She clenched her teeth around the sound adapter, refusing to give the Councilors the satisfaction of seeing her as anything but calm as Dr. Balcor brought a light closer.

Zade spread her feminine lips as the light and video feed was adjusted to the doctor’s satisfaction. She’d agreed to this. Shewould see it through.Fuck the Council. Fuck the Ubrions. The doctor was right, they want to humiliate me and intimidate me. They want me to fail. They’re not going to break me. Don’t break. Don’t break. Don’t break.

Zade’s fingers explored every inch of her body at the doctor’s direction, pressing against sensitive spots and eliciting gasps and tremors from within. She was overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through her, unable to resist as he followed directions, probing and examining her with almost clinical detachment. She was humiliated and aroused at the same time, and that made her mad.

She turned her head away, a futile attempt to shield herself from the probing stares and discussion of her intimate form. There was no escape. Everywhere she looked, her anatomy was on display on the huge holovids. Her cheeks burned with humiliation. She’d never seen herself from that angle, or in so much detail.

“Subject appears resistant," Dr. Balcor murmured. "Note her stiffness and lack of eye contact.”

“Perhaps.” Dr. Kubro scrutinized his patient. “I believe what we are seeing is embarrassment, not resistance.”

Ashlyn squeezed her eyes shut as tightly as she could and nodded.

“Councilor Faro, you seem less than pleased to be here. Would you prefer the exam be conducted in private?” Dr. Balcor asked.

She nodded vigorously. Yes! Yes! In private!

Doctor Kubro dashed her hopes. “I’m afraid we cannot accommodate that, as the Council has ordered we proceed with the exam and subsequent breeding in this manner. However, I understand your reluctance. We can help you feel more relaxed, which will make orgasm easier. Strong orgasm increases theprobability of successful breeding. Do we have your permission to provide artificial stimulation?”

Ashlyn’s eyes popped open. Hadn’t Zade and the doctor already discussed this? She’d been expecting them to do it without asking first. Acknowledging her need and desire for extra stimulation somehow made it all worse. More humiliating. So why was she so wet? Why didn’t the idea of Zade using a vibrator on her in front of all those people make her want to sink into the floor?Because it’s Zade.

She was spread open, on display. Did she really want them to see her being serviced with a sexual device? A sex toy? She was already there. They’d already seen her most intimate parts. With a reluctant nod, she agreed to the stimulation.

“Excellent. Council Members, we have the subject’s consent. We will begin with a liquid stimulant from Cannus Prime calledOrgastim. Many species enjoy this stimulant during sexual play. It enhances sensitivity and lowers inhibitions without altering instincts. If the female does not enjoy what is happening on some level, or is repulsed by her partner, she will be irritated rather than aroused, so use of the stimulant will not alter receptivity to nonhuman breeding in general. This has been well documented and researched. Are there any questions before we begin?”

When no one spoke up, Zade used the accompanying paintbrush to coat her areolas with the thick, gooey substance.

Her nipples began to tingle before he was finished, making her squirm on the table.

“We begin to see signs of arousal. With added stimulation, this will only increase. Please continue, Caldorian.”

C’Nar, silent until that moment, practically salivating at the chance to touch her, spoke up, “Let me do it.” Not waiting for permission, he jumped to her side, flicked first her right nipple, then reached for the left. Revolted, she shrank from his touch.

Zade didn’t miss a beat. He lay the Ubrion scum out, unconscious, with one solid punch. The only thing that kept him from killing C’Nar was Ashlyn. Zade focused on her. She was clearly still angry with him. She hadn’t looked at him even once.

Dr. Kubro cleared his throat as C’Nar regained consciousness. “I think the subject is trying to communicate that she is not capable of responding favorably to any individual attempting to have her removed from the Council seat.”

C’Nar groaned and curled his lip as he sat up, one eye swollen shut and the other narrowing in fury. “Of course, my betrothed is hesitant to show her desire for me in front of the Caldorian. By all means, doctor, proceed with the demonstration.”

Dr. Kubro turned to Zade with a nervous half smile. “Perhaps if someone else were to try, her response would be more favorable?”

Zade didn’t bother with a response, as none was expected. He captured one of Ashlyn’s nipples between his thumb and forefinger, pinching, twisting, plucking at the tight buds. He knew she liked a firm touch. Knew, also, that she would mentally resist anything he did. She was angry. She didn’t want to desire him.Well, that’s too bad, shenga. Your mind resists while your body begs for more.

A frisson of pleasure shot straight to her core as Zade played with her nipples. She arched her back, unable to stop herself from seeking his touch.

“Note how the subject does not shrink from the Caldorian. He is clearly nonhuman, yet she is responding favorably to him. Her skin has become flushed, her breasts appear plumper, while the nipples have peaked with arousal. We can expect a similar level of reaction in other parts of the body.Orgastimintensifies natural reactions, as you will see.”

With a gentle yet unyielding pressure, Zade introduced the stimulant into her feminine channel. A warm flush explodedacross her body and her hips came up off the table. She groaned as Zade’s fingers slipped deeper inside her. She strained, trying to get more. She needed more. Harder. Deeper. Oh gods, what was happening to her?

All around the arena the spectators began adjusting their clothing and fidgeting with their earpieces, clearly affected by what was happening and her response to the stimuli.

Removing his fingers, more stimulant was added, a slick sheen across her vulva, then he shallowly reinserted two fingers and held still. She couldn’t hold back the hitch in her breath, mortification warring with a sudden, intense flare of arousal. Her body betrayed her, responding with an eagerness she couldn't hide. She needed Zade to sink his fingers deeper. Deeper. Deeper. And stroke her clit. Make her come. She squirmed again. She needed more. More. More. More.

“Excellent response.”

Zade’s touch was relentless, fingers exploring her with an insistent curiosity, parting and delving into the secrets hidden within.

"Note the retraction of the clitoral hood. See how eager her responses," the doctor intoned knowledgeably as Zade’s fingertips grazed her clitoris in a lingering tease that bordered on torment. "Human females are most responsive with persistent stimulation. Please continue, Caldorian. Stimulate the clitoris."