10. Stella

Isit on the largest and softest couch I've ever seen in my life with a plush robe that feels like pure velvet wrapped around my shoulders as two hulking aliens argue in front of me.

Outside, stars pass us by. We're on a spaceship. A freaking spaceship. I still can't wrap my head around it. I sip on a hot cup of tea as I try to make sense of it all. My life has been a living nightmare ever since I woke up this morning, but maybe things are turning around.

Maybe.

I haven't quite made my mind up about En'Zal yet. He says he's a king, and that he'll keep me safe.

He's a ruthless killer and an alien. So what do I know, really?

The two men shout at each other. The translation chip I carry can barely keep up with their conversation. They're shouting something about a council and war, but the finer details escape me. For a moment they lock horns, and I worry one of them is going to throw a punch.

Finally the pilot storms off, and En'Zal takes a deep breath before turning his attention towards me.

"What's going on?" I ask. "Are we in trouble?"

"No, my brother is just worried. Forget about it, Stella. It is not your concern."

"That was your brother?"

I know siblings can argue, but to me it looked like they were about to come to blows. Maybe that's just how Erullians communicate. I'm so out of my depth here…

"Yes. His name is Khi'Zal. You can trust him with your life, Stella."

"My life? Is it still in that much danger?"

The alien king sits down next to me. He places his big claw on my thigh, and my heart jumps into my throat instantly. My legs want to spread, which makes no sense, and it takes a lot of mental effort to keep sitting still.

There's something about this man that triggers something deep inside of me, a primal urge to fu… I bite my bottom lip to stop my train of thoughts. Focus, Stella.

"I'm afraid so, my little human. The man I saved you from, King Ro'Kal? He's a dangerous man, and he will hunt you. Only in my palace will you be safe."

"So I can't go home?" I ask.

En'Zal shakes his head. "Out of the question."

"But…"

My thoughts turn to my cozy little apartment. The episodes of the Bachelor I'm missing. The books that are half-finished on my Kindle. The work gossip I'm missing out on.

Nothing major in the grand scheme of things, but it's my familiar life, and I want it back.

"Do you have loved ones at home?" En'Zal asks.

"I… guess not," I say. Whoa, that kinda hurts to admit, but it's true. "Not since both my parents died."

"I'm sorry for your loss, Stella."

"It's fine," I say. "It was their time."

"The slavers said you were untouched. Was that true?"

I get emotional whiplash from his question, and swivel my face towards his. God, he's so damn big, and brutish, and alien, and fucking hot. With his big horns curling out of his red, scaled forehead, and those yellow eyes, burning with smoldering intensity, just wanting to gobble me up…

"Uhm, not that it's any of your business, but yes. That is factually correct," I say.

King En'Zal grunts.

I don't know if it's a good or a bad grunt. I'm going to go with good. My gut wants to trust him.

Well, my guts wants that claw of his that's burning on my thigh to slide between my legs and punch a hole in my V-card, but that's not happening.

"What about you?" I say, my voice fluttery. "Do you have a wife? Children? A queen? Concubines? A harem? You probably have kids, right. A king must have offspring. A dozen, probably."

He shakes his head slowly. "No to all of that. I have taken no mate, and have sired no children."

My heart thumps at that news. Why is it thumping? Stupid heart. Slow the hell down. He can probably hear it!

"But you are correct in your assessment, Stella. A king must have offspring."

"Then why haven't you?"

En'Zal looks off into the distance as his claw squeezes my thigh just a little. "That is what all my advisors keep asking me. I simply haven't found the one. It is not a luxury kings have, but I hoped I could be different. Perhaps I'm not."

"The one? You mean your soul-mate?"

"Yes. The one that ignites my heart. That fills my soul. That completes me. Humans have soul-mates as well then?"

"Sorta? Maybe? Not really, to be honest," I say. "It can feel that way to some, but the way you describe it seems a bit more than just… love?"

King En'Zal turns back to me, and my heart thumps loudly the moment we make eye-contact. I don't know if my heart is ignited, but there's definitely something happening down there.

"An Erullian soul-bond is the best possible thing in the world," En'Zal says slowly, and I can feel his low rumbly voice in every inch of my body.

"What does it feel like?"

"Your stomach flutters. Your heart races. Your fangs elongate. Every sense in your body is primed for mating, primed to complete yourself. Why do you ask, little one?"

"N-no reason," I stammer as I squeeze my thighs shut. "No reason."

King En'Zal leans towards me. Oh crap, is it happening? Oh fuck. Be cool, Stella. Watch out for his fangs. Don't nick your tongue, that would be silly.

At that moment the intercom crackles.

"We are approaching the palace, brother. Prepare for landing."