotton of my nightgown. The fabric felt luxurious against my skin, so different from the rough, utilitarian garments I’d worn aboard the Vionian ship when allowed clothing for protection while performing some duty. I couldn’t help but marvel at how much my life had changed in such a short time.
Lydia, her chestnut hair braided neatly for sleep, leaned forward eagerly. “So, Tessara,” she whispered, her eyes bright with curiosity, “what was it really like on the Vionian ship? Were the officers as cruel as Dr. Porter said?”
My cheeks grew hot as memories of my time aboard the Conqueror of Bresla flooded back—the rough hands of the officers, the constant fear, the humiliation… I opened my mouth to respond but found myself at a loss for words.
Elara, her auburn curls wild around her face, shot Lydia a disapproving look. “Lydia, stop it,” she hissed, her freckled cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “You shouldn’t ask such personal questions. It’s not proper.”
Lydia rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on, Elara! Aren’t you the least bit curious? We’ve never met anyone who’s been off-world before let alone someone who’s lived among Vionians.”
“Girls.” Mrs. Porter’s stern voice cut through our whispered conversation as she stood in the doorway, her gray hair neatly coiled atop her head and high-necked nightgown starched and pressed. “That’s quite enough chatter for tonight; it’s time for bed.”
Relief washed over me at Mrs. Porter’s intervention; I wasn’t sure if I was ready to talk about my experiences yet—especially not with girls who seemed so innocent and untouched by the cruelties I’d endured.
Mrs. Porter moved into the room, her steps measured and purposeful as she stopped at the foot of my bed—her sharp eyes taking in my flushed cheeks and nervous demeanor. “Tessara,” she said in a voice that sounded almost tender, “Mr. Gamma has left specific instructions for your nighttime routine. Kneel on your bed, please, with your face in the covers.”
My eyes widened, my heart beginning to race as I glanced over at Lydia and Elara, who watched with undisguised curiosity.
Trembling slightly, I obeyed Mrs. Porter’s instructions, kneeling on the soft bed and burying my burning face in the cool white covers. The mortifying position, which I had of course had to assume for my masters so many times before, felt so much more mortifying here in this cozy room, with two proper young ladies looking on, than it ever had during my captivity. I felt my bottom raised and offered beneath the thin fabric of my nightgown. I could feel Lydia’s and Elara’s eyes on me, their curiosity almost palpable in the quiet room.