by Maia Starr
“Yes,” I said, still feeling embarrassed to speak out loud about my detest for leaving home. “I’m glad to be back.”
“What is Earth like?” she asked, changing the subject.
“It’s dismal,” I said with a short laugh. “But…”
“But?” Trillis asked, raising an eyebrow at me. It wasn’t often that I withheld anything from her. In a way, this kindly older female was my best friend and confidant.
“I met a human female,” I eventually said.
Trillis brightened.
“That’s only natural,” she said, trying to play it cool. “That’s what you went there for.”
But from the way her eyes were sparkling, I knew that she was already guessing what was going on.
“I’ve never seen anybody like her before,” I said. The powerful surge of longing I’d felt simply laying eyes on her the first time had been overwhelming. And now, I couldn’t go five minutes without fighting thoughts of her out of my head. And I still didn’t really know her name. Doctor was only a title. I hadn’t thought to ask while she was coherent. Things had just moved so quickly.
“What is she like?” Trillis asked, pouring me a cup of hot flek.
“She’s…beautiful,” was all I could say.
“You know, you have the right to claim whichever female you like,” Trillis said. “You never use your status the way you should. You could claim her right now, and nobody would be able to stop you. Even Aloitus would shrug it off.”
It was true. I hadn’t thought of that before. Trillis’ eyes sparkled as I scarfed my meal down as quickly as I could and rose from the table.
“Thanks, Trillis,” I said, bowing deeply to her. She gave me a shorter, graceful bow in return, and I could hear her tinkling laughter as I left.
***
“Understood, sir,” the Thressl’n female in charge stepped aside and allowed me through the entrance of Camp 7, the camp full of the females I had delivered personally. My eyes scanned the long rows of sleeping women and immediately fell on the golden-haired human who had consumed my thoughts for so long.
“Rise,” I said, standing over her.
Desire raced through me when her clear eyes settled upon me, and her full lips settled into a pout.
“Why?” she asked, refusing to budge.
“Do you really want to challenge me?” I asked, fixing a stern look on her. I was surprised at myself. It was so natural for me to treat her the way Thressl’n men treated the women they were mated to for years.
She didn’t speak and rose from the small metal bed.
“You know, it’s cold in here,” she said to me, raising her arms in the air and stretching deeply. My eyes wandered the curves of her body, sparks of desire igniting deep inside of me. “You should get these girls some blankets.”
“Of course,” I said, frowning. It was strange to be dealing with such heavily water-based creatures. The Thressl’n didn’t have issues with body temperature regulation unless we were sick, but humans were so fragile. Maybe it really was a mistake to combine our genetics. But what choice was there?
“Where are we going?” the human asked.
“What is your name?” I said, without answering. How was I to tell her that she was my chosen mate? I had a strong feeling this wouldn’t go over well, and I wanted to save the dramatics for the privacy of my own home.
“Lain,” she said begrudgingly. “Dr. Lain Brousseau. But just call me Lain. Do I just call you Zerk’k?”
“Well I suppose it would be silly for you to call me Commander Arkti,” I said. “So yes.”
“All right,” she said, fixing her eyes forward. I led her to my modest hovercraft and waited for her to step inside.
“What is that thing?” she asked. I could almost hear the gears in her head turning as she walked a circle around my vehicle. Her hand flickered toward her back pocket, but she seemed to think better of it.
“Get in,” I said. I didn’t have the patience for small talk. For a female, she asked a lot of questions. Weren’t humans ever taught to know their place? She was exceptionally rude. And yet I couldn’t help but find it oddly charming.
She waited to observe me get into the driver’s seat of the vehicle before following suit.
“Just because I’m going with you doesn’t mean I like you,” she said, as soon as the doors closed and we were left in the quiet, intimate atmosphere of the craft.
“It doesn’t matter whether you like me or not,” I said, though I couldn’t help but be stung by her words. “You are on this planet for one purpose. And if you don’t serve that purpose, you are going to suffer immensely.”
Lain glowered out the window and crossed her arms over her breasts. I took the chance to study her more closely. Now that we weren’t pressed for time, it was easier for me to take in all the details of her face.
Her neck was long, and her skin a pleasant pink color that was uncommon on the planet Jenal’k. Her lips and cheeks were a much darker, more sensual red, particularly when she was angry, as she was now. And her body, though tiny in comparison to the highly muscular Thressl’n race, was soft and supple. It awakened desires in me I didn’t know I was capable of.
We were both lost in thought for the rest of the ride, until I stopped the hovercraft in front of my home. We sat in silence for a moment before I finally spoke.
“This is going to be your home from now on. I expect you to stay out of the way and to make yourself comfortable. Now follow me; I’ll show you where you’ll sleep.”
Lain glared fiercely at me before hopping out of the vehicle. I sighed. This might not end up being as easy as I thought it would be.
“Oh, hello,” Trillis said, her eyes wide as she took in the human female. She bowed at Lain, and Lain hesitated for a moment before bowing back awkwardly. The way she bowed was wildly improper, and both Trillis and I had to fight to keep from laughing. It was a sweet gesture though, and we both appreciated it.
“Trillis, this is Dr. Lain Brousseau. Lain, Trillis is here every day. Her apartment is upstairs if you ever need anything while I’m away. Trillis, I expect you to take care of her as you’d take care of me.”
“Of course, Commander,” Trillis said, her eyes sparkling. I think both of us knew that my interest in this female went beyond breeding purposes. But convincing the human of that would be another story.
“It’s nice to meet you, Trillis,” Lain said. Trillis laughed in delight.
“It’s nice to meet you, Lain,” she repeated carefully.
Trillis glanced up at me, and it was clear we were both thinking the same thing: this was going to be interesting.
Chapter 11
Dr. Lain Brousseau
I followed behind Zerk’k, staring at his broad, muscular back as he led the way through his home. It was fascinating to see the layout of the structure. It was similar architecturally to ancient Japanese building structures, but the appliances inside were far different from anything one could find on Earth. It was clear I was dealing with a very advanced civilization.
“This is the washing room,” Zerk’k said, leading me down a very narrow hallway. I peered inside the room and frowned when I didn’t see what I was used to seeing in the bathrooms back home. “Don’t worry, I’ll ask Trillis to show you how it works. I’m sure you’re more comfortable with other females in that regard.”
I refused to answer. Why was I getting this special treatment when “other females,” as Zerk’k called them, were still trapped in the oppressive tents on the other side of the settlement?
Zerk’k didn’t seem perturbed by my silence at all and simply continued the tour.
“This is where I work. You are never to enter this room.” He looked back at me, his metallic purple eyes serious. “Do you understand?”
I wanted to do something extreme, something angry, but as he looked at me, his expression softened.
“I know this is all very different for you,” he said, his handsome face contorted with the
effort to word his thoughts well enough to me. “I’m sorry that you are in a situation you do not wish to be in. I felt there was no other choice. In time, I hope you are able to forgive me.”
Before I could answer, Zerk’k turned away and continued walking down the narrow hallway. I sighed in frustration. What was with this guy? And why was it I found him to be, in ways, so irresistible? Maybe it was something in the drugs they’d been feeding me over the past day or so. Something was probably messing with my hormones. Whatever it was, I wished it would stop. My body couldn’t take much more of this push and pull feeling. I didn’t want to be attracted to my captor. It seemed so inappropriate.
“And here is the bed chambers,” Zerk’k finally said. “It is the most private room in this space. Everybody has utmost privacy here. We will share this space until further notice.”
My stomach dropped. He seriously expected me to share the bedroom with him? No way.
“Don’t you have a living room or something?” I stammered, backing away from the door. “I’ll just sleep on the couch.”
Zerk’k’s face darkened, and suddenly his hands were on my shoulders. It happened so quickly that I barely had time to register the way he carried me, as if I were light as a feather, and shoved me against the wall in the bedroom. The door closed with a quiet click behind us.
“What did I tell you?” he hissed. “This is the only way. Do you think you would be here if there was another choice? Do you think I want the other Thressl’n men to lay their hands on you?”
I was shocked by the prospect, and the passion in his voice when he spoke. I almost wanted to believe him.
“This is where you are safe. This is where I can protect you. And,” he added, his face hovering close to mine, “this is where I will make you mine.”
My body was on fire. His display of power should have scared me. Maybe even prompted me to fight. But somehow, my brain was locked on only one thing, and I had to keep myself from surrendering to the overpowering desire that was begging me to give in to this mysterious man’s power.
If he would have held me there a second longer, I don’t know what would have happened. But thankfully, he let go of my wrists.
“I understand that you are not ready yet,” Zerk’k said, his beautiful eyes gentle and understanding. “I will not force a family upon you. But in time, I am confident that you will see, as I see, that this was meant to be.”
Zerk’k broke eye contact with me and headed for the doorway. My legs were like jelly, and I couldn’t bring myself to follow him. He didn’t seem to expect me to, though. As he crossed the threshold of the door, he seemed to think better of it and turned back to me.
“The Thressl’n believe in destiny. We are given roles that are fated for us. And just as every job on the Planet Jenal’k is predetermined, so must be the loyalty of my hearts.”
And with that, he walked out the door.
***
“Meal time, dear,” Trillis said cheerfully over the intercom in the bedroom.
I looked up from my notebook, reluctant to leave my work. I had been consumed in outlining every experience of my ordeal in detail, and had been so busy doing it that I’d almost forgotten I was capable of feeling hunger.
I stood up, my heart pounding at the thought that I would have to face Zerk’k again. I was furious at him, but another, secret part of me was thrilled by the thought of encountering him again. But I had to stay composed. It wasn’t my real feelings speaking for me. It had to be the chemicals in my body that were being altered by Thressl’n drug compounds. I had to stay strong. I refused to be just breeding machine for Commander Zerk’k’s degrading mission.
“It is nice to meet you!” Trillis said, bowing deeply at me when I arrived at the table. It was elaborately decorated, and filled with foods I had never seen before.
“Hi,” I said, wondering if I should correct her. But it seemed like a nice spin on an old greeting from Earth. I chose not to say anything and sat down in front of one of the plates.
To my surprise, Trillis sat down at the other.
“Where is Zerk’k?” I asked, frowning.
“He had business to take care of,” Trillis said, spooning the foods onto my plate. “Poor boy is always so busy. His job takes its toll. But it is as destined.”
“Thank you,” I said, looking down at the food on my plate. I couldn’t help but feel disappointed that Zerk’k wasn’t there to share my first meal on his planet. He was the one who had brought me here after all. But it couldn’t be helped. And anyway, I couldn’t stand him. Even if I missed him when he was away, as soon as he was around I wished he would disappear.
“It must be very different for you,” Trillis said, demonstrating how to use the strange utensils on the table. She was very intuitive, and a kind teacher.
“Yes,” I said, my mind flashing back to the bizarre feelings I was having toward Commander Arkti. There was nothing normal about this. I had never even felt so aroused near the men I’d dated on Earth. Whatever the Thressl’n were giving me, it must have been strong.
“He’s really not a terrible man,” Trillis said. “I can only imagine what you must be thinking. Being stolen so callously from your own world. He truly does have your best interests at heart.”
“My best intentions?” I scoffed. “What would he know about that?”
“You do realize that sooner rather than later, you will have no home planet to speak of?” Trillis said, taking a spoonful of a bright orange substance and chewing it pleasantly. “You were chosen to survive that catastrophe and aid in the creation of a superior race. A race that, perhaps, will turn out to be superior to the Thressl’n.”
“I don’t care about any of that,” I grumbled. “I’d rather die with my own planet. He had no right to kidnap so many women from our homes. They have families!”
“I assure you, they don’t,” Trillis said quietly. “We do take these things into consideration.”
My cheeks burned and I bit into one of the foreign substances on my plate. It was true that I didn’t have much family to speak of. Perhaps the same was true of the rest of the human women on Jenal’k.
When I began to chew, a shocking burst of flavors erupted in my mouth.
“This is really good,” I said, smiling for the first time since my abduction.
“Thank you,” Trillis said with a small bow. “It’s a favored recipe.”
We chatted a while longer, until I finished the meal. I was eager to linger behind and see how Trillis managed the dishes and kitchen upkeep, but she hurried me out of the kitchen for a tutorial on how to wash myself in Zerk’k’s home. It was fairly self-explanatory, and she excused herself as I stripped my clothing off and stepped into the shower area.
When I emerged, I was shocked to find that my clothes had disappeared. I was horrified and embarrassed, and ran naked through the narrow hallway to the bedroom, hoping I’d find something to cover up with in there.
I found a gown made of impossibly soft material on the bed. There were no panties or bras or anything of the sort. Just a gown.
I put it on, feeling more humiliated than I’d ever felt in my life, and lay back on the bed. It was slightly softer than the metallic benches we’d been forced to sleep on in the ship, and I suddenly realized just how exhausted I was. Before I could help myself, I slipped into a deep, sound sleep.
***
A few hours later, I was roused from sleep by the sound of the bedroom door opening. At first I was too tired to care, but when I opened my eyes, my body was overcome with the same, unwelcome desire that had kept me in Zerk’k’s thrall.
I quickly pretended to be asleep, but couldn’t keep my eyes from following Zerk’k across the room. I was shocked to realize that he had just showered, and had walked to the bedroom naked, just as I had. I watched slyly as he began rummaging through a closet I hadn’t known was there for something to wear. Fire engulfed my whole body as I caught a glimpse of Zerk’k’s muscular torso, with nothing betwee
n my eyes and the full impact of his startling body.
Zerk’k didn’t notice, and slipped on a pair of loose pants made from the same material as my gown. He faced the bed, and I realized that he looked completely exhausted. I found myself wondering when the last time he had actually slept had been. He hesitated and stood rigidly at the end of the bed, studying my body. He seemed to think better of it, and leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. Soon, his chest was rising and falling rhythmically, and I realized that he was asleep.
I lay in Zerk’k’s bed, agonized. He had chosen to respect my space, oblivious to the fact that, despite myself, what I wanted more than anything was to have the obnoxious longing he inspired in me satisfied.
I surprised myself by sitting up in the bed.
“Zerk’k,” I whispered.
He was immediately awake, his metallic purple eyes boring into mine intensely. It only escalated my irrational desire for him. But it wasn’t him that I cared about, surely. My body was having a physiological reaction to an otherwise unforeseeable experience. I shouldn’t be too hard on myself.
“What?” he asked.
“Lie down,” I told him, scooting off the bed. “I can sleep somewhere else.”
I was startled by his strong hands on my shoulders, and the fire in by body grew beyond taming. I was losing my self-control. Fast. But I would hate myself if anything happened between us. Just as much as I hated Zerk’k, despite this inexplicable attraction I was feeling.
“Don’t,” he said. His large hands moved down my arms, sending a forbidden thrill through me. I could follow the line of his eyes as he took me in. I must have been as strange to him as he was to me.
“But…” I breathed. I didn’t want to sleep anywhere else. In fact, I didn’t want to sleep at all. I was energized by a powerful force as he carefully, gently, took my hand in his own. I wanted him to tell me I could go. I was afraid of what might happen if I stayed. I couldn’t give in. Not even to myself.
He traced the lines of my palm with one of his long fingers, and then flipped his own hand over as if to compare. The feeling was highly erotic, though I wished I could be experiencing these feelings with someone else. Even sharing these alarmingly strong feelings with Brighton might have been better.
