by Avery Rae
Maybe I was forever stuck in the idealistic mindset of my fourteen-year-old self, but I wanted to sing. Ulyr told me Nexion 6 was the perfect place for an alien girl to get noticed for that sort of thing. It was a big, bustling planet filled with visitors from all over the universe. Just the sort of people who would want to see new things.
The thought filled me with excitement, but I feigned casual, looking around the lounge. "So, what about that room?"
Artos's eyes widened slightly. "Oh, right. I nearly forgot. This way."
As he made his way to the door Talys had left through earlier, I let out a sigh of relief. I was glad we were done talking about the possibility of me escaping. It was a topic best avoided at all costs. I needed them to not be actively thinking about the possibility. It was my only chance of blindsiding them when the time came.
Artos led me a short ways down the hallway, stopping in front of a massively wide door and holding out a hand.
I eyed it in surprise. "I'm staying in there?"
He furrowed his brow as he followed my line of sight. "No, definitely not there. Here." He pointed again and I realized he was actually gesturing toward a slim, nearly invisible door nestled alongside the large one.
"Is that a closet?" I asked in a flat voice.
"I barely managed to steer him away from that option. But this is still close."
"What is it?" There was a hint of caution in my voice, as if I could make this worse by asking.
"The servant’s quarters."
“Servant?” I frowned. "Wait, I'm staying in your room?"
Artos laughed. "Of course not. Talys would never put me in there."
I stared at him, my lips pressed into a thin line.
He scratched at the back of his neck. "Oh, right, I suppose that isn't very funny for you."
My grimace turned into a smile. "Ehh, it kind of is."
It was. If I were looking at it from the outside in, I would laugh. I mean, what are the chances, right? It was kinda funny. Yes, Talys was a beautiful, smug jerk who wouldn't just do me a solid and let me run free, but as long as I didn't let him get under my skin, I was good.
"You're very strange," Artos replied with a thoughtful tilt to his head. "I'd think you'd be more upset, considering your situation."
"I'm upset, sure, but throwing a fit isn't going to get me anywhere, is it?"
"With Talys? No." Artos folded his arms and leaned against the wall beside my door, looking decidedly relaxed. "There was once a woman on one of the Versix planets who clung to the ship and claimed that she would hold on when we took off."
"Why would she do that?"
"Her undying love for Talys, of course." He rolled his eyes, then his smile gave way to a sigh. "I warn them all not to fall for him, and yet . . ."
"He's that bad, huh?"
"Oh, yes." Artos nodded grimly. "Talys told her he'd be watching to see how long she could hold on."
I wrinkled my nose. "That's pretty messed up on both sides. Does that sort of thing happen to him a lot?"
"Far too often for my liking. Mostly because I end up dealing with them." Artos gave me a half-smile and pressed his hand to the screen outside my door. "Promise me you won't be another one?"
"I don't even have to promise you, I can guarantee . . ." My voice faded as I watched as the door slid open to reveal a room slightly more wide than the door. There was a thin excuse for a bed and that was it. I pressed my lips into a thin line. "I can guarantee Talys won't be on my good side anytime soon."
Surprisingly, though, I'd had worse. I wouldn't have been surprised if it'd been a closet because I'd been put in one before. After we fled Earth, my first six months on the ship were spent in one. The janitor's closet, in fact. I slept on a bed of boxed hazardous chemicals with thin blankets and pillows. Finally, my fellow humans had decided to act human again and they magically found a room for me.
"Well, I guess I'll retire to my palace for now." I eyed the slim door and smiled wryly at Artos. "I'll try not to enjoy it too much."
Artos's eyes squinted with a wide, boyish smile. "Trust me when I say this is better than what Talys originally had planned for you."
"How nice," I said with a tone that implied the opposite. "Dare I even ask what his other plans were?"
"I wouldn't tell you if you did. All chances of civilized conversation between you two would be lost. Now—" He pointed down the hallway at a much more normal-sized door. "—if you need anything, I'm in that room there."
I pursed my lips, eyes narrowed. "Showing off your big room, huh?"
He looked a little flustered. "I didn't mean to—"
"Relax," I said with a laugh, "I was just kidding."
"Oh. Yes, of course."
I stepped inside my temporary quarters and turned around. "Thanks for saving me from whatever terrible fate Talys had planned."
Artos waved a hand in the air. "It's the least I could do. I know you're in an unfortunate position. I think, on some level, Talys realizes that, too."
I twisted my expression into one of disbelief. "Something tells me that might not be true."
"He's not as terrible as he may seem." Artos made a face. "Aside from his relationships with women, that is."
I laughed. "So, what, he just wants people to think he's full of himself?"
Artos held his hands out, shrugged, and began walking down the hallway. "Remember, I'm here if you need anything. Try not to wander. I can't guarantee that'll end well for you."
"I think I can handle myself."
He looked over his shoulder with both brows raised high. "But can you handle Talys?"
I rolled my eyes. "Definitely."
"Good. Just remember my warning."
I laughed his words off and touched a hand to the screen that controlled my door. It slid shut and the room's one light, glowing a pale blue, flared a little brighter to accommodate the newfound darkness. Taking in the whole space only took one turn, standing in place.
The one thing I'd missed from the hallway was a closet opposite the bed. An empty closet that was the same length and half the width of the room. It had a mirrored surface, so I was basically forced to constantly see myself out of the corner of my eyes.
I sat down on the bed and stared at myself. I did look a little silly in the robe. I slid it off and folded it on the bed. I ran my hand over the fabric with a sigh, quietly hoping that Ulyr wasn't in any trouble. He told me he was willing to take the risk but now that it was all so real, and the possibility was definitely there because of my big mouth blabbing to Talys, I wasn't sure I was okay with it. I wouldn't go back, of course, not without a fight, but my excitement was dampened by the thought.
Wanting a distraction from my thoughts, I absently gravitated toward the door and out into the hallway. I'd only made it a few steps before I froze, remembering Artos's words. I looked from side to side and shrugged. I would just make my way to the bathroom and back. No big deal. I mean, sure, I didn't know where the bathroom was, but how hard could it be to find it?
The answer was a surprisingly long time. Nothing was labelled like it had been on my ship—but then again, the ship we fled Earth on had been built for carrying around tourists. By the time I'd used the bathroom and washed up a little, I was antsy to get back to my room. I was nearly there when I noticed something . . . different.
The massive door to the room next to mine was wide open, and the hall's air had been overtaken by a familiar scent—Talys's. I slowed as I approached the room, hugging close to the wall. From my hidden position, I slowly craned my head to look inside and the sight made me mutter a surprised curse underneath my breath. I'd just figured out where all my room's missing space had gone. This room was huge.
The lighting was dim and moody—how fitting—but it was bright enough that I could make out the massive bed in the center of the room. Glimmering, jewel-toned pillows were piled on the lush, deep maroon fabric covering the bed, and matching pillows of a larger size were spread out all around the roo
m.
The walls of the room were hidden by shelves upon shelves of . . . books. Actual, human-style books. I jolted forward toward them, all senses of manners fleeing from me. My eyes widened as I approached a shelf and saw most of the books were written in English. Where did he get those?
I was reaching for a book that looked strangely familiar when the silence of the room was suddenly broken by the sound of the doors whooshing shut. I inhaled sharply and froze, my arm still hovering in the air. I could feel the eyes staring hard into my back before he even spoke.
"The trap snapped shut without the prey ever realizing it was there," Talys said from behind me, amusement coloring his voice. "Such a pity."
I clenched my eyes shut and bit down on a groan. Why, oh why, didn't I stop myself from coming in here?
3
I was still staring, unseeing, at the shelves of books in front of me, quietly trying to figure out what I was going to do. Admittedly, it was pretty rude of me to barge into someone's room just because the door was open in the first place. Getting caught made it that much worse. Especially when I was supposed to be avoiding Talys.
"I thought this was the library," I blurted out.
"Did you really? Look at me, Vera." Talys rolled my name over his tongue so silkily it sent shivers down my spine. "Unless you can't, that is."
With a faint flush building in my cheeks, I slowly turned around, trying to keep my expression neutral. Talys was still shirtless—because of course he was—and lounging his perfectly sculpted form on a large, plush pillow.
It was like he hoarded enough sex appeal for twenty men all to himself, and it was starting to become irritating. Mostly because I'd never blushed this much in my life and he seemed to enjoy it far too much.
When he said nothing as our eyes met, I fidgeted, cleared my throat, then splayed out my hands. "Well, there you have it, I turned around. Sorry for intruding. I'll just . . . be leaving now."
He bit down on his lower lip and cocked his head to the side, those glowing eyes transfixed on mine, following them even as I tried to avoid his stare.
"Why did you come in here, Vera?"
As the blush in my cheeks deepened and his smirk grew in response, I narrowed my eyes. My name was like a weapon when it came from his mouth and he definitely knew it.
"I told you, I thought this was the—"
"Spare me the lie. I can see right through you, remember?"
I sniffed. "Sorry, but you've got it wrong this time."
"I'm never wrong when it comes to women."
Talys rose to his feet, muscles rippling beneath his skin in a way that left a groan in my throat. I clamped down on it, refusing to give him the satisfaction. As he approached, the cloth around his waist came dangerously close to revealing what was underneath with each step. I quickly looked away, trying to scrub the image of his muscled thighs from my mind. And failing. Especially when his intoxicating scent settled around me.
I studied the wall to my left with an intensity that one would normally reserve for, say, disarming a bomb—but that was how it felt to be so close to him at this very moment. Like the smallest mistake would make everything explode. Worst of all, I didn't know what that explosion would mean. Would it be me taking a tumble in that luxurious bed of his?
"Just admit you're curious about me," he coaxed, taking a step closer.
"Yeah, sure." I smiled wide. "I'm curious as to how your ego got so big."
"How could it not be?"
I arched a brow, asking him to explain with a look. A crooked smile curved his lips in response. Alarm bells rang shrill in my mind, my expression blanking as he leaned forward, lips hovering close to mine.
I swallowed a curse as my breathing began to quicken. Pull away, I told myself. But I stayed, my eyelids urging me to let them fall shut. To lean forward and press my lips to his. Just as my eyes began to drift closed, Talys chuckled softly.
"Do you understand now?" he whispered. "Why wouldn't I be confident when I can make a woman like you tremble with merely the thought of a kiss?"
Incensed at being manipulated, yet again, I jerked my head away and took a few steps back, reaching out to steady myself against the bookshelf behind me. He moved forward in an instant, pinning me back against the books. I stared up at him in shock but he did nothing for several heartbeats. I swallowed, my throat strangely dry.
Then he touched a hand to my lower back. A jolt traveled down my spine, my back jerking in response. His smile grew and his hand began to slide, following the curves of my body until he reached the pocket of my jeans.
Coming to my senses, I suddenly pushed against his chest with a scowl. "Don't get handsy with me, Ambassador. Is this how you build relations with other planets? Seems like someone of your position would know better."
Talys pulled away, that infuriating smile still in place. "On the contrary, Vera, I've found the right touch is a most effective way of building relations."
"W-well, not with me," I countered with a huff, trying to avoid his gaze. I didn't want him to see the fierce blush that had extended down my neck and to my chest, which seemed to be permanently stained red when he was around.
"I didn't mean to offend," he replied with a layer of silk in his voice, "I only wanted to retrieve this."
I frowned. Retrieve what?
That was when it hit me. Far too late. I quickly whipped my head up to look at him. Talys was holding his sash. The sash I'd been carrying around with me ever since he gave it to me earlier. Judging by the knowing look in his expression, he had all sorts of ideas to explain why I'd kept it. I wanted to crawl into a hole. Why hadn't I just left it in my room?
"Would you rather keep it?" He held the sash out, a faint smile toying at his lips.
"N-no! I forgot I even had it," I nearly shouted, desperate to have my own explanation out there. In truth, I hadn't really forgotten. But I couldn't explain why I'd kept it either. All I knew was I'd rather not think about it, or have Talys thinking about it either.
"Of course you did," Talys murmured as he dropped the sash on his bed, the shiny cream fabric standing out against the smooth, maroon-colored blanket. I tore my eyes away as fast as I could. I couldn't look anywhere when he was around without getting hot under the collar, could I? How unfair was it that even his bed was attractive?
"I have to go." The words came out in a rush. I couldn't look Talys in the eyes. Not right now. My body felt as if it was on fire and his very presence was only fanning the flames. I needed out of here, and now.
"Where, exactly?" he asked with a chuckle.
"Somewhere else." I stepped around the source of my torment and his hand shot out to gently encircle my wrist. His fingers were soft and cool—another reminder of just how flushed my body was.
Talys leaned to my side, bringing his lips close to my ear. "You would feel so much better if you stopped denying yourself."
"I feel perfectly fine," I ground out, trying to mask the tremble in my voice with anger. "Whatever I'm feeling has nothing to do with you."
"Fair enough." In a flash, his hand was gone and his presence was noticeably absent. I didn't bother to look at where he'd gone, I was simply thankful that he'd moved, because I didn't know how much longer I could keep my guard up. I fled the room without looking back.
It felt like I'd been hiding in my room for an eternity, with nothing but my mortified thoughts to keep me company, when a knock sounded at my door. I had a feeling that meant it wasn't Talys. Something told me he wasn't the type to knock on his own ship.
The screen beside my door flickered and Artos appeared on it, waving. "I just came to make sure you aren't bored out of your skull, or that you haven't hatched any devious plans."
I snorted out a laugh and pulled myself up from the bed. I walked over to the door and fiddled with the screen until it opened.
"There you are." Artos beamed at me in greeting, his silver eyes bright and cheerful. "Would you like to join me in the lounge? I figure you must be tired of
staring at the walls by now."
I let out a long breath as I stepped into the hallway. "It was some much-needed wall-staring."
"How so?" he asked with a laugh.
I paused, remembering his earlier warnings. The ones about not wandering, and not letting Talys get in my head. I'd failed on both fronts. So, I shook my head and said, "Oh, no real reason. It's just been an overwhelming day."
"I would imagine so." Artos and I walked down the hallway together, side by side, in silence for a moment before he turned to me. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry things didn't work out with Ambassador Elyos."
"But you're not that sorry," I replied with a wry laugh.
He stopped in his tracks, frowning. "No, I truly am. I don't think it's right that you've been stripped of your free will. If it wouldn't endanger my livelihood and Talys's, I would be happy to help you, but that's not a risk either of us can take."
"You keep on saying that."
"Saying what, exactly?"
"That you can't take the risk."
"Because we can't."
"Elyos was going to, and he's in the same position as Talys, right?"
"But he didn't follow through, did he?"
I swallowed thickly and nodded. "I guess not."
Maybe I really was screwed. I hadn't given Elyos missing our meetup much thought in the time I'd been there. What would happen if I even managed to get to him once we landed on Nexion 6? Would he still help me, or was I better off just running for it and hoping for the best? Being a street urchin on Nexion 6 did sound a whole lot better than living under the thumb of the Korysti.
"You're doing that thing again," Artos said as we made our way inside the lounge. "It concerns me."
"What thing?"
"You get this look on your face like you're hatching something in your mind. A plan, perhaps."
