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they set out to start again, and this new world had everything they needed. The one problem was that their birthrate had dropped tremendously. Fighting wars for available breeding partners had caused more problems than it solved, so the women got together and elected a queen. The criteria were as Artruo had stated. They had to have power, be fertile and able to lead. If there wasn’t a qualified female, the area simply became a province and a male of a nearby queen’s line was selected to rule. He could be supplanted by one dainty foot in his province.
    “I will consider it.”
    Artruo smiled. “Excellent. If you do decide to take a throne, my brother, Gyrion, is an excellent choice as consort.”
    Her cheeks pinked. “Uh, I will take that under advisement.”
    “Do. I am sure that I can find a few ladies who can vouch for his skills as a lover.”
    Her voice was strangled. “Not necessary.”
    They joined Kreatha for lunch. She looked at them, checked the chronometer and shook her head. “He didn’t even last an hour.”
    Amylia sat next to her friend and poured tea for all three of them. “He doesn’t have the constitution for it.”
    Artruo glanced at her. “And yet you lasted for days.”
    She shrugged. “I knew it wasn’t going to end until I died, so I tried to put that off as long as possible by letting the machine run in full cycles. The longer I could draw out my orgasm, the longer it would leave me alone.”
    Kreatha stared at her. “You had a strategy for your climaxes?”
    “Sure. I didn’t have anything else to concentrate on. I gave in to the machine, and I made it do all the work.”
    She offered Kreatha the first selection on the tray, and when she declined, Amylia dove in.
    Artruo cleared his throat. “I have offered Gyrion to Amylia if she will have him.”
    Kreatha was about to take a sip of tea, and she paused. “That is an excellent idea. It is a neighbouring province, and he is an exceptionally handsome male. It would be a good match. Contact him, and let him know you have sacrificed him on our family honour.”
    Artruo drank his cup of tea, inclined his head and departed.
    “Where is he going?” It was becoming normal to have a meal with two faces covered in tiger stripes on either side of her.
    Kreatha smiled and started to fill her plate. “He is going to tell Gyrion that he is engaged to an alien. I am sure he will be honoured when Artruo explains you. My husband is one of your admirers.”
    She paled but said weakly, “One of? You make it sound like I have a group of men following me around.”
    “Not following you, but they have come to me to ask if you would like a servant until you were completely recovered.”
    Amylia frowned in the middle of a mouthful of noodles. “How many?”
    “Five, seven? I lost count.” Kreatha shrugged casually.
    Amylia covered her face.
    “Why do you do that? I mean, I can still see you.” The rich chuckle was full of friendly mockery.
    “I am composing myself to pretend that I am not embarrassed. I don’t pretend that well.”
    “There is nothing to be embarrassed about. You have everything in you to be a queen. Perhaps, one day, even the queen.”
    “The position you currently hold?”
    “Yes. Dealing with men on a daily basis can wear on one’s nerves. I look forward to a retirement one day surrounded by my children and, hopefully, some grandchildren.”
    “Why did Artruo put his brother forward as my consort without consulting him?”
    “Ah. That. Their mother was one of the great ladies, but she was never able to rise to the rank of queen. When I took Artruo as my consort, Gyrion was raised to nobility, and he is a very good leader, as well as an excellent defender.”
    “Defender?”
    “Well, the men are always trying to jockey for position. A consort today might not be one tomorrow if he lets himself be deposed.”
    Amylia chuckled. “So, they work out regularly?”
    “They keep fit and keep in combat practice. It makes