4. Asterion

Isabella looks absolutely stunning in the white dress I picked out for her. My keen eyes allowed me to find the perfect outfit for her, and she fills out the garment nicely.

We walk hand-in-hand through my palace, towards the dining room.

While Isabella is quiet, the one called Emma is very talkative. Her voice is shrill and annoying, but her mind is cunning. I didn't quite hear what they were whispering about, but I'll have to keep my eye on that one.

We reach the dining room, a magnificent room adorned with beautiful statues and murals. At the center of the room is a long, oval-shaped table, lined with golden chairs.

I had many meals in this room, in better times. Before everything fell apart.

I stop and turn towards Isabella. She looks up at me with those beautiful big blue eyes of hers. Her hard nipples poke through the soft fabric of her dress, and it takes all my self-control not to throw her on this table, tear that dress from her curvy body, and continue right where we left off earlier.

Tradition demands I wait for the mating ceremony, but that is easier said than done.

I cup the side of her face. She closes her eyes, her tongue dancing across her bottom lip in anticipation.

So submissive.

I kiss her deeply. She melts into me, her hands holding onto my toga as her knees buckle. I pull back, before I let my mating urges consume me.

"What would you like to eat, little one?"

I tap the bracelet on my wrist and a holographic menu appears in front of us. Isabella's mouth hangs open in surprise as I scroll through the menu.

"Let's start with soup."

A drone descends from the ceiling, bringing us a warm, aromatic pumpkin soup. I pull out her chair, and Isabella sits down.

Her eyes are drawn more to the bulge in my toga than the delicious soup in front of her. She is at the perfect height to worship me with those kissable lips of hers… but the dining room is not the place for such frivolities.

I sit down across from her and watch her eat for a moment in silence. By my horns, she is perfect. Not only is she beautiful, but she's also incredibly smart.

I read her research on my people while she slept. The encryption on her device was easily broken; while humans seem to have mastered spaceflight, their security leaves something to be desired.

I don't think any Minotaur King has ever taken a non-Minotaur for a bride…

But that will not stop me from breeding this one. Her belly will swell with my young, and together, we will rebuild my home.

The mere thought sends shivers up my spine.

"So, why did you come here?" I ask.

She nearly spills her soup. "Uhm, for science?"

"For science?"

"Yes. Emma and I are archeologists. Historians. We're here to learn about your people, the Minotaurs."

"Why?"

"Because you're fascinating? The first Minotaur ruins proved we weren't alone in the galaxy. We've searched far and wide and colonized hundreds of planets, but we've never found out what happened to you… you were all long gone. Until now."

"Until now," I say.

"Are you going to tell me what happened to your people?"

"No," I say directly. "Today, we are talking about you, Isabella. Tell me everything about you. Every single detail of your life. I want to know… everything."