by Alana Khan
“You’re right,” I interrupt. That would be poor manners on either of our planets.
“The ludus is huge and impersonal... How about the solarium in the empty wing? We could move a small table and chairs in there. It’s good manners on Earth for you to pull out her chair for her, then seat yourself. You could watch the stars with Nova. Very romantic.”
I freeze for a moment, both panicked and instantly aroused. When I inspect Grace’s expression, though, I think I may have misunderstood. “I think that last word translated badly. Did you mean to say intercourse?”
“No. That’s absolutely not what romantic means. It means sweet and meaningful; women love that. It’s when a guy shows the woman she’s important to him and he dresses up and arranges the date with care. You could do all those things for Nova.”
“I’m certain Maddie would make us something special to eat.” I’m excited and full of hope that I can accomplish this. “I already have that awful suit you found for me in the abandoned wing, I could dress up. Perhaps Petra could cut my hair…”
“Might I suggest, Dr. Drayke, that you leave your hair?”
“I’ve let it get too long. I’ve been distracted. It’s not a respectful length to court a female.”
“Dr. Drayke, every woman on board has mentioned how great your hair looks. Let me suggest more firmly; don’t cut it.”
My hand reaches to my hair, currently tied in a bunch at the nape of my neck. I’m embarrassed. “Every woman on board?”
“Earth girls talk, Drayke. Be lucky you aren’t privy to everything we say. All I’ll tell you is...we all think your hair is hot.”
I’ve seen the females blush, their pale skin turns pink. Blue-skinned Dacians aren’t capable of blushing, but if we did, I would be fuchsia right now.
“I had no idea.”
“Let’s keep it a secret. You don’t have to divulge to any of the women that I tattled.” Grace has a happy smile on her face.
“Okay, it’s our secret.” It’s so good to see Grace relax and have fun. She’s so much happier now that she’s mated to Tyree.
I find Maddie and make arrangements for dinner. I ensure there will be no soup and nothing for Nova to cut. I’m certain that would embarrass her. I hurry back to medbay with enough breakfast for four hungry people.
Nova
I startle myself awake, realize I’m in medbay on the Lazy Slacker, then immediately reach over for the doctor. He’s not there, thank goodness. Oh my God, what was I thinking last night? My brain runs a quick replay of everything that happened, from my brazen request he join me in bed to the most blazing, sensual kiss I could ever imagine.
Had he pressured the slightest bit, I would have opened myself to him. I have no doubt he was as turned on as I was. But he didn’t make a move, not the slightest hint of impropriety. I initially pegged him as a villain, but I’ve reassessed. He’s a quality male.
But sexual attraction or not, I’ve got to put that behind me. My life on Earth was stolen from me. I’ve lived the last two years in abject fear as if every day might be my last. Now I’ve gotten a reprieve, it’s as if I’ve been reborn. I have to make the most of it. I can’t just hook up with the first male who isn’t beating me up or threatening me. Just because he’s kind and great looking doesn’t mean I have to be consumed with him
I need to focus on myself and my healing. This arm is going to require a great deal of physical therapy. I’ll need a lot of mental healing as well. You can’t live in a cell as someone else’s property and be forced to fight for your very existence, and then waltz out of that life with no residual effects.
I’m going to have to discover who I am when I’m not a slave being ordered about. I’m going to have to find a way to be of help onboard this ship, my new home. I need to discover tiny, mundane things about myself I’ve never been given the chance to find out, like what I really want for breakfast, or when I want to turn the lights out at night. This seems like such a challenge and like child’s play at the same time.
Okay world, get ready for Nova; here I come. The appealing Dr. Drayke and all his charms are officially in my rearview mirror.
Of course, he has to choose this very moment to knock on the door. When he enters, he’s got a tray heaped with breakfast.
“Maddie says it’s ‘almost human food’ she picked up on Bellona. She says you’ll love it unless you are a ‘veteran’.”
“Veteran?”
“Yes, she explained it. A veteran is someone who doesn’t eat flesh or eggs.”
Oh, vegetarian! He’s so freaking adorable I can’t stand it.
“I’m liking this Maddie person, when do I get to meet her?”
“We’ve got work to do in medbay for the rest of the morning. There’s a new chemical compound I read about that’s supposed to speed healing in a limb reattachment by up to twenty percent. Then we’re going to lunch in the dining room. You’ll meet Maddie and most everyone else on the ship...unless that sounds like too much? You don’t have to. Perhaps it was a bad idea?”
He’s so concerned about my comfort. Something tells me he might not be this solicitous with all his patients.
“How’s your pain? Do you need another shot?”
I gingerly tap the surgical site over the gauze wrapping, then wince. Before I even ask for something, he’s typing instructions into his medpad. The medbot has a great bedside manner and numbs the injection site right before it administers the shot—painless.
“Help me out, could you tell me what I’m supposed to call you? Everyone calls you doc or doctor or Dr. Drayke or Drayke. After last night...the doctor stuff seems a bit formal.”
“How thoughtless of me. Call me Drayke, Nova. I’m sorry I didn’t offer sooner.”
“No biggie. So what’s this new procedure you have in store for me?”
He invites me into his lab and begins doing the whole mad scientist beaker-and-ingredient-thing. Flashes of the old black and white Frankenstein movie pop into my head. He suddenly looks up and it’s like the first time he’s ever laid eyes on me.
“You’re almost naked,” he says with as much amazement as if he just discovered the formula for nuclear fusion.
“I’m actually not almost naked, I’m wearing a very sexy hospital gown.” Funny how some things at the other end of the galaxy are so different from Earth, and other things, like this crappy hospital gown, are just as homely and well-ventilated as they are a million miles away.
“Would you like some clothes?”
“That would be wonderful. Got some?”
“I’m certain one of the women could find you some leggings, that’s what they all wear. Let’s see how this procedure goes before we exchange your lab gown for something less accessible.”
Now his eyes are doing a mental inventory of me. Inspecting me up and down. He’s gotten very quiet and I can see his Adam’s apple bobbing. His face gets pinched; it’s clear he’s struggling with something.
“Don’t worry about the clothes, Drayke. I’m fine in the gown. I’ve fought naked in front of huge crowds dozens of times. This is positively modest.”
His face becomes even tighter, the bobbing Adam’s apple accelerates and a soft groan escapes his lips. His gaze returns to the beaker in his hand, but he’s not moving. His throat is still convulsing.
“Drayke, you okay?”
He clears his throat, then slowly meets my eyes. “I’m very attracted to you, Nova. Very…” Long pause, this clearly isn’t easy for him. “When I think of all those males seeing you without clothes…” He shuts his eyes for a moment and shudders. “I want to burn the stadium to the ground.”
It would strike me as funny if he wasn’t so damned earnest. He’s such a gentle male, more brains than brawn. And yet here he is, directing all his male aggression at people who saw me naked. It warms my heart. I’ve never been on the receiving end of anyone’s protective instincts. I know it shouldn’t, but this makes me feel safe. I want to bask in this emotion, yet the idea of
trusting anyone to take care of me chills me to the marrow.
I draw my thoughts back to the conversation. “Those days are over, Drayke. I’m not looking back. Maybe you shouldn’t either.”
Dr. Drayke sun Omrun
My cock is so hard it could dent the metal lab table. I’ve got the loincloth bound so tightly it’s cutting off my circulation. Luckily Nova hasn’t noticed that I’ve done the same experiment three times, but had to repeat it because I’ve measured incorrectly. I can’t keep my thoughts on anything but her.
Because of the bonding, all of my senses are more acute. Lord God Anteros certainly knew what he was doing when he created my species. Everything happening with me right now is in service to the continued procreation of the race.
My sense of smell is keener so I can smell her from three rooms away. My sight is more astute so I can drink in each detail of her face and expressions, as well as appreciate every inch of her female form. My body is on fire for her every minute of the day. The only respite my cock has given me was when I napped last night.
I can’t fathom how I can endure this for even a few more days, much less weeks. I glance at her expression and see I’m scaring her. She must know something is wrong. I pull my attention back to the chemicals on the counter and try to make the solution correctly this time.
Nova
I think Drayke has a major crush on me. Come to think of it, I’m developing one on him, too. But I’ve got other, more important things to focus on. I need to do everything in my power to heal my arm. Drayke is failing at this experiment. I think I’m distracting him.
“Let me know when you need me,” I tell him as I wander into the adjoining exam room.
About an hour later he calls me into the lab.
“I’ve made the chemical compound and formulated it into a salve. I’ve double-checked everything; it’s made correctly. I applied it to my own skin; it seems harmless. The worst it could do is nothing. Want to try it?”
“Sure, if it’ll make me heal faster.”
I sit next to him and he cuts off the thick gauze bandage, then grabs some of the yellowish goo to apply to the shockingly gross wound. He seems to think better of it.
“Perhaps you should rub this on, Nova. I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”
I’m paralyzed. I just sit here and swallow. Even thinking of touching the puckered red flesh disgusts me. I’ve fought huge muscular gladiators in the open sands of many arenas, but crap, I’m incapable of doing this.
“I can’t,” I croak out in a whisper. “I don’t want to touch it.”
He looks at me with true compassion, then moves into action. He puts on a glove, just like on Earth, and gently applies the salve.
“Thanks, Drayke. That didn’t hurt at all.”
He looks relieved.
“When will this feeling go away? I find my own arm...repulsive.”
He reaches out, almost strokes my hair, then snatches his hand back. “I know we’ve only recently met, but I’m beginning to know who you are. You’re strong, Nova. I’m certain you’ll get most or possibly all of your mobility and dexterity back. You’ll just look, what do the females call it? Badass. You’ll look badass, Nova.”
I laugh. The way he pronounced it sounded like a bad Arnold Schwarzenegger imitation. Bahd ahss.
“You’re right, doc. I’ll look bahd ahss.”
All of a sudden I’m swept with gratitude. I could have lost my life on Bellona. But instead, I’m safe from a future of forced battle. I’m surrounded by a crew of strangers willing to help me, no questions asked.
I’m a free woman on a fast ship with a bunch of nice people. I’m safe for the moment and my arm has been reattached by a good doctor. They tell me I’ll never have to fight again unless I want to, which I don’t—ever.
I start mentally designing a Bahd Ahss armband tattoo to camouflage the scar. I’ve never had a tattoo before, but I promise myself I’ll get one the next planet we touchdown on.
~.~
Grace showed up at medbay with a couple pair of black leggings and a few extra-large T-shirts. The dress is pretty casual around here, I’m certainly not underdressed.
Drayke walked me to the mess hall, got to within twenty feet of the door, then hurriedly told me he forgot something in the lab. His lip was curled, and if I didn’t know better I’d think he was growling. I know something was wrong, but he bolted before I could ask.
There are too many new people to meet. Granted, I’d already been introduced to Grace and a few of the other women. The dash to the ship after my arm was cut off is a total blur. Even though I saw some of these huge alien males, I can’t recall anything about them.
I’ve been on countless planets since my abduction from Earth; I think I’ve seen most of these species before. There’s the male whose skin looks like silver metal, the hulk whose neck is as thick around as my waist, the huge, pale Norse God, and others. There’s a lot of battle scars among them—what you’d expect from a bunch of gladiators.
I’m more comfortable with the males than the females. I’ve spent my life in the company of fighting males, and the last two years rubbing elbows with a bunch of alien gladiators like these. I can swear in twenty different languages. I know how to elbow my way to the food in any mess hall.
I know nothing about prom dresses or lipstick or chick flicks. I suddenly feel inadequate to carry on a conversation with any of the Earth girls.
“Hi, I’m Petra,” a tiny platinum blond says as she sits across from me at my table.
“Hi,” I say. Why do I sound shy?
“We’re so glad you came out of that alive.” She pointedly glances at my gauze-covered arm. “Dax can’t quit bragging about how brave and strong you are. Glad to have you aboard.” She gives me genuine smile.
A huge, muscled guy with a prosthetic arm and carrying a tray piled with food comes to sit next to her.
“Girls only today, Shadow.” She smiles at him sweetly. “I imagine poor Nova’s had enough gladiator swearing and farting and bragging for a while.” He lets out a grunt around the roll stuffed in his mouth, then shambles over to another table without a word of protest.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“Sometimes we girls just need a little female energy. I do hair. I might even give you a mani-pedi if you ask real nice.” She laughs.
I’m not sure what to make of her. She’s so happy and full of energy. I touch my hair with my good hand. “Does it look terrible?”
“No. Actually it’s in great shape, thick and shiny. Maybe they actually put something nutritious in those shitty-tasting bars they fed us when we were in captivity. I was just offering to style it if you’re in the mood for something different.”
“I’m in the mood for something different in every way possible, Petra. I’m trying to put the last two years in my rear-view mirror. Thanks for the offer.”
Several other women join us. Everyone is kind and interested in how I’m doing. They all express concern about my arm.
Maddie brings a plate directly to my table. Everything is already cut for me. She’s super nice in a motherly way. She informs me the meat on my plate “tastes like chicken,” and winks. One thing I’ve found in the years since I left Earth, nothing tastes like chicken.
After lunch, the room clears out fast. Grace approaches me and says Drayke asked her to accompany me back to medbay.
“Do you want the full tour of the ship on the way back?”
“Thanks, but my head is spinning with all the introductions. I think I’ve seen enough for today. I’m already on overload. I’m sure I’ll see everything in a day or two. To be honest, my arm is throbbing. I guess I overdid it.”
“Okay, let’s just take it nice and easy and get you back to your bed.”
“Can I ask you a few things?” There was a lot of information I picked up during lunch. Now I have more questions than answers.
“Sure, shoot.”
“If I got things straight, it’s been a
little over two months since all you females were abducted, right?”
“Yes, everyone but Petra, who came on about three weeks after the rest of us.”
“So, maybe I’m wrong, but it seemed like everyone at lunch was paired up except for me. How did everything move so fast? Is it like speed dating or what?”
Grace’s steps slow, she thinks for a long moment. “There were ten gladiators on this ship, all slaves, on their way to auction. Their captors abducted ten females and randomly threw one of us into each of their cells. Within half an hour we were ordered to...have intercourse with our cellmate upon threat of them activating our pain/kill collars. Everyone got up-close-and-personal in very short order.”
“So everyone’s a part of a couple?”
“Not exactly. Even though the ‘couples’ still sit together at dinner and maybe still have sex, they maintain separate quarters. Most people are still figuring out if it’s true attraction or just proximity. Tyree and I are mates, as are Zar and Anya, as well as Shadow and Petra.”
Not everything she says makes sense. “So Zar became the Captain after the insurrection, Axxios became pilot, and Drayke…?”
Her face goes on lockdown, her pace quickens and she speeds ahead. “You should probably ask him about that, Nova. Here we are, medbay. I’ll see you later.” She dashes off without a backward glance.
Chapter Six
Nova
“Nova, wake up,” Drayke’s tone is soft, relaxed. “If you stay in bed longer you’ll disturb your sleep cycle.”
I don’t remember falling asleep. Lunch took more out of me than I realized. “How long was I out?”
“Two Earth hours. You must have been tired. How’s your arm?”
“It was throbbing earlier, but I’m fine now.”
“Do you need more painkiller? Want me to take a look at it?”
