The next few hours blurred together. I was back out in the open, my companions showing signs they were beginning to grow weary as well, taking longer to orgasm and needing more encouragement from me. As exhausted as I was, it only made the problem worse.

With one exception, Keaton. His energy seemed to be limitless, and he goaded both Tomichii and Carl on, the three of them coming to me most often. It was clear that they grew aroused just watching me with the others, until Rick and Tomichii stepped up together, Rick's powerful arms pinning me down on my back as he straddled the top of my torso.

For a moment I must have shown my fear, James jumping to his feet.

"Steady on," James said, holding out a hand to stay Rick from going any further.

"Back off, Resurrected," Rick said, almost growling the last word. I tried not to gulp despite wanting to. Rick gave James the same disdainful glare he'd given Yaru when I'd first gone to be trained by him. It was in direct contrast to how he'd been every time I was alone with him. I suspected the rough, angry version of him was a pretence, but now wasn't the time to test that theory.

"She's taken a serious fucking," James said, not backing down, "and she's a human being. Give her some respect."

"I'm all right," I said, glancing his way only briefly, not ready to lie so boldly.

"You're not," he replied, coming another step closer.

"She says she is," Tomichii's voice called from behind Rick, his fingers making me jump as he pushed my legs farther apart, making it clear what part of me he intended to claim.

I couldn't look at James, only seeing out of the corner of my eye as he looked to Daniel and Yaru. Eventually he threw his hands up in the air and let out a frustrated growl.

"I'm sorry, Auralia," he said, grabbing his coat. "I just can't be a part of this anymore. It's wrong. Plain wrong."

Trapped under Rick, with Tomichii between my legs, there was nothing I could do to stop him leaving. As the door slammed behind James, I tried not to flinch.

In the sudden silence that followed no one moved, Rick's eyes meeting mine, his cock near my mouth. I could see the mix of pity and desire in his eyes as his gaze flicked to my lips more than once.

The hesitation was enough to answer my question. The tough guy act was definitely that, an act. I took the decision out of his hands and brought my head closer, taking his tip in my mouth. The indecision broke as he drove his hips forward, pushing himself into me as deeply as he wanted, taking back control.

Less than a second later I felt Tomichii slide his fingers down my most intimate area, before pushing two inside me, eager and less gentle than I'd have liked. He found me wet enough, however, my body somehow responding when my mind was less enthralled.

Once again I was impaled by two men at once, both of them riding me hard and fast. My body grew hot and tense, enjoying the sensations enough to keep me slick, but it was clear Tomichii was going to finish long before I would. For a moment I considered faking my own pleasure, but Rick suddenly stopped his back-and-forth rocking, filling my mouth with his seed. It took all my focus not to choke but swallow, and Tomichii followed only a few seconds later.

Leaving me panting, they both climbed off. I sat up, trying to think of something to say, some way of explaining my lack of orgasm, but neither seemed to be fazed, and potentially hadn't even noticed. As my next companion got out of his chair, I smiled, ignoring how I felt on the inside.

More of the night slipped away, my mind already wondering if it was possibly morning already. I had no idea how long I'd been there, but even my companions were yawning, and Mhairi was showing signs of fatigue. I knew I must look awful, and I was barely able to stand any more.

The next time Rick stood up, giving Mhairi his empty glass, I had to fight back a groan. I wasn't sure how much more I could take. I was just wondering if I was close to another break, or if I needed to ask for one, when he slid both arms around me and carried me towards the more private room.

Once he'd taken me inside and we'd closed the door, he placed me on the bed, seeming to melt beside me.

"You really are starting to look like this has been too much," he said, his voice soft and quiet.

"It has definitely been an experience," I replied, wondering how honest I could be with this version of Rick. "But if you're gentle, I'm sure I could enjoy more of what you have to offer."

It was a sort of confession, admitting I needed some care, and it seemed to satisfy him. He smiled, climbed onto the bed beside me and pulled me into his embrace.

Heading my words, he gently stroked and pleasured me until I was close to orgasm. Before I could, he mounted me, pushing inside. In only a few deliberate, smooth strokes he let out a deep roar and tipped us both over the edge together.

"There. I hope that was gentle enough, Liebling," he said, when we'd both come back down enough to talk.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak, his tenderness putting an emotional lump in my throat.

"I have run out of both stamina and credits, but I look forward to our next lesson. When you are rested again."

He kissed the back of my hand before pulling away.

"Could you tell Yaru I could do with his assistance in a small matter before my companions lay claim to me again," I said quickly, before Rick was gone for good. If I was going to continue, I needed a little more help. It was time for that final soothing spray he'd promised me.

Yaru appeared, brandishing the chemical I wanted as soon as the door was shut. I let out a grateful sigh as the pain once more faded away and I could truly rest a moment.

"How am I doing?" I asked. Yaru didn't respond, his face serious while he thought.

"Given how late it is, not as well as I'd have hoped. But you only need a few more thousand credits to take the record."

"That's not many."

"No, but your companions are growing tired and several are broke or have left. You're not going to get much more out of them."

I frowned, trying hard not to let it stop me. Somehow I had to make it clear I was more than still fuckable. That I was worth spending a little bit more on.

Not trying to hide my aches and pains from Yaru, I got back to my feet.

"Lead the way," I said right before he opened the door.

Keaton stood, the crystal in his hands, evidently considering his next bid. Tomichii sat with a drink, talking to Mhairi, which left Carl. I saw him switch his focus to his jacket. Was he thinking of leaving? I had to make sure he didn't yet. I needed just a little more to beat the record.

"That's better," I said. "It's amazing what a moment to pause and ask a question or two can do," I said, walking closer to Carl. He immediately gave me his attention, his eyes falling to my breasts.

"You never told me how you know Aiden," I said, not much louder than a whisper.

"I work for him," he replied, seeming to understand we were having a conversation, just the two of us, his voice quiet enough the others wouldn't hear us. "He sends an apology, as well. Asked me to pass on his desire for forgiveness. He didn't say why, seemed to think you'd understand."

I nodded, surprised but grateful. "Let him know he's forgiven, but between the two of us, I'm very glad he sent you in his place. Now we've met, and become well... acquainted, I hope to see more of you."

"As do I, although my pocket doesn't normally allow for many extravagant things like this. I hope you don't consider it rude of me to not tell you sooner, Aiden told me he'd pay for all this. I've probably already spent far more than he'd want me to."

"Nonsense," I replied, not missing a beat, hiding how pleased I was at finding the motivation behind his desire to leave. Now I just had to destroy his worries and replace them with desire. "I know Aiden would want you to enjoy yourself, no matter the final bill. He wouldn't want you to come and then hold back. If it was too expensive, I'm sure he wouldn't have sent you."

I could see Carl softening, beginning to relax, his jacket momentarily forgotten. Taking his hand, I stepped a little closer.

"And I confess, I've enjoyed your touch."

"You two are being very secretive over there," Keaton said, walking closer. "Especially given there's no bid here from Carl. Think it might be time for a little attention to come my way again."

I frowned as Keaton waved the crystal in the air, but my worry was short-lived as Carl grabbed his own device.

"How about we both have a bit more fun?" Carl said, grinning as he tapped away." I'm more than happy to share again."

At first I thought Keaton was going to refuse, but he laughed and joined us.

"I assume you have no objection, Auralia?" Carl asked, holding his finger over a bright green bid button just visible from where I stood.

"Of course she doesn't object. She loves it when she's full of cock and doing what I tell her. Isn't that right, my little submissive?" Keaton grinned as he reached up and stroked my cheek, almost daring me to contradict him.

"Careful, my dear, or all three of you will want in on the action," I replied, unable to lie that well. This seemed to satisfy them both anyway and I was led back to the table. As soon as I was in position, on my front this time instead of back, Carl claimed my mouth again, running his hands through my hair as I used my tongue to full effect, wanting him to be done quickly.

Behind me and between my open legs, Keaton ran his hands over my body, settling the palm of one hand underneath my pussy, my clit under pressure enough to steal some of my focus.

I moaned into Carl's groin as Keaton pushed into me and ground me into his hand all at the same time. Time seemed to hold still as the three of us pleased each other, my body resting in their hands and on the table, doing very little of the hard work, but reaping plenty of the benefit.

Carl was by far the quickest to finish, ending the moment that had formed between us and spilling his seed into me once more. After pulling out he bent and kissed my forehead. It was clear he was considering leaving again. I'd got as many credits out of him as I was going to.

Slowing, Keaton gave me a brief moment to concentrate and respond. And then Carl was gone, leaving me with just two companions left. Before I could wonder what Tomichii might be thinking, he came into view.

"I think it would be a shame not to experience the delight of your mouth before I go," Tomichii said, making it very clear what he wanted. He ran a finger over my cheek. "Do you mind if I take up where Carl left off, Keaton?"

Tomichii's eyes never left mine as he asked the question and Keaton never slowed as he gave my Japanese companion the go-ahead to enjoy me.

I only briefly wondered what James would have thought before my own pleasure increased, my pulse racing and my mind unable to concentrate.

It wasn't long until the three of us were crying out together, a sweaty tangle of limbs, satisfied yet panting.

As soon as we all returned to earth, Tomichi said goodbye, going to the door and out of it before I noticed that Carl was still here. As Keaton threw himself down in a chair, Carl came over once more. I tried to get up, but my legs would no longer support me. Already hurting from Keaton's practised but demanding assault on my insides, I had no strength left.

Bending down, Carl whispered in my ear," this one's for me. My own credits. My own bid. Do you accept?"

I looked to Yaru, wondering how much he could hear as Carl put several of the discs I'd seen used as currency before. My mentor seemed to understand my unspoken question, however, giving me an almost imperceptible nod. I still needed the credits. But it couldn't be much more. At least I hoped it wasn't.

Carl was surprisingly quick, and then he was gone too, leaving me on my back on the table, exposed, feeling less than human. I had only one companion left, and I didn't have the strength to move.

Seeming to sense this, he walked over to me.

"I believe I promised you that I'd be both first and last at your unveiling," he said, almost gloating, but his eyes showed an uncharacteristic tenderness, nothing sexual in the way he brushed my hair off my cheek, stroking my skin along the way.

"You also said most often," I replied, my voice sounding stronger than I truly felt.

He chuckled, still gazing at me.

"You're trying to beat the record, aren't you?" he asked. I nodded, seeing no point in hiding it.

"Then relax, and let me dominate you one last time." He tapped away at the crystal before chucking it like a skimming stone onto a nearby chair. A moment later he growled, and hauled himself up onto the table, straddling me.

Our bodies came together once last time, the pain of his movements now on par with the pleasure he tried to give me. Although he was slow, gentle and appeared to move with far more care than before, I just didn't have it in me to enjoy what was happening anymore. I didn't fight him, letting him have what he wanted, but I made no effort to do anything else.

"Goodnight, Courtesan," he said, kissing my forehead. "I hope to hear from you as soon as you've rested and recovered."

"Thank you," I replied, barely able to say anything else. I tried to sit up as Mhairi held out his suit jacket, ready for him to slip into, but my head swam and my limbs shook, not wanting to tense properly and support me.

Before I could think about what to do, or wrap my head around another plan of action, Daniel was by my side, a blanket in his hands. Gently, he wrapped it around me, tucking it under my body, covering me in the softest material I thought I'd ever felt. I sighed, already feeling a little better just for that one small gesture.

By the time he was done, Keaton was gone, leaving me with just my allies.

Yaru appeared next, holding up a display. On it was a six-figure sum.

"You did it. One hundred and three thousand, five hundred and seventy credits," Yaru said, tapping and bringing up the breakdown of each bid. I gasped as I saw the last one. With no one else to compete against, Keaton had bid the previous two amounts combined. It had tipped me over the edge and won me the record. And I didn't need Yaru to tell me he hadn't needed to.

"You picked a good group of companions," Daniel said. "Wasn't sure at first, but they all seem to like you."

"Yes, congratulations," Mhairi added, coming over. She squeezed my hand, smiling at me, although she showed more concern than the other two.

"Right, to bed with you," Daniel said. "You need rest." Not giving me time to move, he slid his arms around me and picked me up, cradling me against his chest. I couldn't hide my surprise, and neither could Edward, his mouth hanging open as Daniel came closer with me. Recovering from his shock, Edward opened the door for us.

As we went past, I noticed Edward was aroused. For the first time I wondered how they'd been affected by watching me have sex so many times. Was Daniel turned on as well?

When my sponsor took me towards the court, I felt myself panicking, my heart racing at the thought that he might want me as well. I had nothing left, but Yaru, Mhairi and Edward all continued to follow.

Although I had no exact idea of the time, I knew the other courtesans would most likely be in bed still, but to my surprise they were all in the main court area. Cheering and clapping erupted as soon as they saw me, many of them coming over.

Over the next few seconds I was congratulated and smiled at so many times, I couldn't separate out all the many voices until Bernice was closest to me, a grateful look in her eyes.

"Well played," she said. "You earned every credit."

I knew this was the closest thing I would ever get to a peace offering and made a mental note to seek her out after I'd slept. Perhaps after all this we could be friends.

Daniel didn't let them fuss over me or ask questions for long, Edward ushering them away as my sponsor took me to my own room.

"All right. Auralia needs rest," Daniel said as he put me down. "Everyone can come back this evening and say anything else they've got to say."

I gulped, able to see the hard bulge in the groin area of his trousers. Was he getting rid of them because he did want to screw? A moment later I heard him chuckle, only Mhairi still in the room to hear it with me.

"Don't look so worried, Courtesan, I may be as horny as hell after watching all that, but I don't expect you to do anything about it."

"I could... if you want?" Mhairi replied, starting the sentence more confidently than she ended it. He blinked a couple of times, not replying at first. "You weren't the only one who found the whole thing... stimulating."

"Very well."

Daniel and Mhairi helped me settle, bringing me a drink and tucking me in between them. Then, taking each other's hands, they walked out and shut the door behind them.

Within seconds I felt my eyelids drooping, all the adrenaline and emotions fading into the background. I was more tired than I could ever remember being, but also, in a lot of ways elated. I'd survived my unveiling, enjoyed it even, for the most part.

As I slipped into oblivion, I found my last thought was of the family I'd had before. I knew they'd be proud of me for surviving, for finding a way through the world I'd been tumbled into. Despite the odds and the difficulties, I'd got through it.