Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
I’m trembling violently as Papi talks to the doctor. My brain is mush as they switch to discussing the best time to pierce my nipples. I try to focus on the new topic while Chadka removes my restraints and Papi puts a diaper on me.
Chadka pats my shoulder. “Did you already pick out some stones for her?”
“I’ve spoken to Ekert. We discussed cinnabar.”
Chadka smiles. “That sounds lovely. Take her to look at the stones. She’ll benefit from seeing other Little girls’ piercings also. I’m certain Sophie would be happy to let Janelle look closely. Ekert can explain the process to her. The sooner you get her nipples pierced, the better. I suspect the constant reminder from the dangling hoops will help ease her concerns. Unlike wedding bands, the permanence of the hoops helps Little girls feel a deeper bond to their mates. They will also give her something else to focus on.”
“Thank you.” Papi lifts me into his arms and holds me close.
I immediately snuggle into him. I want to burrow under his skin. I hated lying on the table all this time without more of us touching. I’m worried because I fear he will grow exasperated with my neediness.
I can’t understand or begin to explain why I have such tremendous separation anxiety. It makes no sense to me. All I know is I hate it when Papi puts me down. I start shaking. Panic sets in.
When he’s holding me, I cling to him. What if he gets exasperated with me? I don’t know a living soul on his planet. I’d be all alone if something happened to him or he decided he didn’t want me anymore.
I start whimpering when Papi lowers me into my stroller. He ignores my flailing around as he pulls my arms through the straps and secures me. He never looks upset. In fact, when he’s done, he kisses my forehead, pops a pacifier in my mouth, and lifts my hand to prick my fingers.
I let him. It’s not as though I could stop him anyway. I’ll never be strong enough to pull my hand out of his grip. And the truth is I feel myself calming moments later.
Papi strokes my pigtail. “That’s my good girl. Deep breaths. Let your body relax.”
I don’t have a choice. My heart stops racing because he injected me with the calming serum. I shudder when Chadka hands Papi a package. I have no idea what a dilator is, but I’m certain I don’t want to know. It sounds awful.
As soon as we step outside, Papi pauses, pulls something out of the bag, and squats in front of me to hand it to me.
I frown in confusion.
“It’s like a stress ball,” he tells me. “Grip the two sides with your hands.”
I’m leery, but I take it from him. There’s a handle on both sides. I realize the entire thing is made out of the foam of a stress ball.
“That’s my girl. You can grip it, pull it, press it. Whatever feels good and helps calm you.” He tucks a thumb under my chin and forces me to hold his gaze. “Keep it in your lap or away from your body, though. What you may not do is use it to play with your nipples.”
I flinch at the stern reminder. I haven’t touched my nipples since we arrived on Eleadia, but I will admit they are tingling from the little electric rod Chadka touched them with. I kind of want to touch them.
I’m so focused on the colorful toy that I don’t realize Papi didn’t take me straight home. When the stroller stops, I look up to find that we’re on the front porch of a house I don’t know.
Papi unbuckles me and takes my pacifier.
“Where are we, Papi?”
“Ekert and Sophie’s house. The jeweler and his Little girl.”
I panic.
Papi sets my stress toy to the side and lifts me into his arms. “We’re just going to look, Baby girl. I promise.” He knocks on the door.
The man who opens it is gigantic like every man I’ve seen on Eleadia. The woman at his side is about my size and age with blond pigtails and pale skin.
Ekert holds out a hand to shake Papi’s. “Tekfan, so good to see you.” He strokes my foot next. “And you must be Janelle.”
Papi gives me a squeeze. “Manners, Baby girl.”
“Yes, Sir,” I whisper.
Ekert steps back, keeping a hand on his Little girl’s shoulder. “Come on in.”
After we’re inside, Papi squats down again so I’m resting on his thigh at eye level with Sophie. “Janelle, this is Sophie.”
I have both arms around his neck, holding so tightly that my muscles hurt.
Sophie smiles at me. “I love your hair. It’s so pretty.”
I lick my lips. She seems nice. I can’t be mean to her. “Thank you. Yours is pretty, too.” It’s so blond, it’s almost white.