Her Cyborg Awakes (Diaspora Worlds) Read Free Page A

much. I have met a
gentleman who would enjoy an outdoor evening of relaxation. Provide all manner
of refreshments and a comfortable pallet with blankets.”
    “Yes, Mistress.” Qy left to do his business.
    Heart in her throat, she slipped up a side stair
to her rooms. She thought about changing out of her gown but had no way to
explain the change if she was caught, so she just switched her shoes for beach
sandals and slipped down the stairs from her balcony to the sand.
    The beach was unfamiliar in the dark, and she was
jumpy, afraid she would run into someone. A man with a hard face and harsh,
painful hands. But she found the cove without incident and sat on the still
warm sand to wait for Qy.
    “Mistress, I am here.” Qy announced his presence.
He pulled a small float with a large basket filled with wine, fruit drinks, and
an array of delicate food stuffs in a cooler. He set up a large soft pallet
with silken pillows near a small brazier, which danced with a flame. It was a
lovely romantic setting, one she could imagine lovers sharing, which made her
feel immeasurably sad.
    “Wonderful. My gentleman is coming along in a
short while. He wished to be near the sea, in fresh air. Keep our location a
secret, also. We wish to have our privacy. You may return after your nightly
maintenance.” She helped herself to a fruit drink, then wrapped herself in a
blanket and rested on the cushioned pallet.
    “Yes, Mistress.” Qy left, taking the cart with
him, and she knew he would obey her words. And if she needed him she could
summon him via her com. There was nothing to do except stay alert in case
someone came down the beach. Sabralia turned down the brazier flame until it
was as small as a candle. It was dark, and the only sounds were night birds and
the sound of the sea. She helped herself to the food and drink, and even
emptied a bottle of wine into the sea after pouring it into two glasses, which
she also poured out. It would look like her companion had come, had food and drink,
if Qy was questioned. Eventually she leaned back against the cushions and
dozed. She awoke when Qy returned.
    “I will be sleeping here tonight, Qy. My gentleman
spoke of returning here at a later time.”
    “Yes, Mistress.”
    She insisted he get under the covers with her. She
didn’t think cyborgs felt cold, but she felt safer with him beside her. “Wake
me if anyone comes, please.”
    It was a long night, but quiet. No revelers came
down the beach.
    Qy was with her when she woke in the morning. She
lied, in case the cyborgs were reporting their ladies’ activities. “While you
were at maintenance, my gentleman visited me. He was quite pleased with our
comfortable situation, and would like me to remain here, awaiting his visits.
Can you bring more refreshments and drinks?”
    Qy questioned nothing, and did her bidding. That
afternoon, Sabralia paddled for a short time in the sea, then dressed in one of
the other sheer gowns designed for the festivities. Qy did not join her in the
water. His appliances and muscular physique made him sink like a stone, and he
did need oxygen for his flesh parts. She wished she had different clothing, but
if she were to be caught, at least her gown fit with her outdoor lover story.
Qy fixed her hair, but after he left she put the jewels away in an embroidered
pocket that held her cosmetics, and did her hair into a simple braid. She would
have to account for the jewelry later.
    “What is happening in the palace, Qy?” she asked
later.
    “The kitchen is very busy supplying food and
drink. Medical has also been busy since so many have used too many intoxicants.
Some of the harem and a few of the officers had minor injuries in fights.”
    “Are my rooms all right?” The distasteful thought
of strange couples using her rooms for dalliance suddenly occurred to her.
    “Yes, Mistress. I locked your rooms.”
    “Good. But it does sound like the officers are
having a fine time.”
    “Yes, Mistress, a fine time,”