I pressed every detail about Bemariq's tent into my memory, in case it became prudent to sneak into it. He kept his living quarters in tidy order, and the furniture was sturdy enough to give the impression of a proper home instead of temporary camp accommodations.

"You manage to live rather comfortably, despite the circumstances, associate Bemariq."

"A man of status must keep up certain quality of life. Speaking of which, how do you find your own quarters, disregarding unfortunate boorish intrusions?"

"They are quite fine. I feared, I'd have to live in a small tent with only a river to wash in."

Bemariq chuckled. "That would be indecent, and unpleasant for everyone, save for the uncouth men who could chance to ogle at you."

I fanned my hand in pretended indignation. "Are you saying you enjoyed the sight of me?"

"You are indeed alluring, miss haz-Merin."

I smiled. "Well, associate Bemariq. You aren't half bad yourself under all that boorish and uncouth."

Now that I had indicated my potential availability, I could move on to playing hard to get. Bemariq maintained both polite interest and gallant avoidance of further crass advances. Unfortunately, due to my situation, his well-meaning compliments were like worms gnawing into my chest.

"Is haz-Merin your maiden name?"

I pouted. "A daring question. But yes, it is. Is there a lady Usinilim waiting back home?"

"No. I've been travelling most of my life since leaving the academy."

"Did you have someone in the academy", I blurted. It was audacious to ask, considering academies in the Conglomerate were only for male pupils. Despite myself, my heart beat faster as my face warmed.

Bemariq smirked. "The ongoings in those academies must be the subject of many a salacious rumour."

"They are." I knew from experience that rumours often downplayed the real events.

"Well, I did not partake in anything improper. Nevertheless, I had a dalliance with one of the... girls there. Unfortunately I misjudged the situation to my disappointment. After graduation she disappeared and in short order became a husband and a man of rapidly advancing career."

My breath halted. I had pushed him into the question, but he had answered it readily. He might have figured my charade out. I almost didn't care, because if he spoke true, we might not need to stop at mere flirting.

I bit my tongue to let the pain help me collect myself. Bemariq falling for me was useful, but any feelings I had for him were a hindrance. I wasn't out to find a lover, but to acquire artefacts worth extravagant sums on the black market. To steal from him.

"How about you?" Bemariq asked. "Have you had any affections to women, including perhaps manly ones?"

Keeping my narrative as close to reality as possible was beneficial, whenever I had to lie. Now I could tell the truth. I smiled coyly. "From time to time. But not very often."

Bemariq stood up politely, when I got up. The dinner was finished, and I needed to hurry back to my tent, before I jeopardized my plans with thoughtless deeds. My breath was hard to keep steady, when my member strained to its silky prison.

"Thank you for the meal, associate Bemariq. Tomorrow is a big a day for me, so I must be getting to bed."

He walked to me, but I managed to stay put. Bemariq took my hand and kissed it. "Good night, miss haz-Merin."

"Good night."

The door clutched itself shut after me. Certain type of pressure had built up in my abdomen. Unfortunately, I had never been able to dissipate my arousal through purely mental exercises. Physical release was necessary to have any peace, but I didn't want to soil my only clothes. I undressed, washed myself and lay on the bed.

I had to dampen any of the desires involving Bemariq. Most convenient way was concentrating on more straightforward lusts. I took my member in my hand, and imagined a scene involving fetching woman.

The tonic regimen had stolen an inch of length from my already modest manhood. Despite being rock hard, it felt delicate even in my dainty hand. That didn't fit the image in my head; of a woman giving me carnal attention. All excitement melted into exhaustion.

I could have forced myself to climax, but that wouldn't have satisfied. My rod lost its rigidity. Still, unfulfilled arousal would trouble my sleep. I concentrated to clarify the mental image. Of the soft bosom, of the wide hips, of the thin waist wrapped in strong embrace.

Bemariq would easily lift me up. I'd struggle, but he'd just laugh at my pitiful weak attempts at resistance. He'd heave me on his bed and--

I gasped and jerked my hand away from my warm flesh. I was getting carried away by disgraceful fancies. Spending the whole long voyage as a woman must have unhinged parts of my mind. I got up from the bed, and poured myself a glass of distilled honeydew. That wouldn't do the job. I dropped a hint of oneiric powder in glass and drank it.

Before I passed out, I managed to clamber back to my bed.