As I stepped onto the steps in front of the court, I sighed, suddenly feeling every inch of the exhaustion that had snuck up on me over the day. Edward took my arm and helped me inside.

"That's got to be your best day yet," he said, his voice gentle, as if he didn't want to make me feel any worse.

"Apparently."

"You're getting there," he added. "Another week or so and you won't know any differently. It will feel almost comfortable, and predictable."

I didn't reply, not sure how I felt about his words. And I didn't get long to think about them. The sound of men shouting came drifting through the court door as Edward opened it. We both hurried through. Despite the late hour, everyone seemed to still be up, the commotion coming from within the courtesan's own area to relax.

"What the?" I said, hurrying forward, aware Edward hadn't left my side as he normally did when we got back.

I spotted the problem immediately. Two of the guards had Belle between them again. The same two as frequently bothered her. Her clothes were torn once more. One had a grip on her upper body, the other on her lower, and they were both inside her, using her against her will. I went to rush to stop them, but Edward wrapped his arm around my waist and held me back.

"You can't interfere," he said just loud enough I'd hear him. I tried to wriggle out of his arms anyway, but he didn't let go. "They're almost done anyway."

No sooner had Edward said the words than the first guard orgasmed, making Belle cough and splutter, spilling some of his seed on her face as he lost concentration for a moment and she tried to pull away in her own choked panic.

Some of the other courtesans were hanging back, but a couple now rushed forward as the guard stepped back. They supported Belle's upper half, wiping her face for her, but neither of them stopped the other man still furiously thrusting into her.

As he pushed home one last time I finally stopped fighting Edward. The guard let Belle go and laughed as he put himself away.

"You never learn do you, Belle. No point fighting it, it just gets you all messed up before we're done with you."

I growled as Edward lost his grip on me entirely, but to my surprise he came forward too.

"You've done enough, Rich," Edward said, still protectively close to me. "Leave Belle be and get back to your post."

"Edward... be careful sticking your nose in where it's not wanted. Not all of us have got a courtesan willing to open her legs at a moment's notice," the guard replied, leering at me.

"Maybe you would if you didn't keep forcing them to."

The guard had no comeback for this, he just sneered and wandered off. I felt myself slowly relaxing as they did, but then Belle had everyone's attention. The courtesans all began talking at once, some checking Belle was okay and helping her clean and cover herself. As they did, I noticed others go to Bernice. Her clothing also ripped down one side.

"This has to stop," I said.

"And what do you think you can do about it, princess?" Edward replied. "It's allowed in pretty much every court in the world."

"All changes start somewhere." Not wanting to argue with Edward, I hurried off to Daniel's office. Every inch of me was furious and it gave me an energy I hadn't expected. I couldn't just put up with all this like there was nothing wrong with it. It was rape, even if the women were selling themselves every day for years on end. It was still meant to be our choice.

I didn't even slow as I hurried into Daniel's room. He looked up, tapping away on a tablet. I was the only name left up on the board, my block in green. As he realised it was me, he swiped it off.

"You went to Mhairi's usual club," Daniel said. "I don't recommend you make that a regular visit. Most of them can't afford you and they're likely to just drag your average down."

I clenched my jaw tight shut to restrain from replying something that would get this whole conversation off to the wrong foot, but he finally gave me enough of his attention to notice I wasn't calm.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Two of the guards just raped Belle. Again."

"It's not rape."

"Don't give me that bullshit. We both know it is."

Daniel stood up, and studied me, as if he was trying to work out what to say and how to say it. If I'd listen to whatever he was going to talk about.

"I appreciate that you come from a very different time, but the one we're in now has certain ways of doing things. Belle is a low earner. I can't-"

"Had it ever occurred to you that she's a low earner because she's constantly terrified, abused, and unable to focus on what is most important. Not to mention all the clothes they tear, and the time they rob off her. The little amount she can rest and recuperate. There are so many little ways it would make it harder for her to earn money."

"And what would you have me do about it?" Daniel asked, raising his voice. "If I tell the guards to leave the courtesans alone, every guard I have will quit and go get a job where they can screw who they want. They're in short supply and high demand. They know they could go anywhere and get another job doing what they do, it's why they train to do it."

I frowned. There had to be a solution I could get Daniel to listen to.

"Not all the guards are as bad," I said, eventually, knowing I was thinking aloud.

"No, they're not, but I can't be that fussy either. It's a nightmare replacing a guard." Daniel folded his arms across his chest and sat back, both of us a little calmer now he was listening and I was thinking.

"So don't replace them."

He raised his eyebrows as I tried to get the half-formed thought I was having out into words.

"Move them. To day guards, when Belle isn't here. The guards you know are a problem, but them on duty in a way where they can't get access to the courtesan they're hurting."

"You don't think they'll just find another?"

"Some of us are sort of protected, right? The guards lay claim to us if we agree."

Daniel nodded. "Yes, and no guard works every day of the week."

"So put the two guards bothering Belle on duty during the days she isn't resting. They'll have to try and work out who they can screw instead. If they choose anyone else vulnerable you could even move them to have their rest at the same time."

Getting up, Daniel went over to his tablet and began tapping away again.

"I can't move everyone's rest days. It's not good for business, but..."

"If I'm right you'll make more money from the courtesans you start protecting. It should be worth the trade off." I fought back the grin. If there was one thing Daniel would be motivated by, we both knew it was money.

"Okay, done. The two guards bothering Belle are on day shifts on the days she's out," Daniel said as he came back over to me. "But you better be right and it better be worth potentially pissing off two of my men to protect one of my poorest performing courtesans."

I nodded, already wondering if there was anything I could do to help Belle. I knew the other courtesans could benefit from feeling safe. This had just given me the opportunity to prove Daniel was better off if he protected his courtesans from the guards rather than being like all the other court owners in the city.

"Now," Daniel said, drawing my attention back to him. "Back to your performance. I took a look at your calendar. There's still precious few regulars on their. Especially once Keaton stops having you every morning. You need to find some more."

"I gained one today," I replied, instantly indignant.

"It didn't escape my notice, but one companion, once a week who can't afford more than he's already paying isn't a long term prospect. Men like Rick and Tomichii are. Tomichii wants you most days for more than an hour and Rick can pay an astronomical amount if he continues to favour you. You need to find more men like them."

I frowned again. They were both men I had been introduced to. And I didn't like the idea of having to find more. I wanted Dante, but he was being infuriatingly non committal and I had to tread carefully around Keaton.

I didn't know anyone who could even make the right kind of introductions. Edward didn't seem to know anyone else, and Yaru was gone. I'd not seen him since the day after my unveiling. I didn't even know how to contact him.

Anyway, enough of these deep discussions. I've had a long day and I've been looking forward to having you back for hours," Daniel said as he put his arms around me. His erection was apparent against my lower abdomen. It took all my self control not to roll my eyes. For a planet with few women where the men couldn't get sex as much they were all so turned on all the time.

But I also felt a slight thrill of smugness. Daniel had been waiting for me. Out of all his courtesans it seemed he wanted me the most. And I knew that gave me an edge that none of the others had. It had perhaps already helped me protect Belle.

Deciding one last fuck woudn't be so bad, I kissed him passionately and reached for his pants to free him myself. The idea of me holding some sway over Daniel pleased me, but I knew if I did, I'd have to use it wisely. Making us all a little safer was a good idea. It could help me in the future too. But I didn't know how far I could push it.

One thing I did know for sure, however, was how being willing to let him screw my brains out as often as he wanted would only help me in the long run. And besides, he was one of the better lovers in my world for now.

I took Daniel's hand and led him over to the comfortable area myself, before pulling him down on top of me. He seemed to take my open legs as an invitation and drove himself right in. I gasped, having not been as ready as I'd have liked, but he still felt good once he was deep. The moan that escaped him and the look of delight, his eyes half closed as he began thrusting, let me know truly how badly he'd wanted this.

I lifted my knees and rocked my hips to help him drive deeper, eliciting another groan.

"God you're learning how to please a man fast," he said as he started to drive even harder, his eyes opening so he could fix his gaze on me.

"How else am I going to replay the debt I have," I replied, both of us knowing it wasn't a true question. He chuckled and kissed me again before reaching down and positioning my lower body a little differently. Instantly he slid even deeper his body fitting even better against mine.

My eyes went wide at how good it felt.

"There's always more to learn, so don't get cocky, but if you keep this up, I'll teach you what Yaru couldn't."

His words are a sort of promise, not just that he'll take the time to mentor me, but that he also planned to fuck me, regularly, often. The thought should have disgusted me. He'd bought me, made me the sex slave I was today, but he'd also paid for me to be healed, and he was beginning to listen to me. Could he melt? Or was this all just good business?

I had no way to tell, but as he increased the rhythm and filled me again and again, I found I couldn't think so clearly anymore. Our lips found each other again as both of us rose to our peak. Taking myself by surprise, I moaned against him first, shuddering with pleasure and fulfilled desire. It didn't take Daniel long to follow me, holding still deep inside as he spilled his cum.

Instead of letting myself fall asleep with him again, I slowly eased up. For a moment I thought he might say something to try and stop me from leaving, but it passed before I could be sure, and then he was helping me back to my feet again.

Neither of us spoke another word as I hurried down to the court. I wanted to get back to Belle and Mhairi and tell them both the good news. I'd helped Belle get away from the men hounding her.

Although it was late, Mhairi was waiting up for me, no doubt to help me remove the paints I wore, and instantly I felt guilty. A yawn escaping her before she could stifle it.

"Is Belle still around?" I asked. Mhairi lifted one eyebrow but shrugged. I didn't wait to explain, but hurried to her room. It was open, much as they all often were, but I gently rapped anyway.

"Who is it?" Belle called, her voice sounding nervous.

"Auralia," I called back. "I hope I didn't wake you, but I thought you'd sleep better knowing that Daniel has moved the guards around. No one should bother you anymore."

Belle suddenly sat up in her bed, and Mhairi came hurrying up behind me. It was clear from their expressions that neither of them would let me say that alone.

Within seconds the three of us were sat on Belle's bed. I told them what I'd said to Daniel and why, how I'd reasoned with him and what had happened, but the time I was done, Belle had my hand in hers and tears in her eyes.

"Thank you, thank you so much," she said. I reached for her to give her a hug, ashamed of my race and how she'd suffered because of them.

"This is amazing. You actually persuaded Daniel to protect us." Mhairi still looked stunned, her eyes wide.

"It's not a long term arrangement yet," I reminded them both. "He'll only keep doing it if we can get Belle's earnings up."

I gave Belle's hands a squeeze knowing that was putting pressure on the most fragile of us, but the hope that had appeared in her eyes didn't go out.

"I'll sleep easier knowing I'm safe, and I'll be less... Having more clients will be easier. I can do it, I can prove it will make him more money."

"We'll all help," Mhairi said. "All the courtesans will know what this could mean for all of us."

I nodded, finally letting myself smile about it all.

Unwilling to keep Belle up any longer, I ushered Mhairi out of the room and over to our own. Not long later we were slowly soaking off what passed as my outfit and chatting about our day.

"I still can't work Dante out," I said, "Although I didn't see him at all today."

"Oh, I have some information. Not sure how reliable it is, but Bernice and I met up with an old friend while you had your last companion of the day. He was telling us all about Dante. Something happened with his last long term companion. She's dead. Had her face carved up."

"What?" I demanded, wondering how anyone could have forgotten to let me know the man I was interested in had possibly murdered his own courtesan.

"It wasn't him. He adored her, wouldn't have ever done anything like that to her. He was into the Dom and Sub scene and he was completely over protective of her. They think it was someone who was jealous of him having so much of the courtesan's attention. Still haven't caught the man, but it wasn't Dante. He was in bits over it."

I tried to imagine it, but I just couldn't. This world had seemed so safe so far, even with the guards. Was it truly? Or was I living a very sheltered life so far? I considered asking Mhairi, but I wanted to know everything she did about Dante and she was already carrying on.

"When he couldn't take it anymore he left. He's been travelling since, almost an entire year now. Keaton seems to have finally made him stick somewhere for more than five minutes. And invest in this new business of his."

"I know that last part. Dante is often at Keaton's in the afternoon when I get there. Doesn't eat breakfast or anything though and rarely stays the whole time I'm there,"

"That matches up with what I was told. Apparently he's not been with a single courtesan the entire time he's been in the city, except for letting one give him a mouth-job a few days go."

I found myself grinning, thinking back to how Keaton had led Dante into it, but was I that person? I'd not seen him use any of the other women. Mhairi noticed me smiling however and stared at me. It only made it wider. I knew I looked like a fool, but I couldn't help it.

"It was you, wasn't it?"

"I think so, I replied. He and Keaton spit roasted me a few days ago."

Mhairi even grinned at that.

"Nicely done, Auralia. He'd be quite the companion to have on your roster."

It was the last thing she said. The paint setting on the sheets that protected it after being removed, and my body wrapped in clean pyjamas. Despite being exhausted and my friend falling asleep beside me in seconds, I lay awake for some time. Not thinking about being Dante's only sexual encounter, but the kiss he'd given me while no one was looking, and what it might mean. Was he as fascinated with me as I was with him?

There was only one way to find out.