“Then I need to go somewhere else. I need a place to stay. I can work; if I have a job I can pay my own way. I need away from him. Could you possibly help me with that? I’d be very grateful and would re-pay you as soon as I could.”
He looked to Daxx and then to me.
“Daxx?”
“I’ll work it out,” Daxx replied.
“No,” I pleaded, “Please…”
“Young lady,” Spar started but then I heard movement behind me. I looked back and saw Treya coming in. She was dressed head to toe in white. She wore a long gown with a wide neckline, bell sleeves, and a full skirt. It was very elegant, old Hollywood sort of, it had white fur at the hem and the cuffs as well as the neckline. It shimmered as she moved. Her dark hair was over one shoulder, a mass of curls. Her eyes were on Daxx. They moved to me. And then her perfect bubble gum pink lips curled in what I’m fairly certain was disgust.
She was freaking tall. And beautiful. And graceful. She looked like a movie star as she practically floated through the room. A bitchy movie star who figured her own shit didn’t stink. And it probably didn’t. This fucking place, they probably had shit that smelled like roses here.
Daxx and her would’ve made a gorgeous couple. Beautiful babies. Spar was holding his age well but no contest in the looks department compared to gorgeous Daxx. Was she really okay with this? Like Earth females, she didn’t have much choice over her life. I felt sorry for her.
I let out a breath.
“Sit down, have a beverage.” Spar suggested, “This is my wife, Treya. Treya, Jetta Michaels. Well, formerly Michaels. Jetta Blackstar now, isn’t it? Like the rest of us. Pomberry Juice, Treya Blackstar? Coffee or juice or wine, Jetta Blackstar? Daxx Blackstar, how about you?” He chuckled, very amused with himself.
No one answered him. I was processing what he’d just said. I was so out of my element that I didn’t even consider that I had a new name.
“Right,” He said to himself when no one answered and started touching his food machine, “Host’s choice then.”
Jetta Blackstar. It sounded like a rock star name.
I took in the surroundings, a large library-like room with stuffy-looking not-very-comfy furniture. We were in a conversation-type area near a large desk. There were several white stuffed arm chairs and a small loveseat around a low glass coffee table. One wall was all bookcase, filled to the brim with books. I loved old libraries. But these were books that I couldn’t read because I didn’t speak their language.
This place was so weird. Some things were so modern, some things so not.
Treya sat in a chair opposite me. Her eyes took in my shoes, my jeans, my t-shirt. I didn’t have any make-up on and my hair was probably a disaster. She was perfectly coiffed. I looked like a short shabbily dressed orphan and she was a beautiful tall supermodel.
Daxx sat in the loveseat and tugged my hand so that I had no choice but to sit beside him. I tried not to react. For some reason, the way Treya was watching me, I felt like I didn’t want to show a reaction.
Spar returned one drink at a time, mine first. Wine. I’d been up only a few hours. It couldn’t even have been lunchtime. And I hadn’t eaten yet. I needed instant-drunk Phallyx wine like I needed a hole in the head.
“Thank you,” I said and put it on the table, “But I really need to---”
Spar gave me a warning look and it halted me in my tracks. I stopped talking.
“We can return to that topic of discussion later, daughter, yes? For this moment, let us sit and get acquainted.” Spar’s expression warned me and I felt something cold in my veins at the way Treya was looking at me. Spar didn’t want her to know I wanted to leave. Why?
“Congratulations on your marriage, Treya,” Daxx said softly.
“Thank you, Daxx. Congratulations to you as well. Jetta, it’s … nice to meet you.” She didn’t mean it. Obviously.
“Thank you. You as well,” I said. She was looking at me like I was something she’d scraped off the bottom of her shoe. Her perfect baby pink leather shoe. She had the gem in her ear, the same spot as mine, and hers was amber. Was that the color of pregnancy?
“Congratulations on your pregnancy,” Daxx said, seeming to notice the gem at the same instant I did.
“Thank you,” Treya looked to the beverage Spar was passing her. She drank some.
“Twins,” Spar said with pride.
“Twins?” Daxx sounded surprised.
“Yes. The yellow stone. Pink is unattached, blue, attached. Green is with child, yellow is multiple birth. We know which color indicates love.” Spar gestured to me as he passed Daxx a glass of whiskey and sat down with his own, “And we had a translator installed since Treya now has Jetta and Tanya to talk to.”
“Congratulations,” I said to her and I said it with sincerity. Babies. Two of them. Daxx’s brothers or sisters.
She looked filled with disgust at the mere sight of me. She was looking at the ear piercing on me. I wasn’t surprised. Compared to her, I looked like something the cat dragged in. And if I had some love color on my stone and was married to the guy she was engaged to a few days ago, of course she would hate me on sight.
“Thank you. And same to you. On your marriage, I mean.” She sipped her juice, which was a bright purple color. I wondered what pomberry tasted like. The fruit here was very delicious so far.
“Are there other colors?” Treya asked Spar.
“Black. Although that only applies to human females. Deception is not sensed in a Phallyxian woman the same way. If a man sees that his wife’s stone is that color, he should be wary. She may be in love. She may be pregnant. But if the stone turns black, there’s also deceit at play. Deep deceit.”
“Oh? Why was that done? Because Earth people are so untrustworthy?” Treya asked.
I felt my brows shoot up in challenge.
“We don’t know them well enough to know that yet, sweets. It’s just helpful to the husband to have this tool to gauge his wife’s emotion or her intent. It might not turn black at a little white lie. Just when the intent is overall unsavory. She could be pretending to be in love. She could be planning to murder him. Whatever her intent, it would need to be watched closely.”
Daxx’s eyes were on my ear piercing. I looked at him. His eyes met mine. Again, I couldn’t read him so I looked away.
I felt Daxx’s eyes continue to burn into me. I felt self-conscious so I flipped my hair over my ear to hide the earring.
Maybe I’d drink that wine.
I’d drink only the one glass, though, because the wine on Phallyx went to my head quickly the other night. My wedding night.
Gah!
Maybe I’d skip the wine after all.
“So, Zane and his new wife aren’t coming to dinner tonight?” Treya asked.
“No,” Daxx said, “She’s been hurt so Zane wants to care for her at home.”
“Hurt?” I asked but I addressed Daxx’s father.
Spar smiled but Daxx answered, “It’s nothing too distressing. Nothing Zane doesn’t have in hand.”
“What color is this Tanya’s ear stone?” Treya asked.
“I don’t know,” Spar replied and lifted his tablet, “Blue.”
She was claimed but not pregnant.
“Can I ask about someone else?” I asked.
“Yes, certainly, daughter.” He gave me a big smile.
“Lacey.” Lacey had hidden under the table and I didn’t know what had happened to her.
He made a face. “Lacey’s status is unavailable.” His face looked grim.
“You didn’t check,” I pointed out.
“I don’t need to. I’m aware of her status as I’ve had updates on an ongoing basis.” He put the device down.
I didn’t like the sound of that.
“What do you mean?”
“Her tracker was taken out. She was taken by a rogue group of men. We don’t know where she is. Authorities are working on it.”
“Oh, my lord.” My han
ds covered my mouth.
“No. What’s being done?” Treya asked, looking panicked.
I looked at her and the look she gave me hit me in the gut, like she gave a shit.
My expression must have been questioning because she began explaining. “I was taken once, almost twice but once, I was taken. I was saved before… before anything could go wrong but it was frightening. Those men, they’re ---” she clutched her throat and went pale.
“We are working to find her,” Spar said. He shot Treya a warning look and she sipped her beverage. He probably didn’t want her freaking me out further.
Poor Lacey.
Treya got to her feet, “I’m afraid I need to go lie down. Suddenly, I’m not feeling well. Please forgive me.” She put her drink on the table between us.
“I hope you feel better. It was nice to meet you,” I said quietly.
She looked a little surprised, “You, as well, Jetta. Thank you. Daxx,” she nodded at Daxx and left the room.
“One moment,” Spar said to us and followed Treya out.
The silence was kind of painful in that room. Daxx was sitting beside me and neither of us were speaking. His arm was draped over the back of the loveseat. He felt too close to me.
I could hear my own heartbeat. It was pounding in my ears.
It took an eternity, it seemed, before he spoke. He did it after I shifted, attempting to get another millimeter further away from him.
“You won’t speak to them. They wouldn’t allow you to return but you won’t even be speaking to them. I’m telling you that right now and I won’t change my mind. It isn’t happening.”
I didn’t look up but I clenched my teeth.
He continued, “They’re vile and disgusting creatures. I watched footage. I know who they are. They’re cut from the same cloth as the shit mongers that killed my mother, sisters, niece, and millions of other women and little girls. They won’t get anywhere near you. They’re not going to go against us; they know we’ll crush them if they make even the slightest wrong move. And they won’t care about one female’s wishes. Clearly, by the way they sent you here against your wishes, they won’t do anything about the fact that you don’t want to stay. They’ve agreed to give Phallyx five million women to start with and not only will they not listen to you but I won’t allow them anywhere near you.”
I took a big breath. My heart was racing. He sounded very angry, so angry I was afraid to look at his face. Five million? Those assholes had told me one million. I felt sicker.
“My father’s humoring you, placating you in order to get you to settle down. This is pointless. We already have a flight booked for tomorrow otherwise we’d leave now since my brother-in-law and his family aren’t coming. We may as well go back to the guest house.” He got to his feet.
I stayed put.
“Jetta, this is pointless. My father won’t go against my wishes on any issue where my wife is concerned. You’re already mine and even as ambassador, there’s no escalation point for a woman above her own husband. Are you coming gracefully or should I carry you?”
The polar bear animal ran into the room and butted its head against my knees. I gasped in surprise.
It put its chin on my lap and looked at me with Puss in Boots eyes from the Shrek movies.
Oh, my good lord.
Spar was back. He looked at Daxx expectantly.
“We’re heading back to the guest house. I’ll see you before we leave tomorrow, father.”
“Right, son. Have a nice evening. Jetta, lovely Jetta.” I stood and he took my hand and squeezed it, “I’m so happy to have you part of the Blackstar family.” He kissed my forehead and said, “People in a new and accelerated relationship that becomes marriage can take time to settle in. You’re also settling into a new planet. I’m sure once you and Daxx get back to Fjord’s Edge you’ll find your footing. It’s a lovely place. If I don’t see you tomorrow, we will see you soon after. Either here or at your home.” He bent and kissed my forehead again and I was dumbfounded. The polar dog/bear was at my side.
“Banshee is quite taken with you,” Spar remarked with surprise.
Daxx grabbed my gym bag from the floor and grabbed my hand and I didn’t resist. I walked with him out the door.
The polar bear pet followed us.
It followed us all the way. We were silent. He held my hand and we walked a different way back, through a long path that skirted the open area where the reception was happening. Where men were probably, right now, stealing women away, terrifying them.
I closed my eyes and pushed that thought away.
I’d tried to pull my hand from Daxx’s and he tightened his grip.
“Not letting you go,” he grumbled and it hit me in the gut.
We got to the door and he looked at the polar bear dog and said, “Banshee, home.”
It sat at my feet. No, it sat on my feet.
“Banshee,” Daxx said warningly.
It yelped and sounded very much like a dog. And then it butted my thigh with its head.
“He likes you. Do you want him to come in?” Daxx’s voice gentled a bit but it seemed guarded.
I leaned down and petted the animal’s head and his fluffy white face looked like it was smiling. His eyes got all droopy like he was in heaven. He rolled on his back, on my feet, and presented me with his belly.
I leaned over and rubbed it.
“You’re so soft,” I told him. He started purring again. While smiling like a white fluffy happy face. He was so cute. It was tugging on my heartstrings.
“Fine; in then.” Daxx opened the door and the polar dog ran in. It put its nose to the floor like a hound dog would and followed its nose right up the stairs and disappeared like it was on the trail of something.
Daxx dropped my gym bag and turned me by my shoulders to face him.
I looked up and felt pain seize my chest at the look on his face.
“Don’t ever take off like that again. We’re lucky enough to be in a place where we’re safe. The fact that your ear gem isn’t pink would keep anyone on the grounds from touching you. When we leave, we’ll be travelling through a city where there may be men who don’t care what color it is, areas that haven’t seen women in years and that haven’t seen Earth women ever. Some men are on waiting lists for upwards of years for a wife and have no desire to wait.”
I looked down at our feet.
He continued, “The laws have been broadcast but there are groups out there that wouldn’t hesitate to attempt to steal you from me. The first these competitions? Some of them had problems outside these grounds. There are rogue groups out there behaving like savages. Some want to steal a wife for themselves and others are out there looking to profit by selling Earth women through the black market.”
He tipped my chin up and looked right into my eyes.
“I can only keep you safe if you aren’t working against me.”
His expression softened a little bit. Mine didn’t. I was afraid of what might be out there. But I didn’t want to show it.
His eyes went hard at my lack of emotion.
“We leave first thing in the morning.” He let go of me, “Don’t leave the house again without me. I’m warning you, I won’t be happy if you do.” He walked past the staircase and disappeared down a hallway.
I climbed the stairs and walked into the bedroom. I saw the polar bear dog. He was in the bed, on his back, all four feet up in the air. The bottoms of his feet were pure white with black leather-looking pads. He had a big doggie smile on his face. His tail started to thump. I climbed into the bed and he rolled into me. I laid there petting him. He had the sweetest face. Just like a baby polar bear but very fluffy. He had the loudest purr.
I thought about Tanya and Lacey. Tanya had a husband and a stepson now. She was hurt. I didn’t know how but that upset me.
Lacey? I didn’t know what had happened to my sweet and funny blonde friend. The three of us had bonded on the trip over so even though it had only felt
like a week, it was like a summer camp camaraderie that can create a friendship that feels like it has been in place for years. She had lost her entire family in a fire when she was a child and had grown up living with two old mean aunties. She joked that until now she’d always told people that her life was like James and the Giant Peach up until the peach part. She had a better story than the peach now. She joked bitterly on the way over that her peach was a spaceship to another planet where she’d be bred like a bitch at a puppy mill.
Where was she? Was she okay? I shuddered at what might have happened.
I had run out of here like an idiot as if I could talk the Clipboard Assholes into taking me home. I’d be the last person they would help after I made their lives so miserable on the way over here. I didn’t think it was even the same assholes that brought me over. They probably left for the journey of 40 days, and it was probably other clipboard assholes running the reception today.
It all felt hopeless right now.
I couldn’t think about Daxx. I couldn’t think about the face he made when I said I hated him. I never wanted to see that look on his face again. But I didn’t want the alternative, the alternative of letting him off the hook repercussion free. I couldn’t just pretend that all of this was okay. It wasn’t.
But, was I cutting off my own nose to spite my face right now? I didn’t know. I felt very conflicted. Very angry. Very confused.
I got out of bed and went to the washroom. I looked in the mirror and hesitantly lifted my hair to look at that ear gem. It was a sparkling ruby red.
I gulped. It was lovely. For once, the color was right. Red = love. Only, I didn’t think it was love. Was it? Something inside me changed when I hurled hate at him and he reacted that way.
He did things to me. What was that song lyric, “I didn’t know that I was starving till I tasted you”?
I felt like I might have been fighting hunger for him. But maybe it was just all I’d been through, all the confusion. The sex. Sex could complicate things, for certain.
When I exited the bathroom, Daxx was standing there, staring at Banshee, who was in the bed, four paws up. One of his hands was on the back of his neck and he looked mildly annoyed.
Hot Alpha Alien Husbands: Book One: Daxx and Jetta Page 16
