by Hope Hart
I hold back a moan. I’ve always loved having my hair washed, and Varian’s big fingers are massaging along my scalp with exactly the right amount of pressure.
He tilts my head back and washes out the shampoo, careful to keep the suds from my eyes. I watch him as he lingers over the task, the ridge of his brow slightly furrowed as he focuses intently on my hair.
For the first time, he looks worn and tired. His eyes seem to glow a little less brightly than usual, and deep lines are etched into his face where there were none before.
I wonder what his life is like. Ruling a race that has the very real risk of dying out can’t be easy. Especially when it was your brother who made it happen. Sure, I’m not willing to pack my bags simply to make his life easier, but I can admit that I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes right now.
Varian
Harlow is silent and withdrawn as the maids dress her, and even sits quietly and allows one of them to do her hair.
She wears a long blue gown, cut modestly across the chest and gleaming with Arcav jewels. Her hair is arranged in an elegant updo, and her beauty is on full display. I can feel her deep unhappiness and trepidation through the mating bands, but there is nothing to be done. Once she is home in Arcavia, she will settle into her role as Queen and all will be well.
I ignore the little voice in my head that tells me Harlow will never be happy with me. I don’t have the luxury of slowly courting my mate if I am to protect this planet.
I watch as she gets to her feet and the maids leave the room.
“I’m guessing a body double is out of the question?” Her voice is cutting, and I don’t ask what a ‘body double is.’
“Yes.”
She smirks and moves to the window, looking outside where the coronation will take place. Our mating represents a formal alliance between both the human and Arcav races, and will pave the way for peace. Not only will this make it easier for my men as they search for their mates, but we need the humans to trust us if we are to protect Earth from the Grivath.
I feel the mating bands seething with emotions, and this time, I listen to the feeling that Harlow is being deceptive. Whatever she is planning, I must put a stop to it now.
“Harlow.”
She looks up, surprise on her face, and a small spark of pleasure makes me pause. I realize it is because I’ve addressed her by name. While she has asked me to do this, I hadn’t truly understood how much it meant to her, and I file this information away.
“Yes?”
“You don’t want to attend the coronation. I understand this, but it will happen.”
I don’t need the mating bands to tell me what she thinks of this. Defiance is written all over her face. I think quickly.
“I would… bargain for a successful, incident-free coronation.”
Her eyes narrow on me, and my claws itch. I am King, and unused to bargaining with anyone. When I order something to be done, it is done. With my mate however, I’m forced to bury my pride in exchange for her cooperation.
“What kind of bargain?”
I can’t let her know how much this coronation means to me and my people. While Harlow may feel desire for me, I know she loathes the Arcav, and would be pleased to demonstrate her rebellion to the humans.
“If you behave,” her eyes flare at the word but I continue “and act as a queen should, I will give you a… boon.” The word tastes foul in my mouth. “You may ask one thing of me and I will make it so.” I bare my teeth. “But do not ask me for your freedom, because that will never happen.”
A slow smile crosses her face, and I’m immediately distracted by her beauty.
“Wow, a ‘boon,’ huh? You must really want me to ‘behave.’ Her voice, turns ice cold at the last word, and I realize it was a misstep.
Desperation makes my voice sharp and I turn to threats. “I do not want to have you dragged, but I will if I have to.”
I’m expecting a look of disgust, but instead I get one of delight. Harlow can feel my desperation, I realize, and wish I had schooled my thoughts. The mating bands are new to me too, and I feel a brief jolt of amusement as I realize there are to be no secrets between us. So be it.
Now Harlow thinks she has the upper hand, and I enjoy watching her face as she plays with me. I would bargain with her until the end of my days if only to see her come alive and engage with me.
“This coronation must be a pretty big deal. But I’m telling you, it will take a lot to make me prance around in this stupid dress and pretend like I’m happy to give up my life.”
I open my mouth to remind her that she’s not giving up her life, simply gaining a new one, but clamp it shut when she shoots me a dark look.
“I have three demands.”
Three? I raise my eyebrows, but gesture imperiously for her to speak, certain it will raise her ire. She crosses her arms and sighs heavily, tapping her foot.
“First. The Arcav stop taking women from Earth unless they specifically agree.”
I’m immediately shaking my head. Some of my men have found their mates, but they will need time to get to know them on Arcavia before the humans will feel comfortable with them.
“My men deserve to have their mates.”
She bares her teeth at me, and I can feel her frustration. “Those women deserve to continue their lives.”
I remain silent, and she begins to pace, one expression crossing her face after another. All I can feel is a convolution of emotion through the mating bands, and I wish I knew what she was thinking.
“You know,” she muses as she crosses back and forth in front of me. “I wonder what would happen if I took off that crown and threw it at you in front of allll those cameras.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” I hiss, and she smirks in response. My people would never recover from the insult.
“Final offer,” she says. “Women who are married, in relationships, or have children can’t be taken unless they choose to go of their own free will.”
I immediately open my mouth to argue, and sigh at the mutinous look on her face. I turn and sit on the nearest chair, frowning as I consider the possibilities. We’ve already had one mating where the human woman was injured trying to get back to her family. I can feel Harlows urgency, and I’m struck by how important this point is to her. If I agree to this, maybe my mate will see me as more than just her captor.
“Granted.”
Her mouth drops open, and I feel her shock, gratitude, and happiness all at once. I realize it’s the first time she’s felt anything close to real joy in my presence, and I soak in the feeling of Harlow’s delight. If only she could feel this way every day.
Small steps.
She gives me a genuine smile for the first time, face lighting up and eyes sparkling, and I almost drop to my knees in response. Her smile fades, replaced by confusion as she feels a flood of my emotions, and I jump to my feet, pulling her close.
“Smile again,” I say hoarsely, certain she’ll refuse simply because she can. She surprises me though, and gives me a small smile, although it doesn’t reach her eyes.
I let her go, and she backs away, glancing out the window once more, and firming her lips.
“Second,” she says, “I want you to swear that you will never hurt Blake, or Josh. Even if I annoy you.
This one is easy. I am not an idiot, and I’m almost insulted, but I stop myself before I say so. I would never hurt my mate’s brother- to do so would cause outrage among my people, since Harlow’s family became my family the moment we mated. That doesn’t mean I won’t have the healers remove his numerous addictions, although Harlow doesn’t need to know that right now.
Her partner, on the other hand. I feel my horns lengthen at the thought of how he helped her hide from me. My men have already found him, and he will be brought back to Arcavia to serve his sentence. That was before our agreement though, and he won’t be harmed in any way, simply punished for keeping my mate from my arms.
“Agreed.”
Harlow searche
s my face, frowning. “I feel, guilt. What did you do?”
I keep my face blank. “Nothing. We must go. Tell me your last demand.”
“Just tell me you haven’t hurt either of them.”
“I haven’t,” I say honestly, and her face clears.
“Okay. I want to be able to regularly contact my best friend.” Her face drops, and I reach for her, but she steps back.
“Why do you feel so sad?”
“My best friend Angie is having a baby,” she snaps. “And you’re taking me away from them. Can I talk to them or not?”
I feel a stab of guilt, and she sneers at me in response. My mate can contact whoever she likes from Arcavia. I would never keep her from talking to her friend, although I sense that now is not the time to tell her that.
“Agreed. The technology on Arcavia can easily connect to the systems here on Earth. You can talk whenever you like.”
She almost smiles, but her expression is still sad.
“Okay,” she sighs. “I’ll behave.”
Harlow is once again silent, but I can sense that she is wrestling with nervousness. In just a few moments, her coronation will be broadcast live to the entire population of both Earth and Arcavia.
I leave her with Jaret, sending him a warning look. They both seem to hate each other, but I won’t have him upset my Harlow right before this important moment.
He nods, and I go to take my place at the bottom of the stairs. This is the craft that will take us to the main ship which will take us to Arcavia.
All movement ceases as Assod’s voice booms out across the clearing. All Arcav stand at attention the moment Harlow appears, and I’m filled with pride. She is… resplendent. No smile graces her face, but so far, she is behaving in accordance with our deal. Every muscle in my body is tense, however, wondering if this has all been a ruse, and if she will use this opportunity to further the aims of HAA and attempt to humiliate the Arcav.
But no, she obviously cares more for the human women who would be mated to the Arcav people, and slowly begins to walk toward me. The processional music starts, and every Arcav falls to one knee as she passes. She pays them no attention, eyes on me, and for once, I cannot feel any of her emotions down the mating bands.
It does not matter. Finally, finally, Harlow is mine. She is accepting her place within the Arcav people, joining our races in peace, and providing hope for Arcav males everywhere. My people will not need to wonder if I will slowly begin to go insane and make decisions that could put them in jeopardy. I will prevent the Grivath from taking this planet, and we will live long and happy lives together.
My mate reaches me, and avoids my eyes. I long to reach out and touch her, but instead, I turn to Methi and take the crown offered to me.
Harlow bows her head, but every man here can see that there is no submission in her posture. I almost smile. She thinks she is offending us, but she’s simply further endearing herself to my men.
Arcav Queens have never been weak.
Harlow
Well that sucked.
On the bright side, as soon as the coronation ended, I asked one of the maids to bring me some wine, and here I am, gulping down a three-hundred dollar bottle like it’s water and hunting through my backpack for some sweatpants.
Living that Queen life, yo.
I search futilely through my pack and then give up. My backpack is full of nothing but dirty laundry and lost dreams. I snort at my melodrama, and pour another glass of wine. And then, I rifle through Varian’s closet and find some loose pants.
I shrug and pull them on, rolling up the long legs and liberating some sort of weird belt from Varian’s closet. The maid giggles, and helps me tie it in place, before undoing the dress so I can replace it with a t-shirt.
I sit in one of the armchairs, which seem to be made of a thick gel which conforms to my body and contemplate my life. I’m drinking wine and staring at the ceiling when Varian returns. He raises one dark eyebrow at my attire, but chooses not to say anything. Smart alien. If he thinks I’m going to be waltzing around in long gowns all the time, he better think again.
“You removed your dress quickly, mate— Harlow,” he corrects himself. His hot eyes tell me he would’ve preferred he was here while I removed it
“And?”
“We will be moving to the SSA Dominion now.”
I shrug. “I’m perfectly comfortable.” My expression dares him to make me change, and I stare as a slow, sexy smile lights up his face.
“I’m pleased to know you are comfortable… in my pants,” he murmurs. “You may wear whatever you wish. I’m sure you’ll start a trend amongst females for poor quality shirts and male leg coverings.”
He’s teasing me, and I frown, not quite sure what to make of it. He’s obviously in a good mood. He should be, I think bitterly. He’s gotten everything he wanted.
I blow out a breath. I made my bed, now it’s time to lay in it. Varian’s agreement to let married human women and women with kids choose whether they will leave Earth has shown me that maybe I can at least do some good for the human race. Even if I feel like I’ve betrayed everything I stand for.
Varian’s smile fades, and a small wrinkle appears between his eyes, as if he honestly can’t understand why I’m not happier.
“You ever wonder what would happen if you weren’t the Arcav King, and we’d met differently?” I finish my glass of wine and pour another, certain I want to be tipsy for the next stage of the ‘bring Harlow to Arcavia’ plan.
“I know what would happen,” he says confidently, stepping closer, and I release a shuddering breath as he grabs the back of my neck, stroking a finger along my sensitive skin. “We would take one look at each other and know we were meant for one another. I would take you to bed, and we would stay between the sheets for weeks, only leaving to eat and bathe.”
I raise an eyebrow, and he steps back.
“But, I am the Arcav King,” he says, and for the first time, I hear a hint of regret in his voice. “And even if you hate me for it, I cannot, and would not change my birthright.”
On that note, I gulp down the rest of my wine, and take the arm Varian holds out for me. He leads me back to the ship, and holds me close as we go up the stairs. I barely notice any movement, and within a few minutes, we’re docking at the main ship.
My hands sweat, my heart races, and I wish I’d bought another bottle of wine along for the ride. Somehow, I’ve managed to put the fact that I’ll soon be hurtling through outer space completely out of my mind.
I jolt as a warm hand covers mine, and look up at Varian. His eyes are dark, and for once, I don’t feel the resentment that comes along with knowing he can feel my every emotion. Instead, I’m thankful as he gestures and most of his guards move away, giving me a moment.
“Breathe, Harlow.” Varian’s voice is surprisingly tender, and I don’t miss the fact that he doesn’t say the ‘m’ word. I realize I’m panting, and precariously close to hyperventilating. I’m tempted to beg him to let me stay on Earth for just a few more days, but I know its useless.
I shake off his hand and stand up. The sooner I get this over with, the better.
We walk into the landing doc which is full of people- both human and Arcav, all craning their heads to look at me. Varian’s guards stay close by as we walk, and I frown as I hear my name called.
“Harlow?”
I turn my head and my mouth drops open as I stare at Blake.
Chapter 19
Harlow
I swing my head back to Varian. “We had a deal,” I hiss, and elbow my way between two guards, who each hold out a hand, indicating that Blake shouldn’t come any closer.
I ignore them, guilt almost bringing me to my knees as I look at Blake, the HAA members surrounding Blake. Many of them are the people who helped me move from place to place as I escaped. I see Cheryl, who told me about her three young daughters, and her fear that they would grow up in a world where women had no real control over their fa
te. I see Tim, who told me about his sister and her kids, and Mark, who spent his twenties fighting for his country and couldn’t accept the way humanity rolled over for the Arcav.
Blake shoves forward, ignoring the guards surrounding the small group.
“What the hell happened?” I ask him.
“HAA raid,” he says bitterly. “Someone sold us out. I caught your coronation,” he says, giving me a long look, and I look down, ashamed. “Hey,” he draws my attention back to him. “I know why you did it. Word is already getting out about women having a choice if they already have families.”
“I tried for more.”
He gives me a crooked grin. “Of course you did.”
Tim elbows Mark to the side and his eyes focus on the silver mating bands adorning my wrists. His mouth drops open and his face turns a dull red. I open my own mouth to warn him, but it’s too late.
He grabs my wrist, and his fingers dig in painfully.
“You stupid bitch,” he hisses. We all risked our lives for you, and you go to him anyway? You’re a fucking traitor.”
I flinch as the words hit home, and then feel the blood drain from my face as I meet the furious eyes of the Arcav King. Oh god.
He stalks toward us, and I step in front of Tim, in a futile attempt to hide him from view. Varian simply moves me to the side and gestures to one of his men.
“This human dared to touch my mate in anger,” he says softly into the silence. “Take his hand in punishment.”
The HAA members gasp, and I swallow bile at the thought.
“What the fuck? Varian. Please don’t do this.”
“It’s only due to your human sensibilities that he isn’t losing his head,” he snarls.
I think quickly. “You owe me a favor.”
Varian looks intrigued for a moment, before his face hardens again as he looks at Tim.
“Mercy is a weakness that rulers cannot afford.”
“Surely there must be a way we can compromise.” I can’t afford to beg, with so many Arcav looking on, and something tells me that a cool, level-headed approach is the only one I can take. It’s not like he can’t feel my fear and disgust anyway.
