by Sabrina Kade
“It won’t be long now until we have another baby here,” I mutter.
“Yeah. I’m sure Chentan is thrilled.” She shakes her head. “Azan’s more protective of York than Korben is for me. She’ll be going crazy in a few days.”
I try not to snarl. These girls have no idea how lucky they are, and I don’t want to snap at Blythe. She doesn’t know how much I want a male of my own who looks at me the way Korben looks at her. Having a baby seems so strange because I’m only twenty-one, but maybe with the right guy, I’d love it. Layla certainly seems to be doing well. And though I can barely imagine having a guy hovering over me so much that I can’t stand it, it sounds incredible.
I shouldn’t be jealous. Blythe is the guinea pig on Hethdiss, and if anything had gone wrong, I certainly wouldn’t be cursing under my breath, wishing that Exer was sitting next to me and Layla wasn’t pregnant with Dolan’s baby.
“So, I guess not answering my question means you don’t know where Exer is?” Blythe guesses. When I turn and roll my eyes at her, Blythe chuckles tiredly and moves Kyeth to her other breast. “He’s an odd one, isn’t he? Even when I was bedridden, I heard everyone talking about you and Exer. I kind of thought you two would have Chosen each other by now. But lately…”
“He’s disappearing. And we’re not going to Choose each other, Blythe. We’re friends.”
“Really?” She sounds so skeptical that I can’t help wondering what information she’s heard. And from who.
“Really. I like Exer, but he’s not really what I’m looking for, I guess.”
“You don’t want to mate with an alien?”
“No, that’s not it at all!” I squeak.
And it’s not. It’s that Prince Korben, Azan, and Dolan are nothing like Exer. I can’t picture Exer hovering over me when I’m pregnant. I can’t imagine him gazing into my eyes and cupping my cheek like something straight out of a romance movie. And just because Exer’s kind to me doesn’t mean that he’d be a good mate. He is a great friend, I’ll grant him that. But if I’m going to be with someone, I want more than a great friend. I guess I spent too many years getting gussied up to look like a princess. Now, nothing seems good enough — not even Exer, who doesn’t seem to be that interested in me, anyway.
I wish I could throw caution to the wind. It’s not that I don’t want a man, it’s that I don’t want Exer. He’s not romantic. He’s more like the brooding vampire in a young adult novel. I want a prince who gives excellent head.
“Hey, I’m not here to pass judgment,” Blythe continues. “Honestly, I came in here to see if anyone wanted to take a closer look at Kyeth, but when I saw you, I was surprised that you were alone. Exer’s always right by your side and—”
“That’s what people told you.”
She blushes. “Well, yeah. But I’ll be honest; since I’ve been able to walk around the lairs, I’ve hardly seen him at all, let alone with you.”
“Tell me about it.” I pull my knees closer to my chest. “If you’re asking me what he’s up to lately, your guess is as good as mine. Maybe he’s at the other lair.”
“I don’t think so,” Blythe mutters. “Korben would have known.”
“Are you saying Prince Korben doesn’t know where he’s going?”
“If he does, he’s not telling me about it.” She shrugs. “Which means it probably has something to do with places beyond the second triss. That’s the only thing Korben won’t talk to me about. I mean, it’s weird to be so quiet about it, right? Others have gone there. In all directions! But when I ask Korben why it’s such a big secret, he clams up. I have a theory, but…”
“A theory?” I lean closer, ignoring the eerie sound of Kyeth sucking harder on his mom’s breast. “There are others, aren’t there?”
Blythe blushes. “I guess I’m not the only who’s been trying to figure this out.”
“What other theories are there? We’re stuck here, and while there are whisperings of dangerous wildlife, I haven’t seen anything. Ellis says the dilewilers remain in their territory. And Layla said…” I trail off, shooting Blythe a nervous look, “… are you going to tell Prince Korben everything I’m saying?”
“Not if you don’t want me to.”
“I don’t want you to.”
She grins. “Consider it off the record.”
Despite being Prince Korben’s Chosen mate, Blythe hasn’t changed that much. She was a nightmare when she was pregnant, but some girls suck at carrying babies. Since Kyeth was born, she’s roaming around more and talking to the girls, which works out since York has been pretty MIA since third-trimester woes took over. I’m happy to have someone to talk to, especially since Layla spends most of her time with Dolan now, and Exer is… I have no idea.
I keep my voice low. “Maybe that’s where he’s going. Since there are probably other Sidyths here, maybe Exer’s talking to them.”
“You think? He doesn’t strike me as the social type. Isn’t it more likely that he’s trying to separate himself from the group?” Blythe’s face shows concern, and immediately I regret what I said.
“Never mind,” I mutter. “Exer won’t do that.”
“Which part?”
“Either one.”
“So, what is he doing?”
“No idea.” I shake my head, trying not to come up with any more theories so I focus on the worst-case scenario. I’m only worrying more and more. Exer’s always been a loner, but weirdly, I thought he excluded me from that side of him. He always spoke kindly to me and more so than he talked to others. I’ll never want him for a Chosen mate, but I do like having him as a friend. He’s soft-spoken and, as much as it pains me to admit it, total eye candy.
But I don’t want to try and build a relationship because the guy is moody, mysterious, and has great abs.
And even if he does have great abs, it doesn’t mean he’s looking for a mate. And judging by his recent behavior, he doesn’t exactly give me that impression.
“You should be patient with him,” Blythe offers, holding up one of her hands in surrender. “You only like him as a friend, and that’s cool, but hear me out, okay? Whatever Exer’s doing, he must have permission from Korben. Otherwise, he wouldn’t leave. We have to trust that both of them know what they’re doing.”
“But what are they doing?”
“I wish I knew.” Blythe shakes her head, finally removing Kyeth from her breast and cradling her in his arms. There’s milk spilling down the infant’s puffy lips, and Blythe gently swipes it away with a thumb. “I trust Korben, and if Exer’s up to something, you’re probably the only one he’ll tell, anyway.”
“What if I can’t wait for him to tell me?” The words spring from my lips before I have a chance to censor myself. Blythe’s almost as surprised as me. “What if I tried to follow him? To see what he’s up to. You’re married to Prince Korben, but at the end of the day, we’re all aliens to all of them. If they’re hiding something from us, don’t you think we have a right to know?”
She frowns after glancing down at her baby. I’m sure she thinks that she wouldn’t want to do anything to put her or her relationship with Prince Korben in danger, but that’s not exactly my problem. Despite the recent pairings, the situation hasn’t changed. We’re humans – or aliens. They’re Sidyths – the actual aliens. They’re keeping secrets from us. Ellis and York have thought the same thing. Layla, too. There are secrets out there that would probably change how we feel about the Sidyths, so I can’t help wondering what’s going on.
And Exer’s a part of it. No matter how much everyone says he cares about me and wants to Choose me for his mate, I don’t know that because he doesn’t tell me anything. Lately, the only thing that’s definite with him is that he’s disappearing, and Prince Korben knows about it.
“What do you think is out there?” Blythe asks, sounding more worried.
“Animals? Other Sidyths? I’m not sure, and that’s what pisses me off. None of these things are a big deal so why keep
them a secret from the rest of us?”
Blythe frowns. “I think if it were something important, Korben would tell me.”
I can’t help snorting. I try not to blame Blythe. She wants to believe in Prince Korben because they’re mates and she’s holding his child in her arms. I’d be the same way if I found someone who loved and cared for me the way he does for Blythe.
But I don’t.
A year has almost passed, and I have nothing really to show for it. No mate. No children. Nothing keeping me rooted on the planet of Hethdiss. When this assignment ends, I’ll have to leave. If Prince Korben’s father revokes the exile, I don’t know what’ll happen to me. I guess they could send me back to Alino. Or someone like him.
Ugh, but I can’t stand the idea of this assignment ending.
I like having all the girls here with me.
I like having Layla, even if she is with Dolan most of the time.
I like having Exer. My friend.
I want more, though. Is that so terrible?
I don’t want to be someone’s doll. I don’t want to be paraded around like a poodle with overly styled hair and plumped up lips. I want my hair to be orangey-red, and I want my freckles back. I want a man with silky, black hair and bright blue eyes to come and take me away from this. Or, turn this situation into one I’d never want to leave.
And it should be possible here!
The Sidyths are all looking for mates. We wouldn’t be here if they weren’t!
There has to be someone who could make me feel like a princess.
Iriel? Not a chance in hell. He creeps me out, not to mention he’s always following Phoebe around. I’m not sure if I like the look in his eyes.
Glykoran? He has that whole badass older guy thing going on, but he’s not looking for a mate. He has Celeste helping him through the pain of being away from his wife and daughter, apparently.
Taylis, Drozass, and Cade are all young and hot (for aliens), but they’ve never spared me a moment of attention. They’re all interested in the state girls, and I can’t even tell who likes who.
There are some other guys at the second lair, but I’ve never bothered getting to know any of them. Layla was always here. Exer, too. I felt no need to get to know others. But who knows? Thinking about it now, maybe I’m missing out on something great!
Maybe one of the guys in the second lair will fall head over heels the moment he looks at me.
Maybe I won’t be able to live another day unless I have him by my side.
Maybe he’ll take me away from here and—
Then something else occurs to me.
There could be more Sidyths beyond the second triss where Exer keeps disappearing to.
Exer.
I swallow hard, wishing that he wasn’t so difficult. Falling for him would probably be amazing. He’s brooding but considerate. He doesn’t say a lot to others, but he’s almost borderline playful with me. Flirtatious. It’s like I bring out the best in him. My cheeks redden, but I’m only kidding myself.
Exer isn’t interested in me. If he were, he’d take me on whatever secret missions he’s going on. Hujun took Ellis. Dolan took Layla. Heading out beyond the lairs certainly seems to be the trend when a Sidyth is interested in a human for a mate.
Take her out. Show her the planet.
If Exer offered to take me away from the lairs, I would go with him. He’d only have to ask. Maybe then something would change with us. He’s already got a head start on my Princely checklist. He’s tall, handsome, and intriguing. Now, if only I could remove secretive, standoffish and intense. Then! Then, I might have something.
Ugh, what is wrong with me?
I run a hand through my dark red hair, cursing the color the millionth time. I wouldn’t be so obsessed with finding a fairy tale prince if I hadn’t spent months modeling guys who looked like them. Thanks to them, I was always waiting for one of them to claim me. Fall in love at first sight and live out the happily ever after.
My eyebrows furrow. Now isn’t the time to think about handsome humans.
Where is Exer going? Why is he spending less time with me lately?
And, if I only want him as a friend, why am I so bothered every time he leaves?
“Hey,” Blythe says in a soothing tone, probably misreading my behavior. “I’m sure he’s not doing anything bad, Sloane. Like I said, if he’s disappearing and Korben isn’t freaking out, he probably knows. It could be something as simple as learning how to hunt and fish.”
I spin toward her. “Why would any of us need to do that?”
Blythe bites her lower lip, looking unsure if she wants to speak. When I keep staring, she rolls her eyes, shoulders slumping. “Korben wants to rely less on his father. He thinks it might be a good idea for us to learn how to hunt and fish. The Sidyths may possibly take up gardening if they’re not interested in meat or fish. This way, we wouldn’t have to rely on his father or Korben’s connections for food. We could become more independent. More self-reliant. Maybe Korben doesn’t want anyone to know, and since Exer’s so, uh, alone, he thought no one would notice if he disappeared for short periods. That makes sense, right?”
She’s trying to be positive, and I appreciate the effort, but her words don’t offer much comfort. Other than, maybe there is a real chance that most of us can stay here.
If we find a mate.
“I guess that’s a possibility,” I admit, happy when Blythe’s shoulders relax. I can tell this was information she wasn’t comfortable sharing. But she told me anyway. I appreciate that. It makes sense. The idea of hunting and fishing and supporting ourselves on Hethdiss is kind of cool. Ever since arriving, I thought it was odd that while the Sidyths are exiled, they seem to be doing all right.
I hate to admit it, but I like the idea of starting from scratch.
I used to hunt with my dad growing up. Grandpa taught me how to fish.
But why isn’t Prince Korben asking if any of the girls know how to ‘live off the land’? Does he think human females are so delicate that we wouldn’t deign to hunt or fish? Does he honestly think wiry, soft-spoken Exer could? If anything, Exer needs me. If he’s learning how to hunt and fish on Hethdiss, I could help!
But Prince Korben would never let me leave on my own.
Women are too valuable.
No matter what Exer’s up to, if I’m going to figure it out, I’m going to have to break a few rules, then.
Prince Korben will probably thank me once I show Exer how to bait a hook correctly.
I think.
***
The next few days, are a pain in the butt because Exer still hasn’t returned. He hasn’t come to see me, and Blythe says she has no new information to share. It’s annoying for sure, but at least it gives me time to catalog what I remember about my life back home. I focus on how to bait a hook, set up a hunting spot for shooting deer, but so much of it is blurry. It’s been so long since I’ve been back at home that, unfortunately, my clearest memories lie in those with Alino and the strange ‘modeling’ gigs I used to work.
I hated those gigs almost as much as I hated the guys I worked with.
They were gorgeous, yes, but they had given up.
I always wanted to check, though.
I always had to see if behind their hollow expressions, something strong was hidden there.
“Stay-van,” Alino garbled one morning after setting me up on display with another human.
He was a male with golden brown hair and dull blue eyes. His skin was tan, and though he was naked, his dick was limp. He sent me a close-lipped smile when I entered the tiny space.
“It’s actually Steven,” he whispered once Alino left. “Pleased to meet you…”
“Sloane,” I said quietly. “My name’s Sloane.”
“You’re pretty. I like the brown hair. We look like something off a movie poster, don’t we?”
I chuckle nervously, making sure that Alino isn’t watching. He doesn’t like it when human males speak to
me. He thinks I’ll get ideas. He says humans are horny. But with a glance and noticing he’s nowhere in sight, I turn back to Steven. “Thank you. You look nice as well. Where’s your, uh…”
“Owner,” he offers casually. “She’s with yours, I’m sure. What a life, right?”
I smile, relieved. “Yes. There’s nothing I want more than to escape some days—”
“What? No! I love this life!” He seems surprised by my words. “Selsta is cruel, but I have a roof over my head and food in my stomach. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. Have you ever been with an Octonod female?” I shake my head. “Or a Splinsta?” I shake my head. “Ahh, so that’s what it is.”
“What?”
“You don’t know how good we have it.”
“They treat us like toys,” I hiss once he starts posing in the window display like a real-life mannequin. “You’re naked. You’re posing.”
“I’m alive,” he snarls, keeping his face forward. “I’m treated well. I’ll never have to work a day in my life. So long as I look good and please Selsta—”
“What happens when you get old?” I challenge him.
He doesn’t answer, flexing his biceps. I glance down at his dick. He’s still not hard. He’s lying to himself. He doesn’t like this life. He doesn’t get any thrill from it. He’s merely a shell of the man he probably used to be. And yes, he’s a beautiful shell but empty, nonetheless.
Looking at something so beautiful and yet so devoid of any substance, hurts.
“Don’t you ever think of escaping?” I whisper.
“No.”
“Don’t you ever want to live your own life? Start a family? Find a partner?”
“No.”
“What happens when—”
“Selsta!” he barks suddenly, lowering his arms. “She’s being inappropriate!”
The door where Alino exited bursts back open and a giant, round alien that reminds me way too much of a week one contestant on a weight loss reality show, slithers in.