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Planet Etteria
Issneen, the Royal City
An emotional rollercoaster (from Zoo to Myn-ras)
Nuos and Azan found Macy just as she stumbled on a wall running the length of the beach. She’d caught a glimpse of red waves breaking onto pristine gray beaches. Not that they’d let her linger. No, no way, bad prisoner must be returned to her cage.
Nuos had almost bitten her head off for breaking her promise.
She lost her shit.
What followed was a monolog of note. How she was an adult, had been alone for most of her life, wasn’t used to being ‘guarded,’ and that they had to understand, this was all new to her. She’d squeezed out a tear. Best performance of her life.
They’d let her leave her prison but stayed so close to her ass, she couldn’t change direction without bumping into one of them. When Myn-ras messaged her, and even though she’d known he would, he caught her with her pants down, so to speak. She was napping on a stone bench like a retiree. Nuos had watched her drool, and, as mortification burst across her cheeks, setting her face ablaze, she suspected, she’d snored too.
“Myn-ras is here,” she said, marching past him. Staring at the diverting paths leading from the Royal Gardens, she stilled. “Which way to the Royal Court?” She faced her guards, resting her hands on her hips. She hadn’t changed—still in her leggings and a baggy shirt that slipped off one shoulder, baring a bra strap. Having not washed her hair, it fell around her in wild disarray. She didn’t care, or so she told herself. Myn-ras liked her for her emotional range. What did it matter what she looked like?
“Myn-ras?” Nuos didn’t budge. Both he and Azan fell into threatening stances, their hands hovering by their blasters as if she was in danger.
She stamped her slippered foot. “Listen, he’s my friend, and he’s here to visit me. I don’t know how much time he has, so, if you don’t mind, I need to find him.”
“We have not received information on your friend, Macy,” Azan said.
“He’s Lysaran, and I met him on the Phoenix.” She threw her hands into the air when their frowns remained in place. “He’s visiting with King Sy-mar.”
“This way,” Nuos said, striding off to the left, in the opposite direction she had headed.
She hesitated, not trusting him to take her to Myn-ras, but what choice did she have? The arched pathway leading to the imposing doors of the palace came into sight. She broke into a jog, hoping to make up for lost time.
Myn-ras waiting outside the door had her laughing, the joy at seeing his face warmed her chest and pooled in her stomach. She threw herself into his open arms, not minding that he buried his nose in her neck to inhale. She did the same but with less flare.
“You’re here,” she said, pulling out of his arms when Nuos touched her shoulder. Was open affection forbidden? She proceeded to ignore him.
“Of course. Ah, Sali, seeing you pleases me.” His easy smiles confirmed his words. “I feel as if the sun hasn’t shone its warmth upon me.”
She snorted. “I feel as if your melodrama is worsening. I’ll have the royal medic check your condition.”
“Your sass wounds me,” he said but ruined it with a chuckle. “Indeed, my friend, it is good to see you.”
“It’s only been five days, Myn-ras.” She wrapped her arm around his as she urged him to stroll with her. The pink blossoms were in full bloom and their fragrances heady. “How long do you have? Time for dinner?”
“Perhaps. King Sy-mar meets with your king now,” he said.
Her step faltered. She had to accept that all considered her Etterian, although, she had yet to meet King Xeus. It was inevitable according to Cyndi’s comm earlier, but she dreaded meeting any royal for that matter. Myn-ras fell silent as he escorted her along various paths and passages. The silence was comfortable, the heat flowing off his body welcoming and his deep inhalations amusing.
“Okay, quit sniffing me.” She gave him a playful punch on his arm.
“You are content here, but a deeper misery has settled on your soul. What ails you, Sali?”
She had forgotten how intuitive he was. The vid comms hadn’t been along a similar vein since he couldn’t smell her emotions across vast distances. “I’m lost,” she said. Dropping her gaze to hide her tears was silly since he didn’t use his eyes to read her. “I need a purpose, something to fill my time.”
“You are finding your way. Have patience, it will come.”
His calm response filled her with hope. She grinned at him before resting her temple on his upper arm. Renewed hope was breathtaking, and the way it flowed through her like heated honey opened her eyes to why her emotions swung like a pendulum.
“I have missed you, Myn-ras,” she said, coming to a standstill when he paused in front of a door.
“Greetings, sweet Macera,” Bry-dar said as the door opened to his devasting smile.
She stilled, her heart rate spiking. She wanted to smack Myn-ras for not warning her, as much as she wanted to bask in Bry-dar’s open admiration.
“Macy?” Nuos shifted closer to her, concern furrowing his brow.
“This is Bry-dar, Nuos. He’s also a friend, just a more persistent one.”
“It is you who soars my soul.” Bry-dar stepped back to allow them entry. “Your guards will wait outside.”
She shot a glance at a bristling Nuos and sighed. “Then so do I, Bry-dar. They distrust everyone, so let them in and prove them wrong.”
With a curt nod, he gave grudging approval. The apartment was a replica of hers with the windows angled to capture the sunlight. Nuos and Azan entered, taking position at the door. She fought an eyeroll but said no more.
“How have you been, Sali?” Bry-dar yanked her into his arms, cupping one cheek to peer into her eyes. Gold swirled in the depths of his eyes.
She smiled, despite her best intentions to remain aloof. “I’m fine, Bry-dar, considering it’s only been a few days since we last saw each other.” She’d spoken more to Myn-ras, his calm a welcome relief from the turmoil of her thoughts. As much as she wanted a male of her own, she needed love and rainbows. Choosing someone because she was lonely didn’t make sense despite their impact on her libido.
“Before my king returns, I offer my humble self as your mate.”
She arched a brow at ‘humble,’ but his intense expression said he was serious.
Nuos growled a warning.
She darted her attention between them. “Bry-dar, can’t you see you’re reacting to my emotions overwhelming you and not to me as a person?” She wrapped her arms around him, giving him a brief hug before stepping back, trying to convey that she wasn’t rejecting his friendship. “Like I said before, meet another human woman then we’ll discuss my mating you.”
“Macy,” Nuos said in a warning tone, his posture stiff.
She frowned, facing him. “What? Can’t I choose a Lysaran?”
That Etterians might be prejudiced toward other species hadn’t occurred to her. Humans had abolished racism to the annals of history when they’d met their first alien species. All colors united under the banner of Earth, and they still celebrated Unification Day centuries later.
When Nuos didn’t respond, she stomped her foot, tempted to wag her finger in his face. “You want me to mate an Etterian, don’t you? Well, your Ethera decides that, doesn’t it?” Anger burned hot and furious, and on its heels were the tears. She blinked them away and drew in a shuddering breath. Oyaz had said it was instant, so either King Xeus had denied his request, or there was no Eth for her. “My offer stands, Bry-dar,” she said, marching deeper into the room to claim a comfy.
“Thank you,” he said then scowled at Myn-ras, who chose the comfy beside her.
“How long is the journey between Lysara and Etteria?”
“Five days by battleship, shorter with a scimitar,” Myn-ras said.
“You must have left soon after we did.”
“I did not want to notify you until our arrival was imminent. Many events could occur to alter the plans of a king.”
“It’s good you warned me. I had so many engagements, I had to reschedule.” She fought to keep her gaze down, hoping to hide her teasing from a contrite Myn-ras.
True to form, he reached across to gather her hand in his. “I apologize. I did not mean to inconvenience you.”
“I’m kidding, Myn-ras,” She threw back her head to laugh. “Oh, your expression was priceless.”
A rapid-fire of their lyrical language flew between the two Lysarans with a scowling Nuos growling at them. She didn’t know what they were saying, but their gestures were between delight, anger, and irritation.
“What’s the matter?” she asked, silencing their tirades.
“I adore the scent of your laughter,” Bry-dar said. “Myn-ras will not let me near you. Warrior Nuos is involving himself in our argument when he shouldn’t.”
His petulance had her laughing for two reasons. Three males arguing over nothing, and here was a male who wanted her but for the wrong reasons. The fates were cruel.
She hopped up and used the vid to push a comfy out. “There, then no one can sit next to me.” She settled into her new chair. Bry-dar opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a hand. “Can you smell me from there?”
His expression darkened when Myn-ras nodded.
“What is the meaning of this?” King Sy-mar asked from the doorway.
Myn-ras and Bry-dar jumped to their feet as Nuos and Azan straightened their posture.
In the muted lighting, Sy-mar’s skin glowed like soft caramel toffee. A sleeveless vest in ivory revealed ripped muscles and molded edges, all enhancing his broad shoulders. Braided hair, woven with beads and gold threads cascaded past his shoulders in a chocolate and ebony waterfall. Amber eyes rested on her, and she forced herself to swallow past the lump in her throat. His chest expanded as he drew in a massive breath, splitting the opening of his vest to reveal hardened abs. He prowled toward her with intent. The hairs on the nape of her neck rippled, and she closed her mouth, surprised to find herself gawking at him. How Sy-mar did this every time, she couldn’t say. She leaped out of the comfy as if to beat a hasty retreat.
“Lady Macee, it is a pleasure to see you,” he said, snatching her hand as he shifted closer to sniff her.
Heat from his touch slithered along her body and pooled in her core. A giggle slipped past her defenses, and she stepped back, recognizing the signs of a drug-induced high. This was too surreal for her, as if she were a goddess, gifted with the siren’s song. She tugged her hand free, praying she didn’t offend him, and took another step back, aiming her backside toward the door.
A scowl crossed the man’s face, and she paused, drawing in a deep breath to explain. If she met King Xeus, she didn’t want it to be a reprimand for insulting visiting dignitaries. “I see you are well, my kuna,” she said, biting her lip when she purred the words. Heat from arousal or shame, or both, burst across her cheeks, and panic thrust another giggle past her lips. “I mean, I’m sorry, but...please excuse me, I’m late for another appointment. Myn-ras, it was lovely to see you.” Like the coward she was, she ran, ignoring the Lysaran argument she heard as the door closed behind Azan.
“Sugar honey iced tea.” She spat out a string of less polite curse words as she stomped down a random passage. “I’ve pissed off the Lysarans, haven’t I?” She faced a disapproving Nuos, then dismissed him with a flick of her wrist. “Never mind, you’ll only chastise me for my stupidity.”
A chuckle escaped Azan, then an outright guffaw. “I have not been so entertained in years, milady,” he said, fighting for breath. “Nuos should inform Advisor Cales of this incident. He will decide whether King Xeus should know.”
“Why?” she gasped, envisioning prostrating herself in front of a larger-than-life Etterian male, begging him for forgiveness. The image left a sour taste in her mouth.
“You just ran from the King of Lysara,” Azan said as they watched Nuos leave them, his strides jerky.
Ice chilled her spine, and she shuddered. If she’d accepted King Sy-mar’s offer, she would’ve been in for a rollercoaster ride, one she’d enjoy. It was the lack of control over her senses that she didn’t like.
Turns out, across the vast expanse of space, there was nothing scarier than a fruitarian.
She made it to her quarters and slumped against the wall. Azan left her after she promised not to leave her ‘chambers.’ What she wanted was a stiff drink. She marched to the rehydrator and ordered a brandy. Before she could gulp it down like an uncivilized ingrate, her O.D.I. zinged. She hesitated, expecting to see a summons to the court. Setting the tumbler down, she activated the O.D.I.
Ensa, are you well?
She sighed and tapped a hasty reply. Zoo, I’m in so much trouble.
Where are you? I will come to you now.
She paused, glanced at her trembling fingers, at her leggings and shirt, at her mass of hair reflected in the glass surface of the rehydrator, and moaned. Tomorrow, Zoo. I’m tired, and maybe if I go to bed now, when I wake up, the universe won’t hate me so much.
Macera?
She sniffed then let the tears flow. A lounge singer on a mining colony might be in her future. Good night, Zoo.
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