Chapter 4
My father sent me with four of his own guards. The journey to Earth was quicker than I expected as my father had endorsed space travel and research in the last decade of his reign. I had learned enough about the humans to be able to blend in and behave as they do. Once we landed well out of sight, I figured that we would travel to a bigger city and there I would start my search.
The ship landed in an abandoned tundra and the cloaking system was enabled after we disembarked. I held a transporter device in my hand and all five of us stepped within its range. I had jotted down the coordinates to a place called New York City and quickly punched it in. In a flash of light and within the blink of an eye, the small handheld device transported us all to an abandoned alley. Just beyond the long stretch of paralleled buildings was the street and I saw many people walking by.
“Earth seems like a crowded place,” one of the guards to my left, Kato, spoke up. I nodded.
“That was the point. Lots of people, better chance to find a wife,” I said.
“It seems crowded because our planet is larger my lord. More space for everyone to spread out,” another guard, Ragnor said.
I left the alley, flanked by the four guards.
“We must find a place to purchase appropriate clothing,” I said. We were all dressed in attire from Avant. Yes, we had pants, shirts, and pullovers but the style was distinctly different from what the people on Earth wore. The people we passed all looked at us strangely. I couldn’t help but notice there were many who bore unnecessary weight. The season was cold, apparently, as many of the humans wore heavy clothing and coats, though I scarcely felt the cold. It wasn’t as severe as the winters on Avant. Or even the fall.
“Everyone here is so…short,” grunted Paxton, one of the other guards.
“Yes, but the women are pleasing to behold. You should not have trouble finding a mate here my lord,” said Renley, the fourth guard.
“I hope not. I do not want to be on this planet any longer than two weeks,” I murmured. Kota stopped a man to ask where the nearest clothing shop might be. He gave us stuttered directions and we soon found the shop called Armani. I was quite certain I knew an Armani, who was in my mother’s personal guard. Or perhaps his name was Armand.
When we walked into the perfumed shop, we were instantly spotted and helped by an effeminate man, who went in ‘the back’ for clothing that would fit us.
“You all are lucky. We were just about to ship these extra plus sizes to the Burlington Factory,” the man that helped us spoke rapidly, as I pulled the proper monetary notes out to pay him.
“Are those gold bricks?” he asked with a gasp. I realized I had not converted the actual gold bricks I had into currency for this planet.
“Ah…would you by any chance know of the nearest place I can convert currency?” I asked. A man in a full suit stepped around the effeminate one.
“Yes, but since you all are wearing the clothing already, I’d say at least half of you must stay here until you get the proper money to pay for the clothes,” he said, with a no-nonsense smile.
“Of course, just point me in the right direction and I will return shortly,” I said tightly and tried to temper my annoyance. This human had no idea who I was. I could cut him down and wipe his memory and the other ones in less time than it took to change clothes.
“There’s a Citi bank just around the corner.” The man gave me directions and I took Paxton with me while the rest stayed.
My encounter at the bank was even stranger than the one at the clothing store. So many forms and clearances had to be filled out before I could simply trade the gold for ‘money’ as they called it. Paxton had to forge many things in order for us to raise as little attention as possible.
We went back to the Armani store and paid for the clothing then we were on our way to find a place to stay for the two weeks. Afterwards, I would officially start my search.
Chapter 5
I came across a rather grand hotel to reside in. They had a presidential suite quite fit for a prince. There was a bar and many places to eat in the hotel. I figured that one of those venues would be the perfect place to start looking for a wife.
I dressed in a new set of Armani clothing, a blue ‘turtleneck sweater’ as the sales man called it and dark denim pants with grey loafers. The bar was opulent as was everything else about the Plaza Hotel. The people inside behaved regally and I felt oddly as if I were in the palace court hall back home.
“Hey.” I glanced up at a smiling spirit tend, she was dressed in a uniform and looking at me as if she were to ‘come on to me’ as Kaden would say. Earth was very strange indeed, if servants did not adhere to their stations.
“Hello…” I said cautiously. I had not yet become completely comfortable with the accent spoken on this planet. It was strange that on Avant we spoke the same language as the one called English on Earth, but with different dialect.
“What can I get for you?” she smiled at me again flirtatiously and I opened my mouth to speak the name of an Avantian spirit.
“The strongest drink you have please,” I said and she nodded. She was not exactly unappealing to look at, but she was plain and not what I was looking for in a mate. She did not catch my attention in the slightest. Not to mention that she tended bar.
“I’ll have that right up for ya,” she said, and turned to get a glass and choose from the plethora of bottles on display.
“So, what are you having? Vodka, rum, or something stronger?” The smooth voice came from behind my shoulder and I watched as a woman dressed in a floor-length gown sat in the empty seat next to me. She had long mahogany hair that spilled over her shoulders and beautiful features. Her eyes though, were as dark as night and she looked at me almost predatorily.
“I do not know yet, I will see when I’m served,” I said. She chuckled.
“You like surprises then?” she asked. I shrugged.
“Not necessarily. I do enjoy a strong drink though,” I said.
“I’m sorry, I think I got your drink. Is this yours? Something strong right?” Another woman came up on my other side. I turned in her direction. My spirit tend was still pondering which drink to pour me. I opened my mouth to tell her that she was mistaken, but the elegantly dressed woman on my other side cut in before I could say anything.
“You need to work on it hun. There are only two bartenders at this bar and the other one is all the way down there. Now if you’ll excuse us, we were talking,” she said, and I looked at her in surprise. The females on Earth were certainly bold. But that could be overwhelming. Before another woman could interject, I stood up and made to leave.
“Excuse me bartender, it appears I won’t be needing that drink. If you’ll excuse me ladies,” I said as politely as possible, and walked away from the bar. I quickly exited the hotel for some air and saw a park just across the street. There I would be able to collect my thoughts. The night grew more peaceful once in the park and there was less people around.
“Oh shit.” My head whipped around at the sound of a woman’s soft voice cursing. Just a way down the lane was a woman bending over to pick up some things of hers that had fallen. I found myself walking towards her to help and bending at her feet to pick up her leather purse.
“Hey I’ve got it.” She spoke almost angrily but trailed off as she looked up at me.
I was at a loss for words when I took her in. She was taller than the average human female. She could pass for a true Avantian. She wore form-fitting pants and a form-fitting sweater that showed her curves and figure well. Her skin was sun-kissed and she had long hair that fell to her waist in a tousled, curly black mane. Her eyes were a deep blue and I felt as if I could look into them forever. She had breathtaking features; a soft feminine jaw, high cheekbones, slightly cleft in her chin, a graceful slope of a nose, and softly arched brows. Her full pink lips gave me the urge to press mine against them.
“Uh…thanks…ah, um…but I’ve got it,” she stuttered. Her
soft voice naturally sultry and I let go of her bag.
“I am Roderick,” I said. She tilted her head at me. I had spoken as I would on Avant. No doubt my accent was nearly unintelligible to her.
“I’m Isabella…” she said. I glanced down at the ground and picked up the rest of her belongings and handed them to her. “Thank you,” she said again. I stared at her. It was Isabella I wanted as a wife, I was sure of it.
“You are welcome,” I replied in a more human dialect.
“You…you have a really interesting accent. Where are you from?” she asked. I spoke without thinking.
“I am from Avant,” I said, and then hoped she would not think of me as odd for speaking of a place she likely had no knowledge of.
“Is that a city somewhere?” she asked and I nodded quickly.
“Sure, yes,” I said. She smiled at me, as if she thought me odd. Her smile stole my breath. She had dimples on both cheeks. She was most certainly my star. She was perfect.
“O—okay, well it was nice meeting you Roderick…and thanks for helping with my purse,” she said softly. I inclined my head in acknowledgement.
“I was hoping…that maybe you would like to have a meal with me?” I asked her cautiously, and she nodded tentatively and smiled.
“Sure, yes I’d like to…have a meal with you,” she replied.
“Good then…should we exchange information?” I asked her.
“Yeah, that sounds good,” she said and I felt hopeful that I would be able to bring her back to Avant with me soon.
Chapter 6
Isabella and I had agreed to meet at a restaurant in ‘SoHo’ as she called it. The space was quiet and intimate. I had secured a table for us on the second level balcony that looked out over the main floor dining room. Isabella was shown back to the table when she arrived. She was wearing a black dress that fell just above her knees and covered her neck, though it was sleeveless. It outlined her figure provocatively and I very much wanted to see her body without the clothing.
“Hello,” I stood as she reached the table and she smiled at me then briefly placed her hand on my arm to lean in and kiss my cheek in greeting.
“Hi. You picked a good table,” she said and then sat down across from me. I sat down as the server came by with menus and water.
“I figured this upper level provided more privacy than down there,” I said and she looked at me with a curious tilt of her head.
“Where are you from? You speak as if you aren’t from around here,” she observed. I glanced down at the menu briefly, wondering if I should tell her who I truly was or not.
“Well…I am not from here, no,” I began, but the server had returned, annoyingly enough, asking if we had settled on anything we’d like to order yet. Isabella spoke to him politely and the server left us finally.
“Where are you from? Europe somewhere?” she asked me. I shook my head.
“No, some place much farther,” I said cautiously. She seemed very much interested by that point.
“What have your sciences taught you about the galaxy?” I asked and her eyebrows furrowed in bemusement.
“Ah…well. There’s planets and stars out there…constellations, other solar systems, that sort of thing. I’m not a big astronomy buff,” she said with a nervous chuckle.
“Yes…other solar systems and planets,” I echoed.
“Are you trying to tell me that you’re from outer space?” she asked in a joking manner and I held her gaze, though I felt extremely cautious. I did not want her to think of me as a mad man.
“Outer space would refer to outside of the galaxy…but essentially I am trying to tell you that I am not from Earth, no.”
“I’m sorry, come again?” she said.
“You know that there is a very high likelihood of there being other life in the galaxy, and universe for that matter, yes?” I tried to appeal to her logic.
“I mean…yes, it’s hard to say that Earth is the only habited planet out there. But I’ve never met someone who’s from a different planet before. So you see, where I would find what you’re saying a little bit impossible,” she said. I was surprised that she appeared to be entertaining what I was trying to convey to her. The humans I had come into contact with thus far had seemed close-minded.
“You would need more proof then?” I asked and she nodded.
“Exactly, otherwise…you’re just a gorgeous crazy man,” she chuckled. I stood up. Her eyes widened when I extended my hand towards her. “Wait, you want to give me proof now?” she asked. I saw her rate of breathing increase, though I couldn’t quite tell if it was from fear or excitement.
“Yes, if you would trust me. I assure you, I will not harm you in any way,” I promised her and she studied me for a moment before she stood up from the table and put her hand in mine. A sort of current passed through her palm into mine and I felt connected to her by more than just the small physical touch.
“Where are you from?” she asked me again, wanting to know the full truth.
“A planet called Avant. It is in a solar system near this one,” I said, and she considered that while we walked from the restaurant.
“Why are you here? On Earth?” she asked me. I glanced down at her briefly.
“Just visiting, experiencing Earth for myself. Like studying abroad,” I said.
“Studying abroad? Okay.” When we reached the street outside, I led her to a secluded alley and pulled out my transporter device. Her eyes widened when she saw the small black device. It resembled nothing like you would find on Earth, though it was the size of one of those cellular devices so many humans spoke into.
“What’s that?” she asked me. I handed it to her so she could study it. It was oval in shape and thin, there were two divots; one on each smooth surface. The divots were meant to press the device between two fingers after whispering the coordinates into it.
“It is like a teleportation device. I wish to show you the ship my guards and I arrived on, if that is okay?” I asked. Her wide eyes met mine.
“This is…this can’t be real.” she whispered, and I nodded.
“It is Isabella, let me show you…please,” I said, and she nodded once.
I slowly took the device from her hands, whispered the coordinates of the ship and took Isabella’s hand without taking my gaze from hers. I pressed the device between my fingers and a ball of light enveloped us, quickly melting the alley away until the interior of the ship became visible around us. Isabella gasped when the transporting process was over. She looked around in awe.
“Oh my god! This is either the world’s most elaborate kidnapping attempt, or this is real.” she breathed.
Chapter 7
Isabella
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. We were inside a…a ship. Not the kind that sailed on the sea either. But the kind you’d see in sci-fi movies like Star Trek or something.
“Take me there…I want to see it,” the words blurted from my mouth before I could even think about them rationally. Roderick’s eyes widened in surprise, but I saw that he was pleased too.
“You want to see Avant?” he asked and I nodded.
“Yes, then I’ll believe you completely,” I said and he smiled.
“Of course, let me just get the men up and we can get going,” he said and then left me in the passenger lobby. A few other men just as big and tall as Roderick appeared from a hidden door at the back of the lobby and stared at me.
“So, this is her, Prince Roderick?” one of them asked and my eyes widened.
“You’re a prince?” I asked and Roderick directed me to a seat and strapped me in. “Wait. Can you tell me if I will be able to…breathe on Avant?” I asked him and he chuckled.
“If I am able to survive on Earth, you will be able to survive on Avant, rest assured,” he said. Once I was strapped in, all the others took their seats and the ship started to move on its own. No one seemed to be driving it! All I could do was watch everything with wide eyes. I couldn’t
believe this, yet it was happening.
I stared out the large window, and watched as we rose form some wooded area and shot through the sky. It felt as if the ship was gliding, while the sky was whipping by us. Soon we were in the dark expanse of space. Stars all around us and I had the clearest view of the moon. I felt the ship charge up and then it was zipping through space faster than I could fathom. Light tunneled around us and then as suddenly as it began, the light show ended and we slowed.
There was a large planet directly in front of us and we were heading towards it. It was dark on the side of the planet we entered and all I could think was that the clouds looked like normal clouds…even if there were two moons in the sky. The clouds seemed normal.
“This is Avant,” Roderick said, as we traveled through a city as bright as New York, or Paris maybe.
“And where on Avant are we going?” I asked him. He pointed to a spot I couldn’t quite make out yet due to our altitude.
“There, the royal palace. It is where I live,” Roderick said. My eyebrows shot up in more shock than I already was in.
“So you are a prince? Of what?” I asked. One of the guys with Roderick snorted.
“Of Avant,” he replied, as if I should have known.
“Of Avant, the entire planet?” I asked, and Roderick nodded once.
“Yes…I wish to speak to you on a matter…regarding that,” Roderick said. As the ship landed smoothly. I glanced out the window and saw that we were in a hangar, of sorts.
Roderick unfastened his belt and leaned over to unfasten me from my seat. He stood and held out his arm, such a gentleman. I stood and slid my arm around his, and my hand gripped his bicep. His very firm and tone bicep that contracted as I squeezed it. Then a ball of light enveloped us again and before I could blink, we were in a huge, ornate room. And there was a throne. Two thrones encrusted with jewels. Are those real thrones?
“I went to Earth to find a wife Isabella…so that I could take the throne and succeed my father as king of Avant,” Roderick said abruptly. My eyes popped open and I stared at him, in awe.
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