Never Blamed: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Chosen Narratives Book 1)

by Sabrina Kade

  Her eyes narrow. She turns to Chimase. “Is this true? You’re going to try to convince Sohmac to take it back?”

  “The agreement was that I would let her see him. What they do with their time is up to them.”

  Vydeka’s eyes land on me. “You truly want to go back to him? That perverted old man? You’ll convince him to leave here?”

  I nod. “Y-yes. I don’t want to fight about your Chosen mate. I want to go back to Soh.” I turn towards Chimase and thrust my hand out towards his again. “Do we have a deal? I go with you, and you’ll let me see Soh?” I shift slightly towards Vydeka who still scares the crap out of me, but I try to keep my voice steady. “And once Soh takes me back—”

  “There’s no way he will—”

  “And once he takes me back,” I interrupt to keep Chimase focused, “I’ll convince him that we should move. I’m sure he doesn’t want to be involved in your families matters. You have a well-respected family name. I’m sure he wants to avoid any trouble, especially when it comes to a human.”

  Chimase is frowning. For a few tense moments, I don’t think he’s going to take my hand. I’m not sure what he’s waiting for. He wants me to go with him. And I will. If he lets me see Soh. And Vydeka wants me to leave. And I will. Once I see Soh.

  “Everyone wins,” I say, though my voice cracks when Chimase doesn’t move. I lift my eyes, pleading. “Please, just shake my hand.”

  His eyes narrow, but to my relief, Chimase’s hand lifts and lands in mine. Long fingers curl around my entire hand, and he violently shakes it, all but lifting me off my feet. I let out a strangled cry, but when he removes his hand, I notice that Vydeka looks satisfied.

  “There,” Chimase says. “Now, will you please be on your way, Vy?”

  She nods. “Stop by my room tonight. My brothers want to have a chat with you.”

  And then, without even sparing me a look, she’s gone.

  I turn away from Chimase to lay down again, but a large arm wraps around my waist and pulls me back. I slam against a firm chest, but he doesn’t bother spinning me around to face him. I feel his entire body curl over mine as he leans down, brushing a forked tongue against my ear. I don’t dare scream, but I feel something down below that I wish wasn’t happening. Dammit, I’m turned on.

  “I must return before it becomes too cool to travel, but I will be back when it is hot again,” he says in a low whisper, flicking his tongue against my ear. I moan slightly.

  “W-what… what are you doing?” I manage to gasp.

  “Tasting you.” He says it like it’s the simplest thing in the world, but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful. Annoying or not. Arrogant or not, this Sidyth does something to me. Maybe it’s his strange way of speaking. Maybe it’s his fucking ideals. Real or fake, I can’t help but feel that he wants me. “Sohmac does not realize how much he has given up.”

  My eyes widen. “He will. I’ll convince him.”

  “Sohmac is a very lucky male.”

  I scoff, instinctively pinching my thighs together. “Why? You’re richer than he is. You have a better name. You’re younger.”

  He spins me around. “Isn’t it obvious?” His head dips and his nose brushes against the tip of mine. “He has you wanting him this much.”

  A drop of arousal eases past my folds and down my thighs.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” My voice sounds hoarse. I’m embarrassed. He’s playing with me. Toying with me. He and Vydeka are going to laugh about this later. “Seriously…” I push off his chest. “Get out. Stop messing with me.”

  I spin away, half expecting him to follow me into the tiny cot, but even before I hit the sheets, there’s a sharp beep and the sound of metal grinding.

  He’s gone, and I can’t decide if I’m happy about that or not.

  Weird ass alien.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The trip from the human health center is an awkward one. I shouldn’t be surprised by the travel transport, I’ve heard often enough about the wealth and power of the Etansyl name during my short stay at the center, but I still can’t hide my shock. The transport somehow screams welcome to the future but is kind of obnoxious with its golden yellow color. It reminds me of a rain boot and a hovercraft if they decided to have a baby with a Mini Cooper.

  After sparing Chimase an uneasy look, I board and take my seat.

  We leave the town immediately. I don’t want to cry, it’s not my home, but I’ve grown used to this place with Soh. And as that familiar part of my world fades into nothing but a blur, I can’t help but wipe my eyes. Chimase doesn’t offer any comfort, but I notice him stiffening. I dry my eyes after a few minutes, deciding that I should focus on the travel ahead of us. After all, I have no idea how Chimase lives. I’ve always thought Soh was wealthy, but the more we travel, the more I realize that Soh may have only allowed me to believe that to keep me frightened of trying to leave him.

  Chimase Etansyl’s world is nothing like the one I’ve left behind.

  The city ahead is bustling with Sidyths, and even a few aliens I don’t recognize. The buildings grow larger and shinier as we continue to travel, and I can’t help but compare this new world to the Upper East Side. The buildings are hundreds of stories high, and weirdly enough they’re shaped like massive dildos, all the way down (or should I say, up?) to their rounded tops. I suck in the wicked smile threatening to bloom on my face.

  “You must be very wealthy,” I say when I can no longer take the silence.

  “The Etansyl family has been heavily invested in Galactal trading for many passings.” The voice from the front seat is familiar enough. And even though I can’t see him, I know it’s Chimase’s assistant, Exdrux. I steal a look at Chimase, but he merely shrugs, and Exdrux continues. “Since the travels era, they realized they had a solid chance to become wealthy by becoming involved in tradings.”

  “What kind of tradings?”

  “Fuels. Cargo. Workers—”

  “That’s enough, Exdrux,” Chimase interrupts him, clearing his throat and turning towards me. “Yes, though. It’s true. My family comes from wealth. We have been wealthy for many eras. I’m afraid I’ve never known any other way.” He shrugs. “What about you? Did you come from money? I suppose not if you ended up here. Does money even exist in your homeland?”

  I frown. I can’t help but think that Chimase assumes I come from some primitive planet where we all live in caves and can barely make fires. He probably knows nothing of the music we make. The holidays we celebrate. The politics we follow whether they be good or bad. I’m sure the aliens working with shipping humans doesn’t want them to know. That way everyone can sleep better at night.

  “My family did alright.” I don’t feel like offering much more information than this.

  Chimase clears his throat again. “Do you…”

  “What?”

  “Do you miss them? Or do humans not form formal family bonds?”

  “We do. And yes. I do miss them.” I spin away, deciding to focus on the landscape beyond the transport. I don’t want to talk to Chimase about my family and my home on Earth. Naturally, he’s been raised to think certain ways about humans, and I don’t feel the need to correct him. It’s not like I’ll ever go home again. Returning abducted goods to their homeworld is a federal crime. No alien would risk it. Not even one as kindly, open and odd as Chimase is making himself appear. I see no reason to focus on anything or anyone that I’ll never be able to see again.

  Exdrux shifts the transport to a narrower street, and I lean closer to the glass, practically placing my nose against it. There’re high rises built on sandy beaches. This new environment reminds me so much of Miami (or at least how Miami was shown on reality TV shows), and I can’t help but gawk. The Sidyths here are even more scantily clad, and as I shift to practically stand up in my seat, I think I see something painfully familiar in the distance.

  “Is that a beach?” I breathe against the glass, narrowing my eyes.

&
nbsp; “Beach? No, those are the watercrests,” Chimase says. “Do you like it? Can you see?” When I don’t answer, he kicks the seat in front of him. “Exdrux, please take a detour so she can see the watercrests.”

  “As you request.”

  The vehicle shifts from its route.

  I finally find the courage to look at Chimase, but as soon as his eyes find mine, I quickly look away. “You don’t have to do that.”

  “You are interested in the watercrests, yes?”

  “Well…” I lower my head, slightly embarrassed. “We call them beaches back at home.”

  “Bee-chez,” Chimase repeats awkwardly. “How strange. But you wouldn’t mind seeing them, yes?”

  “I’ve never seen a beach before, and this one looks different than the ones at home,” I admit.

  And it’s true. Once Exdrux turns down another street and says his name to a guard like someone at the front of a gated community or country club, we’re able to get closer to what can only be described as a beach. Only the sand is pink like sugar sprinkles on a birthday cupcake. And the water is a deep, bloody red. The watercrests are quite intimidating to look at.

  “It can’t be safe to swim in there.”

  “With proper attire, I suppose it could be done,” Chimase says with a shrug. “Though I certainly would not suggest it.”

  I frown, still looking over the scape. I’ve never seen a beach in real life before, and though this doesn’t look exactly like the pictures I’ve seen growing up, I can’t compare it to anything else. The water is hauntingly still though, hardly any waves, but despite that, I can tell it looks somehow thicker than ocean water back on Earth. This water, or whatever it is, is like cough syrup.

  I had no idea that the fatherland had anything like this. Soh never took me anywhere.

  “Not just anyone can come to this particular watercrest,” Chimase says as though he’s read my mind. “I’m not surprised that someone like Sohmac Tendalson would not be able to come.”

  I snap back around. “Maybe Soh isn’t as wealthy or well-known as you, but he is kind to me.”

  “Did I say something about his kindness?” Chimase smirks. “You are fascinating. So defensive about someone like Sohmac. You call him your owner, and yet, you seek to be seen as an equal around me.”

  “I do not.”

  “You do.”

  “I never said anything—”

  “It has nothing to do with words,” he says quickly. “It is a scent. A flavor.” My eyes widen, and though I quickly look away, Chimase continues talking. “He does not view you as an equal, and yet you continue to defend him. I wish half of my service workers were as loyal to me as you are to him.” He chuckles to himself before kicking the seat in front of him a second time. “That’s it for today, Exdrux. Take us home now.”

  Exdrus doesn’t say a word, but the golden, hovering rainboot shifts once more, lurching me back up against my seat.

  Home.

  Where I’m going isn’t home. My home is back on Earth. The only other home I know is with Soh. But unless I’m nice to Chimase, I’m assuming his promise is worth jackshit. I sigh loudly, realizing how hopeless this situation could turn out if I don’t play by Chimase’s rules. He’s wealthy and powerful. That word they called him at the hospital, Wolband. It didn’t take long for me to figure out that it was a term of respect. He’s considered a man of great wealth and, apparently has people who listen to him. And based on what Exdrux said, he comes from the alien’s version of old money.

  “You do not need to scowl so much,” Chimase says suddenly, and I jerk my head towards him. I’m surprised by how close he is suddenly. He must have slid across the seat while I was thinking about Soh. “Your face is stunning for a human.” When my cheeks turn pink with embarrassment, he clears his throat. “I apologize. I mean you are beautiful. Your features, I mean. In general. Not just as a human, but as a sentient being.” He leans even closer, and I swear the breath leaves my lungs. “What do you think of me?”

  My blush evaporates. “Excuse me?”

  “I did say I found you stunning. I was curious about how I look to you. Alien to alien, yes?”

  “What do you care?”

  Still, I glimpse up and down his frame. From his fancy shoes to the tight trousers hugging his hips and thighs. They’re dark brown with a thin pinstripe, but they fall right above his knees instead of all the way down to his ankles. Goth, Victorian, or cosplay, I still can’t decide. I look at his broad chest that barely seems to have room in his snug chain mail blouse. A peek of pale skin looks more like marble than a covering on a man. And though there’s no hair there, there are enough scales to give it a human-like appearance. Shamefully, (not really), I glimpse down at the hammock between his thighs. Sure enough, he’s hard. I swallow deeply. Covering my physical attraction to him is difficult. With Chimase, my fascination is so much different than my attraction to Soh. Soh’s attractive because he never truly hurt me. He’s kept me safe. With Chimase? I’m attracted because he’s physically attractive. Even as an alien.

  “You like hiding in your thoughts, yes?”

  I blink, noticing Chimase’s intense expression. “That seems to be a popular human habit. Diving into the black hole of the mind.” He reaches forward and taps my forehead with a single finger. I hate that I’m surprised that it didn’t hurt. “Did you do this often with Sohmac?”

  “I didn’t have to.”

  He frowns. “Why?”

  “Because he…” The words die in my throat. I’m not sure what I’m about to say. Why do I get so uncomfortable around Chimase? He’s attractive, sure, but he’s not the first alien I’ve been physically attracted to.

  Is he?

  “We have arrived,” Exdrux hisses from the front seat.

  Chimase wilts. “Of course, we have.”

  Leaning away from me, he crosses his arms as Exdrux exits the not-actually-a-car and rounds to open our door. He helps Chimase out first before stepping aside. Chimase holds his hand out towards mine. It’s a giant hand, but a well taken care of hand. It’s clean and soft looking despite the stray scales. I slap it away and exit with a frown, growing closer to Exdrux.

  He’s frowning, too.

  “Show her where she’ll be staying,” Chimase says. “I should go find Vy and make sure she doesn’t cause any problems.”

  “Vy?” I squeak.

  Chimase turns away from our supposed ‘home.’ “Of course. Most of the top tothids, mithids, and even some well-known lothids live in this building. It is a great honor.” He makes a low clicking sound in his throat towards Exdrux.

  And then he’s gone.

  “I must say I am impressed,” Exdrux hisses down at me.

  “Why?”

  “Because Chimase is not easily won over by anyone. Let alone some common human. But he has always been too kind. I suppose that is his greatest downfall.” He shrugs. “I suppose it’s not my place to complain.” He brandishes a large hand toward the building. “As Chimase explained to you, he lives in this building along with many of the tothids, and top mithids Sidyths of the Hendras region. Should you be so lucky, you will get to stick around for a while.”

  I nod, feeling nervousness wash over as the Sidyth leads me to the front door.

  “Tothids?” I ask, feeling hesitant because I don’t recognize the term. “Mithids?”

  Exdrux continues speaking without missing a beat. “About two hundred families are living in this building. The higher up you live, the more important you are. Up there are the tothids.” He lowers his finger. “Most of the mithids live in this part of the building.” He frowns down at me. “You will be living in the underground settlement unless called up by Chimase. Your accommodations will include a single room with an eating, cooking, sitting and sleeping area. The human area shares privacy stalls. Do you understand what I am saying, so far? Is your Sidese that fluent?”

  My eyebrows furrow. I do have a few questions, but I’m sure Exdrux doesn’t want to take t
he time to answer them. I’ll have to go on context. Based on what he’s saying, the wealthiest people live in the highest floors. Mid-level rich people live in the middle of the building. And humans and servants live in an underground settlement. I hope to God that means basement.

  “Speak up if you do not understand,” Exdrux hisses impatiently.

  “I understand. Important Sidyths live higher up in the building. Humans are bottom feeders. Got it.”

  He frowns but doesn’t say anything else. Instead, he leads the way to what can only be called a lobby. There’s a few heavily armed Sidyths, each one over seven feet tall and entirely too thick. They almost look like cartoon characters. They start to advance when their eyes land on me, but Exdrux waves them off.

  “Property of Wolband Entasyl.”

  I bite down hard on my lower lip, so I don’t try to correct him. More importantly, I don’t like the way the guards are looking at me. Like I’m on a sample platter at Price Costco at noon. I try to remember that Chimase isn’t here, so I can’t act as though I’m untouchable. I quickly lower my eyes, watching Exdrux’s feet as he effortlessly glides along.

  “Chimase has prepared lovely accommodations for you,” he drones on. “More than most humans. As mentioned previously, I am very impressed. You are a strange looking one.” He makes the same clucking sound as Chimase earlier. “Most of the ones I have seen have pale skin. And yet yours reminds me of kendax with a hint of jendari. And the eyes? They are very dark. Like murky waters, or the sky after a storm. Tell me something, is your appearance considered strange in your homeland?”

  “I’m bi-racial.” Mother of God. Even aliens aren’t used to mixed races. Wonderful. I steal a glimpse at Exdrux, who looks confused by my wording and I roll my eyes. “My mother was black. That means she had dark skin… uh… like kendax. Your guy's version of coffee. And my father? He was like jendari cream, though he was a little darker than half-and-half. They had a kid. Me. And this is what I look like.”