Standing in the middle of the room, I waited as Mhairi finished spraying my newly painted outfit with the chip-resistant substance. For a moment I shone, making the patterns look even more vibrant.

"What do you think?" I asked Yaru and Edward, who were also in the room.

"I wasn't sure you could pull off a design that blended your other two, princess, but that's one thought I've been proven wrong on today."

I grinned until I noticed Daniel appear. It was only the third time I'd ever seen him in the court. He didn't say anything as I got down off the stool and took a deep breath.

"Is it time?" I asked. He nodded while everyone else looked to me. For a moment I didn't move. My stomach was tied in knots and had been since I'd woken from my unrestful night's sleep. Did I really want to do this? Could I really pretend to be a virgin again and then participate in the biggest sexual marathon of my entire life?

I didn't know for sure, but a part of me was curious. Although I'd been ushered into this career with no other choice, I also knew I'd been drawn to it. After so long not being able to feel anything, I was eager to feel again, to experience everything. And if this new world thought it was normal for one woman to be shared by so many men, did I really have a good reason to object?

There was a chance I'd even enjoy it. I was attracted to most of the men coming. In a couple of cases, very attracted. Just thinking about having them inside me sent heat flurrying through my body.

It was all the encouragement I needed to get my legs moving. Daniel led the way, towards the back of the building and a set of rooms I'd never been to.

A small room acted as a dressing room for me, and on Mhairi's prompting I shed the last of my clothing there, standing before her completely naked, painted from head to foot. Before either of us could talk, Daniel took my arm in his and I was led into the main room to find my companions already there, each of them a drink in hand and another courtesan nearby, attending to them as they stood around the room.

Blinking, I tried not to show my surprise any other way. I'd expected to be first and to be alone. To have time to grow comfortable being completely naked before all of them saw me. Instead, here were my companions and a selection of the other courtesans, including Bernice.

Keaton was his usual slightly scruffy, suited self, looking ever so slightly bored as Bernice held a bowl of chocolate-covered raisins out to him. Near him was Tomichii, smiling down at Belle. Something made her blush. Rick stood tall and muscular, looking surly, no courtesan near him, but two stood in front of James as he slouched on a sofa, his long black leather jacket flung wide, his t-shirt sporting more than one rip.

As I spotted Benton, my mouth almost fell open. He stood awkwardly, holding a champagne flute in one hand and a small velvet box in the other, but his attire was gorgeous. He'd put on a well-tailored suit, slicked his hair back, shaved and uncovered a stunning face. His bright blue eyes were piercing and intense as he told some kind of interesting story. It took all my self-control not to gape.

It wasn't my biggest surprise, however. As the other courtesans left and the eyes of all six men fell on me, I noticed Aiden wasn't there. In his place was a man I didn't recognise.

Immediately I looked towards Yaru and Daniel, hoping one of them would explain, but all six companions came forward and stood in a semi-circle before me, their eyes drinking in every inch of my painted, completely shaved, smooth skin.

"Hello," I said, my voice coming out smaller than expected, as light trembles ran through me. "Thank you for coming."

"I'm Carl. Aiden sends his apologies," the newcomer said, his voice taking my attention from the others for just a fraction. "Unfortunately he's unwell. He sent me as his second. If you'll accept me, I'd very much like to stay."

I hesitated, not sure how to respond. After everything Aiden had done, I definitely hadn't been looking forward to having sex with him, but a complete stranger I'd never met before was incredibly unexpected. Everyone stared at me, awaiting my answer, and I could see Benton shuffling from one foot to the other, either impatient or nervous.

"May I ask you a couple of questions before I decide?" I said, trying to buy myself time more than anything else.

"Of course, sweetness, anything at all."

A thousand questions ran through my head, each one of them less appropriate than the one before. I had almost no idea what to ask him. In the end I went for some cheesy first date-style questions.

"Do you prefer dogs or cats?"

He raised his eyebrows, but looked thoughtful for a moment. "Dogs. They're more fun."

"And what's your favourite colour?" I asked next, smiling as if I'd liked his first answer. In truth I was getting time to study him. He was good-looking in a rugged sort of way, his flannel shirt unbuttoned a little too low, curly chest hair on show.

"Right at this moment in time, it's got to be that gorgeous blue your eyes are sporting."

I blushed at his answer as the rest of the room politely chuckled. It was cheesy flirting, but it was flirting nonetheless. He was an improvement on his alternative.

"Then you are more than welcome to stick around," I replied, giving him my cutest grin and hoping it would charm him. I doubted I had a choice. I needed the credits. But at least he was more appealing.

"Fantastic. Then, let's get this unveiling started," Keaton said, finishing his glass of champagne and holding it out to Mhairi. She took it but didn't look entirely happy about it.

"Gentlemen, if you'd like to take a seat," Daniel said, coming forward with the tea set I would pour and a small crystal, this one a sleek grey slab no bigger than the palm of his hand. Each man held out their cards and swiped them across it, almost as if they were signing in.

One by one, I poured each man a cup of tea, preparing them and handing them out exactly as Yaru and Edward had taught me.

I had mixed reactions, from an almost bored expression from Keaton to the sweet awkwardness of Benton. As I handed James his and met his gaze, I saw the seriousness behind his smile. Being at an unveiling had touched him even deeper than I'd suspected.

With all of them served, I bowed low in their collective direction and retreated.

"You may now begin bidding while Auralia gets ready."

I gulped as each man tapped away, the focus off me. My stomach churned and I froze to the spot, aware that the biggest task of my life was about to come.

Mhairi's fingers brushed against mine, breaking the moment and bringing me back to the room. While I'd not been paying attention, Edward and Jake had brought a waist-height table in, the top cushioned and shaped in such a way it was obviously meant for only one purpose.

Yaru spread a white cloth over it as Mhairi led me to one end of it. She helped me up, positioning a pillow under my head and smoothing my hair away from my face.

"Any last minute advice?" I whispered so only she could hear, desperate to focus on something other than how vulnerable I felt on my back, my legs resting open in grooves designed for them.

"Try to focus on just the companion you're with. Work with them like you would if you were alone. And don't worry about appearing a virgin. You already look a great mix of gorgeous but nervous. They're lapping it up," she whispered back, pretending to help me get more comfortable.

Giving my cheek a final subtle stroke, she walked away, Daniel appearing at the other end of the table, stood between my legs. He didn't even try to hide it as he stared at my pussy, desire clear in his eyes.

I felt myself grow hotter, imagining him walking closer, unzipping himself and claiming this second bite of my cherry, but he didn't, merely smirking as my wetness must have become apparent. It had been so long since I'd felt anyone deep inside me. Even if I was slightly nervous, my body knew exactly what it wanted. The knowledge helped me relax, and somewhere inside I thanked Daniel for standing there and being so obviously hungry for me.

One by one, my six companions lowered their tablets, no longer bidding. Although this part had been explained to me many times, now it was happening the details wouldn't marry up. All I knew was that I was about to be screwed, and everyone else was going to watch.

"Thank you, gentlemen," Daniel said, pressing a button that appeared on his own device. "You have now been assigned your order. Would the first and most honoured companion wish to stand and make his claim?"

Smug, Keaton rose to his feet, his eyes locking on my exposed body as he took Daniel's place. The others cheered as he came closer and closer, making it harder for me to do as Mhairi suggested and focus on the man in front of me alone.

"Look at me, Courtesan," Keaton said as his hands moved to his groin. "I want you to see me. See what's going to take your virginity before I bury it deep inside you.

I obeyed, as much out of desire as a willingness to please. Within seconds his erection was on display, standing to attention, pointed right at its target. My pulse raced, and I involuntarily shifted, wanting to squeeze my thighs together over the tight need that fluttered through me. After weeks of being touched, used and left half-unsatisfied, I was finally going to be filled.

As if sensing my readiness, he wasted no more time, coming forward with a speed and force that made me gasp and arch my back. Pain flared along with pleasure, small moans escaping me with every repeated thrust. Keaton wasn't gentle, but I didn't need him to be, all the times we'd sat, our hands on each other, serving as a twisted foreplay for the coupling happening now.

I was vaguely aware of cheering and comments from the other companions as Keaton bore down on me again and again. His hands slid over my hips, holding me more steady, letting him drive even harder and faster, increasing the flickers of pain until I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep enjoying it, but he shifted, getting an angle that hit something inside with each thrust.

Soon, I was writhing in pleasure, eager for my climax and his. Moaning and begging him for more, the background faded away, just me and him left in the entire universe.

His explosion rocked over me, almost no warning as he drove home one last time, cum filling me. The feeling tipped me into my own oblivion, a cry ringing in my ears that didn't sound as if it came from me until I felt the soreness it created in my throat.

Panting together, we slowly came back down and my senses returned. Instantly I was aware of my other companions, all of them clapping now. I blushed and tried to get up, before Yaru came over and gently rested a hand on my shoulder. I wasn't meant to move yet.

Shivers overwhelmed me again despite the smiles and warmth my companions expressed when I met their eyes.

Daniel came forward, reaching under me to remove the white sheet. In the middle of it was a blood stain, intermingled with other, less obvious fluids.

"Are you satisfied, gentlemen?" he asked, offering it to any of the others who wished to see. There were nods all round, although James didn't even look.

I shuddered at the crassness of the situation before berating myself. I'd agreed to this sham. And a sham it was. I was fleecing all six of these men for something fake. And I couldn't lie about enjoying it. I'd loved every second of finally being taken.

From the look on Keaton's face as Mhairi offered him a towel to clean up with, I wasn't the only one.

Before I could consider moving again, Daniel motioned for Benton to come over to me. He flushed red, still holding the same velvet box, lifting it up with a shaking hand.

Almost as if sensing the issue, Daniel bent lower and whispered something. A moment later he smiled, nodded, took the box and brought it over to me.

"A gift, in honour of this special occasion." Inside the box was a necklace I recognised. It was a replica of the movie necklace a particular elven character wore from my favourite book pre being frozen. I gasped and reached out for it. "Would you like to wear it now?"

"Completely."

Daniel helped clip it in place, positioning it between my collar bones. He flicked me a wink before he continued encouraging Benton forward.

For days I'd worried that this would be one of the difficult men to feel any passion for, but in one simple act, he'd shown a desire to get to know me and offer me something that was genuinely important. I felt my heart melting, and as I looked into his eyes and the hope, desire and sweetness they contained, I knew I could enjoy what was to follow.