The Wikomsette Excerpt © Emerald Lavere 2013

On Sunday—it must have been Sunday, because it was Wednesday when I’d arrived, and unless I was on a different planet…well, they sure looked like human men, acted like human men, felt like human men—anyway, it was Sunday to me, and all the men were resting. Some milled around the clearing talking and laughing, while others stayed in their quarters or swam in the nearby river.

Rayne was assigned to take me farther down the river where I could bathe privately.

Before I waded in, I asked, “What does it mean? Bisho un vu?”

Rayne sat cross-legged on the shore, absorbed in the black device he always carried. It was flat and about the size of a greeting card, and seemed to be a computer or tablet. He paused in his activity and answered in a solemn tone, eyes still on the device, “It means, ‘I offer myself to you.’”

“Oh.” That was surprising. “That’s rather romantic, considering I’m nothing more than a common prostitute here.”

“You are La Wikomsette!” Rayne snapped, frustration flashing in his icy eyes. “You are like a queen. They’ll do anything for you.” Then he finished bitterly, “There is no higher honor.”

“Why do you hate me?” I blurted. In my life back home, I didn’t open up to anyone, but here, so far from normal society, mincing words seemed an unnecessary formality.

“Don’t be stupid,” he replied with contempt. Concentrating on his device, he added, “Even if I did hate you, why would it matter? You have seven men here who would give their lives for you. If that’s not good enough, then you are a spoiled child and don’t deserve the love of even one of them.”

I seriously doubted love had much to do with anything. Mad horniness, maybe. I took off my clothes, and when Rayne didn’t show the slightest interest, I was stung by the insult. Maybe I was a spoiled child. But a wicked desire to harass him came over me.

Once in the water, I called, “I’ve figured it all out, you know.” That seemed to catch his attention, but he still didn’t look over or say anything. “You all are aliens, and I’m no longer on Earth.”

He burst out laughing. I smiled, pleased that I’d cracked his hard exterior. Also, it seemed I could cross that theory off my list. It was a lame one, anyway. The forest, or jungle, more like, was teeming with familiar wildlife.

“This doesn’t look like Earth?” he said, amused, gazing at the lush foliage around us. “Pity, we tried so hard to replicate your home planet to fool you.” He laughed at his own joke, then sighed. He shook his head and returned his attention to the device.

“Why did the men say that? About offering themselves?” I asked, splashing around in the pleasant water. “Not all of them did, though.” I wished Niku had said it. I would have liked him to, and Brannon was so affectionate, why hadn’t he?

After a moment, Rayne said, “In our…culture, a man says that only the first time he gives himself to someone.”

“But, it was the first time that each one…” I stopped midsentence, gasping as realization dawned. “Do you mean to tell me those men have never, ever been with a woman before? Ever?”

Rayne nodded.

After diving underwater to look for the soap I’d dropped, I came up and threw out my next theory. “Are you all from a monastery? Or some…weird cult or something?”

“Regina.” Even though he wasn’t looking in my direction, I could tell he was rolling his eyes. “Finish your bath. I don’t want to babysit you all day, and we have the Rest Day meal in a little while.” Despite the reprimand, his tone was lighter than before. Was this progress? Maybe he would learn to like me, after all.

“Your English is already flawless, and the others have learned so much. How is that even possible after so few days?” I asked while scrubbing my hair.

Rayne set the computer object down, stretched out his legs, and leaned back on his hands. “I’m not sure how to explain it well. But we have technology”—he waved a hand carelessly—“far more advanced than what you are used to—”

“How do you know what I’m used to?” Rayne had the annoying habit of talking down to me, and I was quickly growing tired of it.

“Are you done yet? Let’s head back,” he replied coolly.

“Almost. Sorry. Please tell me. Please?” I should really learn to keep my big mouth shut. He was annoyed again and waited a minute or two before answering.

“Well, the equipment is like a computer, a very, very small one. It houses thousands of languages. Ax identified yours the first day you came.” A dark look crossed his brow, and he went silent for several moments. Taking a deep breath, he went on. “I guess the most basic way to say it is we download the information into our brains, bits at a time. I already knew much of this language, so really I just had to fine-tune it.”

This was followed by several minutes of quiet while I climbed out of the water, wrapped up in a towel, and then just sat as I pondered the implications in his explanation. Rayne eventually glanced my way. “You’re androids?” I asked in a whisper.

“Oh good gosh, you are ridiculous! Get your clothes on. I’m starting back now, and you can keep up or get lost out here.” He stood and started walking while I pulled on my clothes as quickly as possible. I still almost lost him in the brush as I tripped over myself and tried to catch up.

A Wife for the Future Excerpt © Emerald Lavere 2016

She smiles, and it makes her less intimidating. She has very nice teeth. “My dear, calm yourself.” She sweeps across the room and sits in a dramatic pose on one of the couches. “I’m told your name is Ashling?”

“Yes, my lady.” I take a seat across from her. I feel self-conscious and horribly underdressed in my sweat suit.

“I feel already that you are different than the other girls I’ve mentored. I’m not exactly sure what it is…” She blinks rapidly at my outfit as if noticing it for the first time. “But you are quite lovely. The men will certainly be doing everything they can think of to win your favor and a place in your tribe.”

I blush. “Thank you. I hope I can…be what is required.”

“Darling, you will meet all expectations if you can do but two things: open your legs to let your husbands in and open them again to let children out. Anything beyond that is extra.”

Now I’m blushing so hard that Ambria laughs. “Oh my, you are sweet! I didn’t come here just to tell you that! I’m an experienced Wikomsette, darling, and I’ll give you much more advice in the ways of the life. If what I’ve said already has you turning so pink, you may need a brandy or two before hearing some of the rest. I’m afraid you’ll faint away!” She laughs again, and I smile back at her.

I also have the urge to lock myself away in my new, ugly bedroom, but there’s no getting out of this. Instead, I resign myself to remaining planted in the Penthouse living room and settle in for the afternoon with Ambria. Her lessons aren’t too bad at the start.

“I’ve been told you’ve led an especially sheltered life,” she says.

I nod.

“That you didn’t grow up in a traditional household and will need to have even the most basic things explained.” She raises an eyebrow and pauses as if hoping I’ll spill some beans. I respond only with my best wide-eyed innocent stare. She concedes and continues, “So bear with me if some of what I say seems remedial.”

Ambria goes on to explain that the Penthouse is referred to as the “Domain” in Wikomsette households, and gives a lot of advice about keeping peace in the home. Things like being clear with my expectations of the husbands and not depriving them.

“Unless they’ve upset you, of course, dear. Then feel free to teach the offending man a lesson! Oh, and also, I would be careful if you have any particular tastes, if you understand me. I once asked for two of my husbands to share my bed at the same time for a bit of extra excitement.” She shakes her head. “The request was not well received by those two! But I got myself a couple of new husbands after that who weren’t so particular about whom they bedded, and oh my!” Ambria winks.

I find myself giggling even though the very idea sort of horrifies me. “Oh, no. I don’t think anything like that will be an issue.” My face is hot again.

“Well, you never know, dear. Once you get a taste for the cock…oh that reminds me, we should discuss tasting the cocks…” For the next hour or so, I sit, listen, choke on the water I’m drinking several times, and think my face will burst into flames of embarrassment many more times. At one point, Ambria is so caught up in her explanations of sex positions, she actually bunches up her gown and gets on all fours on the floor to explain the best way to prop yourself up while “taking it from behind” and adding self-stimulus with either your fingers or a pleasure device. “Those are a bit taboo, of course, as a woman shouldn’t be relieving herself when she has so many men that can barely get enough of her as it is. But they are perfectly acceptable accessories during sex play with a husband.”

After that display, she rolls onto her back with a huff. “Oh goodness. I can’t believe I’m on the floor. I can barely maneuver as it is in this dress, but I do love it so. Give me a hand up, will you, dear?”

With a bit of effort from both of us, Ambria manages to return to her seat on the sofa and asks for a beverage. I call down the stairway. A minute later, Jules brings us a tray of lemonade and explains the intercom, which is a circular crystal on the wall.

“These are throughout the home, my lady, and for now, you’ll have to wave a hand past one to activate it. Later today, we’ll program the system to respond to your voice.” He bows and returns to the lower level.

“A fine-looking youth, that one,” Ambria says before sipping her drink.

I merely smile, and ask, “Um. Are you… Do you still…?” I have to wonder if at her age she still romps around in the bedroom.

“Oh, gracious, dear! Of course! I’m all for it. Though, you know, I have slowed down, but believe me, so have my husbands! I still take all of them to my bed. The ones that are left, anyway. But often it’s just for the sweetness of having one of my men to sleep beside when neither of us is up for more.”

“What do you mean, the ones who are left? Don’t you take husbands for life?

Ambria nods and sighs. “Three of my darlings have passed on. I only have six left now. I suppose I could take on some younger ones. Those who have no chance of getting a younger Wikomsette of their own. But our household is quiet and content. I think it will be just us from here on out.”

“What about children? Did you have any?”

Ambria laughs so hard that tears sparkle in her eyes. “Oh, precious! Did I have children! Seventeen, dear. All boys. I suppose that’s one of the reasons I so enjoy counseling young women as they enter their positions. It’s the closest I ever get to a mother-daughter relationship.”

I barely hear the last bit because my mind is still reeling. Seventeen babies! I think I might be sick. “So…so, you were pregnant seventeen times?”

“Only sixteen. My last two boys are twins,” she says fondly. “Are you all right, dear? You look a bit green.”