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Etterian battleship Phoenix
Their shared quarters.
Illan shook Macy awake. “Come, ohara, Quin’s shuttle was shot down.”
“What?” she squeaked, blinking at him.
“I journey now to Lysara, and you are coming with me.”
“Why?” she moaned, swinging her legs off the bed she now shared with him.
“I refuse to leave you alone without myself or Oyaz to ensure you stay out of trouble.”
She harumphed but pushed herself to her feet. “What time is it?”
“Late.” Illan shoved clothes at her—a silent request to hurry up.
Stomping past him, she disappeared into the bathroom, all the while grumbling about having to go anywhere. What about her was untrustworthy? And what could she get up to on a battleship this huge? But she emerged in her jeans, a flowing blouse in brilliant sky-blue, then flopped into the closest comfy to slide on matching slippers.
Along passages they hurtled. She stayed close on his heels, especially when he took routes she’d never been on. They breached a massive warehouse lined with the same dull gray panels. This time, in the center of wall-mounted crates stood a shuttle. Males veered around it, performing their tasks. In the door of the shuttle waited a grim-faced Oyaz.
“Good.” He closed the door the moment she passed him.
Illan strapped her to a seat, and while the shuttle vibrated as it powered up, she stared at the display vids showing the pilot aiming for the bay doors opening onto the vast expanse of space. She gaped. Sure, the viewing deck showed the stars and planets, but in her mind, she could dismiss it as a movie or documentary. Faced with traveling through space within the thin metal walls of a box... Tingles chilled her spine, traversing to her toes then returning to her ears with a wealth of heat. Lord above, she wasn’t designed to be an astronaut. If the shit hit the fan, she wouldn’t know how to survive.
Illan grabbed her hand. Just like that, tension oozed out of her, and she cast him a grateful smile. But with nothing to look at but Oyaz, a few Etterians, Iddan, and Illan, her gaze strayed back to the display vids.
There, zooming toward them was a green planet. Her breath hitched. Bry-dar and Myn-ras had claimed their homeworld was wonderful. She couldn’t agree more. Green oceans, purple land, and cream-colored clouds made for a breathtaking planet.
“Initiating quarantine,” the pilot called.
She cast a glance at Illan, but he was immobile, his eyes closed while expressions crossed his face. Talking to Quin, no doubt. When she tried to free her hand, he released her. She had nowhere to go since she was strapped to a death box careening this way and that to Lysara.
“Quarantine?” she asked Oyaz.
“Lysara is dying. King Sy-mar is trying to save it by limiting foreign bacteria and diseases.”
“Dying?” She studied the world, now realizing the brown spots were dead zones. The great purple trees didn’t grow there, and parts of the landscape were desert-like. Myn-ras had said something to that effect, about their women losing hope. Macy understood hopelessness, desperation, and fear.
“When they mate, the euphoria experienced triggers the rain. Fewer fulfillments mean less rain.” Illan stated this in a matter-of-fact tone.
Euphoria? Fulfillments? Did they mean orgasms? She cupped her mouth, blinking at him. “Wow. On Earth, it would rain every second of the day.”
“Yes, which is why Bry-dar and Myn-ras are so enamored with you, ohara.”
“Right. Earthian females can ‘save’ the universe.” She tugged on the strap digging into her hip and rested her head against the wall. This human had yet to save anyone.
When the shuttle touched down, the door opened onto a wide platform. Surrounding it was nothing but clouds. Warmth from the yellow sky kissed her cheeks when she trailed Illan into an elevator. They whooshed down, clouds engulfing the glass structure and closing in on her. She struggled to breathe, sucking in great gulps of air while clinging to Oyaz’s arm. Dizziness spun her vision. Nausea churned her gut, threatening to spill her stomach contents.
“Macy, look at me.” Oyaz’s voice reached through her panic.
She blinked her eyes open, then glanced at the clouds. Her life would end here. She would be trapped in this capsule forever. Heat flooded her face even as she shivered.
“Macy, ensa, stare into my eyes.”
Oyaz’s calmness was an oasis of peace. She dragged her gaze from the clouds.
“Good. Now mimic my breathing.” He demonstrated a deep inhale and a slow exhale. She tried to copy him, her dizziness fading the more she breathed. When her gaze strayed, he would speak her name and snag her focus. The grip he had on her shoulders kept her from sliding to the floor.
“Look.” Illan pointed.
The glass pod halted on another platform, but this time, a forest spread out. Birds peppered the sky, along with gigantic whale-like creatures in the distance. The air was sweet, crisp, and she drew in gulps of it, quelling her nausea.
“It’s spectacular.” She squeezed Oyaz’s elbows, thanking him while asking for release. He stepped aside, granting her a wider view of Lysara.
Striding toward them were a few Lysarans. One stood out. Gold threads entwined his braids. He was taller than Myn-ras, and regal, his movements graceful. And he had the same swirling amber eyes.
“Greetings from Lysara.” He swept his hand to the side in welcome. “Your Supreme Commander is being monitored.”
“Thank you, Kuna Sy-mar. I am certain with your assistance, no harm shall befall him and his unit.” Oyaz dipped his head.
Illan did the same. “How long will it take to retrieve them, my king?”
“You mistake me. They are monitored. I have not dispatched my males to mount a rescue.”
“What?” Macy whispered. Quin was missing, lost somewhere in the wilds of Lysara. And this man...male...king had done nothing? She scowled as she scanned the platform, wondering how she could get off the damn thing and into the forest. With Oyaz and Illan beside her, she could find her friend. It’s what Quin would do had their roles been reversed.
“I am bewitched,” the king said, capturing Macy’s chin in his heated palm.
She gasped, slicing her focus from the platform to his face. The urge to jerk away from him stiffened her muscles, but Illan shook his head.
“What manner of species are you?” The king tilted up her chin. “Beautiful, intriguing, so passionate.” He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath, dipping to sniff her. “Sweet, spicy, exotic, and...” Lowering his hand, he stepped back, his eyes wide. “Arousing. Mm.”
“My name is Macy, and I’m human.” This was the so-called king Bry-dar thought would claim her? She snorted. So not going to happen.
“Hooman?” The king captured a lock from her mussed hair and wrapped it around a finger. “Macee.” He smiled and scattered her wits. Fangs dimpled his bottom lip. His eyes warmed to molten, and a breeze carried his sunbaked scent to her, pounding her heart into an unnatural rhythm.
Holy cow, he was gorgeous. She blinked, unable to break their locked gazes, when she wasn’t sure she wanted to. Goosebumps spread along her arms, as if he had run his hands over her skin.
“Mm, your scent is delicious. Tell me, Macee, why should I send a unit to rescue this Supreme Commander when he has trespassed?”
What? “A downed shuttle isn’t intentional. Regardless, wouldn’t rescuing Xan and my human friend Quin be of diplomatic interest?”
“Another hooman?” The king arched a dark-chocolate eyebrow. “I suppose Xeus would expect me to extend all effort.” He sighed. “Very well, for you and Etteria, I shall send a unit.”
She slumped but beamed at him. “Thank you,...your majesty.” She twitched before dropping into a curtsey, not sure how to address royalty.
“Majesty?” His sexy chuckle rasped across her senses. “Come. You shall be my guest.”
Casting a wide-eyed glance at Illan then Oyaz, she hurried after the king into yet another glass elevator. As soon as Oyaz stepped inside, she latched onto his arm and squeezed her eyes shut. Fear crawled up her throat like thousands of scratching insects. She held her breath.
“Just trees, ensa.” He patted her arm.
When she peeled her eyes open, the king stared at her. “So emotive, your hooman.”
“I guard her, my king, for her protection and sanity.”
“My what now?” She twisted to meet Oyaz’s gaze.
“Boredom,” Illan said.
“Ah, yes.” She peered into the dense forest in the hopes of spotting Quin. Hopefully, the Lysaran team would find them soon. From the elevator, they strolled along a stone bridge toward a stepped pyramid. When she glanced down to study the markings in the floor, she noticed the king’s bare feet. Her gaze traveled up his harem pants to the sash cinching his waist. A tunic hid his torso. She sighed and forced her gaze to the tapestries lining the walls. Sconces flickered with light, and the floor gave off warmth.
Lysarans, male and female, stepped to the side to let them pass. The females wore dresses that wrapped around every curve. The males had similar harem pants and tunics as their king. All had beads, threads, and ribbons in their unbound hair in mocha, gold, and blond with matching amber eyes. Yet their faces varied, like humans did. And of course, their smiles revealed their fangs. She smothered a giggle. Fruitarians, she had no doubt.
“Lady Macy, I am delighted to see you took me up on my offer.” Bry-dar nodded at his king before settling beside her. He ignored Oyaz’s scowl.
“With my friend missing, Bry-dar, I had no choice but to visit.” If only. She didn’t glance at Illan, who cleared his throat at her lie.
Bry-dar sniffed her and nodded. “I scent your concern.”
“On my planet, sniffing people is considered rude.” She huffed.
“It is?” He smirked. “You are on my world now.”
His king snapped a few choice words. Bry-dar stiffened, captured her hand for a squeeze, and left the procession. Not that she knew what the king had said.
“Perhaps bringing her with was not wise,” Illan hissed.
“We agreed, Illan,” Oyaz muttered.
Illan scowled at her. “Try and not be so emotional.”
She squeaked then thumped him on the arm. “Try not to be such an ass.”
The king chuckled and halted the procession. Striding between them, he snatched her hand, then escorted her into his throne room. She gasped, her gaze snagging on the tapestries, gold décor, the flickering sconces, and the ancient feel of his home—a mixture of Aztec, Egyptian, and old vids.
He settled her on a seat then sank into his cushioned throne beside her. “Tell me, Macee, what of your world? I want to know everything.” He captured her hand in his, dragging his thumb across her knuckles, then peered into her eyes, his packed throne room expectant.
She gulped. Every ear tuned in on her as she rattled on about animals and plants, how hoomans had messed up the planet and tried to fix it too late. Not to mention how they’d corrupted the moon and Mars and every damn moon or planet they colonized. But yeah, they had emotions, too volatile, and unpredictable, with periods of darkness as documented in their history.
By the time news of Quin’s rescue reached Macy, she was drained, slumping in the chair like a limp tofu noodle. Despite finding the king’s interest in her flattering, his ‘feeding’ on her emotions exhausted her.
Sy-mar straightened in his seat and summoned a Lysaran female. “Tan-rae, escort Macee to the royal terrace.”
“As you wish, my kuna.”
Gardens? Fresh air? A terrace? It wasn’t as if Macy could mount an escape, not when doing so would land her in even more trouble. Alone time would be wonderful. She waved at Illan and Oyaz before trailing the female. When she attempted conversation, interested in a feminine viewpoint, Tan-rae didn’t respond. Only when they stepped into the sunlight did she meet Macy’s gaze before abandoning her there.
Spinning in a circle, Macy studied the tall arum lilies, the thick bushes in pinks and blues, the orange furry leaves—all creating some sort of maze. She dived in, choosing random paths until only the distant calls of creatures filled the air. Here, in nature, the loneliness didn’t bother her. As she raised her face to the warm rays, she basked in the solitude.
Humming a haunting melody, she settled on the purple grass, folded her legs beneath her, and closed her eyes. For once, she didn’t cast her thoughts toward inconveniencing Illan or Oyaz when it was time to find her. She was going to take this moment and be selfish, allowing the tranquil surroundings to grace her with peace.
“Your birdsong is beautiful.” A deep voice silenced her.
She squealed and scrambled up, but couldn’t get her feet in place to stand.
“I did not mean to frighten you, milady.”
Milady? Etterian? She slumped, letting her backside hit the grass. Had Oyaz sent someone to find her? She scowled.
“Please continue.” His chuckle came from behind a thick blue hedge. She tilted from side-to-side trying to find a gap in the foliage. “I am well-versed in the Lysaran culture, yet did not know of such beauty. It seems Sy-mar has hidden much from me.”
“Lysaran?” She smiled. The male didn’t know she was human. Anyone Oyaz or Illan sent would know who she was. “I’m not from this planet.”
“Ah, yes, Earth English. I should have noted that in your birdsong.”
Wait, he’d said Sy-mar as if he knew the Lysaran king personally. She opened her mouth to ask—
“I too am a guest,” the male continued.
“I figured that out.” She grinned. “You called me milady.”
“Yes, I did.” Warmth filled his voice as if he smiled. “What would you prefer I call you?”
“Macy or Macera is fine.” Silence met her reply. She peered through the bushes, wondering if he’d left.
“Macera?” Emotion thickened his voice.
Shit, he’d heard of her, or at least of Quin and what she’d accomplished. Maybe he even knew how worthless Macy had been throughout their great escape.
“Macy?” Illan called from far off.
She groaned, cupping her face as if her hands could hide her. “I’ve got to go. It was a pleasure meeting you.” Finding a low gap in the hedge, she shoved her hand through. The male captured it, his touch hot, sending a zing of tingles to her elbow.
“Wait...” He pressed a kiss to her knuckles and scattered her thoughts.
She blinked, dazzled by the dark head she’d glimpsed. His lips had imprinted on her skin.
“May I comm you?”
The alien equivalent to ‘can I call you?’ She dipped her chin to hide a grin and stared at her heaving chest. Right, who would want to comm me? For some odd reason, she did like the stranger’s voice. So pen pal? “As in message? I have an O.D.I. now.”
“Yes,” he chuckled, the sound resonating and husky.
Yup, loved his voice. “Can we keep the anonymity?”
“If you prefer.”
Excitement zinged again, playing pinball with her insides. She bounced on her toes while wearing a massive grin. So Lysara wasn’t a wasted trip. “What do I call you?”
“Macy, ohara, where are you?” Illan sounded closer.
Why did he have to interrupt her now? She was going to kill him first chance she got.
“Xeu—” The stranger cleared his throat. “Anything you want, ensa.”
“Zoo it is,” she teased, then pulled her hand back.
“Greetings, Macera.”
She smothered a squeal as his shadow faded. Just to make sure, she froze her bounce and listened for his breathing.
“Here you are.” Illan appearing at her side drew a squeak.
She punched him on the arm. “Quit sneaking up on me like that.”
He harrumphed while rubbing his bicep. “You could have answered me.”
“I was busy,” she huffed. Throwing a pout at him, she asked, “Are we leaving?”
“Not yet,” he muttered, wincing then pinching his brow.
Guilt struck, like a bolt of fiery agony, twisting her heart. She could be a pain, of that she was aware. Looping an arm through his, she pressed her temple to his upper arm she’d just bruised.
“Sorry, Illan. I can be trying.”
He patted her hand as he ushered her out of the maze. “It is not you, ohara. Quin is...in darkness.”
Macy bit her lip, tucking herself under his arm to support him when he stumbled. More so when he staggered to the side. When Iddan appeared and slid under Illan’s other arm, she said nothing. Together, they carried Illan to a suite of luxurious rooms she couldn’t spare the time to admire. Every muscle throbbed. Her breathing was ragged. Illan was heavier than he looked. Where was Oyaz when she needed him?
Once they had settled Illan onto the bed, she slumped against a stone wall, digging her fingers into the carvings to keep herself upright. “I can stay with him, Iddan...”
“It is not necessary, Macy.” He rested his hand on Illan’s shoulder, gazing upon his brother’s face.
She peeked through the bedroom doorway to the living room and balcony. “I have nowhere else to go.”
Iddan offered a tight smile. “Very well.” He pushed off and captured her hand to swipe his O.D.I. across hers. Her arm tingled with the new info. “Comm me when he stirs...or worsens.”
“Worsens?” she squeaked.
“Nightmares, mutterings, spasms.” Iddan strode to the door.
She hurried after him, wringing her hands. “All right.” But her response fell on the solid door and deafening silence.
She circled the room, stroking the fabrics, tapestries, fuzzy-skinned fruit in a bowl, and the velvet texture of the gigantic arum lily on the balcony. To linger there was a temptation, but she wasn’t sure she could hear Illan, so she migrated back to the bedroom and sprawled on the bed to wait.
~*~
Illan roared, “Awaken her,” and was out of bed and the rooms before Macy could wipe the sleep from her eyes.
She staggered after him while punching on her O.D.I., trying to forewarn Iddan, but when she opened the door to follow Illan, Oyaz stopped her...with his chest. She yelped, throwing out her arms. If he hadn’t caught her by the elbow, she would have crumpled at his feet.
“Here I am, minding my business,” she muttered.
“Come, ensa.” He gestured to the passage.
She huffed. “Go there, stay here, come with. I was happy in the garden, Oyaz.”
“When the kuna summons you, Macee, you obey.” He chuckled, grabbed her by the shoulders, and forced her to face him. Then with the gentlest touch, he straightened her hair. “I did not tell you to charm the male.”
“Charm him?” she squeaked. “I’ll have you know—”
“It is your emotions that seduce, ensa. It is best to learn control.”
She blinked at him then giggled. “You haven’t seen volatile. Wait until it’s that time of the month.”
“What time of the month?” He frowned.
“Y’know, when it’s my monthlies.” She skipped ahead, not wanting to have to explain in detail, which, she had no doubt, he’d expect.
“You are...fertile every month?” Oyaz hadn’t moved, frozen to the spot while a wide grin spread ‘handsome’ all over his face.
“Yeah, and we can give birth once every nine months.” She smiled at his delight. “Mind you, falling pregnant isn’t a given. It’s all about fertility levels. Some say the sexual position plays a part.” Capturing his arm, she tugged him, trying to get his feet to move. “The kuna awaits, remember.”
When he hurried his steps, she swallowed a sigh, having dodged a full-blown discussion on the birds and bees. Once was enough, thank you very much.
“Macee, please, join me.” The king boomed his request, drawing the attention of everyone in the throne room.
Ducking her head, she crossed the room, clinging to Oyaz like a lifeline. If he’d released her, she would have lost her shit. How was this better? How was this keeping her out of trouble? She could’ve been watching a vid, knitting her scarf, and eating ice cream. But no, she was on another planet, having her insides melted by a gorgeous fruitarian.
Sy-mar captured her hand and drew her away from Oyaz. She cast a pleading glance at her friend, who smiled as if nothing was wrong, like he hadn’t thrown her to the vampires.
Once again seated beside the throne, she twisted to face the king, choosing to narrow her peripherals and exclude the avid audience.
“I wish to know whether you would stay...here on Lysara?” Sy-mar peered into her eyes, his swirling amber-gold.
Her breath hitched. Her inner girl squealed a yes, but the tiny percentage that was sane, knotted her stomach something fierce. Staying meant what?
“It is wise to ask.”
She gulped at having spoken aloud. A king could command an execution, right? Would dumbass Oyaz rescue her then?
“You would be free to roam the land, learn our culture, share yours, and perhaps mate with one of us.” He smiled but sadness darkened his gaze. “Save my world.”
“That’s unfair,” she whined, cast a glance at the frozen audience, and hurried to add, “my kuna.” She captured his hand in hers, arching his brow. “I have obligations. And besides, I’m the only human woman you’ve met.” Maybe if she stayed... No, she wanted an Etterian, had fantasized about them since the first digi-mag she’d seen. She sniffed and raised her gaze to his. “I don’t want to be chosen because you have no other options. I want to be loved for me.”
“Indeed.” He twisted his hand and caught hers, giving it a squeeze. “It was unfair of me to place Lysara’s survival on your shoulders. And yes, other hoomans would be as welcome.”
“More than one would be better,” she teased.
“I see why you are so well-guarded, Macee.”
She snorted. “They think I’ll cause trouble if left on my own.” She met Oyaz’s gaze, hoping to convey with a look, ‘Next time, leave me on the battleship, idiot.’
A male whispered in the king’s ear, and when Sy-mar nodded at Oyaz, he strode forward and ushered her to the side. The throne room held their cumulative breath as Quin and Xan walked in. A blue-mottled Illan trailed them.
Peeking around Oyaz, Macy beamed at Quin, looking amazing in one of those Lysaran dresses. Glancing at her own ample bosom, Macy grimaced. She would have resembled an overstuffed sausage.
When Quin bolted toward her, Macy weaved around Oyaz to hug her. “Oh, Quin, I’m so happy you’re okay. Illan said you were, but I had to see for myself.” She pulled back, checking out the dress that could’ve been made of silk sashes. “Whoa. Looking hot. What’s the occasion?”
“Meeting the kuna.” Quin winced.
Macy shivered. Her eyes widened. “He’s potent. I had Oyaz, so make sure Xan’s at your side. And by potent, I mean your lady bits will explode.” She giggled, then lowered her voice even more. “I swear they release pheromones to dazzle us poor damsels.”
Quin laughed. “I thought you wanted to snag a sexy alien?” She wiggled her eyebrows.
Macy folded her arms across her chest. “Yeah, without being drugged or coerced, thank you very much.”
Illan dragged Quin away, leaving Macy to wander back to Oyaz. Just like that, she was ousted. Not that she could, in a million years, believe Quin would succumb to Sy-mar’s sensual wiles with Xan looming. Macy had no one other than overzealous guards. She peeked at Oyaz and smiled. The scarf would be for him, as a thank you.
“Can we go yet?” she whispered.
“We are free to leave once the kuna approves our departure.”
She slumped. “So we’re trapped?”
Oyaz grinned and settled his dark blue gaze on her. “Lysara is a paradise, Macy. I suspect we’ll spend the night and leave first thing in the morning.”
“I suppose one night isn’t too much to endure.”
He patted her hand. “Come, I must speak with Xan. After that, I will escort you to your chambers.”
“And food?”
“Whatever you want, ensa.”
She clung to him as he weaved through the crowd, trying not to lose her mind when the Lysarans touched, stroked, or fondled her hair. Her stomach grumbled at the array of dishes set before Quin and Sy-mar. A few platters held marinated strips of meat. She wanted to ask how this was possible when Bry-dar claimed to be a fruitarian. Then clamped her lips shut. Some folks were vegan, others carnivore. Perhaps it was the same as humans—a diet of fruit being a preference.
The food smelled so good. She drew in a deep inhale, relishing the savory and tart aromas filling her senses. Oyaz gripping her elbow snapped her out of her food-daze. She waved at Quin and skipped after the male, who led her out of the throne room and down various passages before stopping outside a door.
A Lysaran guard let them in. Similar to Illan’s suite of rooms, a living room was center stage, a “kitchen” to the side held a rehydrator and replicator, a bathroom was to the right, and on the left, was a massive bedroom. A balcony spanned the living room, revealing twin suns in a lovely lemony yellow.
“These are your chambers.”
She froze. “What?” Alone, again? She marched over to the replicator. “Knitting needles, please.”
“They do not have Earthian items, ensa.”
She whimpered and slumped into the nearest chair. “What can I do to fill my time?”
Oyaz frowned, but when he cast a glance at the door, she pursed her lips. How to keep herself busy shouldn’t be his problem.
“Go. I’ll think of something.”
“They do have a display vid if you wish to learn about other cultures.”
She smiled. He was so sweet to her. “I have songs on my O.D.I. How do I transfer?”
He grinned, tapped her arm, then waited for her to navigate to a song. When it played, he flicked it at the vid. The black screen lit up, playing the song seconds behind her O.D.I. “I will see you much later, Macy.”
She deactivated her O.D.I and trailed him to the door. When it swished closed, she rested her temple on the strange stone surface. Pushing off, she headed for the bathroom first. There, a massive tub awaited her. She squealed, bouncing up and down while waving her hands in the air. An honest-to-goodness bathtub? She spent ten minutes trying to find the taps. After a thorough stroking of every stone tile, flaps opened, and water gushed out. The temperature was hotter than she liked, but she could eat while it cooled.
The rehydrator was as bizarre. Everything was in a strange cuneiform. At least tiny images kind of hinted at the food, so she chose an assortment of dishes similar to the platters of fruit and meat placed before the kuna. With the feast relocated to the square coffee table, she switched off the water. Before she dived into the dishes, she cast a glance skyward, praying that whatever she ate wouldn’t be poisonous or kill her. It would suck to die now after all she’d been through.
She bit into a sliver of meat and moaned. Like roast beef, but succulent with a lingering sweetness on her tongue. Emboldened by her first experience, she went through each dish, groaning, sighing, gagging, and spitting. Peppered throughout were her giggles. With her stomach protesting the assault, she licked her fingers while limping to the bath. She may not look it, but, as she grinned and sank into the bath, she was ready for anything.
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