Chapter 48

Since Nicole trusted Limia enough already, she decided to let the ratgirl sleep in the other carriage, the one that had previously belonged to the Tzurais. Not only was sleeping all in one wagon creating issues with free space, but Nicole and her friends were pretty active on some nights. Nicole didn’t want to force Limia to join them, and given a choice, the ratgirl decided to stay away from the naughty fun the rest of the girls had. Now that she could sleep alone, the loud noises were no longer an issue.

During the day, Nicole made Limia join them in the main carriage and often made attempts to chat with the Tzurai to integrate her into their group. Every day, Nicole could see Soi getting slowly warmer and less defensive, but Iloe was different. No matter what, she continued being cold and often just openly ignored Limia.

Fuck. I know I can’t force them to become friends… But what am I supposed to do now? I guess she just needs more time.

One time when they were eating dinner and chatting, Iloe kept interrupting Limia and trying to get attention herself.

"Yes, so when I was—"

"Hey Nicole, tell us something more about your world! Please~!"

This is getting ridiculous. "Iloe." Nicole frowned. "I know we talked about this already, but please stop being like this. I’m not saying you and Limia have to become best friends or anything. But at least have some level of tolerance and respect for the other person. Since when you became so mean anyway?"

Iloe rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, who cares what this rat ass wants to say anyway? Your stories are way cooler!"

Limia sharply stood up. "Hey, who are you calling a rat ass?!" She instinctively reached for her sword, but it was gone. Nicole still hadn’t given it back to her.

"Hey, hey, calm down, girls!" This time Nicole stood up. "Iloe, stop calling Limia those names. Why are you like this all of a sudden?" Ugh, what’s going on? Wait, I never thought about it before, but do the natives have heat seasons? Maybe it’s affecting her hormones and thus her behavior? I should ask Soi later.

Iloe got up and left, heading back to the wagon. But later that night, when everyone seemed to be asleep already, she sneaked out. Wandering around the quiet, dark camp, Iloe was kicking rocks and murmuring to herself. "Why does everyone think this bitch is going to suddenly turn good? I feel it in my gut—she won’t. She’s just waiting for everyone to relax completely and then get rid of us! None of that damned tribe can be trusted!" She went on and on for quite some time, then sat under a tree. "I can’t just leave it like this, right? If she’s going to betray us, I should do something to make her rethink her plan!"

Limia woke up with a groan. Something wasn’t right. It took her a second to realize—she was tied and gagged. Cloth in her mouth muffled her voice, and thick rope ensured it stayed that way. Her arms were forced behind her, while her legs were forcefully spread by a branch. It was tied to her legs in a way that made it impossible for her to close them. She was already naked, her clothes, which Nicole had given her in place of her old ones, were neatly placed against a wall.

"Woke up? Good." She heard a voice behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Iloe waving at her. "Had a nice sleep? Doesn’t matter."

Iloe went to stand next to the ratgirl. She grabbed Limia by her hair and yanked her up, their faces close. Her cute, innocent smile disappeared, replaced by the usual cold glare she had used to watch the Tzurai girl all those days. "You think you’re so smart, hm? I won’t let you. Nicole trusts you. But we both know you neither care nor deserve it. Scum like you belongs on your tribe’s territory, rotting in the filth. Those like you are always ready to betray. I won’t let that happen."

The catgirl released her grip, and Limia fell to the floor with a muffled groan. "I could be cruel, you know? I could kill you in your sleep. Or poison you. Remember, never make an alchemist your enemy. But I won’t do that. Nicole would be sad. So don’t be afraid. Instead, I’ll make sure you realize something very important tonight. Hierarchy. Right now, you behave well because it’s calculated. I can see it—you’re waiting to find a spot to hit. Or maybe you’re waiting for us to reach the Hive and then run away, hiding in their city? But I’m sure either of those is real. But after tonight, you’ll see your real place. You’re just a toy for Nicole. Her bratty pet that she wants to turn into something good. And if you escape, she won’t be able to do that."

Iloe leaned forward. "As I said, you just have to understand your new place. Got it?" She reached to the side and grabbed something, bringing it close to Limia so she could see it in the darkness of the room. "So I got this little thing." It was the strap-on that Nicole had made back in the village. This time, though, the inner dildo had been removed. "Get ready, because learning your place is a little rough."

The catgirl positioned herself behind Limia. The ratgirl could feel the cool surface of the rubber shaft on her ass as Iloe put it on. Limia tried to move, to use her ability, but her body refused, even her tail was motionless and unresponding. The effect of the spiked dinner was still present, leaving her completely at Iloe’s mercy.

Then came the first thrust. The catgirl penetrated her in one go. Limia wasn’t aroused, and her inner walls weren’t wet, but she could feel some slightly cold liquid coating the toy inside her.

"Ghh." Limia’s groan came out muffled. She closed her eyes, holding back tears, trying to ignore the slow, rhythmic pounding into her core. It was something she had learned to do the hard way, after surviving a few similar incidents.

Iloe was frowning with effort as her hands rested on the other girl’s hips, forcefully moving them back and forth to impale her on the strap-on. "You understand? You shouldn’t escape or hurt Nicole. Ever. I’ll make sure you remember that for good." Her open palm struck Limia’s ass in a strong slap. "Nicole freed you, but you’re still hers. She saved your dirty rat ass from death. Your only option now is to live your life for her."

She wasn’t whispering anymore, emotions were taking over and Iloe sped up. "Hah~." She was sweating, driving that fake cock into Limia’s defenseless hole. She grabbed the ratgirl’s hair and pulled hard, making her arch her back. "Nod if you agree. This will end only when I’m sure you’ve changed."

Limia nodded once, eyes still shut.

"Look at me! Say you understand your place!" Iloe’s usually cute and innocent face was twisted in anger and hate.

"Mh umdmdh." Limia finally opened her eyes, tears rushing down her cheeks in an instant.

"That’s it."

Iloe continued to rape and occasionally spank Limia for a few minutes. "Hah, hah…" Her stamina began to falter. Iloe’s ashen hair was messy, sweaty locks sticking to her face. "I fucking hate you! Hate how she looks at you, how she runs around you. You think you deserve so much of her attention? And your tribe! When I cure Mom, I’ll find a way to kill all of you! You bunch of backstabbers! I won’t let it happen again, like it did with Mom!" Smack, smack, smack—as she ranted, Iloe landed slaps on the poor ratgirl’s reddened ass. When she was done, the catgirl was breathing hard through her clenched teeth, motionless. Eyes wet, she sobbed.

After a few seconds, Iloe seemed to calm down a little. Her fingers ran through her hair as she sighed. "This is how it’s going to be now. You stay silent about all of this and behave your best in front of Nicole. And I won’t touch you anymore as long as it stays this way." She tiredly got up. "Your body will be back to normal in an hour or two—I’m sure you’ll be able to free yourself then." Limia was left alone in the wagon, paralyzed and tied in an embarrassing pose.

Morning came, and Iloe slept longer than usual because of how tired she was from the previous night. But she was woken by Nicole’s sudden words. "Girls, Limia is nowhere to be found! And my crossbow is gone too!"

Iloe jerked up, sleep gone in an instant. "That bitch, I knew it! And that’s after—" Then she bit her tongue, realizing her secret had almost slipped out.

Nicole and Soi looked at her. "After? After what?"

"N-no, nothing. Sorry." Iloe smiled, blushing a little and dismissively waving her hand. "Forget it."

Nicole sighed, holding her head in hands. "Fuck. But why would she? Have I done something wrong? I just wanted to give her a chance to be better..."

"No way it’s your fault!" Iloe said confidently but then glanced to the side, avoiding eye contact with Nicole. "I-I mean… That’s in Tzurai nature. Get what they can and escape."

"And that’s when we’re almost at the Hive." Soi added. "Maybe she was afraid of it and decided to run?"

"Oh, we’re almost there already? Finally." Iloe tried to change the subject.

Soi nodded. "Yeah, I heard Jathun mentioning that."

"I heard it’s beautiful! And they have a lot of plants and flowers—whole fields of them!"

As the two exchanged what they knew and had heard about the Bee Tribe’s capital, Nicole sat and wondered. So this is what you want? To stay a criminal? She bit her lower lip. She seemed so nice these last few days. Was that to lower our guards for an easier escape? Ugh, fuck. Doesn't matter now, I guess. I should forget about her and focus on what I have to do. Just a few more days before meeting the Queen. I have to prepare.