14. Stella

Igaze upon the sprawling alien city. Tall spires reach up into the purple-hued sky, reflecting the light of the two suns orbiting this planet.

It's hard to believe this is all happening to me. I'm just a nobody. Just Stella. And now I'm thrust into… this.

There's a soft knock on the door.

"Yes?"

An elderly Erullian woman wearing a pristine blue gown enters the room. Her scales are beige, her neck long and slender, and her black hair is tied into a tight bun that sits on the top of her head.

She looks scary and cool.

"Hello, dear. My name is Ilyara, and I am here to help you get settled in."

"I don't want to settle in. I want to go home."

"I understand, dear. I will discuss this with Your Majesty. In the meantime, I would like to attend to your needs. Can I do that?"

"I guess."

"Good. Please, come here and let me take your measurements."

"What for?"

She chuckles. "To make you some clothes that actually fit you properly, dear. Or do you want to walk around clutching that cloak all week?"

En'Zal's cloak is incredibly soft and warm, but I do feel self conscious about the incredibly lewd lingerie I'm wearing underneath it. Still, if I want to let this Erullian woman take my measurements, I'll need to drop it.

"This will only take a moment, dear," she says, as if she can read my mind.

I take a deep breath. "Fine," I say, and I let the cloak drop to the ground.

I see her bright yellow eyes go big for a single moment, but then she's right back to her professional demeanor. Ilyara procures a measuring tape from her satchel, and goes to work taking my measurements.

"All done, dear."

When it's over, I quickly grab the thick robe and wrap it around my body.

"Are you hungry?"

I shake my head. Food is the last thing in my mind right now. Although, I do wonder what these beings even eat…

"I'll have some delivered anyway, in case you do want something to eat. I suggest you take a long, hot, relaxing bath, dear, while I make everything in order. The bathroom is right through there."

I nod. This woman is very nice, and I feel a bit more at ease now. "Thank you."

"Anytime, sweetie."

Ilyara closes the door behind her on her way out, and I take a look into the bathroom.

Holy moly.

This is not a bathroom. This is a swimming pool!

Every inch of this place exudes wealth. You could fit a dozen people in here easily!

The bath is already filled with steaming hot water, and all kinds of scented soaps and oils stand in a neat little row on the side of the bath.

Mosaics of gorgeous alien landscapes cover the walls of this bathroom. I think I spot some of the locations En'Zal told me about earlier.

I drop my cloak and finally take the lingerie off. I try several of the oils, and each of them smells heavenly. I make my pick and pour a little in the bath. The water starts to foam up wildly, smelling like flowers and chocolate.

I dip my toe in there. It's just the right temperature where it's still piping hot, but not unpleasantly so. I sink into the hot water, and just like that, I feel all the stress in my body dissipate.

Ah.

Perhaps this whole rescued-slash-kidnapped-by-an-alien-king thing is going to turn out better than expected…