Page 15 of Pleasured by the Panther (The Monstrum Kindred)

MIRANDA

Miranda fought the urge to take a step back as the spider- Monstrum approached.

It’s all right, she assured herself nervously. Korrath wouldn’t have brought you here if it wasn’t safe. Give him a chance.

She stood her ground but her hand found Korrath’s and she squeezed tight for comfort. She had never liked spiders.

The spider Monstrum seemed to sense her fear. He stopped where he was and simply looked at her. His multiple eyes blinked in a strange sequence, but his expression was otherwise kind, even courtly.

“Korrath,” he said again, his voice a hiss but not unfriendly. “ It hasss been too long. And you have brought me…a jewel.” All five eyes focused on Miranda , and she shivered under the intensity of his gaze. “ I am Thryxis , master of the Loom . And you, lovely female, are most welcome here.”

Miranda swallowed and managed a nod.

“Um… thank you. I’m , er, honored.”

“I have brought Miranda here because she must attend the Joining ceremony of her daughter tomorrow on her own planet,” Korrath explained. “ I had hoped that you might spin a dress for her, if you aren’t too busy.”

“Too busy to spin for such a lovely Mature Elite ? Never !” the spider Monstrum declared. “ Now ,” he said, beckoning to Miranda , “ Stand here, if you would. I must take your measurements.”

Before she could protest, he unfurled something that looked like a measuring tape—though it shimmered like spun silver, alive with faint luminescence. Leaning down, he wound it deftly around her waist, hips, and shoulders, with a quick flick of his hands.

But when the silvery tape slid up around her breasts, Miranda winced. Her nipples were still sore—tender after the teasing and sucking of the pleasure blooms. She pressed her lips together, trying not to react, but a hot pulse of need went straight to her core.

God, not again—not now! Ignore it! she commanded herself.

But her pussy was already aching, and heat was gathering between her thighs.

Thryxis paused, one of his many brows lifting as he regarded her for a long moment.

“Is…is everything all right?” Miranda asked, trying to sound normal and not like she was feeling horny out of her mind.

“Of course. Forgive me—it is long since I have had a female client. An honor, truly.” His voice lowered, sounding almost reverent. “ Too long have I measured only the Warriors of my own kind. To spin for softness and curves again is…a gift.”

Miranda’s face heated.

“Well, I’m only here a little while longer,” she said quickly. “ I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning. So I’m afraid I’m not really sure you have time to make me anything.”

“Tomorrow morning…” Thryxis’s many legs clicked thoughtfully together. “ Plenty of time.”

As he spoke, his back legs shifted and began to move in a rapid blur. Miranda realized with shock that he was weaving—drawing fine, silken threads directly from his body, faster than any loom could ever manage.

She watched, spellbound, as the threads thickened and shimmered…weaving themselves into fabric before her eyes. The whole process took mere minutes, and then Thryxis straightened, holding out a garment with a flourish.

“Try thisss. You can go behind my curtains for privacy if you like,” he offered.

Miranda took it with trembling hands. The dress was deep green, the color of emeralds, and the material slid over her fingers like water. Softer than silk, lighter than air—she had never felt anything like it.

She slipped behind one of the gauzy curtains and took off the leaf-dress. Then she slid the dress over her head. It fell perfectly into place—skimming her curves and draping gracefully over her hips. The neckline was a V cut—flattering without being too revealing.

“Oh,” she breathed, stepping out from behind the curtain. “ It’s beautiful .”

Thryxis bowed slightly, all five eyes glowing.

“It pleases me to please you.”

But he wasn’t done.

“Stand still, if you will, and allow me a few more momentsss, if you please,” he hissed.

In short order, his back legs blurred again, but this time he didn’t stop. He went on, weaving gown after gown, each one tailored exactly to Miranda’s shape.

The second gown he made was a pale lavender with soft, flowing sleeves that brushed her wrists, airy and casual.

The third was a creamy white slip-dress with delicate straps, simple but elegant.

The fourth shimmered in bronze tones, hugging her waist and flowing into a loose skirt she could wear for walking.

The fifth gown was ruby red and off the shoulder, with a daring neckline that made her cheeks heat as she imagined wearing it in public.

The sixth was soft rose-pink—modest but flattering—with a sash that cinched just under her breasts.

The seventh was a silvery gray, so finely woven it looked like moonlight had been caught in fabric.

And then came the last.

Thryxis turned, holding out a gown that stole her breath away. It was turquoise blue, the exact shade of a tropical ocean. The fabric plunged in a V -neck, then swept low in the back. The skirt flared in perfect ripples, made for dancing or turning heads at any formal event.

“Oh my God ,” Miranda whispered, pressing her hand to her mouth as she studied the stunning creation. “ It’s gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous .”

Thryxis inclined his head gravely.

“You honor my work with your words. These garments are yours, beautiful Elite .”

“Mine?” She blinked at him. “ All of them? I mean—you’re just giving them to me?”

“Of course.” His back legs had already produced what looked like a hanging bag—but alien in every respect.

It shimmered like opal, folding around the gowns as though it were alive.

Once they were inside, Thryxis touched the side of the bag, and it folded again.

And again. Shrinking smaller and smaller until it was no bigger than her hand.

“Oh!” Miranda gasped. “ But … won’t they wrinkle?”

“The fabric I spin never wrinkles,” Thryxis assured her. “ It is light enough to fold infinitely small, yet strong enough that even steel cables cannot compare. You may wash it, stretch it, wear it as often as you like—your gowns will remain as you see them now. They will never wear out.”

Miranda’s throat tightened with gratitude.

“Thank you. Thank you so much. These are… amazing. More than I ever expected.”

“It is I who thank you,” Thryxis said with a low bow, all five eyes blinking at once. “ To shape beauty for one worthy of it is the highest honor of my craft.”

“Truly, old friend, you are too kind,” Korrath purred. “ Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making garments rare and perfect enough to frame my lovely one’s beauty.”

“I am but putting the perfect diamond into a proper setting,” Thryxis murmured. “ But if you would, old friend, a private word.”

The two of them stepped aside for a moment and spoke in low tones. Miranda couldn’t catch the words, only the low rumble of Korrath’s voice and the faint hiss of the spider- Monstrum’s replies. Whatever they were saying seemed serious, though, because Korrath’s face was grave.

Finally, the big Monstrum returned, taking her hand in his much larger one.

“Come,” he said softly. “ It is time to return to the Light Side of the ship.”

“Farewell!” Thryxis waved to them both. “ Visit again sometime— I greatly enjoyed spinning for you,” he added to Miranda .

“Thank you! I will. I mean, if I come back.”

She clutched the tiny folded bag to her chest, still stunned by the treasures inside, and followed Korrath back through the neon jungle.