by Celeste Raye
The day the ship stopped moving again, she knew that she was doing better. She could move with little to no soreness, and she could stand to have heavy clothes against her body. She did not know where they could be or what would be happening next, but she somehow felt she could face it as long as Nabvan was not taken away from her. Though, in the back of her mind, she feared that it was exactly what was going to happen once they got to their home planet.
Some instructions came through the intercom, but it was in the Milisarian language. Alexis looked to Nabvan for an explanation, and he nodded somberly. She doubted it was any news she wanted to hear, but it was better to be prepared.
“We are home,” he told her, and she raised her eyebrow at him. She wasn’t sure how she felt about calling Milisaria home yet, but it was going to be the case regardless of whether it felt that way or not.
“What will happen to me once we are there?” she asked, hoping there was already an answer. The unknown at this point would be so much worse. There had been too many surprises since she left Earth, and she was done with them.
“I am to wait with you until everyone else is off the ship and gone before I take you into the inner city. You’ll be given your own room at the palace, which extends out into the knights’ quarters as well. I do not think the king is ready to see you just yet. I am not sure if it is because he is giving up on you or because he is coming up with a new plan. I just know that you get your own room and you get to eat again.” Alexis was not sure if she could dare to have hope about the news. Her mind ran a hundred miles an hour as she thought about the possibilities. Maybe she could find her freedom. Maybe she could find a ship to escape on. But it was too soon to say.
Nabvan did exactly as he said, waiting until the ship was clear until he took her out, wrapped up like a woman from the Middle East so that if they did run into anyone, they would have no idea it was the king’s mate or a beautiful human. Those were the words Nabvan had used with her. She was beyond flattered by it, and she wondered what he was feeling for her.
He ushered her off the ship and tried to get her to move quickly down a long shooting hall, but she had to stop and look out the long, large windows. The view was stunning. Two of the moons were so close she swore she could reach out and touch them, and large marshes spread out in front of them. Milisaria was full of water: green seas and expansive marshes, and a few rolling hills for miles and miles. It was too bad she was barely above being a prisoner. She wanted to be out there exploring all the landscapes and new creatures and bacteria that lived on the planet. Instead, she would be locked in a room again, even if it was entirely her own.
Finally, they came into a white building with plenty of hallways. It looked a bit like a massive version of the ship, except there was noise coming from everywhere. Apparently, the living quarters for the Milisarian knights were pretty rowdy. It reminded her of college dorms a bit as they kept walking towards the center of the structure.
They reached a room that was on what Nabvan explained to be the second tier. That meant it was the second tier of the spiraling center of the city, away from where the king lived. Why she was being kept so far away, she didn’t know, but maybe he wanted her to have nothing to do with the decisions he made or what was going on in the government on the planet.
The room was smaller than the one on the ship; cozier, but it was nice. It felt more homey to her.
Alexis went to take off all the wraps, but Nabvan reached over to stop her. “Maybe not just yet,” he whispered with a cheeky grin on his face. “You look like you could use some good food.” Alexis cocked her head to the side, wondering what he was up to when he took her hand and led her further into tier two. Soon, they came upon a large kitchen with tons of female Milisarians working on delicious smelling food. “Pick what you want,” he told her. “And we’ll take it back to your room.” She nodded happily and began to smell around for what she thought was the best of the food, picking what she wanted to try. It was the best time she’d had since getting captured.
She was practically skipping by the time they left with a tray full of food for them both, but there was one thing she felt brave enough to ask for. “Nabvan,” she asked, pausing before they reached the door to her new room. “I had a really good friend on the ship with me. Her name was Destiney. Is there any way you would be able to find her so I know that she is alright?”
Nabvan looked down at her like he was thinking it over and found it to be the worst idea in history. It probably was, but she needed to know. She had to know for her own sanity. “This could get us in a lot of trouble depending on who she is with, Alexis. But I will at least try and see where she is. Is that good enough?” Nabvan asked with a sigh. He seemed to be giving into her a lot lately, and she wondered why that was. Did he know their time together was getting shorter now that they had landed on Milisaria?
She watched as he used a holographic watch to send a call out, one she did not understand. The Milisarians knew English very well, but their language was more beautiful. It sounded dark, like their planet, which lacked much light beyond the four moons; two of them were close enough to make the planet look more like Earth at dusk or twilight.
After speaking with someone, Nabvan pointed her in the direction of the further end of the second tier. “She is that way and is prepared to see you. She is with a friend of mine named Siefer. He will not give you any trouble.” Alexis could not believe it as Nabvan led her to one of the final doors down the second there, and they knocked on it. She was about to see Destiney, something she never thought she would have the pleasure of again.
Alexis hoped for the best as the door swung open to reveal a familiar-looking Milisarian knight. He was tall, but a little shorter than Nabvan, and he had dark eyes and hair like the rest of them. He seemed a little older though. It must have been Siefer, and Alexis was surprised to see the two men embrace before letting her in the door. Sure enough, there was a glowing and happy Destiney sitting on the bed leisurely. Alexis ran over to her, not caring about the wounds she still had. Her skin still had some angry cuts that she knew could open up, but she was just so happy to see Destiney alive and well.
“Destiney!” she squealed with excitement as she tackled her in a hug.
“Oh, don’t squeeze too tight. My body is a little more delicate than usual,” Destiney warned. Alexis slid back to look at her friend. That glow was the glow of pregnancy.
“You’re having a baby?” Alexis was horrified at first until Destiney smiled with reassurance.
“Yes, but it was my choice. Siefer and I are a real match.” Destiney winked at Siefer, and Alexis could see the pride and love on his face. He was treating her exceptionally well. “I can’t say much else for the rest of the women, though. I have only met two others that are alright with who they are with. Neither of them are pregnant yet but are trying. I don’t think it was as easy as the king thought it would be.” The mention of the king made her flinch. “You were chosen by him, weren’t you?”
Alexis did not know how to answer. Destiney was happy like she deserved. She did not want Destiney to worry about her, but she also could not lie. She just nodded and hoped it would not be pushed any further. “Yes. This is just Nabvan. He has been assigned as my keeper while the king is busy.” Alexis nodded towards her constant companion, and he waved awkwardly.
“I thought I would have been able to see you already since you are with the king. What’s been going on?” It was the question she was dreading. Alexis looked to Nabvan like he might save her from the answer, but it was actually Siefer who spoke up first.
“King Shene has many women. None of them are allowed much freedom, and this human one even more so. He wants to have a half human child very badly, so badly that he does not care who he hurts to get one.”
Destiney looked at Alexis, and Alexis could see the sadness in her eyes. “You’re hurt then, like some of the others?” she asked. Alexis did not like to hear that other women were being harmed.
&nb
sp; “I don’t know anything about the others. This is the first time I have been outside of the king’s suite on the ship. But, yes, he has hurt me for refusing to mate with him just like that. I cannot just give myself up like that. But I am glad you have found the right man here,” Alexis told her, placing her hand over Destiney’s.
“You stay safe out there, okay? Don’t let him run over you, even if he is the king. I’ll do what I can,” Destiney said with a whimper. Alexis could tell that Destiney was holding back tears.
Alexis nodded and hugged her friend one more time. She knew she could not stay. “I’ll come see you again if I can.” She stood up and walked to the door with Nabvan, not looking back for fear she would not be able to leave. She followed him back to her new room and removed all the wraps, leaving on just the black body suit she had on underneath. Her hair fell over her still-healing wounds, and she did not know what to do with herself.
“What now?” she asked Nabvan, unsure of how she was going to just sit there again and wait for the next attack from King Shene.
“Now, we wait.” She nodded, figuring that would be the answer before sitting down to the much-needed meal. They ate in silence, and all Alexis could think about was that she was going to live and die here sooner or later.
Chapter 9
Nabvan was trying to make sure Alexis had a good time. Both of their lives had taken a sad turn of events since they met each other, but he could not blame her for that. In fact, the more he got to know her, the angrier he found himself with his king. He was still too afraid to voice such a thing, and that was for the sake of himself but also for her. She had already suffered so much, and he was not about to be the reason she suffered even more. Because as much as the king would threaten to kill her, he needed her too much. No, he would not kill her. He would only make her wish she were dead.
Nabvan had been keeping in touch with everyone he could as he allowed her to roam the halls and tour the inner city as much as he was able to get away with. King Shene had not been interested in seeing her. He had said so the day after they arrived on the planet. He had been entertaining himself with a couple of his other women and thinking of what to do to get Alexis to mate with him. Nabvan did not know if she ever would, but he had mentioned that maybe the king should do what she asked and woo her. It was an unpopular suggestion, but the king would be desperate enough the more she refused. He hated that he was giving the king advice behind her back, but the king’s pursuit would not end. The best thing Nabvan could do for Alexis was to find a way to keep her safe and content.
“How do you get anything done out there with all the darkness?” Alexis asked, leaning against the window and looking out at the dark afternoon of Milisaria. She had described the light on Earth to him, and the thought sounded blinding.
“Well, the other side of Milisaria is the closest to all the moons. They receive quite a bit of light and are able to grow most of the plants and food we need. As far as seeing things, our eyes are made to see in this. The light kind of hurts. We have gotten used to some artificial light, but sunlight, I would imagine, is still difficult even for those that visit Earth often,” he explained.
“So, you’ve never been to Earth, then?” Alexis asked, turning around so that she was facing him. He could read the curiosity in her eyes, and he loved it. That is where she got her knack for science, from that unabashed lust for answers about everything. She wanted to know it all, and Nabvan thought with the way she studied things that she would one day get all of those answers.
“No, I have not. I am lucky to have gotten to command this ship and to train our young knights. I am considered very young for any such honor. The men who negotiate for us on Earth are twice my age,” he explained, shifting to stand next to her. Her presence was intoxicating, and he felt a high when he was so close to her. He did not dare do anything more than stand there, but any hit he could get was good. He did not know how long he would get the privilege. If the king impregnated her, he was not sure he would be needed any longer. The king might actually begin to take an interest in her and make her queen. Many of the subjects on the surface were calling for him to name one. He would surely choose whoever produced the strongest heir.
Nabvan found himself strangely wondering about what the child would look like: if it would have King Shene’s dark and hard features or her blue eyes and blonde hair.
“How old are you then?” she asked, the next logical question. He had expected it. The lifespan of the Milisarians was not the same as humans. They often lived slightly longer unless they did too much traveling in space. Sometimes, that could knock down a lifespan by twenty years or more.
“I am thirty-two,” he answered. “We live to be around one hundred and ten or so unless we are in space too much. Then, we live to be around ninety or one hundred. Milisarians are not plagued by many diseases. Though, there are a few among the poorer villagers. The only tragic death there for us is war, but that is an honor.” Nabvan knew he sounded bitter about it. Maybe he was a horrible Milisarian knight in theory. But he was good at his job, and loved it. What else could he hope for?
“Considering you call yourself knights, I kind of figured that,” she told him with a half-smile as she looked down at her toes. Then, she flipped back around to look outside. “Do you think one day I will be allowed out there? I have always wanted to get close to those green oceans. Do you swim in them?”
Nabvan looked out the window with her and smiled. He remembered his childhood and how he would love to splash in the warm waters of the ocean where he lived. It was a luxury only a poor child had. When he was chosen to be a knight, it was a great day, but that did not mean he didn’t miss some of the freedoms he had before.
“Maybe, but I doubt you will be allowed to do anything fun. Visits to the outer villages are diplomatic in nature. The poor do swim in the oceans. It is one of the only pastimes they have. Knights do not. We have more important things to attend to. Though, I look forward to retiring back out into the village. I rather liked it there.” Nabvan smiled at the thought but then remembered that Alexis would not be there for this. She could not share in his happiness. She might not even be alive then depending on how Milisaria was on her body. Humans did not always live so long on other planets. If only he could take her with him and enjoy those oceans as if they were just two children with no worries on their shoulders.
“This reminds me of a poem,” she said with a sigh before walking ahead of Nabvan, heading in the direction of her room. “On Earth, a long time ago, there was this famous woman poet who said she knew why the caged bird sings.” Nabvan thought about the sadness in that. They did not have birds on Milisaria, but he knew what they were. Humans kept them in cages as pets, along with many other animals, for their entertainment. What a half-life they were living. But now he understood what she meant. Alexis meant she was only living that half-life too, and she would sing for hope that would never come.
Nabvan continued to follow her into the room and shut the door behind them, locking it. It was as close to privacy as she got, and he could tell Alexis needed that comfort. “I think I’ll shower before we eat,” she told him, heading straight for the washroom. She did not bother shutting the door. The only barrier between them would be the thin film that pulled shut over the shower that turned her body into a bit of a shadow. It didn’t really make a difference since he had seen her body so many times now. He had been the one cleaning her while she could not do it herself. He had been so shy and modest about it in the beginning, but now he did not even try to hide the fact that his eyes followed her into the washroom, watching her back as she stripped off the bodysuit she had on.
Everything had been upgraded for her since landing on Milisaria, including the clothing, and she had bodysuits in every color that fit her frame perfectly, leaving only the dimples to the imagination. He looked over her pink curves with a desire that he was unsure if he could control any longer. The cruelty of placing him as a keeper of a beautiful woman that did
not belong to him was not lost on him. Perhaps this was some sort of test of loyalty to the king. If it continued much longer, he would surely fail.
After dropping the body suit to the ground, she turned to the side to step into the shower. Alexis’s eyes met his for just a moment, and he could tell she could see the longing in them no matter how he tried to shut down and hide it. “Would you like to join me?” It came out of her mouth so quietly, he was almost forced to read her lips. It could have easily been a figment of his imagination, but the way she slowly slinked behind the film of the shower, still looking out at him, he knew she must have meant it.
He could have stayed standing right where he was, wanting something he could never have. He would have been able to say that he had not broken any major rule when it came to the king’s mate. But he thought that he was going to burn alive if he didn’t have one taste: one taste before he let her go forever.
So, he followed her into the washroom with determined footsteps, dropping his leather armor and his pants, revealing his pale, muscular body. He had one moment of feeling self-conscious. He had never let a woman see so much of him: not even a Milisarian one. What would she think of him? But then again, he knew Alexis. He felt he had seen everything of hers, and he could not imagine her rejecting him over the physical, even if it did not immediately appeal to her.
