by Maia Starr
The only small catch was that his daughter was to be put in the hands of the ugliest, most cold-hearted man in all the galaxy; at least he was as far as I was concerned. King Korta Kl’ortus.
Kirk grinned, and I warmed at the familiar sight. He had always been one of my closest friends. I couldn’t imagine life without him.
“How does your father like the island, anyway?” he asked, changing the subject. Kirk had always been sensitive to my opinion and didn’t tread very long in controversial opinions near me. It was somewhat maddening at times, but I understood his desire to look good in front of me. I had long suspected him of a crush, but I hoped that wasn’t the case. It would be far too strange to date him. He was more like a friend and a brother than a boyfriend.
“He loves it. Apparently it’s like his own private getaway,” I said, glowering out the window.
“I thought he might enjoy it,” Kirk chuckled. “The Vellreq have him living in one of their ships. I don’t think he realizes he’s under constant surveillance in there.”
“Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t mind. He’s in love with the technology. He thinks being diplomatic with them is going to put him in the history books. As if it’s his skill and knowledge that put him in this position and not blind luck.”
Kirk grinned again, and we turned down the road leading to the docks where we would take a ship together to the island where my father was being held. In my mind, he was more like a prisoner to the Vellreq than an indispensable tool in the creation of a great new world. If he crossed the line, all they had to do was get rid of him. Nobody would be any the wiser.
Except for Kirk and me. But nobody would listen to us anyway. The Vellreq had the ball in their court, and they had been playing the game much, much longer than we had. It would take nothing to conquer a race of willfully ignorant people, and it would just put me in danger to try to say anything about it.
I was torn about what to do, but if even my father believed in the Vellreq, as far as I was concerned, all hope was lost.
***
“Melinda, what are you doing here?” my father asked, surprised when I walked through the doorway. King Korta had a tendency to change the code to the doors of the ship where my father was living so that we could get in but he couldn’t get out unless instructed. Still, somehow he felt he had a special relationship with the Vellreq and that being their prisoner was some kind of honor.
“Korta is demanding an answer,” I said with a sigh. My father raised his eyebrow at me.
“Is that the way I taught you to treat nobility?” he scolded.
“Sorry. King Korta. Why have you been ignoring him?”
“Can’t a man have some time to think?” my father exclaimed, throwing his hands dramatically in the air. “There is so much to consider. You are my only daughter after all…”
I was almost touched by the sentiment, but of course, my father had to continue speaking.
“…you would think that he would consider that aspect of it when negotiating terms. I feel like he’s trying to get the better end of the deal when it should clearly be mutually beneficial. I should profit as much as King Korta would from the union!”
I didn’t know why I let myself try to believe my father would ever say a nice or selfless thing and genuinely mean it without putting himself first. He was clearly incapable. But I always tried to hope for the best. Who didn’t want to hear their dad say something caring?
“I am doing humanity a favor here! Being on speaking terms with the Vellreq is an honor that is not for the faint of heart. They are going to change the world we live in!”
“And line your pockets and those of the other officials who are willing to help them while they’re at it, right?” I said, staring at him dully. He continued to speak as if I weren’t in the room.
“I guess what I’m trying to say is…no. No, I will not be having any daughters in the future. The Vellreq are just going to have to look to another fantastic gene pool for their mates. You can tell that to your husband.”
My father waved his hand dismissively at me and turned his back, bowing his head as if lost in thought.
I gaped at my father as he continued to pace about the bunker, mumbling incoherently as he did so. Not only was I shocked by the thought of the Vellreq demanding to know whether or not my father was planning on reproducing any other human offspring they could have their way with, but I was disgusted and hurt by my father’s seeming lack of consideration for the implications of that.
“He is not my husband yet,” I said darkly. “I will not be queen until the ceremony. And even then, I will not call him my husband. He will always just be Korta, King of the Vellreq to me.”
I stared hard at my father, but he was still in his own little world. I sighed and left the bunker, where Kirk was waiting for me outside.
“Did everything go okay?” Kirk asked, his eyes filled with concern.
“Let’s just get the hell out of here,” I sighed. “You were right. All he cares about is himself.”
Kirk laid a kind hand on my shoulder and we walked to the docks together. I sat in the boat staring out over the water. Was there any way to get out of this horrible situation? I didn’t know what Korta had planned for me on our wedding night, but I would have rather died right then and there than found out.
***
“This isn’t the palace,” I said, opening my eyes and blinking hard. I had fallen asleep on the ride home, and now that I had woken up, I was puzzled. Kirk had driven me far out of the way of the estate where Korta was still awaiting my father’s answer. “Where are we?”
Kirk smiled at me from the driver’s seat.
“Look out the window.”
I did, and my heart pounded in excitement and pain.
“Funworld?!”
Kirk grinned and got out of the car, opening my door and bowing melodramatically. “My lady.”
“Stop it,” I said, shoving him away with a laugh. “What are we doing here? We could get in trouble!”
“Well, it wasn’t too far from the island,” Kirk said. “I figure Korta won’t miss you for a little while. Besides, you looked like you could use some fun after what happened back there.”
My heart panged in sadness, and I smiled at Kirk, trying not to let my emotions show through my actions. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, just get in here before the security guards make their rounds.”
“You really think they would arrest King Korta’s bride-to-be?” I asked with a laugh.
“No, but they would definitely lock her lowly driver in the dungeon and throw away the key,” Kirk said. “So come on.”
I shook my head and followed Kirk through the rusted gates of the abandoned amusement park where we had spent countless hours of fun as children. Although it had been shut down years ago, it had remained a special place in our hearts. Every once in a while, Kirk and I would escape to the comfortable inner walls of our childhood together. I hadn’t even thought of Funland since the Vellreq had come to Earth. In fact, it had been impossible to bring my thoughts to anything positive at all.
“I can’t believe I’m here,” I whispered, following Kirk through the deserted sidewalks.
“I thought you could use a break,” he said, climbing onto an empty carousel. The paint on the horses was chipping, but I could still remember fondly the days when they were in pristine condition, and Kirk and I could ride them for hours.
“I think I needed it,” I said, climbing up with him.
We sat in pleasant silence for a few moments as I looked around the old place, remembering all of the happiness Kirk and I had shared. When I turned my gaze onto Kirk, I was surprised by how serious his expression had grown.
“I don’t want you to marry the Vellreq king,” Kirk said, his eyes fixed on the rusting metal bolt in between us.
“Well trust me, if I had any choice in the matter, I wouldn’t do it.”
“Run away with me,” Kirk said, looking up, his eyes pl
eading. “We can get out of here. You don’t have to—”
Kirk’s words were cut off by a sudden gust of wind that blew the sand around the carousel up and into our eyes. We coughed as a dark cloud hovered over us.
“It’s not supposed to rain,” I whispered.
I looked over at my friend, squinting through the pain of the sand. Kirk’s eyes were wide, and he was looking up into the sky. At first, I had no idea what he was looking at, but soon, I saw it.
A beautiful being, no, more like a man than a creature, was hovering down majestically from beneath a dark shadow that was unmoving in the sky. I was mesmerized; his fluttering capes were glittering with beautiful colors I had never before seen, and his teal skin shone almost iridescently in the sunlight.
“Run!” Kirk urged me. He nudged my shoulder before getting to his feet and disappearing around the other side of the carousel.
But I was entranced. A peace filled me as I watched the man descend, my heart pounding hard as he drew nearer and nearer to me. Even through the thin fabric of his clothing, I could tell he was well-muscled – an abdomen that men on Earth would work a lifetime to get. A confusing surge of desire electrified me. Who was he?
When he finally landed, he turned his startling purple eyes onto me. I was frozen, locked in this man’s gaze, unable to do anything but stare in wonder at the flecks of gold and blue in his metallic eyes. I had never seen a being so lovely in all my life, and when he reached his hand out to me, I did the only thing that I could. I took it.
***
“Welcome.”
I was shocked by the contrast in this man’s voice compared to the growling, gravelly sound of the cruel Vellreq king. It was pleasant and lyrical as opposed to dark and menacing.
“Where am I?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“Please sit,” the man said, pointing to a large, throne-like seat.
I had been dazed as we boarded the ship, the only thoughts in my head being just how attractive this other-worldly being was. I had hardly registered the fact that I was being very easily abducted.
I sat down heavily, my thoughts beginning to crash down on me. I had left Kirk at the carousel in Funland. He looked as if he had been about to tell me something serious. Something personal.
And now, here I was, in front of this entrancing man, whose long black hair was partly tied behind his head and partly left to fall over his broad shoulders as he looked at me with those overwhelming purple eyes.
“Supreme Leader Aloitus, secure your female. We will be initiating launch soon,” a smaller, but capable-looking man of similar features said.
“Of course,” Aloitus said, crossing the distance between us quickly and strapping me into the large chair. “This should keep you safe, Earthling. We are about to embark upon a long journey. One my people have made several times now. I have learned from their mistakes and hope to keep you as comfortable as possible.”
Aloitus nodded, and suddenly the smaller man walked toward me and plunged a needle deep into my neck. I tried to cry out, but my voice came out strangled. I struggled against the confines of the chair, but I couldn’t move.
Aloitus’ handsome face broke into a bright smile, and despite myself, I was captivated by him. Never had I seen anybody quite so intoxicating in my life. But if I was understanding the situation correctly, then that meant that I was being abducted from Earth, forcibly, like the other women who had disappeared recently.
“The injection should work quickly now, Jerd,” Aloitus said to the smaller man standing beside him. They were both watching me carefully, their metallic eyes curious and thoughtful. “It is much more efficient than the gas. The gas was just more practical for large-scale harvesting. A single female requires fewer resources.”
“I see,” the smaller man, apparently named Jerd, said. “Very good, Supreme Leader Aloitus. Now secure yourself for launch. The turbulence experienced leaving Earth is much more difficult on the ships than entering is.”
“We should have Laike Ostra’ki have a look at the designs then,” Aloitus said irritably. “Since our engineers are as good as useless.”
Jerd shifted uncomfortably. “Sir, Laike fled the planet Jenal’k. It is believed that he had a female in tow.”
“What?” Aloitus exclaimed, anger flashing in his eyes. He was quiet for a moment and then laughed. Despite my fear, it was a wonderful sound. “Well good for him. There was nothing left for him on Jenal’k anyway. But we need to find him. The future of the universe is at stake. You must locate him at once.”
“Of course, sir.”
The smaller man left the room, leaving me alone with Supreme Leader Aloitus, who stared quietly at me, as if looking for flaws in my exterior. His scrutiny was unbearable. Of course I would never impress a being so physically masterful as this. I was just a human.
“You are going to come back with us, female,” Aloitus said, looking into my eyes. His gaze was thrilling, but at the same time, I was beginning to despise the man. I had nothing but contempt for someone who could hold someone hostage without thinking twice. “You will live on the Planet Jenal’k among the Thressl’n race. That is to be your new home.”
I tried to cry out, to break away from the chair and run back down the ramp Aloitus had led me up. I would have given anything to return to Earth. To see Kirk’s face again. Even to hear the ugly voice of the Vellreq King who had chosen to claim me. But all of that was about to be ripped from my life forever. A tear managed to fall from my eyes, and I furrowed my brow at Aloitus, feeling somehow betrayed by the cruelty I found beneath his unbelievable beauty.
Aloitus bowed deeply at me, surprising me out of my struggles. It seemed such a respectful thing to do to somebody you cared so little for.
“Don’t worry, female. No harm shall come to you. You are more important than you could ever know.”
And with that, he left.
Chapter 2
Aloitus Cloch’h (Supreme Leader of the Thressl’n)
I retired to my chambers soon after securing the Earth female on my throne. It seemed the only place suited her. Despite having my fun with a few of the human females who had been brought to Jenal’k (apparently all races had females who sought power through their intimate relationships), none of them had affected me quite so profoundly as this human.
She was dubbed Melinda, and was soon to be Queen of the Vellreq. Korta had chosen her because of her high standing in Earthling society. Her father was Prime Minister in one of the larger, more powerful human sectors, and so the Vellreq had certainly gotten what they were after on Earth at that point. It seemed there was no other likelihood. War was approaching.
“Supreme Leader Aloitus, should I water the female yet?” Jerd asked from the communications device, breaking into my thoughts.
“No, not yet,” I said. “Give it another rotation.”
“Yes, sir,” Jerd said, clicking off of the communications device.
I paced my quarters, my thoughts jumbled up in my head. There was so much to do and so little time with which to do it. I would need to make sure the Thressl’n on Jenal’k were prepared to wage full-on war with the Vellreq. I hadn’t made it a secret that I, the Supreme Leader of the Thressl’n, had abducted the Vellreq’s soon to be queen. I was expecting retaliation. But I knew the Vellreq. The only way to ensure Korta’s presence in the flesh was to take the one thing he had claimed as his and his alone: his female.
However, I hadn’t been counting on the possibility of the human being quite so…different…from the rest. The humans were funny, exotic little creatures, and sure, I had enjoyed entertaining them in the palace. But they were just humans. Lowly and inferior to the Thressl’n, although they would do to solve the breeding crisis our people were having.
So why was it so difficult to get this particular human out of my mind? I had only seen her for a few moments, but when our hands touched, I felt as if my entire life had changed. It seemed like a millennia that our eyes were locked, and suddenly I knew w
hat was meant by claiming your female. Despite her inferior origins, I wanted this human to be mine. And I was going to do anything in my power to make it so.
***
“We will be arriving on Jenal’k in just a few moments,” Jerd’s voice informed me from my communications device. I held my arm up and put my lips close to the bangle so that my voice would come in loudly on the other side.
“Delay our landing. I must inform the human of her role before we get to the palace. It is going to be confusing for her.”
“Of course, sir. Whenever you’re ready.”
I relaxed as the ship slowed to a hover, and I walked briskly to the throne room, where the human was still strapped to my chair.
“Human,” I said.
Melinda’s beautiful green eyes peered into my own, and I felt my hearts tremor. Of course, she couldn’t speak to me, but it was enough to know that she could listen. What I had to say was important.
“It is crucial that you know the ways of Thressl’n society. As the female of the Supreme Leader, you will be expected to do everything I command, and do it swiftly. The other Thressl’n may not like the idea of their leader having a human as a mate, and you may face adversity. You will be counseled on how to deal with negative situations with the utmost courtesy during your stay on the planet Jenal’k.”
I hesitated before adding the words I had prepared before actually laying eyes on the human. I wasn’t so sure they applied any longer, but as a diplomatic tactic, I decided it was best to say them anyway.
“Depending on the situation on Earth and with the Vellreq, you may end up stationed back on Earth at some point if you cooperate fully.”
Instead of looking excited, the human’s eyes just seemed sad. I pursed my lips in thought before continuing. “You are to stand without speaking and follow us to the palace without creating more of a scene than will already be present. That is your command. Do you understand what is expected of you?”
