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Fiera pointed to the teal gown she’d first been put in. “I wish to wear that one,” she told Cambria.

The young woman made a disgusted noise. “Mistress Fiera, you wear that more often than any of these other beautiful gowns we designed for you.” Cambria pulled out two other gowns. “Why not the emerald silk? Or the gold? You’ve not worn either of those since we first put them on you.”

“The green makes me look like I’ve got some kind of strange illness,” Fiera said. “And the gold leaves me feeling like I’m wrapped in sheets of metal.”

“Mistress Fiera, the gold is also made of silk,” Calixtra said from where she was sorting through the jewelry box. “Why not let us put you in it, and then accent it with blue pieces?”

“I would rather not.” Fiera looked between the two sisters.

“Then what about the midnight blue with silver trim?” Cambria put the other two back and pulled a third gown out. There was a hint of desperation in her voice. “You could wear that and still be in blue.”

Fiera looked coldly at the other woman, making her squirm. Fifteen weeks of constant lessons and being pestered by the two sisters was enough to drive anyone insane. Xenon at least was pleased with how quickly Fiera progressed through their lessons. His calm demeanor was often the only thing that kept her from losing her temper completely with his younger siblings.

As if her thoughts had summoned him, Xenon swept into the room. “What is it this time?” he asked, noticing everything with a single glance.

“She wants to wear that dress again,” Cambria said.

“Mistress Fiera, is there a reason you prefer that one over the others?” Xenon asked.

“It’s my favorite,” Fiera said.

“Then there should be no argument.” Xenon looked at his sisters. “You’ve been warned about trying to shove your preferences onto our charges. I would rather not work with complete strangers next time but if you continue to take advantage of my lenient nature, I’ll have Master Iacchus switch you over to another lead during our next journey. Do you want that?”

Horror spread across Calixtra’s face. “Absolutely not.”

“Good.” Xenon smiled at Fiera. “We’ve finally arrived. Master Iacchus is having all of you join him in the main passenger’s dining hall for breakfast.” He looked at Cambria. “Stop arguing with her and be certain she looks her very best.”

“Of course, Xenon,” Cambria murmured as she retrieved the dress from the closet.

As soon as the dress was on and laced up, Fiera stepped away from Cambria and started spinning. The iridescent teal silk flared out around her hips, shimmering like the waves on the sea while the top bound her slight figure tightly. The subtle pattern with the darker thread just enhanced the idea she was swathed in the ocean rather than mere fabric.

Xenon laughed as Fiera stopped, breathless. “I think I see why you like it. You do look amazing in it.”

“What jewelry do you think we should pair with it this time, Cambria?” Calixtra asked.

“Ask her.” Cambria gestured to Fiera. “She seems to have her own ideas.”

“As she should.” Xenon flashed his sister a stern look. “Cambria, may I ask why you have such a dislike for one of the brightest pupils I’ve ever taken on?”

“She isn’t even all that pretty, but everyone makes such a fuss about her.” Cambria scowled. “Even the other teams are saying we got the best of the lot again.”

Calixtra looked up from where she was picking through the jewelry box. “Mistress Fiera, what were you thinking for jewelry?”

“I’m not sure Cali.” Fiera joined her and looked at her meager collection, all on loan from Iacchus. “This is the part I’m still not good at.”

“You can pick out a pretty dress but not accessorize it correctly?” Cambria snorted. “You haven’t been paying attention at all for the past fifteen weeks, have you?”

“I prefer simple, and it seems that isn’t the way to go usually with the looks you keep shoving me into,” Fiera snapped. “Half the time I despise the dresses you force me into because they make me feel like I’m a Himostava present wrapped and tucked into someone’s shoe.”

“Cambria has not let you choose your own clothing?” Xenon asked.

“Not really. I stopped arguing with her because I kept being late and you didn’t appreciate my tardiness.” Fiera glared at the other woman. “I’ve been putting up with her personal ideas of what my fashion should be compared to what I’d prefer this entire voyage.”

“Cambria, come with me.” Xenon looked at Calixtra. “Cali, make certain she looks as stunning as possible. This will be her main chance to attract the right attention.”

“Of course, Xenon.” Calixtra turned her head away as Xenon led Cambria off. She sighed. “He’s not very happy with Cam right now. I’m sorry she’s been such a problem for you during the journey, Mistress Fiera. She’s normally not so bad but we’re getting very close to buying free, and I think Cam secretly wants to find different work. Perhaps even settle down with a husband to raise a family somewhere.”

“That’s an admirable goal, Cali,” Fiera said.

Calixtra’s smile was sad. “Not for us. If Xenon hadn’t pushed back, and Master Iacchus hadn’t agreed to take us along with him, we’d have been put into a similar situation to you. No man will want either of us. Cam doesn’t accept that. There are few jobs for recently freed indentured servants as well. Our experience doesn’t count towards most normal jobs, you see. So really, all she’s got is this job or something similar.”

“She thinks she can overcome the social stigma and leave this life behind her.” Fiera looked down at her dress. “It’s something I keep thinking about for when I pay off my debt.”

“Do you think you’ll pay yours off then, Mistress Fiera?” Calixtra asked.

“I intend to.” Fiera smiled grimly. “You’ll not find me beholden to anyone but myself. Eventually. I know I’ve got a long way to go for that though.”

“What will you do when you buy yourself free?” Calixtra held up a necklace, shook her head, and put it back.

“Contract as an independent agent with the House that buys me,” Fiera said. “That way I can set my own rules and keep most of my patron-gifts. I’ll eventually save up enough to open my own House.”

“You know you’re not likely to make it outside the Pleasure Houses,” Calixtra said.

Fiera laughed. “I probably could. But I’d be dafter than a madwoman high on sypha dust if I tried. Why give up what may be a life of comfort for struggle?”

“You’re smarter than me and my sister, Mistress Fiera,” Calixtra said.

“I’m just practical. You get that way after you’ve lived on your own, trying to survive on a farm world in the Colonies,” Fiera said with a shrug. She caught Calixtra’s wrist gently. “Cali, what’s in that case? I don’t think we’ve ever opened it.”

“I’m not sure, Mistress Fiera.” Calixtra frowned as she looked at the markings on the seal. “I remember this now. Master Iacchus delivered these yesterday. He said to show them to you and see if you would like to wear them today.” She popped the top and both women gasped.

Inside was a complete set of jewelry, as well as some hair ornaments, made from what appeared to be real blue opals. A miniature galaxy seemed to exist within each one. “How beautiful,” Fiera breathed, touching them with trembling fingers.

“Shall we try them on with the dress, Mistress Fiera?” Calixtra asked. Fiera nodded. It didn’t take the other woman long and soon each piece was in its proper place. “You look amazing.”

Fiera gazed at her reflection, eyes wide with shock. “Cali, I think – I think these are the opals from Bouarus itself. The ones they pull in from beneath the ice caps. You know, the ones they say hold a piece of the universe in each fragment?”

Calixtra looked at the box. “You might be right, Mistress Fiera.” She showed her the name of the shop inside. “This comes from one of the high-end jewelers on Bouarus. They only deal with real gems, and if I remember my gemology reports correctly, they’ve got the exclusive right to sell the jewelry made from those opals.” Calixtra reached up and adjusted one of the hair ornaments a tiny bit. “You look stunning.”

Xenon came out of the room. Fiera could faintly hear Cambria’s sobbing. “Calixtra, you’ll be in charge of helping Mistress Fiera until she disembarks.” He raised an eyebrow. “That is a very expensive debt to take on, Mistress Fiera.”

“She didn’t take it on.” Cambria held up the box. “This is what Master Iacchus dropped off last night and suggested that she might want to use today, if she thought they suited what she was wearing.”

“Well, that is quite the gift,” Xenon said.

“I value my investments.” Iacchus walked into the room. “I’m pleased to see you approve, Xenon.”

“She certainly looks quite expensive, Master Iacchus,” Xenon said. “If you showcase her too much, she might be considered worth too much money to acquire.”

“I’m counting on it,” Iacchus said, surprising everyone. “I have high hopes no one will want her because of the opals.”

“How will you make your own money back, Master Iacchus?” Fiera asked, biting her lip and letting her concern show as Xenon had taught her.

Iacchus’ smile was predatory. “I have my own House. I rarely choose to keep any of those I acquire, but you my dear are not worth letting go. You will be in very high demand, and I would far prefer to keep control of that wealth.”

“Then don’t put me up for viewing with the others,” Fiera said. “I won’t mention the change of plans where my disposition is concerned.”

“She has picked up the knack of using the more formal words mixed in with her casual speech patterns, hasn’t she?” Iacchus asked.

“She is one of the best students I have ever had,” Xenon said with a great deal of pride. “She learns quickly, is open to correction, and has a better memory than some. Though she still has her rough edges I think most of that will be easily dealt with once she’s formally set up as a Pleasure Seeker.”

Iacchus turned his attention back to Fiera. “I’m quite sure you’ll be quiet about the change of plans. It’s the twins I have some concerns over. Calixtra and Cambria have many friends on Bouarus, and I’m not sure if they’ve spoken with them about you.”

“I haven’t said a word,” Calixtra said. “Xenon told me I wasn’t allowed to.”

“Can you say the same for Cambria?” Iacchus asked.

“I have been having some difficulties with her,” Xenon said with a sigh.

“Do you want me to switch her to another trainer for the next run?” Iacchus asked.

“You would have to send Calixtra as well, since the contract stipulates that my sisters work together,” Xenon said.

“That’s true.” Iacchus frowned in thought. Calixtra whimpered. “Cali, I know you prefer working with Xenon but perhaps it’s time to see if you and Cambria can work with others. After all, you’ll have your debts paid off soon enough. You may decide to seek employment elsewhere.”

“I have no problem renegotiating a contract with you, Master Iacchus,” Calixtra said. “So long as I’m allowed to remain with Xenon, I’ll work with whoever else you tell me to after our debt is paid.”

“I’m pleased to see that after our last serious discussion you have become far more accommodating to my wishes.” Iacchus turned back to Xenon. “Xenon, I’ve put a block on all calls between the liner and Bouarus so I don’t have anyone spoiling my surprises.”

A door slammed and Cambria stalked into the room. Her eyes were fixed on Xenon. “Now you’re treating me like a recalcitrant child and locking down the comm unit?” she shrieked. “I wanted to call ahead and talk to a friend of mine, see if she wanted to go to lunch when we arrived.” She reached her brother and slapped him hard across the face. There was a beep from her wrist. “What in the name of the stars?”

“You just assaulted one of my trainers, Cambria.” The other woman jumped as Iacchus spoke. She hadn’t seen her employer standing there. Fiera slipped an arm around Calixtra’s shoulders. The other woman was in tears. Fear rolled off her like a thunderstorm. “I don’t care if he’s your older brother. Assault nets you a fine. You know that.”

Cambria stared at Iacchus. “He should be getting the fine for forcing us into isolation.”

“I’m the one who put the block on all comm lines held under my name. I don’t want word getting to the Houses about what I’m bringing in until I make the final decision on which ones I’m keeping for my own purposes.” He gestured at Fiera. “I think she’ll be one of my finest prizes.”

Cambria’s jaw dropped. “How in the name of all the planets in both systems did you get your hands on jewelry like that?”

Iacchus smirked. “A loan from me. I wanted to see what she’d look like in proper jewelry. It seems Cali recognized them for what they were long before you even realized they were in her jewelry case.”

“Cambria, Master Iacchus has decided to send you and Cali to another teacher for the next run. He thinks, and I agree, that you two should learn to work with others. If you do wish to leave after your debt is paid, you’ll need the experience as I plan on remaining in Master Iacchus’ employ.” Xenon paused. “Of course, that’ll depend on if we can agree on an appropriate contract once the debt is paid.”

“Oh, of course Xenon.” Iacchus waved his hand. “I’d be an idiot to get rid of one of the best teachers I’ve ever found.”

Cambria choked. “We do all the work, and he gets all the credit. Of course.”

“We are a team, Cam. We’ve always worked well together and now you’re ruining it for me and Xenon. Why are you so selfish?” Calixtra turned away from Fiera and fled into the sleeping rooms.

“Xenon, I’ll deal with your sisters.” Iacchus’ voice was suddenly ice cold. “Please take Fiera to where the others are gathering and remain with her.”

“Of course, Master Iacchus.” Xenon came over and took Fiera’s arm. He led her out. The door didn’t close soon enough to block out Cambria’s screams.

“What’s he doing?” Fiera glanced back over her shoulder.

“You’re very fortunate, Fiera. You’ve never seen Master Iacchus angry.” Xenon was pale but his voice was steady. “This isn’t the first time Cambria has acted out. She’s actually gotten worse over the years as we’ve gotten closer to pay off. Calixtra used to be that way. Master Iacchus got a little…excessive with disciplining her once and Cali’s never been the same since. I was hoping to avoid that with Cam.”

“Is that what he meant when he mentioned the discussion with Cali?”

Xenon nodded. “Cali used to be as opinionated and stubborn as Cam. You can see what she became after he was done with her.”

“My father used to say the things you loved the most were the ones that got broken most often.” She shrugged. “Of course, he and my mother died because of the famine and my family disintegrated so I don’t know what that means for me.”

Xenon smiled. “You rebuilt your life without them, and it seems you’re doing it again. In spite of that temper of yours, I think you’ll be quite successful here.”

Fiera winced and glanced down at her own wrist band. Her debt had increased by almost five thousand credits in the fifteen weeks she’d been on the liner after three rather violent outbursts had led to damages in the room. “I just have to remember what you told me after my last incident.”

“Get into some kind of mindfulness program as quick as you can. Also, you move very gracefully in spite of your build so dance would be an excellent hobby for you to pursue once you’re in a more permanent location.”

The lift was empty when they got on, and the conversation died out as they rode up to the floor where the main dining hall was. Xenon led her in but kept her behind another group, so they didn’t immediately draw attention to themselves. He sat her in a corner and made sure he kept the others from getting a good look at her.

“Is he really going to hurt Cambria to the point where her mind breaks?” Fiera asked softly.

Xenon’s expression was grim. “I hope not. I warned Cambria that this would happen if she continued to test Master Iacchus’ patience. Cam saw what happened to Cali and swore she would never be in that position.”

“She might think, being this close to payoff, that it doesn’t matter anymore.”

“She was always the brightest designer but not the easiest person to get along with.” Xenon stared at the monitors showing the planet they were fast approaching. “The creativity she presented when compared to Calixtra’s natural flare for gems and metal was something I desperately wanted to harness, to keep within the family. She seemed to agree with me. She didn’t want to be separated from her twin after all.”

“It’s hard to be separated from your siblings,” Fiera said. “I know that from personal experience.”

“Do you have any siblings?” Xenon asked, turning his attention back to her. “I thought Master Iacchus said you were unattached.”

“I have a twin brother,” Fiera said. “Phelix. I haven’t seen him in a good fair bit.” She coughed. “I mean, it’s been a while since the two of us were together. We worked on the same farm for a few years, but his path took him one way and mine took me another.” She gestured to her clothes. “You have been a part of where my journey has led.”

“What was he interested in becoming, last time you talked to him?” Xenon asked.

“Phelix was going the mech route, wanting to focus more on the building and maintaining of farm machines than on what I was doing.” Fiera made a face. “Sorus being what it was, he got the grants for schooling while I got stuck doing hard labor. I could have married, settled down, and started my own family but somehow I never saw that in the rede for myself.”

Xenon smiled. “I haven’t heard that phrase in many years. It was our mother’s favorite thing to say when things didn’t go her way.” Fiera looked at him inquisitively. “‘It wasn’t in the rede for me.’”

“I have no idea where I first heard it,” Fiera said. “I know a lot of the older female workers said it though, so I think it may be something more commonly spoken by women than men.”

“Quite possibly. I’ve never heard a man say it and we’ve been doing this for a good twenty years now.” His expression turned sorrowful. “I worry that Cambria will be worse than Cali by the time Master Iacchus gets through with her.”

“Did your idiot sister finally push Master Iacchus over the edge?” someone asked. The voice set Fiera’s teeth on edge. It was masculine, but it was that high-pitched, almost sniveling sound she equated to the bullies who tormented the orphaned farmhands back home.

“That is none of your concern, Kosta,” Xenon said coldly. “Where are Nyx and Luna? I usually see your girls tripping along at your heels like whipped dogs.”

Fiera saw the speaker. He was clean shaven, bald, and had that kind of hairlessness she equated to someone who suffered from a distinct lack of testosterone. He was dressed in a shade of green which added a sickly pallor to his skin.

Kosta scowled. “They’re bringing my girl up. She’s going to attract quite the high price when we get to the Houses.”

“Then why aren’t you with them to prevent an incident like what happened on the last voyage?” Xenon raised an eyebrow. “Or are you too afraid of getting a blemish on your hands that you’d risk increasing your debt due to negligence? You do know I’ll have to tell Master Iacchus you broke your word to him. Again.”

Kosta scowled and opened his mouth. A whiff of someone wearing too much perfume made Fiera gag. Two young women who were even more broken than Calixtra entered, one on each side of a heavily perfumed and overly painted brunette. “Ah, here they are.” Kosta smirked. “My beauty is going to bring a high price this time.”

Xenon coughed. “Perhaps if you sell her to a troupe of performers.” Kosta started at him, slack jawed and almost slobbering in his rage. “Really, Kosta. What possessed you to cover her face in so much makeup? You’re hiding something and the buyers are going to want to know what.”

“I’m hiding nothing,” Kosta snapped. “You know that’s become my trademark.”

Fiera watched as the young women – Nyx and Luna, she remembered Xenon saying – guide the woman they were chaperoning into her chair. Kosta moved off to join them. “Xenon, I think the woman’s eyes are glued shut.”

“Keep quiet about it. If they are, you’ll see why Master Iacchus terrifies my sisters and I so much when he’s just mildly angry. This will infuriate him.” Xenon shook his head. “Kosta will be lucky if he survives this one. Intira may be asked to do something more permanent about him and his girls. And really, it’s not their fault that he’s an idiot.”

“Was he castrated?” Fiera asked.

“All men who work for Master Iacchus undergo chemical castration, Fiera. It’s for the safety of those we train as well as our own,” Xenon said, surprising Fiera. He smiled. “I’m glad I’ve learned to hide it so well. There will never be a time where I can have children. The very nature of the chemical castration means that if you’re on it for more than three years you become completely sterile.”

Fiera touched the spot on her arm where the implant she’d been given rested just under her skin in one of the veins. It was tiny, only a few nanometers in diameter, but it released a demand to her brain for the chemicals that kept her body thinking she was in the early stages of pregnancy – without the usual unpleasant side effects – and would keep her from becoming pregnant until it was either deactivated or removed.

Xenon saw the gesture. “For women it’s different. If you ever decide you want to get pregnant, and you’ve bought your freedom, you’ll be able to have the implant removed.”

“So if I do manage to free myself I can still have a family if I want to?” For some reason, this small bit of information made her life seem a little less overwhelming.

Xenon smiled. “Yes. If you want to have children there is still the chance you could have them in the future.”

“Thank you, Xenon. For everything. I know you were just doing your job, but, well, thanks for doing it so well for me.”

Xenon’s smile turned affectionate. “Oddly enough Fiera, you remind me of Cali when we were younger and running our shop. I think you’ll thrive in the environment you’re going to find yourself in though, where she’d have died very early on.” He patted her shoulder and the two resumed watching Bouarus grow larger on the monitor.

Fiera ran her thumb over the fox tattoo on her wrist. She closed her eyes, fighting back the wave of homesickness it brought. A phrase from the song she’d listened to on repeat as she struggled to overcome the loss of her parents eight years earlier surfaced in her memory. “If you could see me now, would you be proud?” she whispered.

The other teams arrived with their charges. Iacchus appeared a few minutes later. Calixtra was with him, her dark eyes shadowed with pain. She joined Xenon without a word. There were a few whispers about Cambria not being there but no one asked. The few pinprick drops of blood on Calixtra’s skirt told them everything.

“Where is she?” Xenon asked.

“With the medics. But Xenon, she’s over the threshold now and Master Iacchus isn’t going to keep her. He’s already sent the notification on the beacon. He’s turning her over to the ISRS as soon as we get to the port.” Calixtra looked sick.

Xenon took Calixtra’s hand. “She did it to herself Cali.” Fiera heard the pain in his sister’s eyes reflected in his voice. “We tried to help her but she wouldn’t listen.”

“Xenon, she’s my twin. I don’t know if…if…”

“You can’t give up, Cali. I still need you.” Xenon tightened his grip on his sister’s hand.

“Xenon, Master Iacchus will replace Cambria on your team, won’t he?” Fiera asked.

“He’ll have to. Unless Cali and I get assigned to someone in his House on Bouarus we can’t work without a third,” Xenon said, turning to look at her.

Fiera looked at Calixtra’s wrist. Her debt was only a few thousand. So was Xenon’s. She looked at her own. She was still well below the threshold, but what she was going to propose would push her closer than she wanted to be. She caught Intira’s eye and jerked her head towards the corner. Intira nodded once and moved towards the shadowed area.

“Xenon, come with me,” Fiera said. He looked at her strangely but stood and blocked her with his body while she went to talk to Intira.

“What is it, Colony girl?” Intira asked. “Iacchus is about to start speaking and you don’t want to miss what he has to say.”

“I want to take Xenon and Cali with me when I’m sent to the House. I know I need to have a stylist and someone to help me with my jewelry. I can pick my own dresses. I’m hopeless with jewelry, and I wouldn’t trust anyone but Xenon with my hair.”

Intira raised an eyebrow. “The only way they can do that is if their debt is paid, or he chooses to assign them to you out of some kind of charity.”

Fiera took a deep breath. “There is a clause in the ISRS guidelines that says, so long as taking on the debt of another servant does not put one over the threshold, another servant can take on that burden in order to release the other.”

Xenon hissed between his teeth. “Fiera, if you combine our debt, that puts it at seven thousand eight hundred and thirteen credits between the two of us.”

“Yes, and I am still eighty nine thousand below the threshold,” Fiera said. “Intira, will you please put my request to Master Iacchus?”

“I will. I won’t promise he’ll grant it.”

Fiera shrugged. “If he doesn’t, at least I tried.” Intira nodded and sent them back to their chairs.

Xenon whispered in Calixtra’s ear as Iacchus corralled his bunch at their tables. She looked at Fiera, her eyes wide. “You’d really do that for us?” Calixtra asked.

“I know you’re hurting, Cali.” Fiera kept her voice to the barest whisper. “I lost my twin not that long ago. I love you and Xenon like you were my own family. I don’t want to lose anyone else I’m close to.”

“Thank you.” Calixtra bowed her head and quickly wiped her tears away before she could get into trouble. She reached out under the table and squeezed Fiera’s hand. She was still shaking but there was a hint of hope now where before there had been despair.

Iacchus looked over his group and finally seemed to notice Kosta’s little mess. He curled his lip in disgust. He walked over and spoke to the two young women who were Kosta’s assistants. They responded, and he gestured to the door. The woman they’d dressed was taken out. Kosta stood up but Iacchus pushed him back down. He spoke with another trainer and had him follow the girls out.

Ten minutes later a much more conventionally dressed soon-to-be Pleasure Seeker was returned to the mess hall. A deep gash was evident on her left cheek. “Fiera, this is important,” Xenon whispered urgently. “Was that there when Master Iacchus collected you?”

“No. We were all fully healed, if still a bit sore, when Ekatarin collected us,” Fiera whispered back. Xenon nodded, eyes narrowed, as he watched Kosta bluster and attempt to deflect any blame.

Xenon coughed to get Iacchus’ attention. “Master Iacchus, that woman wasn’t hurt like that when she came aboard. She, like all of the others, would have been in peak physical condition because Ms. Vukovic wouldn’t have been allowed to retrieve them if they weren’t as per ISRS regulations.”

“Quite right, Xenon,” Iacchus said. “Kosta, is there a reason Aoi is so badly scarred?”

Fiera bit the inside of her cheek as she fought the sudden wave of dizziness. Once again the miasma of scorched metal and open bowels washed over her, and it was only the training she’d received from Xenon that kept her from showing distress. Her hand reached blindly for her juice glass. Calixtra pushed it into her searching fingers before she tipped it over. Fiera took several long swallows of the tart citrus juice that seemed to be a favored morning beverage in the Central Worlds.

“Are you okay?” Calixtra looked worried.

“Just a bad memory.” Fiera managed a thin smile.

Aoi was one of the women from the Lusitania. Fiera knew the name and now that the garish face paint was gone, she recognized the young lady. It was the mousey brown-haired girl she’d comforted as they were pulled into indenturement together. The spark of life that had still been there in her beautiful charcoal-colored eyes was gone. Now she seemed as dull and lifeless as so many of the others.

“I didn’t like her attitude, so I corrected it like I usually do,” Kosta said. “You want courtesans who are going to be docile and obedient. She was often defiant and refused to do as she was told.”

“Did you ever explain to her why she was doing things?” Iacchus asked.

“Why should I?” Kosta asked. “It’s not her place to ask questions, but only be obedient.”

“You’ve been told before to explain what’s happening to those in your care before you start the lessons since not all of them are aware of why I bought out their debt.” Iacchus sighed. “Intira, take him away and deal with this.”

“Of course, Iacchus,” Intira said, almost purring in delight. Kosta blanched but didn’t dare make a fuss. The other passengers were making a point of not noticing the drama going on in their midst. Their eyes were riveted on the screens or their food.

Iacchus walked around each table, speaking with the other teams and their courtesans. One other was sent from the room with his team but Iacchus’ expression was more amused than anything else. Finally, he came over to where Xenon and Calixtra were still doing their best to shield Fiera from general view.

“Intira told me of your rather peculiar request, Fiera.” Iacchus sat down next to Xenon. “I am curious as to why you think I’d be interested in such a trade. There is little profit in it for me if I do as you’re suggesting.”

“It just means you keep me longer, since I’ll have more debt to pay off.”

Iacchus raised an eyebrow. “Do you really think you can pay off what you already have, as well as their remaining debts to me, before you die of old age?”

Fiera smirked and brought the juice to her lips. “Master Iacchus, I will have my debt to you paid off within the next ten years.”

Calixtra choked on her breakfast. Iacchus looked at Xenon and Calixtra. “I thought you told me she wasn’t arrogant, Xenon.”

“I’m not. I’m ambitious.” Fiera risked the punishment for speaking out of turn.

“And do your ambitions include returning to your dirt grubbing ways on that backwater Colony world you called home?” Iacchus asked.

Fiera laughed softly. “My plan is to remain with whatever House holds my contract, but I will set the terms once my debt has been paid. Not the House Master.”

A slow smile spread across Iacchus’ face. “You have the right attitude. All right. I will take the offer you have made, and I won’t add the transfer fees to the cost simply because I wish to keep it an even exchange.” He pulled out a tablet and tapped on the screen. There was a series of beeps and a moment later, Iacchus collected the armbands from Xenon and Calixtra.

Fiera glanced down at her debt. It had gone up exactly as much as she’d expected. She hid the shiver of fear that ran down her spine. This was pushing her closer to the threshold than she ever wanted to be. Looking up she saw the wonder and gratitude in the eyes of the two sitting with her. It was already worth it.

Iacchus rose, putting the bands and the tablet into various pockets on his outfit. “We’ll be getting into the shuttles soon. Calixtra, Xenon, you have fifteen minutes. Go say your farewells to Cambria. Then pack. You will be accompanying Fiera to her place in my House.” He walked away without a backwards glance.

Xenon and Calixtra stood up. “Thank you, Mistress Fiera,” Calixtra said softly. “This means a lot to us.” Xenon put an arm around his sister’s shoulders and led her from the room.

There were several soft gasps from the other teams and their courtesans as they got their first full look at Fiera. She stiffened – the vulnerability of her position not being lost on her – before forcing herself to relax. She shifted her chair around until there wasn’t enough room for even the slenderest of them to slip behind her. She turned her attention to the monitors and watched as Bouarus, jewel of the Central Worlds Alliance, grew ever closer.