2. Zarek

In my throne room, I stare down at the exotic human female kneeling before me, her eyes blazing at the metal restraints binding her wrists. An unmistakable fire burns within this alien intruder, but her spirit is reckless to have dared breach the ancient cloaking barrier of Jardixia. It's been over five planetary cycles since any outworlders breached our natural shielding, which masks my home world from the primitive space-faring species we observe.

Yet this female did more than simply find us. She willingly trespassed onto my planet's sacred soil. An unforgivable violation of the most fundamental goblin law prohibiting all foreign contact here in Jardixia.

"Your Majesty," a guard grunts, his voice echoing in the grand hall. "The prisoner... is a human."

"I can see that," I retort, my gaze never leaving Sabrina. Her blue eyes, a stark contrast to the emerald of my own, hold a challenge. She's not afraid, not like the others I've interrogated.

"Great King," another guard interjects, his voice trembling, "She's from the Orion Galaxy. She should never have been able to find us."

I turn to him, my expression hardening. "And yet, here she kneels."

The Orion Treaty has kept my proud people from conquering those inferior species for centuries. It is an ancient pact made by my ancestors to restrict our territorial expansion and dominance over that region of the galaxy. Direct interaction is prohibited to preserve the natural development of their species without our advanced influence.

Damn treaty.These lesser-developed civilizations of Orion were deemed unworthy of enlightenment or assimilation into our glorious empire long ago. But this human's ability to pierce our cloaking barrier, finding her way to the heart of Jardixia, represents a threat to everything we've built here. She could expose us to those primitive worlds, making them lust for our technological supremacy, breaking the treaty. I cannot allow this to happen. The ancient rites must be upheld, no matter the cost...

Sabrina's lips curl into a smirk, her eyes never leaving mine. "I'm a xenoarchaeologist," she says, her voice steady. "I find things. It's what I do."

Her words hang in the air, lacking contrition. I see the curiosity which drove her here burning in her eyes. It's a thirst I understand all too well, one that's led me to conquer worlds and bend civilizations in the Delta Galaxy to my will.

"And what is it you hope to find here, Sabrina? Who sent you?" I ask, my voice low and dangerous.

She continues to meet my gaze, her eyes unwavering. "No one sent me. I'm here to discover the truth about your civilization, about your subjugation of other species." She pauses a moment before continuing, "About you."

Her words echo through the chamber, the tension rising. I can sense the guards shifting uneasily, unsure of how to react. No one dares to speak to me with such brazenness, and I find myself intrigued.

I am king because I alone possess the Cunning...I alone possess the Cunning, a magical power passed on in my bloodline, to lead the goblin tribes and it's this Cunning which not only grants me the intellect to outmaneuver our enemies but also transforms my physical body. It grants me a humanoid appearance very different than that of my goblin kin. Thus, I stand as a living manifestation of the power and wisdom bestowed by our ancestors only on those deemed worthy of leading our glorious galactic empire.

Yet this female has no idea who she is dealing with. I can see the fire and passion burning within her, but she is no match for the Cunning I wield. My gaze lingers on her form, taking in her delicate features, her supple curves.

I lean in, my eyes boring into hers. "Be careful, Sabrina," I warn. "The truth can scorch one's mind as surely as a giant star."

She holds my gaze, a hint of defiance in her eyes. Her bravery is admirable but foolish. She is playing a dangerous game, and I intend to show her the true meaning of power. As I stare at Sabrina's exotic alien beauty, I feel a tremor of my base instinct reverberate through me. She is the trespasser and I am the apex predator assessing my prey.

My eyes hungrily devour the lush curves of her body, which even her drab exploratory uniform cannot conceal. I am the dominant male and she has willingly wandered into my lair, awakening the territorial instincts of my primal goblin nature. I feel my body reacting to this female, her exotic scent filling my senses. My mind races with possibilities as I consider the rites which must be fulfilled.

I wrench my thoughts back to more pressing matters. To preserve the Goblin Empire, it is imperative that any who have seen our advanced world perish. As the goblin king, I am the only one with the right to decide the fate of this intruder. But the longer I observe the human, a nagging curiosity gnaws at my mind. Why would such an intriguing specimen dare wander into the territory of a predatory species?

Ignorance? Defiance? Curiosity? No matter the reason, I will not allow her to violate the sanctity of my home world and live. She sealed her fate the moment her ship touched down. The only question remaining is how I will deal the deathblow. A wicked idea creeps into my mind; a plan to savor her exquisite flesh, to taste the forbidden fruit. I can indulge in the pleasure of her body and the thrill of her defiance before her execution.

I rise from my throne, towering over the small human. Even bound, she does not flinch as I approach. My inner predator thrashes wildly, forcing me to resist the urge to crush her fragile form between my clawed hands. With a halting jerk, I instead stroke her soft cheek, marveling at the warmth and suppleness of her skin. As I take in the full measure of her beauty, a primal urge stirs within me, but I ruthlessly quell the fanciful thoughts.

"I will have the answers I seek," I growl, leaning in close, my voice a low rumble. "One way or another, you will tell me why you have invaded my kingdom, human. Tell me what you know of my Goblin Empire. I will learn all of your secrets..."

She lifts her chin, that defiant glint still in her eyes. My fingers trail across her neck, brushing over her fluttering pulse, a delicious reminder of the life flowing within her.

"I have no secrets," she replies. "I'm a scientist, a scholar. All I seek is knowledge."

"All species seek power," I retort. "Even yours."

"Perhaps," she concedes. "But my knowledge is my only weapon. I only seek to learn more."

"Then I will disarm you," I reply, my lips twisting into a cold smile. "And I always take what I want."

"You're welcome to try," she shoots back, a hint of challenge in her voice.

"I don't try, only succeed," I murmur, a faint smile curling my lips.

Her boldness and bravado are truly astonishing. A lesser being would have trembled in fear, but she remains mostly undaunted. Despite her defiant words, Sabrina's eyes widen as my claws extend and I trace my claws along the smooth curve of her neck. A soft gasp escapes her lips and she closes her eyes, but she does not pull away. I can smell her fear, but there is something else, a faint hint of arousal. My eyes narrow as I sense her heart pounding, her breathing becoming rapid and shallow. She is attracted to me, and that knowledge makes the predator within me hunger for a taste of her flesh.

"So be it," I growl, withdrawing my claws and stepping back.

Sabrina swallows hard, her eyes never leaving mine. "I'm not afraid of you," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

I cannot help but laugh, a deep, rumbling sound which echoes through the chamber. "You lie, little human. I am King Zarek of Jardixia and you are my prisoner. I will extract what I need from you, and then I will feast on your screams as you beg for the sweet release of death."

Sabrina quivers at my words, her eyes wide with fear and desire, but she does not back down. "Do your worst, Zarek. Empty threats do not scare me, especially coming from a pompous despot."

She clenches her jaw, her fists tightening, the muscles in her neck standing out as she struggles against her bonds. I can almost hear her silly desire to fight me, and I suppress a smirk. I am drawn to this human. She stirs something within me. Every time she speaks, her words cut through the air like a knife, sharp and precise. With every silent provocation, I want more. I want to know what makes her tick, what drives her, what fuels her. I try to resist, to remind myself of my duty, of the laws of my people, but the pull is strong.

I watch her as she studies her surroundings, her eyes taking in every detail, every nuance. Her eyes travel to the tapestries hanging from the walls, the ancient stonework of the chamber, and finally to the intricate carvings on the floor. The electro-luminescent runes glow, casting the room in an ethereal light.

The runes were placed long ago by the first goblin kings who built our kingdom. Their meanings have long since been forgotten and the magic they once held has faded, but the memory of their power lingers in the very fabric of the palace. Sabrina seems mesmerized by the runes, her gaze fixed on them. She should be fixated on me!

So enraging and curious this female is. A mystery I want to unravel. But I know I can't. I know I shouldn't. My council pressures me to seek a queen, to secure the goblin king lineage. But the thought of being with anyone else seems dull and unappealing compared to the fire which burns within Sabrina. I watch as she meets my gaze. There is no genuine fear, no apprehension. Only determination. "Tell me, Sabrina," I say, my voice low and dangerous. "Why do you throw your life away for knowledge? Why do you defy me, defy the very laws of my world?"

She swallows hard. For a moment, her resolve wavers. She bites her lip, and a flicker of hesitation flashes across her face. Then her eyes harden and her jaw clenches. She straightens her spine and lifts her chin, her gaze locking with mine.

I have never seen such a beautiful creature, so defiant, so courageous. A shiver runs through me and my cock hardens. This is no longer an interrogation. This is a trial, and she is the prize.

"Because knowledge is the ultimate power," Sabrina bites out, her chin lifting in willful arrogance. "Greater than any physical dominance or technological advancement. True enlightenment comes from casting aside boundaries and pushing the limits of the unknown."

A frisson of surprise and reluctant respect ripples through me at her brazen words. And at this moment, I know I'm lost. I'm bewitched, enchanted, ensnared. And I'm not sure I want to escape.

Her thirst mirrors my drive to uncover every tantalizing enigma fate places before me, no matter how dangerous or forbidden the path. Could it be this female and I share the same cursed, ravenous longing for the untapped mysteries of the cosmos? A fellow seeker drifting upon interstellar winds?

My guards watch in confusion as I lean closer. My mouth is mere inches from her ear, so close I can smell the honey notes of her alien femininity. "You will beg for me, human, for knowledge, for mercy, for... pleasure."

I watch as a tremor runs through her. I can almost hear her pulse quicken. She takes a shuddering breath, and then a slow smile spreads across her lips.

"I don't beg, King Zarek," she whispers. "I will never yield."

I smirk. "We shall see about that, little human."

Her eyes meet mine, her lips parting slightly. The air crackles with anticipation, and my inner predator howls with desire. Her defiance is intoxicating, maddening. I want her to submit, to break, to yield. I want to feel her tremble beneath me, to hear her cry out my name.

"Bring the prisoner to my interrogation chamber," I command. "We shall see what she yields then..."

The guards look at me in insolent surprise, but only until they remember the king's command is absolute. Then they quickly comply, dragging the struggling Sabrina from my throne room.

I will relish every moment of Sabrina's screams.