by Maia Starr
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 what 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?”
Melinda couldn’t answer, and I sighed, fumbling in my pocket for the elixir that would provide the female’s body with a full range of motion.
“Tell me,” I repeated. “Do you understand?”
Melinda’s eyes narrowed, and she stood shakily from my throne.
“Yes,” she said hoarsely. “I understand.”
Melinda seemed very angry, and we stared at each other firmly, the electricity between us crackling.
“Good,” I said evenly, lifting my communications bangle to my lips. “Let us commence the landing.”
Melinda and I stood together until the turbulence threw her off her feet. I cringed and caught her before she harmed herself on the ground, and she looked at me strangely.
“Are you all right, female?” I asked her, helping her to her feet as the turbulence shook the ship.
“I’ll be fine,” she said haughtily.
I guided her back to the seat and strapped her in again.
“Just until the landing,” I promised.
She said nothing, and glared over my shoulder and avoided my gaze.
I sighed irritably and stalked out of the room, bracing myself against the wall as the ship continued to make its way into Jenal’k’s atmosphere.
Finally, we came to a stop, and the ship began to hiss as it depressurized.
“We have made it successfully back to Jenal’k,” Jerd informed me through the communications device.
“Good,” I said. “I shall retrieve the human.”
***
The crowd at the landing site cheered and threw ceremonial Hur’da in the air, coloring the sky with bright, glittering tassels. The human stared up at the sky as the colors rained down on us, her beautiful eyes shining as she took in the brilliant sight. It was a view I never grew tired of, and it happened rarely enough that it felt special every time it happened. As Supreme Leader, it was rare for me to leave my station on Jenal’k. But desperate times called for desperate measures.
“Welcome back, Supreme Leader Aloitus! I see your quest to retrieve the female was successful!”
Lera’k shoved his microphone at me, and I smiled graciously, though I was actually very anxious to get the whole event over with and disappear into the palace with the human.
“Yes, it was successful,” I said. “Now if you will excuse us, I would like to help the female get settled into the palace.”
“Of course! Are you free for an interview later?”
“Of course, Lera’k. Get in touch with my publicist as always.”
Lera’k nodded enthusiastically, and I turned my back to the deafening cheers and continued into the palace, the female at my side.
“Whoa,” she breathed when we walked through the arching doorway. I felt a surge of pride. Yes, the palace was magnificent. Much more beautiful than any of the buildings on Earth. Thressl’n architecture was sublime. It had to be to cope with the drastic climate on Jenal’k.
“Were you all right out there, female?” I asked. “We are in the Red Deserts of Armath. Most humans find the climate in the mountains to be more pleasurable.”
“Actually, I was fine,” Melinda said, refusing to look at me. I didn’t know whether to take her at her word or assume she was just trying to get out of having any sort of conversation with me.
“Is that right?” I persisted.
“Yes,” she said, turning her sharp green eyes on me. I felt frozen for a moment as her beautiful brow furrowed. “I vacationed in the deserts on Earth. My mother was a native.”
“I see,” I said, relieved that this female wasn’t just attempting to brush me off. “Then you should find the climate in the Red Desert suitable.”
“Nothing about this is suitable,” she said sharply. I thanked the gods that we were already inside the palace and away from the press. Knowing that the Supreme Leader had chosen to associate himself with a defiant,
crude human would be tabloid fodder if there ever was any.
“Let me show you to your room,” I said, choosing to ignore her bitter remark. I could hardly blame her agitation. She was a highly coveted female in the universe, and she didn’t know her role in the grand scheme of things. And frankly, I was in no position to tell her anything about my plans. It was too soon. If she knew, they might backfire. There was no telling whether or not she had any allegiance to the King of Vellreq. We would have to keep her under careful surveillance until her true feelings were clear.
“Whatever,” Melinda sighed, striding beside me. She was so near that I could have reached out and touched her, but something deep inside of me prevented it. She had a cool air about her; a sophistication that made me want to keep my distance and admire her from afar. Perhaps learn more about her so I could slowly make my move to claim her.
The way Melinda carried herself was so unlike the other humans who had thrown themselves at me upon learning that I was the leader of this planet; she seemed to want little to do with me. It was strange; I was so used to being praised and coveted that the opposite was almost a thrill to me. I had to have her. There was no doubt.
“Here it is,” I said, clearing my throat and ducking into the biggest guest bedroom in the palace. It was, in my opinion, also the most beautiful room of all, outside of my own bedroom and the office in which I worked most of my days.
Melinda seemed unimpressed, however, and sat dully on the edge of the bed with a heavy sigh.
“I’d really like to be alone for a while,” she said, studying her hands. “This is all kind of overwhelming.”
“Of course,” I said, bowing courteously. “Peko will attend to you.”
I snapped my fingers and Peko appeared. She stood in the doorway, her eyes narrowed as she judged the human female in the room.
“Peko, this is Melinda. She is our special guest, and I expect you to take good care of her. This is for the good of our people, do you understand? I am entrusting you with a sacred task.”
Melinda looked up from her hands and gazed at me, confusion, or maybe curiosity, etched on her face. Still, she said nothing until Peko bowed at her.
“Greetings to you, my lady.”
“Don’t call me that,” Melinda said, though she didn’t say it unkindly. Peko straightened her back up and looked from Melinda to me, unsure of how to proceed.
“What would you like to be called then?” I asked her, easing Peko’s burden.
“Just call me by my name,” she said. “Melinda.”
“Of course, my…Melinda,” Peko said, bowing deeply. “My apologies.”
“All right then,” I said. “I will leave you two alone. I will be back soon to pick you up for the celebration.”
“Celebration?” Melinda asked, her face falling. “You kidnap me from my home, and now you’re going to celebrate it in front of me?”
I suddenly felt nervous, being on the receiving end of this beautiful female’s wrath. What was I to say to ease her temper? Was there anything?
“I…perhaps in time you will come to understand my reasons,” I managed to grumble. “Be ready when I come for you.”
I slammed the bedroom door shut and leaned against it. Never had a female ever left me feeling so tired.
But this was the only way. I would just have to do my best to stay on track and continue on with the plan. Whether the female liked me or not.
***
“Supreme Leader Aloitus!” Zerk’k Arkti exclaimed, rushing toward me and bowing deeply.
“Greetings to you, Second in Command,” I said.
“I’ve been in touch with the Commander of the Fleet,” Zerk’k said, bowing again. “I feel as if I owe you an apology. All this time, I thought…”
“Nonsense, Zerk’k,” I said, touching his shoulder and urging him to rise. “You are not to blame.”
“But sir—”
“I’m proud to have such men working under me. It only proves that Fate has not abandoned the Thressl’n yet. We shall rise stronger than before.”
“Yes, sir,” Zerk’k said, though his eyes were still downcast in shame.
“Come now,” I said with a frown. “Do not waste time on regret. How were you to know my plan to combat the Vellreq when you were forming your opinion of me? This is my burden alone. There is much to do. Make it up to me by working harder than you ever have before. It is crucial to the survival of our species.”
“Of course. Where would you like me to begin?”
“I need you to help me locate Laike Ostra’ki.”
“Repair and Maintenance?” Zerk’k asked, puzzled. “I thought he—”
“He left, and nobody informed me, probably to protect him. But I feel if we explain the whole of the situation to him, he will return. We need his expertise.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Zerk’k said dubiously. “But Chaz’z was always closer to Laike than anybody else. They could talk ships all day long.”
“Then tell the Commander of the Fleet to send out a search party and bring Laike back. We need him now more than ever. And send him my most humble apologies for allowing my engineers to take credit for his work. I understand why he left. I fully intend to make it up to him.”
“Of course, sir.”
“Can I expect to see you at the celebration?” I asked. I had always quite liked Zerk’k Arkti. He was an upright man, who always did what was right. Of course, my training as Supreme Leader had left me alienated from the other Thressl’n, and despite being bred to be quite insufferable to most because of my extreme focus on Jenal’k’s affairs, Zerk’k had always done his best to be patient with me. If all went well, I would reward him with the highest of honors.
“Of course, sir,” Zerk’k said, bowing once again at me. I bowed to him as well by way of saying goodbye, and continued to my quarters to get ready for the celebration.
But the truth was that I did not feel very much like celebrating at all. Not when there was so much going wrong in the universe. And, even as we readied the lights and music and feasts, the Vellreq were probably plotting their revenge.
***
“Commander Arkti?” Peko’s voice squeaked from my communications device.
I sighed, shrugging on my best suit jacket.
“Yes?”
“We have something of a situation here.”
“What kind of a situation?” I demanded. Getting these cuff links on by myself was hard enough without having to try to carry on a pointless conversation.
“The female does not want to attend the festivities. She is feeling unwell.”
“Unwell?” I asked. “Or unreasonable?”
Peko was quiet for a moment before replying, “Perhaps both? Maybe you can speak to her. The Thressl’n are really counting on meeting her tonight. It would boost morale considering what’s to come.”
“Of course,” I sighed. “Just let me finish getting ready, will you?”
“Of course, sir,” Peko said.
“And try to get her dressed!”
“Yes, sir,” Peko said, clicking off from the communications device.
I growled in frustration. If the human wasn’t going to be cooperative, the night might very well blow up in all of our faces. I had been hoping to use her as a way to rally support from the Thressl’n. Get them in the mood to protect the humans at all costs. But I couldn’t tell her what I was planning yet. The reality would be too frightening.
I finally finished putting my suit on and gave myself a look in the mirror. The only thing I was missing was the robe and crown, and I held the delicate crown in my hands for a few moments. It might be that I would soon have to pass this crown on to Zerk’k. I didn’t know whether or not I would survive the impending attacks. I stroked the intricate designs, made with a beautiful precious metal called Grallos that shone white, copper, and blue when under the light of the three suns. It had been an honor to wear the crown up until now.
But this was no time to be senti
mental. If my plan was going to be executed without a hitch, that would mean I would have to force the human female to submit to my authority much sooner than I had hoped. As much as it pained me to make her fear me, it seemed there was no other option. She would either obey or be damned. The choice was hers.
Chapter 3
Melinda Jefferson (Daughter of the Prime Minister)
I winced when I heard a fist pound on the doorway of the bedroom. It betrayed me by hissing open immediately and revealing the Supreme Leader.
My heart thudded at the sight of him. He was dressed elegantly; far more so than any of the costumes I had ever seen on Earth. The suit he was wearing clung to his powerfully muscular body in all the right places, and he was wearing a beautiful, elegant crown that accentuated the fine, chiseled features of his face.
“I hear there’s an issue, Earthling. Please, tell me what is troubling you so we are not late to the event.”
“I…don’t want to go,” I stammered. “I would just like to rest.”
Aloitus sighed deeply and looked down at the floor pensively before looking up at me, his face composed despite his obvious impatience.
“I understand. I would like nothing more than the same. Unfortunately, it is my duty to lead my people, the Thressl’n, and try to keep them happy. What they expect is an appearance by their leader and the female who is to be a fixture in the palace from this time onward.”
I cringed. I didn’t want to be a fixture. Beautiful or not, this palace was not my home. The Thressl’n were not my people. I had gone from being one alien’s prisoner to another, and now I was to be paraded in front of the people of this strange planet. At least the Vellreq were relatively private about their affairs. We attended formal dinners with leaders from all over Earth, but those were mostly organized by my father. The Vellreq preferred not to rub elbows with the humans. Probably because we were considered lower lifeforms.
“If I am to be a fixture then there will be plenty of time for gawkers to catch a glimpse of me,” I said, frowning defiantly. “What is the hurry?”
