by Luna Hunter
I head towards my private bathroom and turn on the tap. The hot water washes my stress away, and I can let my guard down for just a moment.
My goal is clear: I have to escape.
I have to find my own ship, which is… somewhere in this giant labyrinth of a spaceship. It’s more like a space station. And if I can’t escape, I should at least disable the beacon and wipe my ship’s hard drive for good measure.
I’m supposed to fire that beacon when I’ve found a suitable planet for humanity to colonize. I don’t know where Malak is taking me, but what I’ve seen so far doesn’t bode all too well.
The last thing I want is to lead humanity’s colony ships to the Aegir homeworld.
I’ll wait until tonight and then sneak out. Making my way past all the guards patrolling the halls won’t be easy, but I’ve got to give it a shot.
Before Malak claims me.
Before he doesn’t just ask, but orders me to lower my panties and show him just how wet he makes me.
Before he runs his dark blue hands up my pale thighs and cups my wetness.
Before he growls right into my ear, tells me what a good little human wife I will make as his fingers spread me open, preparing me for that massive bulge I haven’t been able to stop staring at.
It’s driving me mad. What is he packing? Is it as big and blue as he is? How does it look? Veiny or smooth? How would it feel inside of me…?
Fuck.
I’m supposed to be plotting my escape, but my hands have got a mind of their own. One is between my legs, fingertips resting on my clit, the other one tweaking my nipples…
Okay, a quicky can’t hurt. That won’t mean a thing. I’m not really falling for an alien. It’s just stress, just a natural reaction. I just need to get off.
That’s the sweet, dirty lie I tell as I play with myself, my mind running rampant, my body on fire.
“Malaaaak,” I groan as my legs shake, my orgasm hitting me with the power of a star going supernova. My back is planted firmly against the wall as my eyes see nothing but stars.
Breathing heavily, I slowly come back to my senses. Guilt washes over me as the fire inside my core smolders.
My main focus should be protecting everyone back on Earth. There’s aliens out here, and humanity doesn’t suspect a thing. We launched probes into outer space like a child running into traffic, completely oblivious to danger.
The way those alien pirates looked at me still makes my skin crawl. I was nothing but a piece of meat to them. Luckily I had Malak by my side. If he hadn’t rescued me I would have been their sex slave, or their meal… and I’m not sure which is worse.
Kidnapped. Not rescued. Malak kidnapped me.
The lines are starting to blur a little. When I’m by Malak’s side, I feel safe. Protected. Cared for. And that makes no sense, but in this alien world I’ve been thrust into, he’s the closest thing to a friend that I’ve got.
Malak did save my life, after all. And if he wanted to have his way with me, well, he definitely could have… and I would have been powerless to stop him.
But no. He said he’s going to wait. Until I give in. Until I beg him for it.
The nerve of that guy… unbelievable. And the worst of it is, I’m not even sure I won’t do just that. Because getting myself off stopped the dirty thoughts for only a moment.
But they’re already coming back, and they’re even stronger now.
Fuckkk.
He’s so damn sure of himself. He keeps talking about fated mates and yalis like I know what any of that means. There’s no way I’m going through with any of this though. Marrying a complete stranger, that’s not me. And alien royalty? No thank you!
I resist the urge to point the shower head where I know it’ll feel blissful, and dry myself off instead. I don’t get to come again. It’s not my birthday. I’ve got to focus!
I sit on the plushy bed and stare out the window at the stars passing on by. I’m not sure if it’s a real window or a projection, but it doesn’t matter either way. Not about to crack the window open to check.
My thoughts drift to everyone back on Earth. My friends, colleagues, my family. If I don’t warn them… everyone I’ve ever known will be enslaved or murdered when aliens find Earth.
I’m here, after all, and I’m sure news travels at the speed of light. If Earth acts now, perhaps it won’t be too late. Who knows, a universal enemy might unite all of the countries for once. It might even be the push mankind needs to stop the pointless infighting, the competing for resources, the egos of world leaders getting in the way of real progress.
I’ll still have to contact Earth for that to happen, though. If I just send a message that I’ve been taken by aliens…
They’ll probably think I’ve bumped my head a few too many times, or that I’ve run out of oxygen and am babbling nonsense. Space cabin fever they will call it.. They’ll dismiss it, I just know they will. Even if New Seattle believes me, the higher-ups will bury the story. No, I have to make it back home, and spend the rest of my life trying to convince Earth that they’re kinda screwed if they don’t listen to me.
Not exactly how I planned to spend my future days, but hey, we don’t get to pick our destinies. I suppose this one is mine now.
I fall back on the cushy bed, and sleep takes me quickly. The last thought that runs through my mind is Malak’s cocky smirk.
I just want to wipe it off his face.
By kissing it.
8
Emma
I wake up cold and alone, rolled up in a tiny ball on the big bed, naked as can be. I need to sneak out, but what I really want to do is curl up against Malak’s warm frame…
Ugh. Some heroine I am. Pure anger forces me to get up and find something to wear. I search all of the closets, but there are no clothes other than the dress Gada gave me.
I do find a little notebook, tucked away in the back of a dresser, along with a small pen. I flip through the pages, but it’s filled with alien hieroglyphics. Seems like the translation device only gives me the ability to understand Aegir speech, not read Aegir texts.
Perhaps that’s for the best, because this seems like the past Xeer’s diary. Now I don’t have to feel so guilty if I use the empty pages in the back to write down every thought that comes to my mind.
Who knows what’ll be important to Earth’s scientists. I just have to write down everything I see and hear and feel and smell.
Day 1 I write at the top. Kidnapped by alien warrior. Tall, strong, blue. Saved from alien pirates. Made me wear revealing armor. Asshole. Kinda liked the way he looked at me though. His eyes are just so captivating.
I frown at my own words. Where did that come from?! No one on Earth has to know that. I scratch the words out violently, trying to erase the thoughts at the same time, but the cat’s out of the bag.
I’ll write down something more intelligent later. Escape first, biography later.
It’s not easy to wiggle my way into the tight dress on my own, but somehow I manage. I run my hand across the soft fabric and gaze into the full-length mirror. I have to admit; it doesn’t look half bad.
My looks have never been a priority. I ignored them and focused on my work instead. This dress though… it does compliment my eyes very well, and it hugs my curves in all the right ways.
Ezra and Gada did an excellent job. It was never my body that didn’t fit; I’ve just never had a dress tailored to my size! I still don’t feel like a proper princess, but… who knows. Perhaps it won’t be so bad to play the part. For now. I have no other choice, really, so I might as well enjoy it. But not too much.
I can lean into it a little bit, though…
Enough time spent gazing in the mirror, I tell myself. Time to go save Earth. I open the door and freeze instantly.
A dozen well-armed guard stare at me. My eyes are drawn to the massive spears that they’re holding, and my mouth goes dry.
“Yes, your grace?” The closest guard says.
“E
h, yes, I, uh… want to inspect the ship,” I say.
“You must remain in your quarters, your grace. Malak’s orders.”
“What about my orders?” I ask.
The man frowns deeply. “I do not follow. You must stay. Malak’s orders.”
“I heard you the first time,” I say as I wander back into my room and close the door.
Okay, it’s not going to be as simple as just walking out. No problem. I can cook up a scheme of sorts. I open the notebook again and start doodling.
My door suddenly opens. I look up from my notes and instantly slip the little notebook into one of the many conveniently placed pockets this garment has. Aegir fashion is truly ahead of its time.
Malak stands in the doorway, looking as hot as ever. His form-fitting dun suit has been replaced with something much more regal: black interlinking plates of armor, topped off with a lush, purple cape draped across his wide shoulders. Not as revealing as his other outfit, but just as sexy.
I want to avoid him. I want to figure out my feelings first, before facing him again, but that’s easier said than done. If anything, the time apart has only increased my attraction for him.
Everything is just so alien here.
I mean, it is an alien spaceship and all, but still. Honestly, I’m just so scared and alone, and when I’m talking to him, I’m… not. He’s the closest thing to a friend that I’ve got.
A friend who can scent my wetness, who talks about me submitting to him like it’s a totally normal, acceptable thing to say. A friend who looks so damn hot that just this view alone makes my heart beat a little bit faster.
“Emma Fairheart of Earth, we are approaching Aegon. Do you want to enjoy the view?”
My mouth goes dry for a moment. In the back of my mind, I knew this moment was coming, but I thought I’d have more time. I’ve barely started coming up with an escape plan.
In my notebook I’ve just been writing down the plots of all the movies I could remember, trying to find a nugget of wisdom in there, but most of them involve going out there guns-a-blazing.
Life isn’t an action movie. I don’t have an arsenal of weapons. And even if I did, I have no idea how to handle them. All I’ve got are these nerves in the pit of my stomach, and these sweaty palms.
“Okay,” I say. “Let me see this planet of yours.”
Malak leads me down several long corridors. Every soldier we pass on the way salutes us, and Malak just gives them a quick nod like it’s completely normal. I suppose for him it is.
I can sense these men would all die for him. He commands complete loyalty. That’s so different to the culture in NASA, where independence is praised, where criticizing your superiors is par for the course. After some regrettable incidents where group-think led to entirely preventable disasters, everyone is encouraged to speak up when they have doubts.
That’s what drew me to the organization at first; the ability to just be myself. Not having to compromise.
That’s the exact opposite of what Malak is asking of me. I will not ever be his obedient, subservient human wife, no matter how stern he looks at me, or how chiseled his jaw is…
We enter the observation deck, and my mouth falls open. The room has a wide, curved glass window, offering a breathtaking view of everything right in front and above of you.
It’s beyond gorgeous.
“Structurally, this is the weakest point in the entire Black Arc,” Malak says, running his finger across the window. “But it’s worth every single drahir I poured into it. I butted horns with my chief general over the observation deck. I simply insisted on it. If he had his way, the Black Arc would just be a windowless, metal orb. It offers the best protection, yes, but at what cost? There’s such a thing as quality of life.”
“I agree completely. What’s the point if traveling through space if you can’t enjoy the view?” I say.
“Exactly. What’s your favorite celestial formation?”
“Oof. Good question. I’m partial to gas giants. We’ve got this one in Earth’s solar system, absolutely massive with a giant ring around it. It’s my absolute favorite planet by far. I dreamed about landing on it, until I was old enough to realize it’s a gas giant and it’s, well, gas. But I still had posters of it all over my room. You must think I’m a dork.”
“I think you’re adorable.” He says, and I can tell he means every syllable of it. My stomach feels funny, and I push the butterflies away. He’s my enemy. I shouldn’t be flirting with him.
“What’s your favorite celestial formation?” I ask, staring straight ahead at the stars. I can still see his reflection in the window, the corners of his mouth slowly going up as he looks me up and down. I shouldn’t be liking this. But I am.
“Teth, the Hourglass Planet. It’s actually two planets in close orbit, so close that their gravitational fields are intwined. The sand from one planet slides through space to the next, and then back again, like clockwork. Hence, the Hourglass Planet.”
“That sounds beautiful.”
“It is — but it is also dangerous. If you stay on the surface for too long, ensnared by the natural beauty that the planet offers, you might find your ship swallowed by the rising sand, and a seemingly never-ending sand-storm raining down on you.”
Gulp. “That sounds less beautiful and more like my worst nightmare,” I shudder.
“Frightening things and beautiful things are sometimes one and the same.”
Malak reaches for my hand. The moment we touch is electric, and I pull my arm away as if stung by a bee.
“Do I scare you, human?”
I turn around, my back placed against the cool glass.
“You do,” I say as I take in his massive, towering frame.
“Why?”
“You killed those raiders without a moment’s hesitation.”
His eyes narrow. “They harmed you — I will kill anyone who harms you without a moment’s hesitation. That’s my promise to you.”
“I don’t want that promise,” I say, but I wonder if I really mean it. It is kinda handy to have such a strong, brave protector by my side. From what I’ve seen of the universe, it’s not a very safe place…
Malak cocks his head to the side. “You do not want me to protect you? But you are so soft, and weak. How will you protect yourself?”
“Geez, thanks,” I say. “That’s really what I needed to hear.”
“It is truth,” Malak says, pushing his shoulders back. “You are soft and cushy. Your forms are made for my strong hands to hold, to cherish, and to protect. You were not made for fighting raiders.”
That doesn’t sound too bad. Life would be easier if I just let him protect me, that’s for sure.
“You were made for breeding,” he continues proudly. “I cannot wait to see your belly swell after I have filled you with my seed.”
“Wh-wh-what?!” I stammer.
“My seed,” he repeats. “It will fill you. And then, your belly will grow round and beautiful.”
Heat rushes up to my ears as I stare open-mouthed at the massive alien prince. Marriage is one thing, but this?
What do you think being his mate was all about? It’s giving him heirs. That’s what he cares about. That’s ALL he cares about. He doesn’t care about you, he just wants to stick his large, broad, alien spear right into you and fill you to the brim with his potent, alien seed. You heard what he said, he wants to breed you like cattle. That’s all you are to him.
I back away slowly as my mind runs rampant. I try to make sense of his words, and of the effect they’re having on me.
I feel angry, that he’d take possession of my body like that.
I feel dumb, for not realizing sooner that of course having his children would be part of it.
And a part of me feels aroused, for the very same reasons.
His eyes narrow as he studies me, a faint smile on that gorgeous face of his. “Yes, I am excited for that future too,” he says, mistaking my trepidation for excitement. “Bu
t there is much we must do first. I must teach you about my planet, and our customs. Look, there is my homeworld now.”
I’m happy for the change of subject, and turn to face the window. Anything so I don’t have to look at his cocky grin a moment longer. My core is burning, and any moment now he’s going to mention my wetness again.
And I’ll either die of embarrassment or take my panties off and fling them at his cocky smirk. I haven’t made up my mind just yet.
In the distance, a planet appears. It grows larger and larger by the second.
“That’s Aegon,” Malak says. “My homeworld.”
The Black Arc slows down, until we hang still in space, the alien planet looming in the distance.
“We’re not touching down?
He shakes his head. “The Arc is much too big for that. It would be impossible to launch again, once it touches down. No, we will be taking my cruiser down to the surface. The crew will disembark on their drop ships. Follow me.”
My eyes are glued to Malak’s impressive shape as he guides us down the hall. Meanwhile, my mind can’t stop playing his words back to me.
You were made for breeding.
My seed.
It will fill you.
It wasn’t a threat.
It was a promise.
9
Malak
The alluring, addictive scent of the human fills every last inch of my cruiser. She is fertile, and eager to receive my seed. At least, her body is. It acknowledges the bond that we have. Now I have to win over her mind.
The planet’s surface rises up to greet us. Continents take shape, the large mountain ranges that dot the landscape coming into focus.
I had prepared a long speech about the history of Aegon, about the continents and the Xeerdoms and their rich history. But my hormones are firing too strong for me to focus on such a dry topic. My member is hard and throbbing, making my royal armor rather uncomfortable.
I flick a switch and set the cruiser to auto-pilot, and I make sure it takes the long, scenic route down to my Xeerdom. When we arrive, I won’t be able to ignore my royal duties any longer.
