We considered ourselves rightly apart from the more vocal and widely known lesbian and BDSM communities, although obviously we watched their progress ...ith interest.The phone rang just as I stepped from the shower. My Mistress wanted to remind me that I was expected for dinner. But before I could face her I had to make myself beautiful, and definitely hide the bruise that Swan had left on my face after slapping me. The discoloration wasn't terrible, and my cheek only slightly swollen, but I. "You know what a spiritual person I've alwaysbeen. I've told you many times about the beliefs of ourancestors. But I haven't told you all their beliefs."Mikey, my people... our people, our culture... I'm nottalking about all Africans here, I mean our nation, ourtribe... the beliefs that were passed down from yourgrandparents, from my grandparents, from my greatgrandparents. I've never told you this before Mikey,but we are royalty... I mean we should have beenroyalty... My father was a leader... ”“That much?”“Easily if it’s a quality stone. And, if it’s genuine.”“What do you mean?”“I bought a pair of earrings for my ex with stones that size. They cost me seventy-five bucks and they were cubic zirconia, and Laura loved them. I’m sure a gem expert would spot them right away, but to the average guy they looked terrific -- great fire, great clarity. It would be good to get it appraised. Maybe convince her for insurance purposes.”“What do you think of Arthur?”He shook his head. “I dunno.. . but it's at home. I borrowed these." And by home, of course, you don't mean 'at the dorm', do you?" Only if the dorm's moved to the Shankill Road." Then why are you here?"Aiden turned slightly as Shawna opened the door and scurried in, shaking water from her coat."I figured if I turned up tonight, you and Shawna might give me a chance to actually get a word in edgeways and explain this." Explain what?" Shawna looked up, brushing her hands through her hair to shake some of the rain out of it..