“Thank you, Zaroff. I never thought this day would come.”
Eager to see Abby, he smiled his response and headed from the command center. Since leaving Mars he’d been met with a series of shocking surprises. He was used to dealing with the unexpected, but uncovering a fiendish plot to overthrow the alliance, discovering a little-known planet was under the control of an evil tyrant, and experiencing intense feelings for Abby Walker bordered on the unbelievable.
“Abby,” he muttered as he marched down the chamber. “What am I to do? There’s only one answer. I can do nothing. I must allow our situation to evolve.”
Entering the chamber, he found Minerva and Abby sitting on the couch with Cosmo happily humming between them. Seeing Abby dressed in her bathrobe, her long hair still wet and falling around her shoulders, he wanted to stride across the room, throw her on the bed, and utterly devour her.
“Zaroff, I’m so happy to see you. Can you tell us what’s happening?” she asked anxiously. “Minerva said you have good news.”
“Yes, I do,” he replied, pleased to see the wine bottle open and chocolates on a plate. “The Faylins are not our enemy.”
“They’re not our enemy?” Minerva repeated. “How can that be?”
“A tyrant has been ruling over them, but because of the actions of a very brave female their dire circumstances have been brought to light, and I am in the process of righting this terrible wrong. There will be no attack on the alliance headquarters, and the Faylins will soon be liberated. Abby, don’t you believe me?”
“It’s not that. I just can’t imagine those ugly reptiles being anything but mean and aggressive.”
“I can assure you, they are a warm, kind, and gentle race.”
“Good grief.”
“Oftentimes things are not what they appear to be.”
“Apparently.”
“Minerva, you may leave us.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Minerva left, Zaroff moved across to the rippling wall and waved his arm. To Abby’s delight, it transformed into a three-dimensional image of a large, crackling fireplace.
“It looks so real,” she explained, moving quickly to his side. “I don’t care what you say, this is magic.”
“No, it’s not magic,” he replied with a grin, abruptly thinking there was no denying the magic between them. “Come and sit down with me. We need to talk.”
“I need to talk to you too, but I should get dressed.”
“No, Abby, please don’t,” he said softly, placing his arm around her shoulder and guiding her to the couch. “I like you this way.”
“Really? In a bathrobe with my hair all wet.”
“Yes, in a bathrobe with your hair all wet. You look—what’s the word? Fetching.”
“Fetching?”
“That’s what came to me,” he said as they sat down. “I thought you could use a glass of wine,” he said, pouring it is he spoke.
“It’s perfect. Thank you,” she replied, lifting the wineglass and taking a sip. “Mmm, wonderful.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I still can’t believe that reptile was forced to grab me.”
“The Faylins have been living under a despicable despot, but they’ll soon have their lives back, and the alliance will help them rebuild.”
“Zaroff, what happened between us...” she began, then taking another sip, she returned the glass to the table. “I don’t know where to begin.”
“Say what’s in your heart.”
“What’s in my heart?” she murmured. “If I couldn’t be with your ruler before, I definitely can’t be with him now. The thing is, I, uh, I have feelings for you. I know that sounds crazy, and it is, but that’s the truth.”
“Why is it crazy?”
“Good grief! Where do I start? You kidnapped me. You’ve done unspeakable things to me. You’re an alien, for goodness’ sake, and I’ve known you for—how long? A few days?”
“Let’s take those one at a time. You were taken, but I made it clear that you would be able to return if you chose not to accept the ruler. Unspeakable things? Abby, I brought your fantasies to life. Fantasies you’ve been longing for.”
“How could you possibly know that?”
“I am in tune with your body. I feel what it craves, and there were your many hours of internet exploration.”
“Oh, right. I’m not going to ask how you know about that.”
“I would not have continued with the training if I had felt disgust or repulsion from you.”
“What about the itching cream?”
“The cream gave you the excuse you needed to override your conditioning. If you had truly not wanted the phallus, you would not have accepted it as you did. And Abby, you surrendered to the tantalizing pleasure it offered. The control I exert is also something you’ve ached for. Surrendering to a dominant male, being made to behave, serving and submitting—you have dreamed of these things. Tell me I’m wrong.”
“You’re not wrong,” she murmured, dropping her eyes and feeling her face flush. “I love it. There. I’ve confessed.”
“Loving pleasure is not a crime,” he said softly. “Understanding who you are and being offered what you want and need is a joy.”
“But why should I feel joy? You’re going to present me to this ruler of yours, I’ll say no, and that will be that,” she said with a heavy sigh, then softly added, “Will it, Zaroff? Will that be the end of everything?”
“One question at a time. I still haven’t answered the others you asked.”
“What were they? I’ve forgotten already.”
“How can you have feelings for an alien, and you’ve only known me for a few days.”
“Oh, right.”
“I’ll answer the last one a bit later, but as to being an alien, you know I’m very close to being human, and, Abby, am I so unattractive?”
“No! You’re not unattractive at all! You’re anything but. You’re muscled, your eyes are amazing, and you’re so good-looking it’s ridiculous.” Then pausing and dropping her voice, she added, “When you put your arms around me, I melt like I’ve never melted in my life.”
“So...” he murmured, a soft smile curling his lips, “given all these things, it would seem unlikely you wouldn’t develop feelings for me, not that you would.”
“Maybe, but feelings aren’t just about physical things.”
“This is true, and you have touched my heart too.”
“So, would it be possible, when I say no to your ruler, for me to stay a while and spend more time with you, or will I be sent back to the compound? You said I’d be returned with no memory of my experiences here. That makes me sad too. And what about the kiss? You said we weren’t allowed to do that.”
“The kiss. Yes,” he said with a frown. “It was against the rules, but it was all my doing. You needn’t concern yourself. As far as the possibility of staying to spend time with me, all I can say is, I’m hopeful. Now I have a question for you. The presentation to the ruler takes place at the alliance headquarters. When it’s over I will be returning to Rathe. Staying for a while, as you put it, would require you to travel with me there. I must ask you, Abby, spending time with me, is this something you truly desire, or something you’re just thinking about?”
Abby’s heart began to pound. He wasn’t asking for a commitment, or was he? Gazing into his lavender eyes, knowing they were eyes she’d not even remember if she was returned to the compound, sent a lump to her throat. He’d made her aware of a passion she didn’t know she possessed, and brought her to mind-blowing, spine-tingling orgasms! It may have been training, but he was right. She had loved every single second.
“Abby?”
“Yes, Zaroff?”
“Being subject to my discipline, surrendering your body to me, and even sharing my bed, is this something you want to do, or something you’re just thinking about?”
“If I stayed, could I still return to Earth if I wanted to?”
<
br /> “You never were, and never would be, my prisoner, but if you chose to go back, as I said before, your memory would be wiped clean.”
“Would I be able to view my sister and my friends on a screen like I did before?”
“That could be arranged. Now I’ll ask you a third time, but it will be the last. Staying with me, is that something you want, or something you’re just thinking about?”
“Why does this feel like such a big thing?”
“Like the question itself, only you can answer that. Which is it, Abby?”
Chapter Nineteen
Abby knew what she wanted to say, but the idea was preposterous. Flying through space on a UFO with an alien to a distant planet! How could she even consider such a wild idea?
“Something I want.” The words spilled from her lips before she even knew she was saying them, and for a fleeting moment she wanted to suck them back in. “I can’t believe I said that.”
Picking up Cosmo, he placed him on the other side of her, then pulled her into his arms.
“I’m glad you did. I want that too, but only time will tell if it’s possible.”
“You mean, if the ruler will allow it?”
“You may accept him.”
“What’s wrong with you?” she demanded, pushing back and staring at him, her eyes blazing. “How many times do I have to say it? I will not accept him.”
“He has a great deal to offer.”
“I don’t give a shit what he has to offer. I want to be with you.”
Suddenly grabbing her wrist and yanking her over his lap, he pulled up the bathrobe and landed two stinging swats.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“My beautiful Abby, you know exactly what that was for,” he said sternly, fiercely squeezing her cheeks. “You can express how you feel without using foul language.”
“I’m sorry. Ouch!”
“A little self-control is all it takes. Have I made myself clear, or do I need to spank you again?”
“You’ve made yourself clear, sir.”
“Those smacks were your last warning,” he said, bringing her back up and putting his arm around her shoulders. “Next time I will properly spank you. I cannot allow you to speak that way. It’s a habit, one you must break. You might let foul words slip in front of other Ratheons, and that cannot happen. Am I clear?”
“Yes, sir, I’m sorry. These feelings for you, they crept up on me. I didn’t realize how much I cared until you asked me if I wanted to stay.”
“I know, and that’s why I had to punish you on the spot. You’ll be meeting the ruler very soon, and you can only make a choice if you know what’s in your heart. Humans tend to live in their heads.”
“How can I know what’s in my heart for the ruler if I haven’t even met him yet?”
“You can’t, and I wasn’t referring to him. I was referring to me. You need to be emotionally clear. I must warn you, Abby, regardless of how you feel about me, when you meet him you may want to accept his offer.”
“That’s ridiculous,” she huffed, then looking at him intently, she asked, “Zaroff, did your feelings creep up on you too?”
“Yes and no. I have always found you desirable. Watching you on Earth, I thought...”
“Thought what?”
“The ruler would be very fortunate to have you,” he replied, sliding his long fingers into her hair and gently tugging it back. “I know I would consider myself truly blessed if you were at my side.”
“But I will be at your side. I want to be.”
“Sir, Commander Sinjin is approaching Fay.”
“Thank you, Keon,” Zaroff said with a heavy sigh.
“Keon?”
“Yes, Abby, and I’m sorry. I have to leave you now. I just received a message. The tyrant’s palace is about to be destroyed. I have to return to the command center.”
“Please tell me the person talking in your ear didn’t just hear our conversation.”
“No! Absolutely not, but I really do need to go.”
“Can I come?”
“You’re wearing a bathrobe.”
“Oh, right.”
“Probably not a good idea anyway, but I’ll make the action available on the viewing screen, and I’ll send Minerva in when I leave. She’ll know how to tune it in. I’ll see you soon, Abby.”
He’d spoken softly, and touching her lips with his fingertip, he strode from the room.
She stared after him for a moment, then reaching for her wine she took a drink, and another, then reached for the chocolate. Popping a piece in her mouth, as the rich candy melted against her tongue, her thoughts began to spin. Why did he still believe she might accept the ruler? Taking another drink, she ran her fingers through her wet hair. Life away from Earth on a foreign planet was an exciting prospect, but a scary one, and if she wanted to go home, even if she couldn’t remember things, would she ever be the same again?
“Of course not,” she muttered. “No one can go through something like this and not be changed by it, memory or no memory.”
“Abby, are you all right?”
Lifting her eyes, she found Minerva standing over her.
“I didn’t hear you come in.”
“You were deep in thought. What is that saying on Earth? You were a million miles away.”
“I was—I am—literally.”
“Zaroff said the attack on the Faylin tyrant is about to happen. He asked me to come in and—”
“Yes, I know.”
“Abby, why are you so troubled?”
“I have a thousand questions and no answers.”
“Are you trying to make a decision?”
“I’ve made the decision.”
“Abby, you’re talking in riddles.”
“Because that’s what my life has become. One. Big. Riddle.”
“Humans,” she said with a sigh. “I don’t understand why you torment yourselves this way.”
“What way?”
“You make a decision, then fret. Why must you always go backwards after going forwards?”
“Uh... this is a really big one.”
“Every decision is a really big one.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Consider this. You’re walking home and you decide to take the path by the lake. You think nothing of it, but if you’d taken the path through the houses you would have found a wallet. The man who lost it would have been so grateful when you returned it, he would have done something extraordinary that would have changed your life forever, but you chose to walk by the lake, and someone else found the wallet. Every decision, even the ones you think are inconsequential, can, and often do have profound consequences.”
“Good grief. I’m not sure I needed to hear that.”
“The point is, once you chose to walk by the lake, you just did it, but you think you can see into the future thinking endlessly about big decisions. You can’t, and no amount of fretting will change that. Whenever we discuss humans, and when I say we, I mean the other officers and me, we often talk about how humans become agitated overanalyzing both before, and after, they’ve made their choice. The more you think, the more complicated situations become, especially if emotions are involved, and they usually are. Logic and feelings are oil and water. My point is, analyze the facts before you choose, fine, but once you have chosen, live with your decision in peace. Does that help?”
“I’m not sure. I have to analyze everything you just said,” Abby replied with a poker face, then laughed out loud. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”
“For a moment I thought you were a lost cause,” Minerva replied, breaking into a smile.
“No, not yet I’m not, and you’re right! My decision is what I want. Stressing over it won’t change how I feel. I can only hope things work out the way I hope they will.”
“Waiting is never easy,” Minerva remarked as she moved across the room. “Are you ready to look upon an alien world?”
“Definitely.”
>
“I don’t want to miss the overthrow of an evil tyrant. The landscape will be different to anything you’ve seen before,” Minerva remarked as she brought the picture to life. “It’s very dark with rows and rows of low spiked peaks. There it is, and that large red structure is the palace. You can see how she cleared the land around it so—oh, my goodness. Look.”
“I’m not sure what I’m seeing.”
“Those are the Faylins attacking the palace. It appears they’re taking back their freedom.”
“Oh, my gosh. There are swarms of them. What happens now?”
“See how the image comes closer. We’re seeing what the patrol ship is seeing. He’s going to land and assist them, then the Universal Alliance will send agents to help stabilize the situation and bring in supplies.”
“This is amazing. That must be the tyrant they’re dragging out. Is she dead?”
“She must be. They couldn’t do that if she was alive. Zaroff was told she’s three times the size of a normal Faylin, but she looks even bigger than that.”
“That is one huge reptile compared to the others,” Abby muttered. “I’ll bet she died of natural causes.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Nature designed the species to be the size they are. She must have been some kind of mutant. Being that size her lifespan would have been shortened, and she would have had all kinds of physical ailments.”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
“Abby, are you watching?”
Zaroff’s voice suddenly echoed through the room, and turning around, she saw him through the rippling wall.
“Yes, I am. Talk about timing.”
“The Faylins on Commander Sinjin’s ship will be speaking to the populace on behalf of the alliance. This is the best outcome we could have hoped for.”
“I wonder how it happened.”
“We’ll know soon enough, but this would have occurred at some point, with or without us. The desire for freedom lives in all creatures. I have some unexpected work in front of me, but Minerva is going to take you on a tour. I’ll see you later.”
“Soon, I hope.”
Trained by the Alien Page 14