Chapter 11

Zarek stood still for a few moments, his expression blank as his bright blue eyes stared back at me.

Then he turned and left, leaving me there standing with Vii.

I stared at his retreating figure as he disappeared inside a pod-shaped elevator and ascended to a higher floor without so much as looking back at me.

“Well,” Vii said brightly beside me, “that was a warm hello.”

I turned to look at her. “Is that normal?”

“For him?” She tilted her head and looked thoughtful for a moment. “No.”

“What do you mean, no?” I asked.

Vii began walking further into the entrance hall, clearly expecting me to follow. I did.

“It is highly unusual for him to personally greet anyone who enters his residence,” she explained.

“Not even other aliens?” I asked as I scurried to catch up to her.

She stopped mid-walk and turned to look at me. “Aliens? Is that what you call us?”

I crossed my arms. “And?”

She cocked an eyebrow at me. “We are called Valtheri. We’re an ancient species who have been around for thousands of years-much longer than humans.”

I laughed. “I don’t actually give a fuck.”

I turned and spat on the ground at my feet. “I’ll call you whatever the hell I want to.”

She stared at me blankly for a few moments and then smiled brightly. “Okay then. Now, let’s find your room.”

We began walking again, and I followed after her.

“Does Vera live here?” I asked. I wasn’t sure why I had, but I did.

Vii’s eyes flickered with amusement as she looked over at me. “She has her own wing, which is part of our tradition when two Valtheri are bonding.”

“Bonding?” I repeated. We were now entering a new wing.

“Yes. You humans call it marriage. For royal Valtheri, it has less to do with…love. It’s more about political alignment. Bloodline preservation. Royal stuff.” She waved her hand dismissively. “They are to be bonded soon-which is probably why Zarek suddenly decided to breed with a human. Perhaps he wants a baby for him and Vera.”

Vii was now leading me down a long corridor lined with tall windows. I could see the city below us. The curves of the buildings. Their smooth textures glinting back at me.

“You will find this residence very safe,” she said. “No guard will dare touch you. In fact, I can’t believe anyone thought they’d get away with putting their hands on you. It’s a death sentence.”

“That’s reassuring,” I sighed.

She glanced at me, her purple eyes glowing slightly. “He was furious.”

I looked over at her. “About the guard?”

“Yes,” she said evenly.

“How furious?” I asked.

Vii paused, chewing at her bottom lip before speaking. “Let us just say the guard will not be stationed anywhere near the capital again.”

My stomach turned slightly.

“He didn’t have to move me here,” I said. “He could’ve just punished the guard.”

“He did punish the guard,” Vii replied, her voice dropping slightly.

I blinked. “What did he do?”

Vii smiled politely. “You do not want to know.”

She was wrong. I did want to know.

We reached a balcony that overlooked the interior of the palace. I could see multiple levels below. This place was enormous.

“He has all of this,” I said quietly. “And he still has to board breeding ships to find a human to impregnate. Because this is not enough.”

Vii’s expression changed slightly. “He wasn’t on that ship to find a human. He was just tagging along, as the ship was headed somewhere he needed to go.”

“So why the hell did he choose me, then?” I asked.

She shrugged. “I have no idea. But it was all a coincidence.”

“Why am I here now?” I asked. “If he took care of that guard, then the problem is solved. His human is still in good condition for breeding.”

She shrugged. “I have no idea. It is odd behavior. He does not allow variables near him.”

“A variable?” I squinted at her.

“Yes.” She smiled. “He does not allow distractions around him-or anything that interferes with his work. This is out of character.”

I sighed as we continued to walk, tears forming in my eyes.

“Are you thinking about Earth?” she asked quietly.

I nodded.

Vii was silent for a moment.

“You should not assume your future has been decided yet,” she added carefully.

She stopped walking and gestured toward a door. “Come. I will show you your room.”

---

The wing I had been placed in was larger than my entire home back on Earth. The floors were smooth and sleek; the veins that ran through the metal-like surface glowed a faint blue. The ceilings arched high above me, carved with intricate patterns and unfamiliar symbols.

I had been given clothing that adjusted to temperature automatically. It was meant to warm my body when I stepped outside. It was made of a black, stretchy material that molded to the shape of my body. The boots no longer required metal cuffs; they were built with anti-gravity stabilizers already integrated.

A tray of food appeared outside my door three times a day, delivered by a floating drone that couldn’t even be bothered to beep at me. Strange fruits appeared-ones I had never seen before. Even the drinks were odd. They were crystal clear but tasted sweet.

Guards were located around every corner. Servants bustled around, casting odd looks at me from time to time.

No one spoke to me.

No one stopped me from wandering either.

Why would they? I was a weak human.

I had grown restless and decided to leave my room and try to find something to entertain myself.

I walked for what felt like hours, past several guards and drones. I soon found a corridor with tall windows. I peered outside and held my breath.

It was beautiful.

I had to admit it.

The spheres built onto the tops of the buildings, the tall shining spires. The moons that seemed to hang in the sky-no matter what time of day it was.

I turned a corner I hadn’t taken before, and the hallways began to narrow. The lighting was softer now and less harsh than in the other areas.

A pair of guards stood at the end of the corridor-their bodies large and wide. They stood in perfect formation, their eyes cast forward.

I came to a stop in front of them.

One of them looked down at me. “This wing is restricted.”

“Oh,” I said lightly. “I didn’t know.”

“Leave now,” he said sternly.

That irritated me.

“Sure, I’ll go back to my prison then,” I scoffed.

Before he could respond, the doors behind him slid open.

And there he was…

Zarek.

He stepped through the threshold wearing something far more formal than I had ever seen him in before. He wore a black shirt and pants with thin glowing lines that ran from shoulder to wrist. He also wore a long black mantle with shoulders that pointed outward at the ends.

A crown rested on his head. It was made of woven silver with blue gems embedded in its grooves.

Behind him, several aliens sat around a large, oval table.

The guards moved aside immediately.

I froze.

Zarek’s eyes fell to mine. His expression was hard and serious.

“Leave us,” he said calmly, looking over his shoulder at the aliens seated at the table.

They hesitated for a moment. Of course they did. Their king wanted alone time with a human.

But they obeyed, bowing their heads and walking from the room. As they passed me, their faces were full of hatred, confusion, or pure curiosity.

“Come,” he waved at me.

I followed him into the room.

The doors shut behind us.

“You are not permitted in this wing,” he said, turning and then looking down at me, his brows scrunched together.

I folded my arms. “Then maybe your prison shouldn’t be built like a maze.”

One of his brows lifted slightly, as if he were amused.

“You were escorted here for your protection,” he continued. “Not for exploration.”

He was beautiful, with his chiselled jaw and perfect lips. I pushed the thought away. He stepped closer to me, and I felt his presence. It was overwhelming, the way he towered over me.

“You could have just kept me in a cell,” I muttered.

His expression grew stormy. He had not liked that.

“You are not a prisoner,” he said between clenched teeth.

“Then what am I?” I asked.

The room fell silent.

His eyes flickered along the features of my face. They stopped for a few moments on my lips and then made their way back to my eyes.

“You are under my protection,” he said.

“Ah, yes,” I grunted. “My kidnapper needs to keep me safe. Makes total sense.”

He stared at me but didn’t speak.

Behind him, I could see the table that the other aliens had been sitting at. It was made of black glass with holographic projections hovering above it. I could see rotating solar system maps.

He turned to see what I was looking at.

“This wing governs the planet,” he said.

Then he looked back down at me. He reached out and cupped my chin in his hand. I sucked in my breath at the unexpected contact. His hand felt cold-yet comforting against my skin.

He tilted his head at me. “Are you okay here? At the palace?”

Before I could respond, I heard footsteps approaching.

Zarek’s posture changed instantly, and he quickly pulled his hand away.

The door behind me opened again.

I turned to see a male alien appear in the doorway. “Your Majesty, the council is waiting.”

He did not look at the alien; instead, his eyes remained on me.

“Return to your wing, Fenn,” he said quietly.

I tilted my chin up. “Am I free to walk there?”

I saw the corners of his mouth twitch as he restrained a smile. “Yes.”

The advisor cleared his throat, and Zarek turned away from me.

I cast one more look in his direction, then left the room.

Chapter 12

I told myself I wouldn’t wander again. I lasted two days.

No one stopped me from walking, though. Guards stood at a distance, their expressions blank, only interfering if I got too close to the exits. They had already grown tired of reminding me that I was not permitted to wander around. Direct orders from the king.

But they never physically tried to stop me.

I was sure that they had already told Zarek I had broken his rule. Surely, he’d have me locked up soon.

It was a strange kind of captivity because everything made me curious. Everything seemed so brand-new.

The corridors curved instead of running straight, unlike my home back on Earth. The walls curved inward instead of standing flat. The floors were metallic instead of wood or tile.

I turned a new corner and saw what looked like a garden. I walked through its open archway.

The garden was full of crystalline plants, their stems partially transparent. I could see their blue veins glowing and pulsing as I wandered inside.

I stepped closer, curiosity overtaking me.

I reached out toward one of the plants.

“Don’t.”

I jerked my hand back.

A young Valtheri girl stood several feet away, clutching a stack of boxes in her arms. She looked young-a teenager, maybe. Her ears were longer and thinner than most I’d seen, and her eyes glowed a bright white. Her appearance was not like the other aliens.

“They’re reactive,” she added quickly. “They shock you when you touch them.”

“Thanks,” I said.

She stared back at me.

“What?” I asked.

“You’re smaller than I expected,” she said, eyeing me from head to toe.

I blinked. “Huh?”

“Everyone keeps saying we need to be careful if we see you,” she continued matter-of-factly.

I crossed my arms. “Who are you?”

“Oh!” She shifted the boxes in her hands. “I’m Alenya. I’m in training.”

“Training?” I said. “For what?”

“Everything,” she said proudly. “Governance, diplomacy-all that boring stuff.”

“You’re royalty or something?” I asked.

She shrugged. “Distant. Very distant. But enough to be allowed to live here.”

She stepped closer to me, peering at my face like Vii did when she met me.

“You don’t glow,” she murmured.

“Sorry to disappoint,” I cackled.

“You look… weird.” She squinted at me.

She circled me. “You stand differently, too.”

I rolled my eyes. “Because of my leg?”

“Yes. It’s inefficient,” she said flatly, as if she had not insulted me.

“Um… thanks,” I said.

She continued to stare at my leg. “You know you’ve caused three council disputes already? Since you arrived?”

My stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”

She looked back at me. “Vera’s family is super angry. The king never consulted her before breeding with you. There have also been disputes about whether or not the breeding program is ethical. Now that the king has taken personal interest in breeding with you, it has been seen as a sign that the king supports the program.”

I stared at her. “Are you saying that some aliens don’t support the breeding program?”

She laughed. “We are called Valtheri. Not aliens.”

I glared at her.

Then she replied, “It is true. Not all Valtheri support the breeding program. But I guess the king does. It’s caused some… issues.”

Silence settled between us. It was hard to comprehend that there were aliens who thought I should be allowed to stay at home-on Earth.

“The council,” she said, breaking the silence, “was also upset that he cancelled a meeting to arrange your transport here.”

I shrugged. “Why would that matter? People cancel meetings all the time.”

She smiled. “Because he doesn’t change his schedule. Ever.”

“He probably just doesn’t like guards hitting his livestock,” I muttered.

She rocked back on her heels and sighed. “He smells amazing.”

I cocked an eyebrow at her. “What?”

“Valtheri scent shifts when we’re attached to something,” she said, her eyes lighting up.

Right. She was a teenager with a crush.

Before I could answer, she looked over her shoulder. “Perfect timing.”

I turned to see what she was looking at.

Zarek stood at the entrance of the garden. Watching. In total silence. His arms were folded across his chest.

Alenya straightened her posture. “Your Majesty!” she said enthusiastically with a bow. “We were just discussing the plants.”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “Were you?”

“Yes,” she grinned, clasping her hands together. “I was explaining that-”

“That will be enough, Alenya,” he said, his voice heavy and commanding.

She immediately shut her mouth. Then she nodded at me and slipped past him, leaving us alone.

Zarek’s gaze turned to me.

“You wandered again,” he said.

I shrugged. “So what?”

A flicker of amusement crossed his face before disappearing.

“Come,” he said.

I hesitated but then followed him.

---

Zarek brought me into a curved chamber lined with floating panels and holograms. It looked like it was some sort of library. He walked up to one of the panels and motioned for me to approach. When I grew near, the panels shifted, symbols rearranging until they displayed English.

A three-dimensional model of the alien planet projected between us. I could see routes and grids scattered across it.

“What is this about?” I asked as I peered at it.

“You are not forbidden from learning, Fenn,” he said calmly.

He stood next to me, tapping at the panel.

“Why don’t you end the breeding program?” I asked. The words fell from my mouth before I could stop them.

“You believe it is that simple?” he said, not looking away from the panel.

“You’re the king,” I said with a shrug.

“And?”

“So, end it,” I said flatly.

“No,” he replied.

I felt my stomach sink. I wasn’t sure why. Maybe, for some twisted reason, I thought he was… different. What had I been thinking?

Idiot.

“The Valtheri population is declining,” he continued. “Birth rates have fallen drastically.”

“And humans fix that,” I sighed.

“They do,” he said, now turning back to me.

“So ,we’re stuck being incubators,” I said, a feeling of defeat washing over me.

“That is not how I see you.” His voice dropped. It was softer now. Gentler.

“How do you see me?” I said. But my voice broke as I spoke.

He stepped closer. “You are… incredibly disruptive… and defiant.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “That’s not very nice.”

“It was not meant to be,” he said with a small smile.

I swallowed. “What if I’m not fertile after all? Those machines of yours aren’t always accurate.”

His eyes narrowed. “If a human is deemed incompatible, she is returned to her colony.”

I blinked. “Returned? Like straight away?”

“Yes.” He nodded, stepping closer toward me. His eyes travelled up and down my face. They began to glow softly-like they always did in moments like this.

“I need to go. I have a council session,” he said.

But he didn’t move.

The holographic projection between us continued to rotate slowly. It lit up his face, casting shadows along its perfect edges. I noticed that the blue patterns along the sides of his face were now glowing too.

He was far too close.

“Did you cancel a council meeting because of me?” I asked.

His jaw went rigid. “You listen to palace gossip now?”

“I listen when teenagers tell me I’ve destabilized your world,” I shrugged.

He sighed. “You have not destabilized anything.”

“Is Alenya wrong?” I said, my voice almost a whisper.

He didn’t answer. Instead, his eyes fell to my mouth.

It happened slowly.

The space between us shrank, but I wasn’t the one moving.

“You should not concern yourself with Valtheri matters,” he said quietly.

He moved his hand, so it came to rest against my jaw. His thumb brushed along my cheekbone, down toward the corner of my mouth.

My body betrayed me instantly. God, I was a fool. My pulse was spiking, and I felt my breathing quicken. It was like he touched me, and my body reacted by falling apart.

“Why am I here?” I said.

“You think I do not ask myself the same question?” he murmured.

He leaned closer.

Close enough that I could feel his breath against my lips. Then his fingers slid beneath my chin, tilting my face up toward his.

I should have stepped back.

But I didn’t.

His eyes changed; they were no longer glowing brightly. Instead, they dimmed to a deep, dark blue.

“If I let you go,” he said quietly, “would you still hate me?”

“I don’t hate you,” I breathed, despite the insanity of my words.

His gaze dropped fully to my mouth as his thumb brushed across my lower lip.

My body leaned forward before my brain could stop it.

The glow beneath his skin intensified.

And then-

A sharp chime echoed through the library.

Zarek’s eyes flicked toward the door and then back to me.

He stepped back quickly, returning to his typical cold composure.

“You have full access to the library now,” he said quietly. “Not that it matters whether or not I give you permission.”

I blinked, still trying to collect myself.

“It should keep you entertained,” he said flatly.

He walked toward the exit and disappeared.

Chapter 13

The next morning, a chime sounded, pulling me away from my dreams.

I’d been dreaming of home.

Of my sister’s face as I walked onto the alien’s ship.

I sighed and rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling for a moment.

Great. I was back to reality.

Back to remembering that I had been kidnapped by aliens and was now living in the alien king’s castle.

The door slid open before I could even sit up.

Vii stepped inside, her purple eyes glowing softly. She was as beautiful as ever, dressed in her bright white lab coat, her long ears adorned with several silver charms.

“Good morning!” she said with a wide smile.

I groaned and dragged myself upright.

She ignored my annoyed expression and clasped her hands together. “Please follow me.”

I sighed. “Why?”

“Just a routine exam,” she said quickly-too quickly. What was she up to?

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood slowly. My prosthetic landing against the floor with a heavy thud.

Vii’s eyes immediately dropped to it, and she wrinkled her nose.

“What?” I snapped.

“Nothing,” she said quickly.

“It works,” I said, motioning towards it.

“Barely.” She chuckled, motioning for me to follow her.

“My dad built it,” I said, my eyes flashing daggers at her.

She glanced up at me, clearly realizing she had said the wrong thing.

“Well… he did his best with what he had,” she said softly. “I didn’t mean to-”

“Just stop,” I hissed. “Also-I need to brush my hair and teeth. And change.”

“Oh, of course,” she said gently. “I’ll wait in the hall.”

She left, and I pulled on a long black tunic dress. I brushed my teeth and hair, styling it into two space buns. Then I met Vii in the hallway.

I followed her through the palace corridors, still half asleep as she waffled on about random things that I did not care about.

Eventually, we reached a room I had never seen before.

Inside was a medical lab of some sort. It was sleek and full of equipment that looked foreign and odd. Longer and larger than standard human medical equipment.

I stepped towards a table at the center of the room. I blinked when my eyes landed on the object that sat in the middle of it.

It was…a leg.

I froze.

“What the hell is that?” I asked slowly.

Vii grinned and picked it up, waving it around like a madwoman.

“This,” she said proudly, “is yours, Fenn.”

I stared at her in disbelief.

“No, it isn’t,” I managed to croak.

It looked like a real leg.

No loose bits of metal protruding from the sides.

No rust.

It was a smooth, flesh-covered leg.

I walked closer, and she held it out towards me. I examined it more closely. Even the toes were realistic.

“What… is it made of?” I asked softly.

“Synthetic tissue grown over a neural network that I built underneath,” she explained. “It responds to nerve signals from your brain-just like a real one.”

“You mean… it would move like a real leg?” I gasped.

“Yes.” She smiled. “Just like your other leg. It will happen naturally, subconsciously.”

“Does it feel like a real one?” I whispered.

She nodded. “Touch it.”

I stared at it for a few moments and then reached out, my fingertips brushing against it. She was right…it felt like real skin.

For a moment, I couldn’t speak.

My father had spent years trying to fix the piece of junk I wore now. It had always been too heavy and shorter than my other leg. It had felt clumsy, and it had caused me to limp.

But this…

This looked perfect.

I turned towards her.

“Why?” I asked.

Vii shrugged. “Because you needed it.”

“That’s not true,” I said sternly. “I’m a human. No one gives a shit about me. Why would you make a human-like leg? You help other aliens. Not us.”

She froze in place and then sighed before gently setting it back onto the table.

“It was a direct order,” she said slowly.

My stomach tightened. “From who?”

But I already knew the answer.

“The king,” she replied.

“He arranged this?” I whispered.

She shook her head.

“Why?” I said, peering over at it.

Vii shrugged. “You would have to ask him that.”

“But it requires surgery,” she said quickly. “It will need to be connected to your nervous system. That requires a procedure.”

“Tell me more,” I said, urgency in my voice. It was almost too good to be true. I didn’t care why it was happening-but I wanted a life-like leg.

“The surgery itself is short, and then you’ll need to recover for a few days,” she said.

“Only a few days?”

“You’ll need to learn how to walk again,” she said. “You will need some help. But eventually your nervous system will begin to recognize it and you’ll simply… walk.”

“You don’t have to accept it,” she said. “Zarek said I needed to make that part clear. We will-”

“Do it,” I cut her off. “When can we get started?”

Vii squealed like a schoolgirl. “Wonderful! I’ve always wanted to perform human neural integration surgery.”

My eyes widened. “You’ve never done this before?”

“Not on a human,” she said brightly.

I groaned. “Oh God.”

She laughed, “Relax. I studied it extensively.”

That didn’t make me feel better.

---

Vii had insisted the surgery would not take place until later that afternoon so she could prep.

“Your body will respond better if you have rested,” she had said. “So stay in your room until then.”

So I left and went back to my room.

I stepped inside and smiled as the door slid shut behind me.

I walked over to the bed and sat down heavily, staring down at the metal prosthetic attached to my leg.

The old thing had been with me for years.

My father had found it in a scrap yard near the colony perimeter. It had already been broken when he brought it home.

He’d spent months trying to fix it. None of it had ever fit quite right, but at least I’d been able to wobble around. Just as I was beginning to picture my father’s face, I saw a sudden movement in the corner of my eye.

A shadow shifted near the far wall.

I shrieked. “Fuck!”

Zarek stepped out from around the corner.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I snapped, trying to catch my breath.

God, he looked perfect. His smooth skin, his perfectly chiseled jawline. His brown curls were neatly styled as always, and he wore a more casual outfit than usual-a simple black shirt and pants. He seemed… almost human.

His bright blue eyes moved slowly down to my leg.

“I was told you met with Doctor Vii,” he said flatly.

Before I could respond, he stepped closer.

“Will you proceed with the surgery?” he asked.

I nodded, but I knew my face showed fear. I couldn’t help it.

He studied me carefully. “You are uncertain?”

“Well, forgive me if letting aliens rewire my nervous system isn’t exactly comforting,” I muttered.

I saw the familiar twitch at the corners of his lips as he held back a smile. “It will improve your quality of life.”

Without waiting for me to respond, he knelt in front of me.

I felt my body tense instinctively. His large hands reached toward the metal brace attached to my thigh, the one that held the leg in place. I shifted away from him almost instantly, and his hands froze in mid-motion.

“Remove it,” he said quietly.

My stomach dropped. “No.”

He looked up. “Why?”

“Because,” I said, eyes sharp, “I don’t exactly enjoy showing people the stump of my leg.”

His expression didn’t change, “Fenn.”

I looked away and crossed my arms over my chest.

He reached for the straps anyway.

“Wait,” I said, turning back towards him.

But he didn’t stop. He was lifting the end of my tunic dress, slowly revealing the prosthetic. I felt warmth spread throughout my core as goosebumps littered my skin.

Why did I feel this way when an alien touched me?

His voice was gentle. “I want to see the damage it has caused.”

His hands moved slowly to the buckles that held the prosthetic in place. I felt his fingers brush my skin as he tugged on the metal clasps. It sent a shockwave along my spine.

They clicked open one by one.

It always felt humiliating to do this in front of someone. I hated it.

When the final strap came loose, the weight of the prosthetic shifted.

Zarek caught it before it fell. He slid it gently away from my leg and set it aside.

I felt cool air brushing against my exposed skin.

I swallowed before making myself look. I hated looking. Every time I did, the damage was even worse. The area where my leg ended was covered in scar tissue.

Years of friction had left the skin rough and uneven. Fresh red marks ran along the edges where the prosthetic had rubbed against my skin over the past few days as I had wandered around the palace.

Zarek didn’t say anything. He simply… examined it. Then his hand shifted, and he was now touching the skin just above the scars.

I flinched at the contact.

“Does it hurt?” he asked quietly.

“Sometimes.” I shrugged. I swallowed, attempting to ignore the tingling sensation that he seemed to be sending straight to my-

Don’t go there, Fenn. He is an alien.

His fingers moved lower, tracing the edge where my skin met the scar tissue.

I winced.

His jaw tightened slightly as the glowing markings along his cheekbones brightened.

“A proper prosthetic would have never done this,” he said softly.

“It was that or crawling everywhere,” I shrugged.

His hand moved again, more carefully this time, now moving to the center where the swelling and pain was the worst.

“Your father built this?” he asked, his thumb skimming along the top as I winced again. He stopped instantly, his finger frozen in place.

“Yes,” I replied.

“He cared for you,” he said.

Then he pulled away and his eyes flickered up to meet mine.

“You will not need it anymore,” he said.

I swallowed. “Thank you.”

For a moment, the air between us went still.

Then he stood to his feet.

“You should rest before the surgery,” he said.

He picked up the prosthetic and placed it next to me on the bed.

He turned toward the door. Then paused.

Without looking back, he said quietly, “You deserve better.”

Then he left.

And for some reason…

I began to sob.

Chapter 14

Something beeped next to me. Loud and piercing.

The sound dragged me slowly out of the darkness.

I blinked, but my eyelids were heavy. I willed myself to open them. I moaned, and my lids finally separated.

I was immediately greeted by a bright light shining in my face.

What the hell was going on?

I groaned softly.

“You’re awake!” a voice chirped.

A pair of purple eyes were now glowing above me.

Oh, that’s right.

My leg surgery.

Vii’s face hovered directly over mine, upside down from my perspective.

“Welcome back!” she grinned, clasping her hands together.

I squinted at her. “Please stop talking.”

Vii gasped. “I just gave you a leg, and that is the first thing you say to me?”

I coughed. My throat felt like sandpaper.

“Thirsty,” I croaked desperately. “Please.”

“Coming right up!” she smiled. “You must be parched!”

She darted away and soon returned with a glass of strange liquid—some sort of yellow substance I had never seen before. It was thick and gel-like.

I moaned and attempted to slowly push myself up on my elbows and sit upright. But instantly the room spun, and a sharp pain radiated through my skull. I winced.

“Easy!” Vii said quickly, gently pushing me back down. “Your nervous system is still adjusting.”

She popped a straw into the glass and held the end of it to my lips. The liquid tasted slightly sour—nothing like water. I gagged and spat it out.

“What the hell is that?” I gasped.

“It’s a solution that completely hydrates the body within a few minutes after only a few sips,” she said, patting my head as if I were a small child.

My head was slowly beginning to clear. She held the straw back to my lips, and I winced as I took three long sips.

“You can try to sit up again,” Vii smiled. “Let me adjust the bed.”

She tapped a nearby control panel, and I felt the bed shifting upward. It moved until I was sitting in a fully upright position.

I looked down immediately. My leg was covered with a thick white blanket. Vii was bouncing on her heels as she watched me.

“Go on,” she whispered. “Have a look. It’s already healing.”

I swallowed and took a deep breath. Then I removed the blanket.

Two legs.

I had two legs.

I shook my head. “How…?”

They looked identical. Same skin tone. Same shape. Same length. No more rusty jagged edges, nor any limp.

Just… legs.

I stared at them in disbelief.

Vii was spinning in circles, her arms in the air. She came to a stop and looked at me.

“Well?” she asked. “What do you think? Aren’t they beautiful?”

I tried to move the leg—to bend my knee and wiggle my toes.

A strange sensation shot through my body and I cried out. It felt like electricity running through my nerves.

“You’ll get accustomed to it, and the nerve sensations will go away,” Vii said matter-of-factly. “Go on, touch it.”

I touched it carefully with my hands, running my fingertips along the surface. The flesh felt real—and warm.

“Holy shit,” I whispered. “I can feel it when I touch it.”

Vii sighed. “It works! Thank goodness!”

Tears burned in my eyes before I could stop them.

“Try a bit of movement, but don’t push it,” she nodded. “Go ahead.”

I willed myself to wiggle my toes. I watched as my big toe twitched slightly.

I gasped. “I can move it.”

I swung my legs carefully toward the edge of the bed.

Vii’s eyes widened. “Oh no. Absolutely not. No standing yet!”

She rushed to my side and carefully pulled my leg back onto the bed.

I sighed and leaned back. “Fine.”

“Now all you need to do is rest,” she said politely. “I’ll let Zarek know you’re all done.”

She pulled the blanket back over me and then held up a small, transparent oval-shaped object with a pointed end.

“He came and checked on you three times. It was slightly annoying.”

“What?” I asked, but my eyes were on the object in her hand.

“He wanted to make sure it was successful,” she said lightly, now filling the glass oval with a green, unfamiliar liquid.

“What is that?” I asked.

“Don’t worry,” she smiled. “It’s like an injection—but using alien tech, so it’s not painful. This is to reduce swelling and to knock you out a bit while you heal.”

Before I could ask any questions, she was at my side, pressing the sharp end of the object into my arm.

“Hey—” I began to protest.

“Sweet dreams,” Vii said softly.

The world went dark.

---

Moments later, I had drifted somewhere between sleep and consciousness.

I was half dreaming, half aware. My mind had taken me home.

The colony looked smaller in my memory than it ever had in real life. But the smell was the same—dust, metal, and burning fuel.

I could see my sister running ahead of me, her hair whipping around her face as she ran.

“Fenn! Hurry up!”

I followed her, but it felt different.

I felt lighter.

I looked down.

Two legs.

Two real legs.

I smiled and cheered, racing after her. But then the sound of voices and machinery beeping, began to pull me from my dream, bringing me back into the present.

“…the leg is stable.”

“Excellent. I expected you to do this right. Thank you.”

“Her body accepted the neural system better than I expected, to be honest. The damage from her old prosthetic concerned me.”

I felt something cool press against my arm.

“What are you giving her?”

“Another dose to keep her asleep. The pain will kick in, and it won’t be fun.”

Darkness consumed me again.

---

The lights above my bed had dimmed to a soft glow. I moaned and began blinking, forcing my eyes to open. I immediately sensed a presence nearby—and it wasn’t Vii.

A tall figure stood beside the bed. Broad shoulders. Dark clothing. Blue glowing markings along his cheekbones.

Zarek.

“H-h…gur,” I mumbled something incoherent.

My voice was slow and slurred, as if it weren’t aligned to my brainwaves. Zarek edged closer and then looked down at me.

“Rest,” he said gently. Just the sight of him somehow managed to make the machines attached to me, begin beeping. Maybe it was my heart rate monitor.

I moaned again. “You’re… blurry.”

“That would be the medication,” he said calmly.

I felt something on my cheek, as if he were running his finger along the side of my face.

“Oh,” I managed to croak.

He didn’t respond. He simply continued to stare down at me, his fingers caressing my face.

“Why are you here?” I asked between blinks.

“To ensure the procedure was successful,” he said evenly, as if it were normal for an alien king to check on his breeding slave after her leg surgery.

“That’s not true,” I murmured.

He tilted his head slightly, a small smile at the corner of his lips. “No?”

I shook my head. “You came to see me.”

The words slipped out before my brain could filter them. But in my groggy state, I still hadn’t registered what I had said.

“Go back to sleep,” he said finally.

My eyelids drooped again but I fought against it. I wanted to see him. To speak to him. I wanted him to stay with me.

“Come closer,” I whispered hoarsely.

He didn’t move at first. “Why?”

“Because,” I murmured, my voice barely audible, “I need to tell you something really im…im…important.”

For a moment he just watched me, one eyebrow raised in confusion. Then he leaned down slightly, bringing his face closer to mine.

“Better?” he asked.

“Mm,” I murmured.

I studied his face. His glowing eyes and perfect lips. The curve of his jaw. His annoyingly beautiful alien features.

Then, without thinking, I reached up and wrapped my hands around his neck. Zarek froze instantly, his skin cool beneath my warm fingers.

I tugged him closer.

He didn’t resist.

And kissed him.

Not in an elegant or graceful sort of way. No—of course not.

No. It was uncoordinated and awkward.

My lips smashed into his—and they stayed there.

For a moment he remained frozen. But then something changed. He shifted slightly, causing our lips to fall into perfect alignment. His mouth soon began caressing mine.

Before I knew it, our mouths were open and his tongue was exploring mine. My hands were in his hair, gently grasping onto two fistfuls as the kiss deepened. His hands were cupping the sides of my face.

It was like an explosion of electricity.

Something was happening.

I didn’t know what—but it was something.

A pull.

A very heavy one.

I felt my body begging for his, aching and pleading. Like an invisible thread I could now feel. A thread that I knew had always been there, but now it had awakened. He was moaning against my mouth, his hands still caressing my face.

It was perfect.

Perfect chaos.

Then it ended just as quickly as it had begun. He pulled back with my hand still resting against his cheek.

“Huh,” I murmured sleepily. I could still feel it tugging at me. The invisible thread. The deep desire for him to stay near me.

The markings on his face were glowing brighter than ever. So bright that I squinted as I looked up at him.

“What was that?” I asked, now half-conscious. “What’s happening?”

Then my eyes slid shut again.

And the world faded back into darkness.

Chapter 15

Mika was still staring at my leg like it might suddenly detach and crawl away on its own.

“I still can’t believe this,” she muttered. “You’re like… fixed. I’ve never seen you with anything other than that hunk of metal.”

“Neither can I,” I smiled, running my fingers along the top of it. It filled me with happiness when I could feel myself touching it.

She leaned back in her chair, rubbing the side of her stomach. It was beginning to protrude. She looked like she was three months pregnant—not one month.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. But I needed to speak to someone. Anyone.

“So,” I said slowly. “Something happened.”

She tilted her head at me and cocked an eyebrow. “Tell me.”

I hesitated, but took a deep breath. “So… after the surgery, when I was half-drugged and barely awake…”

Mika leaned forward.

“I kissed Zarek,” I said.

Silence filled the room.

Then Mika’s eyes widened. “You kissed the alien king?”

“Yes,” I said quickly. “Keep your voice down.”

“While you were high on alien pain meds?” she laughed.

“Yes.” I rolled my eyes. “Obviously.”

“That is the funniest thing I’ve heard in weeks,” she said with a laugh.

I groaned. “But there is more, Mika. Please listen.”

She stopped laughing and looked at me, waiting for me to continue.

“I felt something,” I said, my voice breaking slightly. “Something abnormal. A pull.”

She squinted at me. “What kind of something?”

I frowned, struggling to explain it. “Like… a pull. An invisible thread of electricity. It was unworldly.”

Mika snorted. “That’s the drugs. You must have had a total blast.”

“No, it felt real,” I hissed. “I’m serious.”

“Fenn,” she said gently, “you had alien anesthesia pumped into your nervous system.”

I opened my mouth to say more-but then stopped abruptly.

Someone was standing in the doorway.

Vii.

She was leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed. Her bright purple eyes were locked onto me.

Had she been there the whole time?

My stomach somersaulted. Mika followed my gaze and turned around.

“Oh,” she said awkwardly, immediately standing up. “You know what? I’ll see you later, Fenn.”

She walked to the side of my bed and squeezed my shoulder. “I should probably get back to the maternity ward anyway. It’s a long journey.”

Then she left without so much as looking at Vii.

Vii walked over to the bed. Her expression was not her typical one. There was no playfulness or brightness. It was stoic-serious.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, her voice oddly even and medical.

“Sore,” I said honestly.

“That is normal,” she replied.

She glanced down at my leg, running a scanner slowly over it. She tapped something on a nearby control panel and then placed the scanner back on the tray.

Then she looked over at me again.

“You should rest,” she said.

“I was planning on napping,” I said quickly.

She nodded once and left the room without looking back.

Within minutes, my eyelids grew heavy again. I turned onto my side, and drifted into sleep.

---

The next day, I waddled slowly through the corridor, towards the library.

Vii had insisted that waddling and limping would be normal at first, or that my leg might freeze up at times.

“Your nervous system needs time to recalibrate,” she had explained while shooing me out of the medical ward that morning. “Walk a little. Rest a little. Repeat.”

So here I was, in the library, trying to cure the boredom that now consumed me. I was currently leaning on a wall, waiting for the wave of pain to pass so I could keep walking.

It still amazed me.

I had two legs.

I smiled and wiggled my toes before pushing away from the wall. I did exactly what Vii had told me to do-walk a little, rest a little.

Eventually, I reached the portion of the library where I knew I would be able to find something to read. The doors to the section of the library slid open with a quiet whisper.

Just like the time Zarek had brought me here, it was empty and quiet.

I half shuffled, half walked toward one of the reading tables and sank into the nearest chair with a relieved sigh. My leg was aching.

A stack of tablets sat on the table in front of me. I had come to learn that these were considered “ancient” in the alien world. On the other hand, I had been raised on Earth, where paper books were considered “ancient texts.” It highlighted just how much more advanced the alien civilization was than the human one.

I picked one up and activated it by tapping the screen, causing it to flicker on. Alien symbols began sliding along the display. I skimmed aimlessly, not really reading anything-because I couldn’t.

I sighed. Why had he given me access to a library that-

I blinked at the screen.

The symbols.

They weren’t alien anymore.

I watched as they shifted and rearranged themselves, turning into neat rows of…

Letters.

Letters from my language.

Human language.

“What are you doing?” a voice said behind me.

I jumped, the tablet falling from my hands as I turned.

I saw an unfamiliar alien staring at me. She appeared angry, her arms crossed over her chest as her eyes flashed a bright glowing green.

“I… I was reading?” I stuttered.

“Get up now,” she said, stepping toward me.

I stood to my feet. “I was just-”

“Reading ancient Valtheri texts?” she grunted, still stepping closer. “That’s against the Law.”

Oh shit.

I hadn’t even thought about it when Zarek brought me here. But the alien was correct. The Law was clear:

Humans are forbidden from accessing, translating, or studying Valtheri texts.

“I… I…” I stuttered, but I had no excuse. Who would believe that I had been given special permission?

“Excuse me,” another voice interrupted.

I turned to see a familiar face.

Alenya.

She smiled brightly at the other alien. “What is the issue?”

The alien straightened her posture and turned toward her.

“Good morning, Your Majesty. I was just speaking with this human. I’m trying to investigate why she is in our library and accessing our texts.”

“You may go,” Alenya said with a dismissive wave.

The other alien hesitated-but not for long. Alenya was already walking toward me. She turned back to look at the alien who was still standing there, her mouth wide open.

“Are you stupid or something?” Alenya said, her eyes narrowing. “Get out.”

The alien immediately turned and left the library.

I still stood next to the chair, my hands shaking. I had taken too much advantage of the peace I had found in the castle. I was starting to feel too safe and had let my guard down. I was going to get myself into serious trouble if I wasn’t careful.

Alenya sighed and edged closer to me, glancing down at the tablets on the table.

“So what are you doing exactly?”

“The king-he let me,” I said quickly. “I swear he did.”

She smiled. “Oh, I believe you completely.”

She pointed at the tablet I had dropped onto the table.

“The tablet would not have worked if you did not have access. King Zarek would have authorized your fingerprint.”

She reached for the tablet and held it gently in her hands.

“These are from my family lineage. Only King Zarek has the ability to authorize access. Watch.”

She tapped the screen.

It whirled and beeped.

She turned it toward me.

Access denied.

“But why don’t you have access?” I asked in confusion.

She shrugged. “I never asked for it.”

As she stood there holding the tablet and staring at me with curiosity, it dawned on me.

She would be wondering why the hell Zarek had given me access.

“He gave me access because I was wandering around the grounds too much,” I said quickly. “He wanted me to stay entertained so I don’t cause trouble.”

She burst into laughter. “Oh my God. That sounds very accurate.”

When she was finally done laughing, she took a deep breath and asked, “Was there something you wanted to learn about? I can help you find it.”

This was it. Maybe she could help. I quickly tried to string together a lie.

“Yes,” I said slowly. “There is something I was wondering about.”

She leaned forward, curiosity on her face.

“I heard some aliens talking about something that happens when two humans-no-two aliens touch or kiss,” I said.

She looked confused. “You will have to give me more details.”

The kiss.

The pull.

The electricity that had shot through my body the moment our lips touched.

It hadn’t felt like drugs.

It had felt like… something unworldly. Unhuman.

“Like there is an… invisible thread? Like a pull?” I replied.

She would likely think I was insane. Surprisingly, realization crossed her face.

“Oh, yes,” she smiled. “I can help with that. Follow me.”

I wobbled after her. She stopped and turned mid-walk, squinting down at my leg before looking back up at me.

“You like the upgrade?” I asked with a grin.

“I do,” she winked.

Then she continued walking.

“Ah, yes,” she said, pointing at a hologram hovering next to a tall black shelf.

I waited for the symbols to rearrange themselves into my language.

Alien mating biology

I cocked an eyebrow. “So basically… it’s like alien sex?”

“Valtheri,” she said sharply. “I’ve told you before. Call us Valtheri.”

My cheeks burned. “Sorry.”

“That’s okay, but please get it right,” she sighed. “But it is more than just Valtheri sex. Much, much more.”

She reached up and pulled a tablet down before handing it to me. “This should teach you what you want to know.”

“Thanks,” I smiled, taking it from her hands.

“Be careful with these. They are antiques,” she said.

Then she turned back towards the exit. “Catch you later, Fenn,” she said before bouncing off into the distance.

I took the tablet back to the table and tapped the screen. It came to life within seconds. Several documents appeared instantly. I opened the first one.

Most of it was scientific nonsense about reproductive compatibility between Valtheri females and males. It looked like reproductive issues had been a long-time problem for their species.

It was not helpful, so I scrolled further. Then something caught my eye. A phrase repeated several times.

Bondmate.

I blinked.

Bondmate?

I tapped the document and it generated on the screen.

My eyes moved across the text, adjusting to the momentary lag as the language translated itself.

Certain members of the royal bloodlines still possess the ability to form an instinctive biological pairing known as a bond.

I leaned forward slightly, squinting in confusion. This didn’t seem like it would help.

This bond creates a neurological and emotional link between two individuals.

I sighed but kept reading.

The initial stage of the bond is often described as an invisible pull between individuals.

Chapter 16

It couldn’t be.

I squinted at the screen and read the words again.

The initial stage of the bond is often described as an invisible pull between individuals.

“But I’m human,” I whispered to myself. I sighed and set the tablet off to the side.

I couldn’t be Zarek’s bondmate. Wouldn’t I have felt the pull to him, from the very start?

It was just the drugs. They’d made me feel odd. Surely, I wouldn’t feel it again.

I decided to leave the library after the unsuccessful research and made my way back to my bedroom. Once I was inside, the panel next to the bed chimed. A voice boomed out at me.

Please report to the medical facility immediatly.

What was that about? I shrugged and left the room, making my way back to the medical facility, where Vii had completed my surgery.

When I approached the doors, the guards gave me a nod and stepped aside, allowing me to step inside. I walked in and rounded the corner.

Vii was standing next to a medical table, a smile on her face, “Hello Fenn. How is the leg?”

I smiled back, “Sore but fine.”

“Great,” she nodded. “I just need to do a quick exam to check on everything, if that’s ok.”

“Sure,” I replied. I sat on the medical table, my legs dangling from the side.

“While I’m here,” she said, her smile vanishing, “I just need to check your fertility.”

“I-I…what?” I gasped. “What does that have to do with my leg?”

“Your old leg,” she pointed to where it sat along the top of a nearby counter. “It was made of Titanex metal…and some other random types of metal. Are you familiar with Titanex?”

“Not really,” I said with a shrug. “It’s found all over Earth though.”

She nodded, “It can interfere with the scanners that the soldiers use when they scan humans. It may give an incorrect result. When I realized your leg was made with it-I thought I should go ahead and check your fertility.”

She walked over to me and examined my leg before passing several devices over the top of it. Then she pulled out a new device.

“Lay back please,” she smiled.

I laid down and she slowly ran the scanner over my abdominal area. It beeped a few times and then she set it back down.

“You can hop off,” she said over her shoulder as she tapped at the panel.

“Anything else?” I asked.

She looked up from the screen, “You’re infertile.”

“Wh-what…?” I stuttered.

She blinked, “I said you are infertile.”

My mouth dropped open.

“Sorry-was that too blunt?” she sighed. “I’ve been working on my bedside manner.”

“So…I…?” I began.

“You can’t have offspring,” she said, looking down at her panel again. “I’ll let Zarek know. I will put the report together and send it through to him very soon.”

I felt frozen in place.

I wasn’t fertile?

So…

“So I can go back home?” I said quickly.

Her eyes flicked up from the screen, “Well, you have to. There is no option for you to stay.”

I felt a tingling sensation pass over me. Excitement. Relief. But something else washed over me too.

Something that I couldn’t put my finger on.

---

A few hours later, I was sitting in my room, staring at the wall.

How long until they sent me back?

My heart swelled as I thought about my family.

My mom. My dad. My sister.

My planet.

I was going home.

And just like magic-the panel next to my door chimed. The doors slid open and an alien guard stood in the opening.

“Human,” it grunted. “Come with me.”

I’d never been so happy to see an alien’s face before. I sprung from the bed, pulling on my anti-gravity boots and cape.

“You don’t need to tell me twice,” I said cheerfully.

He gave me an odd look and then turned on his heel. I followed after him. We made our way through several corridors until we reached the exit.

I stepped through the doors and away from my alien prison. Then, I turned back to peer up at it.

“At least tell me that you’ll miss that beautiful sight?” a voice said behind me. I turned to see Vii, a smile on her face. She was holding out a report.

I took it from her and read it.

Reproductive Incompatibility & Earth Reassignment Directive

I skimmed through the alien medical terminology until my eyes fell onto the last lines.

Infertile.

Non-viable for integration.

Return to Earth—recommended and approved.

I squinted at the hand written signature sprawled at the bottom.

“Zarek signed it,” Vii said, her voice low. As if she was being careful with her words.

I turned to look back at the palace.

Why had I expected him to walk me out of here?

God, I was an idiot.

A skimmer soon appeared, hovering just a few feet away from us. Vii gestured towards it, “I’m escorting you to the ship. Zarek asked me to.”

I nodded and we slipped into the back.

The skimmer soon took off.

I was heading towards freedom.

The spherical metal and glass buildings around us began to blur together, under the three moons that still hung freely in the sky.

The environment began to change from tall, curved buildings, to rough terrain.

I sighed and smiled as we neared a tall building. A massive ship hovered in the distance behind it.

“That’s your ride,” Vii said from beside me.

The doors whizzed open and the cold air hit me like a wall of ice. I walked around the skimmer and towards Vii, pulling my cape tightly around me to shield me from the bitter wind.

“It’s even colder out this way,” she said, laughing at my facial expression. Then, she pointed at the ship in the distance.

“I can walk on with you,” she said with a smile.

We trudged up the platform. The humming of the ship was deafening but the heat that rolled off of it, offered some relief from the cold air. The doors whirled open and we stepped onto the ship with Vii close behind me.

Then she paused and turned to me. She was beautiful standing there. With her long elegant frame and glowing eyes. And for some odd reason-I felt a bit…sad.

She smiled and gestured for me to keep walking.

I hesitated for a second before stepping further inside but I took a deep breath and moved forward.

My breath caught.

The ship was…magnificent.

It had everything expected in an alien ship. Curved white walls, smooth surfaces, and soft lighting that glowed from strips along the walls. A circular table sat at the center, surrounded by curved egg-shaped chairs.

But it had elements that I had not seen before, at least not on the alien planet or in their ships. Delicate blue detailing traced along the walls, curling into intricate patterns.

I peered upwards and my eyes landed on a hand-painted blue symbol on a far-away wall.

I turned to Vii, “What kind of ship is this?”

She blinked, “Um…just a ship.”

“It looks nothing like the others,” I said, cocking an eyebrow.

She shrugged, “It’s just a ship Fenn.”

She led me through the vessel. We passed sleek, modern panels that had the same intricate blue designs painted throughout. Eventually, we reached a room.

“This is where you will stay,” she said with a smile. “Until you return to Earth.”

She waved her hand in front of the panel next to the door and it whirred open.

We stepped inside and I gasped.

A bed grew from the floor, like a plant. It was circular and covered in plush fabrics and pillows. The same deep blue lines that were painted on the other walls of the ship, were on these walls too.

I stepped towards one wall panel and leaned forward. I traced my finger along it. The instant my finger touched it-it glowed.

“The paint reacts to heat,” Vii said casually.

I turned towards her, “Thanks for…everything.”

Her eyes flickered down to my leg, “Of course. You deserved it.”

We stood awkwardly for a few lingering moments before she finally sighed and smiled.

“See you later Fenn,” she said sweetly.

I wrinkled my nose, “I’d rather not.”

She laughed-and it sounded like magic.

Then…she was gone.

I let out a quiet laugh and threw myself onto the bed. I took a deep breath, allowing my body to sink into the softness. I couldn’t help but grin like a mad woman.

I was going home.

And for once…it wasn’t hard to fall asleep.

---

A soft chime broke through my dreams and my eyelids slowly opened.

Before I had a chance to even yawn, the door slid open and an alien guard stepped into the room. I sat up immediately and I felt my body stiffen instinctively.

He stood still, his expression cool. Something about him was different than the other aliens. His clothing had blue patterns embroidered throughout it and he had a small silver pin on the front of his shirt.

I squinted at it. The pin was in the same shape as the symbol I had seen painted inside the ship.

“Human,” he said. “Breakfast is almost ready. You are to report to the dining hall.”

I swung my feet over the side of the bed and rubbed at my eyes, “Oh…okay.”

He gave a small nod and turned toward the door, clearly expecting me to follow.

I scrambled out of bed and hurried after him, wrapping my arms around myself as we walked. Then, we reached a massive set of doors that slid open as we approached, leading to a large open space.

It looked like a dining hall, sure. But it had the same odd designs that I had seen in the other parts of the ship. The same strange mix of modern alien design and something that seemed…older.

The guard stepped aside and waved towards the room.

“You may enter,” he said flatly.

I glanced at him, then back inside, before stepping forward.

Something felt different about this ship.

Chapter 17

An older alien stood near one of the tables, his elongated ears protruding from behind tufts of silver hair.

He turned as I approached, his expression softening into something that almost looked like a smile.

What the hell was going on?

“Ah,” he said warmly. “You must be the human traveller. Welcome to the Concordia X.”

I blinked. “The what?”

“The Concordia X,” he said with a smile. “The name of this vessel.”

I paused. “Oh. Right. Sorry. Thanks.”

“Please, sit,” he said, gesturing to a seat in front of him.

I lowered myself into it slowly. I had absolutely no idea what was going on. I watched as he moved around the table, his motions slowed by a slight hunch.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

Before I could answer, a plate was placed in front of me. My eyes widened.

Eggs.

Bacon.

“Is this…?” I whispered.

On Earth, food like this was a luxury. Something you only read about in books.

“Prepared to suit human dietary preferences,” he said. He seemed oddly…pleasant. Something I was not expecting. Where was the rude, belittling tone?

I didn’t care how he had managed to make a dish from Earth. I just started eating.

It was the best food I’d ever tasted. Perfectly seasoned. Perfectly cooked. Within moments, I had scarfed it down. Every last crumb.

The alien watched me, his brows furrowing.

“May I ask,” he said, “why you are aboard this vessel?”

I took a sip of the water he had placed in front of me. “What do you mean?”

He picked up the dirty plate from in front of me. “Your presence here is… unusual.”

I shrugged. “I’m going home. I’m a useless, infertile human.”

“Home?” he repeated, confusion crossing his face.

“Yeah. Earth,” I said with a humourless laugh. “The place where humans live.”

There was a long, ominous pause. Then he spoke again, slower this time.

“But… this vessel is not assigned to voyages to Earth.”

I coughed, water sputtering from my mouth. I choked for a few moments, then blinked at him.

“What?” I stammered. “I’m going to Earth. I was sent back.”

He shrugged. “Perhaps we are making a side trip.”

I let out a shaky laugh. “You have to be joking. Are you saying this ship is going somewhere other than Earth?”

He nodded. “We’re going to the other side of the planet.”

I ran my hands down the sides of my face. “What planet?”

“Aurelia,” he said slowly. “A nearby sister planet.”

“Wait…” I groaned. “I know Aurelia. It’s the tiny little planet that the Valtheri control.”

He nodded. “Yes, that is where we are going. We should land any moment now.”

“So then after that—you’ll go to Earth… right?” I stood to my feet, my heart racing.

He looked uneasy for a moment, as if he had said the wrong thing. “I’m sure that’s the plan.”

I didn’t ask him anything else. My body tensed, and my mind fogged.

I turned and ran.

I heard him call after me, but I ignored him.

My boots pounded against the slick floor as I rushed out of the dining hall, my heart slamming against my ribcage. My breathing came fast and uneven.

No. No, no, no.

This wasn’t happening. It wasn’t real. I was meant to be free.

There had to be a mistake… right?

As smart as Vii was, she could also be a bit of an airhead. Maybe she’d put me on the wrong ship?

I darted down the corridor, my eyes scanning desperately for a window.

“Windows,” I hissed. “There have to be windows—”

The halls twisted and curved in every direction. I was panicking, uncertain where I needed to go.

Then I saw it.

A section of the wall shimmered and turned transparent.

Thank God.

I stumbled toward it, my breath catching as the surface cleared.

Then I stopped in front of it and stared.

A planet filled my view.

I gasped.

Soft swirls of pink and white stretched across its surface like they’d been painted on. It glowed faintly.

“What the fuck?” I whispered.

That was not Earth.

That was not home.

She lied.

Vii lied to me.

And to think—I had started to like her.

“Fucking dishonest aliens,” I muttered, tears stinging my eyes.

Why had I thought an alien could be decent?

Especially to a human?

Surely I was being dropped off and turned into some kind of slave.

I staggered back from the window, shaking my head, my breathing coming in sharp, uneven bursts.

Then I turned and ran again.

I had no idea where I was going. I was like a caged mouse, running in circles on it’s wheel. The corridors blurred as tears spilled down my face, but I kept going, my thoughts spiralling wildly.

Why would they bring me here?

Why lie?

What was this ship really for?

I rounded a corner—

—and slammed straight into something solid.

Strong, large hands caught me before I could fall.

The instant those hands touched the bare skin of my arms, I knew who it was.

Because I felt it.

The invisible tug.

The pull.

Zarek.

He looked down at me as he held tightly to my arms, his unnaturally bright blue eyes glowing. His gaze travelled from my tear-streaked face, down my body, to my new prosthetic leg.

The markings along his cheekbones shimmered faintly.

I swallowed. “What the fuck?”

“You’re safe,” he said gently, releasing his grip on me.

Before I could stop myself, my hands curled into fists. I swung as hard as I could, straight toward his perfectly chiselled jaw.

My fist connected with a loud crack.

But I quickly realised the cracking sound didn’t come from his jaw.

It was the sound my knuckles had made when they slammed into his face.

I groaned in pain and stumbled back. Looking down at my hand, I saw the skin across three knuckles split open, blood already beginning to ooze out.

“Fenn,” he said calmly, “you shouldn’t do that. You’ll hurt yourself.”

“No shit!” I screamed, continuing to back away as I sobbed and clutched my injured hand. “You asshole! I’m meant to go home!”

He sighed. “I tried to find you last night. You were already asleep, and I did not want to disturb you.”

“What the hell are you going to do with me?” I shouted.

He stepped towards me, reaching for my hand.

“Stop!” I snapped, shoving at him with my good hand.

It was like pushing a brick wall.

He sighed and ran a hand through his thick mane of curls. “I am taking you to Earth.”

I blinked through my tears. “The chef in the kitchen told me we’re going to Aurelia. And I saw it. Outside the window. We’re about to land.”

“Chef?” he repeated, cocking an eyebrow. “What chef?”

“The man who made me bacon!” I cried.

For some reason, that earned a smile. Realisation crossed his face, lighting up his eyes in a way I had never seen before.

“Ah,” he said with a quiet laugh. “The chef. Right.”

“You lied to me—and so did Vii,” I cried, my hand still throbbing. “I hate you. You’re pathetic.”

He raised his brows at me. “I said you are going to—”

“Do you get off on this or something?” I spat. “Toying with weak humans? Do you have some kind of fetish? You sick bastard.”

His smile vanished. The glow in his eyes dimmed, darkening to a deeper, stormier blue. He stepped closer, and I instinctively pressed back against the nearest wall.

Then he leaned in, his face just inches from mine.

“You think this is entertainment for me?” he asked, his voice low and controlled.

My breath caught. I didn’t dare speak a word.

“You think I would bring you here, let you hate me, let you fear me…” His gaze darkened even more. “For my own amusement?”

I swallowed hard, but remained silent and still.

His hand lifted slowly, and rested against my cheek. His thumb now tracing the curve of my lips.

I felt it again.

The undeniable pull.

The invisible string.

Something animalistic began to swell within me. Something…hungry.

I wanted to…

Oh my God.

I wanted to have sex with the alien king.

What the fuck had gotten into me?

“We are stopping on Aurelia,” he said quietly. “Then I am taking you to Earth.”

I stared at him, trying to push down the sexual urge that was growing inside of me. “Why couldn’t you just send me with other humans who were being returned to Earth?”

“Because once I take you back,” he said softly, “I can’t keep you near me anymore.”

His words. The sounded like insanity.

But I was insane too. Because I wanted him to strip me naked, right here, right now.

I wanted him to take my virginity and-

I blinked-trying to push the thoughts out of my mind.

His glowing eyes searched my face.

“And before I let you go home,” he murmured, “I needed a little more time with you.”

Just then, a voice boomed over the intercom.

Preparing for landing.

Estimated arrival time to Aurelia, five minutes.

He stepped back, pulling his hand away from my face.

“Welcome to Aurelia, Fenn,” he said, the lines of his cheekbones glowing.

“Welcome to my real home.”

Chapter 18

After our conversation, Zarek had disappeared, leaving me standing in the hallway.

Frozen in place—my mind still trying to make sense of what had just happened. Trying to understand why I was developing such a feral attraction to a goddamn alien.

A short while later, a guard appeared nearby. I turned towards him just as I felt the ship shudder and shake slightly.

“Human,” he said, “you are required to disembark. You may follow me.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

Then I followed him in silence.

Light poured in, so bright that I held my hand above my eyes and squinted forward. I blinked and my vision cleared.

I stepped forward cautiously. I mean… how else was I supposed to walk off this ship? I was about to step onto yet another alien planet.

And then I stopped, my eyes wide as I peered out at the planet. It was… incredible. Unreal.

Ethereal.

The sky stretched endlessly, painted in deep blues, soft purples, and pastel pinks. The sky was dotted with distant planets, their formations clear from where I stood. The air seemed to almost… shimmer or sparkle, as if it was littered with fairy dust.

It was magical.

I stepped further off the platform.

Not far away lay a pool of water so clear it looked like glass. I’d never seen such clear liquid. I was accustomed to Earth’s muddy, polluted water. Every few seconds, the surface rippled gently, catching and reflecting the light.

I continued to look around. There was colour everywhere.

Plants I had never seen before burst from the ground in rich shades of gold, pink, and blue. Some had thick, waxy blue or green leaves, while others curved from the earth in delicate spirals.

In the centre of this unreal place, there was a round, curved structure. I knew straight away it was an ancient alien building.

Curved stone arches rose high, weathered by time but still elegant. Vines and blooming flowers burst from the ground, wrapping themselves around it.

I continued to step forward and inhaled the sweet air.

“This is…” I whispered. “Like a fairytale.”

“I’m glad you like it,” a voice said behind me.

I turned to see Zarek. He must have been watching me.

He stepped forward and walked towards me, stopping just in front of me before looking down.

“This was where I was raised,” he said, turning to look out at the landscape. “My mother’s favourite planet.”

“Why are we here?” I said, ignoring the burning sensation that had formed within me once again.

“Follow me,” he said.

Then he turned and walked off the platform.

I followed after him, my eyes still taking in the beautiful scene before me. I turned to see four guards already following behind us.

We moved along a twisting path that curved through the gardens.

I couldn’t stop looking around.

The plants seemed almost too pristine, their colours too vivid—like little works of art. Some of them moved and bent towards us as we walked near them.

I laughed and stepped back. “Are the plants trying to touch us?”

He froze and turned slowly, watching me laugh as I reached towards the plants. They reacted by bending towards me, their petals brushing against my skin.

“Interesting,” he said, his voice almost a whisper.

“What?” I laughed as a flower with large pink petals leaned towards me and rubbed against my arm.

“Nothing,” he said with a faint smile. “Let’s keep going.”

Zarek slowed beside a cluster of low, glowing flowers. Then he reached down and plucked one, the flower shimmering in his large palm.

He turned to me and held it out. “For you.”

I reached out, and he gently placed it in my hand.

“It’s warm,” I said softly as the heat seeped into my skin. “Wow.”

“It was my mother’s favourite,” he said, staring down at the flower.

“Thank you,” I said.

He gave a small nod and continued walking until we reached the round ancient structure.

The stone was worn but still smooth. I leaned forward and noticed faint patterns that had been carved into the outside walls. They reminded me of the symbols and patterns I had seen on the ship.

Zarek turned to the guards that had been flanking us from a distance.

“Leave us,” he ordered.

“Yes, sir,” they said in unison. They positioned themselves on either side of the exits.

Then Zarek pushed open the heavy door and slipped inside. I followed behind him.

The interior was not what I had expected—not if this was what he lived in as a prince.

It wasn’t over-the-top or luxurious in any way.

It was small and… simple.

Soft light crept through small openings in the walls, illuminating a space that felt more like a cottage than a home for royalty.

I turned slowly, taking it in.

“You grew up here?” I asked.

He nodded.

I frowned slightly. “I expected something more… royal.”

Zarek smiled.

“I did not begin visiting the capital until I was ten,” he said.

I raised a brow. “Ten?”

He nodded, his gaze drifting around the space. “My mother wanted me to have a normal childhood.”

Zarek turned toward me. “Come, I want to show you something else.”

We stepped back outside together.

The four guards still stood stationed near the entrance, their posture straightening the moment Zarek appeared.

“Remain here,” Zarek said firmly. “Do not follow us.”

They stayed in their positions, allowing us to walk away without following.

Zarek didn’t look back as he started down the path. I raced to catch up to him, his long legs moving much faster than mine could manage.

We walked in silence. I looked down at the glowing flower I still held in my hands. It was losing its warmth now, but I could still feel it.

As we walked, I began to notice the way he slowed his pace to match mine—the way he kept glancing over at me.

As if he was checking I was still there.

The pool came into view, and it was even more beautiful than what I had seen at a distance. The water’s surface was impossibly clear, reflecting the sky above like a mirror.

Zarek stepped to the edge of the pool and peered down. Then he turned to look at me.

“Your hand,” he said softly. “Come here.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “What?”

He gestured toward my busted knuckles. “You injured it.”

I shrugged lightly. “It’s fine, really.”

“Now, Fenn,” he said sharply, “why are you always so difficult?”

Before I could continue to argue, he stepped towards me until he was so close that I could feel the warmth from his body.

His hand hovered near mine for a moment, as if he wasn’t sure if he should touch me—as if he was hesitating. Then he gently took my wrist.

The shock was instant.

That pull.

Stronger now.

Harder to ignore.

My body raged against me. I swallowed hard, pushing down the sexual, feral urge that had reappeared.

The warm sensation that made me want to lay naked at his feet so he could have his way with me.

“Come,” he murmured.

I noticed the patterns on his cheeks were now lighting up again.

He guided me toward the edge of the pool and we crouched down slightly, while he was still holding my hand.

“You must place it in the water,” he said, tugging on my wrist.

I froze for a few moments.

“This isn’t going to… burn the flesh off my hand or something, is it?” I muttered.

He rolled his eyes, then dipped his own hand in first and retracted it to show me that it was harmless.

Then, slowly, he tugged on my wrist, lowering my hand into the water. I squealed when my hand hit the water—it was icy cold. Yet the cold didn’t hurt—it just numbed me.

I felt the water seep into the pores of my skin, easing the sting, causing the throbbing pain to fade almost instantly.

My eyes widened and I gasped. “What the hell—”

“Let it,” Zarek said gently, still gripping my wrist.

I watched as the water shimmered around my hand. It seemed to shake slightly, sending ripples outward. Each ripple led to less pain.

The cuts began to close, the skin coming together, the blood fading until the tops of my knuckles were smooth again.

The wounds were completely healed. The skin no longer broken.

He released his grip on me, and I pulled my hand out slowly, bringing it to my face and staring at it.

“That’s…” I breathed. “That’s not possible.”

Zarek didn’t respond. He just smiled.

I stood to my feet, and he did the same.

He was watching me intently, as if he were studying the features of my face.

I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. Goddamn it, the way he looked at me—it was captivating.

Then I felt it again.

The pull. The string. The connection.

And we hadn’t even touched this time.

It seemed that it was growing over time—getting stronger each time I was near him, each time we touched.

“What is that?” I asked softly. He would probably think I was crazy. Surely, he wasn’t feeling it too.

Something changed in his expression. I didn’t see the mask—the serious, unbothered king. I saw something else.

He stepped closer, and I did the same. Naturally—without so much as a second thought.

“Why are you asking a question,” he said, his voice dropping low, “that you already know the answer to?”

“I don’t,” I lied.

His hand lifted slowly as he cupped my chin.

“I know what you learned about in the library,” he said evenly.

The contact of his skin against mine sent me over the edge.

I took another step closer.

Chapter 19

“You feel it,” he murmured. “The more we are around one another, the more we touch… the stronger it becomes.”

I swallowed and shook my head. “I don’t think it’s… that.”

He chuckled. “The bond? Just say it, Fenn.”

“Zarek…” I said, my voice cracking.

He tilted his head at me as he scanned my face. “You are in denial. But I understand. You are a human, after all. You’re not meant to bond to an alien.”

He leaned forward, so close our lips were almost touching.

“I knew it from the moment I laid eyes on you, Fenn,” he said, his voice low.

And sexy. And deep. And fuck it—it was irresistible.

And that was it.

My body did it.

It betrayed me.

I rushed forward, the sexual drive far too much for me to control. I couldn’t contain it any longer.

Not anymore.

My lips pressed against his. It was as if a fire had been lit within me the moment we touched. The pull tugged harder than ever before.

But… his body went still, as if he was hesitating.

It only lasted for a few moments.

Then, he responded.

His hand moved to the back of my neck, pulling me closer as his other hand found my lower back. He pulled me so close that our bodies melted together.

The kiss deepened, our mouths opening and our tongues meeting. God, it was satisfying. Like finally feeding yourself after days of starvation. Drinking water after years of drought.

Like something that had been waiting—building—for far too long.

The pull between us was far too overwhelming to ignore.

I moaned against his mouth, and my fingers slipped into his thick curls. His grip on me tightened.

But realization struck.

I pulled back, breaking the kiss, gasping for air.

“We can’t—” I began.

“Shut up for once, Fenn,” he whispered against my lips.

Our lips met again. He turned me, pressing me against a nearby tree.

His lips were so warm. His hair so soft.

I felt his hand grip my waist, his fingers digging into my flesh through the fabric of my clothing. His other hand was now sliding down my arm.

It was all too much.

I’d only ever stolen a few kisses behind warehouses and factories down on Earth. It wasn’t as if there were many options there.

Now I was kissing the alien king, and I wanted nothing more than for him to take my virginity.

Right here.

Right now.

If I didn’t fuck him, I might explode.

I wasn’t sure what to do with my hands. How to tell him that I wanted him.

So I decided to just…try.

I moved my hand downward and felt for his penis through the fabric of his pants.

Then, I found it.

It was… rock hard.

He moaned against my lips but then pulled back. Gently, he took hold of my shoulders and pushed me, causing me to step backwards slightly.

“Sorry,” I said quickly, pulling my hands away from his body.

God, I was an idiot. What was I even doing? How embarrassing.

“Don’t be sorry,” he said with a sigh. I looked up to see his eyes and cheekbone patterns brightly illuminated.

“I—I just… I don’t know what came over me,” I said quickly.

He stepped forward and peered down at me.

“Stop,” he said softly. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I just don’t want to overcomplicate anything, Fenn. I need to simply get you home safely. Maybe taking you here was not the best idea.”

I nodded and swallowed. “Okay.”

He sighed and peered up at the sky. “Let’s head to Earth.”

He stepped back and turned, and I followed after him.

---

Hot water was now cascading down on me, but it did nothing to steady my racing mind.

After our kiss, Zarek hadn’t spoken to me again. We had walked back in silence. Not another word.

Now I stood in the shower, trying to wash away my feelings.

I was confused.

Utterly confused.

Was I falling for an alien?

An alien?!

This was madness. Insanity.

“Why him?” I groaned as I scrubbed the top of my head with shampoo.

Then I stood under the showerhead, eyes closed, allowing the hot water to beat against my skin.

It was quiet.

I stayed like that for several moments.

But then… a low rumble.

I blinked my eyes open and lifted my head.

“What was that?” I said quickly.

Then I felt the ship rumbling beneath my bare feet. Something wasn’t right.

I quickly shut off the water, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around me. My heart was thudding against my ribcage, my hands trembling as I stepped toward the door. It slid open, and I stepped out into my bedroom, near the bed.

I had no time to react.

The door to my room slid open.

My eyes widened, and my mouth fell open.

An alien stood in the doorway.

But not a Valethri.

Not even close—no, this was some species that I’d never seen before.

It was massive, even taller than Zarek, with broad shoulders and stark white skin stretched so tightly that I could see every muscle and vein in its body. It was shirtless, wearing only a pair of black shorts, the fabric littered with holes and rips.

Its solid black eyes locked onto me.

And I knew instantly that I was in serious danger.

“Get out!” I screamed, backing away.

It didn’t care. Instead, its head tilted as it stared back at me. It began to step toward me, slowly, inch by inch.

“Such a small thing,” it growled. “Soft flesh…”

It took a moment before I understood what it said. The language sounded foreign—but then it began to shift and change in my mind.

The language translator that Zarek had given me—it must work for more than just the Valethri and human language.

“You will be a fun toy,” it cackled.

Just then, it opened its mouth and a long, thick tongue began to protrude out. It was purple, with small spiky bumps along the surface.

It slid its tongue back inside and grinned, its jagged yellow teeth staring back at me.

“It has been a very long time since I have played with a human,” it laughed. “What a surprise for me.”

I barely made it two steps before it lunged.

There was no point in trying to get away. In an instant, its large, rough hand shot toward me.

I twisted away just in time, stumbling across the floor, my towel slipping as I scrambled to keep it in place.

I ran for the bathroom door. Maybe I could shut myself inside.

But this time, the alien moved even faster.

I felt it grab my arm, pain shooting through it instantly. I tried to yank free, but it was useless.

“Let go!” I screamed.

I kicked at it, twisted, flailed. My towel fell to the ground, fully exposing my naked body. But it only laughed as it’s dark eyes stared at my naked body. I felt my stomach turn.

“I will break you in half with my dick,” it laughed. “Then I will eat you.” One hand reached for his shorts.

“Don’t you even think about it!” I screamed.

The button to his shorts was now undone. He was tugging them downwards.

“Don’t be scared. You’ll enjoy it,” he laughed. “You might even—”

There was a sudden blur of movement.

The alien was ripped away from me. It flew through the air before slamming into the opposite wall. I fell backwards, losing my balance, crashing against the wall before sinking to the floor, clutching my injured arm.

I turned to see Zarek on the other side of the room, his hand wrapped around the alien’s throat as he dragged it up the wall. The alien was only half-conscious, its long arms barely moving in a pathetic attempt to stop him.

“You touched her,” Zarek said. His voice was like nothing I had ever heard before. Authority laced with something deadly.

“Therefore, you don’t deserve to exist,” Zarek said, tightening his grip on the alien’s throat.

Then I heard a snap, and the alien’s neck fell loosely to the side as his eyes became lifeless. Zarek released his grip, and the alien’s body slumped to the floor.

He stared down at it for a moment before leaning forward and spitting directly onto its face.

“Pathetic raider,” Zarek laughed.

I blinked.

Had he just laughed at a dead body?

Then he turned toward me, his eyes a dark stormy blue. He was…terrifying. My eyes darted around, searching for my towel.

Where was it?

“Here,” Zarek said softly.

I looked up to see him standing in front of me, holding it out.

“Thanks,” I said, taking the towel from his hands.

He hadn’t bothered to look away. No, of course not. His eyes travelled slowly from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.

“Hey!” I said, standing and wrapping the towel tightly around me. “I didn’t say you could look!”

“Is that how you thank someone who just saved your life?” he asked, his eyes slowly dimming as he spoke.

That’s when I saw it.

The splatters of green covering the front of his shirt.

“What is that?” I asked, gripping the edge of my towel.

“Raider blood,” he said, his eyes dropping to my arm. “You’re hurt.”

“It’s just sore,” I said, swallowing as he reached out and traced his fingers lightly over the red marks.

It felt like electricity-the way he skimmed the tips of his fingers along the top of my skin.

Chapter 20

“Go to the infirmary,” he said evenly, stepping back.

“Zarek,” a voice said from my doorway. I turned to see the older alien standing there. The one who had made me breakfast.

But he didn’t look so…old anymore. He stood in all-black, a cape dangling behind him. Green alien blood soaked his clothing. He was covered in sweat, his blue face markings brightly illuminated.

“Grandfather,” Zarek said evenly. “I am happy to see you are fine.”

Grandfather?

Zarek walked forward, standing directly in front of me and blocking his grandfather’s view of me.

His grandfather continued. “I am happy to report zero casualties.”

“How many are injured?” Zarek asked.

“Five,” his grandfather replied. “But we killed all of them. Twenty to be exact. I don’t think they realised who we were when they raided us. Stupidity on their part. I will see you for a briefly later on.”

Zarek nodded and I heard the door shut as his grandfather left.

“Your grandfather?” I said as he turned to look at me.

He smiled, “Yes. He is most certainly not the chef.”

“This ship,” I said, stepping forward. “What type of ship is it?”

“Mine,” he said.

“A royal ship,” I said. “Makes sense.”

“A royal ship that will soon land on Earth,” he said with a small smile.

The he turned and left.

I felt my body relax as soon as he was gone. But then the sadness, the fear-all of it. It hit me.

I spent the remainder of the day, lying in bed.

Sobbing.

---

A few days had passed.

I hadn’t seen Zarek.

Not even in passing.

My food was delivered to my room. No more being called down to the dining hall. It was begining to feel a-lot more like the time I had first travelled to the Valethri planet.

I went through the motions. Eating, sleeping, showering and then repeating. I had decided to eat and drink as much as I could. And I was surely taking advantage of the shower while I had a chance.

I’d soon be back on Earth with very little water and food to spare.

Now, I stood, staring out the window-looking down at Earth.

It was covered in muted colours of greenish brown, smokey white and murky blue. It no longer looked like the Earth I had seen in history books. Now it was a polluted mess.

But it was home.

This was it, he had kept his word. Zarek was really taking me home.

The ship began its descent and I smiled, letting out a deep sigh of relief. A voice boomed over the intercom.

Prepare for landing. Destination Earth.

Approximately three minutes.

I felt a tremble, and then a knock sounded behind me.

I turned to see a guard standing in the doorway.

“Human,” he said. “You are required to disembark when we land.”

I smiled.

Home.

---

The doors slid open and I was greeted by the familiar scent of burning metal and smoky air.

I took a few timid steps forward, my heart filled with love-yet I was nervous. I had been gone for a while, and in a colony like mine-things happened.

Death from breathing in too much polluted air.

Lost limbs when old equipment malfunctioned, which it often did.

My vision cleared, and I felt relief wash over me.

They were already there.

All of them.

Standing, crowded together as they waited for the ship to land. Not knowing that this ship-it was here to drop me off. To return me to my rightful place.

Not to punish them. Not to collect more humans for breeding.

My eyes scanned the crowds. Their bodies were stiff, their eyes lowered or filled with fear. No one spoke. No one moved.

Pure obedience. All while their hearts were likely filled with terror.

They knew what to do when a ship landed.

They always had. They knew The Law.

Humans are to be present and attentive when called upon. Any attempts to hide will result in loss to the surrounding populations.

I stepped down from the ship slowly, my eyes searching for my family.

But there was something different about them. My colony.

They weren’t as…thin as I remembered. Their clothes were still worn, but they were no longer falling to shreds.

I blinked in confusion and continued to peer around. I saw large metal water tanks. Dozens of them, situated at the back of the homes.

That hadn’t been there before. When I left Earth, there had been one single tank and we were forced to conserve every drop we possibly could. I squinted at the tanks.

Across each tank was a painted blue symbol.

The same one…from Zarek’s ship.

My gaze continued to travel until they landed on the crops. They looked…healthier. Greener.

A murmur rippled amongst them-and I knew what that meant. I could feel him before I even heard him approach.

Zarek.

He was standing behind me.

Then, I saw someone break away from the crowd.

My heart fluttered.

“Fenn?” someone called.

“Mom.” I croaked under my breath.

She stepped closer, hesitation in her steps. She looked over at Zarek and then back at me. She was too scared to walk to me.

So, I ran.

Right into her open arms.

“You’re back,” she breathed, clinging tightly to me, sobs shaking her body.

I inhaled her familiar scent. “Yeah. I’m back.”

She pulled back, her hands reaching for mine, her eyes travelling up and down my body. She looked much better than I remembered. Her skin had more colour and she was less frail.

“Why…why do you look so…healthy?” I stuttered.

She glanced around, lowering her voice. “Things have changed.”

“Changed how?” I whispered.

“Less work,” she said quietly. “More water. Supplies… just turning up. We don’t know why.”

I frowned. “What do you mean, turning up?”

“No one knows why it’s coming,” she whispered. “The shipments just started to appear.”

“Fenn!” a voice called.

I turned to see my sister, making a beeline for me. My dad was right behind her. So was Blaze, my sister’s fiancé.

As she approached, tears filled my eyes.

Her abdomen was protruding, just slightly. But enough for me to notice. She was pregnant.

Soon, they surrounded me. Their arms wrapping around me in a tight hug.

“That’s enough,” my mom hissed. “The aliens won’t like us making a scene.”

“It’s fine,” a voice said, cutting through our warm moment. Instantly, I felt their bodies tighten. We let go of one another in an instant, stepping back and turning to look.

Zarek stood just a few feet away, watching us intently. I looked up at the ship and noticed that there were no other aliens departing.

He was the only alien. Standing in front of a sea of humans.

No guards. No menacing presence.

Just Zarek.

He glanced at my family briefly, his expression unreadable, before turning to look at me again.

“Fenn,” he said.

My name sounded different coming from him here.

“What’s going on?” I heard Sola say quietly under her breath.

I stepped towards him, my family immediately stiffening behind me.

“I need to speak to you,” he said, motioning for me to follow him.

I nodded and followed him as he walked several feet away from the crowd. I glanced back at my family. Their eyes were filled with fear and confusion.

We stepped away from the crowd, far enough that our voices could not be heard.

“So is this our goodbye?” I asked.

For a moment, he didn’t reply. Instead, he just looked at me.

Like he was memorising the features of my face.

But I was doing the same.

I wanted to remember the curve of his jaw. The color of his eyes. His perfectly shaped lips.

All of it.

Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box before holding it out to me.

It was smooth and black, so small that it could fit in the palm of my hand. I took the box and my fingers brushed against his.

I took a deep breath, trying to ignore the sensations that it sent through my body.

I looked down at the box and opened it.

A small silver device sat inside-one small red light was blinking back at me.

“What is this?” I asked.

“A communication device,” he said.

I pulled it out, turning it over slightly in my hands.

“If you are ever in danger,” he continued, “you will use it.”

I raised a brow. “How?”

“You simply tap the small button on the side,” he replied. “You only need to do it once.”

My fingers tightened slightly around the box as I closed it.

“And then what?” I asked. “What happens after I tap the button on the side?”

He leaned forward slightly, “Then I will come for you. You just need to patiently wait. Even though I know how hard it is for you to be patient.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I tucked the device into my pocket.

Then the silence returned.

This was it. The final ending.

“I have to go,” he said quietly.

The words hit harder than they should have.

I nodded, “Yeah. You do.”

“Fenn,” he said.

I looked up at him.

“If things were… different,” he said, his voice rough, “I would not be leaving you here.”

“But they are,” he continued. “And this is where you belong.”

I took a deep breath, “This is my home. No matter how bad it may seem.”

“I know,” he said.

Still-his words stung.

Even though I had wanted this.

He stepped closer.

Close enough that I could feel the warmth of him again.

The pull. It was still there and stronger than ever.

His hand lifted slightly, like he was going to touch me…But he couldn’t. Not with a sea of humans watching our every move.

Instead, his hand dropped to his side.

“You will be safe here,” he said.

I let out a small, shaky laugh. “You sure about that? Do you understand what Earth is like?”

His eyes darkened.

Like the time he had killed that alien.

Like the time that he had found me in my room, my face beaten by a guard.

Like the time that alien made fun of my prosthetic leg.

“I will make sure of it,” he said.

I blinked, tears stinging my eyes, “Goodbye, Zarek.”

He looked at me for a long moment.

Then…he finally said it.

“Goodbye, Fenn.”

He turned. I watched him walk away.

It felt like something inside of me was being pulled tighter…the invisible string.

But he didn’t stop.

Didn’t turn or look back.

The distance between us continued to grow.

The string was even tighter now.

I watched until the ramp lifted.

And the door closed.

Then…it snapped.

I gasped.

My hand flew to my chest as a sharp pain tore through me.

It felt like something had been ripped out of me.

My knees nearly buckled.

The ship rose into the sky, the wind kicking up dust around me, whipping my hair across my face.

And I just stood there.

Until the ship became nothing more than a speck.

Author’s note:

This is the end of book one.

Stay tuned for book two. 🖤