by Zara Zenia
“What can I do, Kate? I’m trapped.”
"You are never trapped unless you let yourself be trapped. There is still a way out of this."
Felicity sat up straight and held the phone closer to her ear. “You have a solution?” she asked hopefully. Kate laughed into the phone.
“You could get married to someone else. No matter what kind of money has changed hands, it’s illegal to have more than one spouse. If you get married to someone else, then Lance won’t be able to marry you.”
Felicity was silent on the phone as she contemplated the opportunity in front of her. “I would lose everything. My family, my money, my status,” she finally said into the phone.
Kate sighed. “You’d still have me. I never cared about all of that stuff, and I know that deep down inside, you don't either. Otherwise, you wouldn't care about marrying Lance."
Felicity chuckled. “That’s true enough. Kate, if I married Lance, he would kill me. If not physically, then certainly in every other way. I’m willing to do anything. How can I find someone willing to marry me in fewer than six weeks though?”
"Take out an add with Celestial Mates. Sign up to be a mail-order bride. It's a risk, but you can't do any worse than Lance."
Felicity and Kate talked for another hour, and when she finally hung up the phone, she felt better than she had all evening. Felicity opened her computer and found the site Kate had given her. She filled everything out, including checking the box marked Willing to marry without meeting.
She was leaving everything to chance in a desperate hope that someone would marry her before her six weeks were up. She would have to take more risk than she really wanted in order to pull this off. Like Kate said, anything would be better than Lance. With one last long look, Felicity hit the Send button and left her future in the hands of fate.
With only three weeks before her wedding was to take place, Felicity was getting nervous that no one would respond to her in time. She once again stood looking out at the stars. She was just about to turn and go inside when something shifted in the night sky. Felicity turned her head to get a better look, but all she could see was a slight shimmering of the stars.
Suddenly, directly in front of her was a light so bright she was forced to close her eyes. She felt arms reaching for her, but when she tried to open her eyes to see, she was nearly blinded by the intensity. She twisted and turned, trying to get free to no avail. She felt herself being lifted and carried and then set down. The light dissipated and Felicity once again opened her eyes, slowly this time.
She was lying flat on a bed of some kind, and standing over her were tall figures dressed in blue. They were unlike anything she had ever seen before. Suddenly, they were moving. Moving so fast she couldn't breathe.
The last thing Felicity remembered was the sound of a deep voice. "Are you sure she's the right one? She seems pretty weak to me."
"She's the one. Don't worry, she's only a diversion anyway." Then mercifully, Felicity passed out.
Chapter 3
Larzukan
Larzukan stood looking down at the earth woman with questioning eyes. She had been unconscious for a week already, and he feared she might never wake up. Her skin had a strange pale gray pallor, and she seemed frail compared to the people of Tharagan.
He could sense Blancon behind him and spoke without turning. “You are sure, Blancon, that this is the one? She does not seem very sturdy.”
Blancon came and stood next to Larzukan as he looked down upon the frail woman. “This is the one you asked for, my King. Perhaps humans are not as durable as we thought.”
Larzukan shrugged as he walked around Felicity’s still form. “I made sure that her species was capable of breathing our air. I made sure that our DNA was compatible, and even our language is similar. Blancon, you could not have found any other species more compatible to our own, so why will she not awaken?”
Blancon could only guess at the implications of bringing another species into their world. No matter the precautions, there were too many variables to completely control everything.
"I've had the healers check her out, and she doesn't seem to have any life-threatening ailments. All we can do for now, my King, is wait for her to awaken."
Larzukan continued to walk around her body, trying to memorize everything he could about her. Though she seemed to be frail and slight, he sensed that there was steel in her somewhere. When he had read her resume in the stack of papers Blancon brought him, he had immediately been pulled to her.
He’d set hers aside to look over again after going through all the rest, but somehow, his hand kept reaching for her file. After several attempts at moving on, Larzukan finally gave in and sent for Blancon. She was to be the one.
They had done all the research, taken all the precautions, and set everything up in advance. They had not, however, planned on her staying unconscious for a week.
Larzukan stopped and knelt, putting his long, slender fingers on Felicity’s hand. She felt warm and very soft to the touch. He did not take his eyes from her as he spoke to Blancon.
“Have you spoken to my mother yet, Blancon?”
Blancon cleared his throat and swallowed deeply before answering. "Yes, my King, as instructed. She has given her consent on the condition that the earthling can pass the tournament and be chosen as your mate. Under the law, the people would have to accept her then. If I may speak freely, my King?"
Larzukan pulled his hand away as he rose to his feet. “Always, Blancon. You are always commanded to speak freely to me.”
Blancon bowed his head slightly. “I do not believe that your mother fully approves of this move. I think she sees it as a mere annoyance. No one truly believes that an earthling could pass the tournament, let alone stand as the Chosen. In the queen’s eye, this is simply a way to occupy your time before your ascension and subsequent wedding.”
Larzukan walked in a circle around Blancon. “And you, my friend? What do you believe?”
Blancon cast his eyes downward. “I hope for your sake, my King, that she will pass, but seeing her so weak now, I do not see how she could.”
Larzukan placed his hand on Blancon’s shoulder. “Appearances can be deceiving. After all, my friend, you were among the least favored at the beginning of our training, and look at what you have accomplished.”
Blancon smiled at the compliment. "Thank you, my King, for honoring me so. I will continue to hope for her success and for yours. I will do everything in my power to see her ready when the time comes . . . should she awaken.”
Larzukan smiled and dismissed Blancon, wanting to be alone with the earth woman. Larzukan sat beside Felicity and stroked his long fingers through her hair as he projected images of himself into her mind. Just as he was about to give up on her ever waking, she began to stir.
Felicity’s eyes fluttered open and stared into Larzukan’s, taking his breath away. In all his life, he had never seen anything so pure and beautiful. All of a sudden, time seemed to stop and everything disappeared until all that was left were him and her. Felicity’s green eyes pierced all the way to Larzukan’s soul.
As Felicity became more alert, she slowly looked around, trying to remember what had happened. The first thing she saw was a tall, dark-haired man leaning over her, looking deeply into her eyes.
"Where am I?" Felicity asked as she tried to sit up.
Larzukan placed his hands on her back and helped her to sit as he answered. “My name is Larzukan. I have been watching over you as you recovered. You became unconscious almost a week ago, and we have been caring for you here.”
Felicity shook her head, trying to make sense of the things around her. “You didn’t answer my question. Where am I?” Larzukan was surprised at how forward and direct she was. It was a rare quality as the women on his planet quietly manipulated. Even though he was unsure how to deal with someone so direct, Larzukan couldn’t take his eyes from her. She had him mesmerized.
“For now, Felicity, you are som
eplace safe. That is the important thing. Again, let me introduce myself. I am Larzukan, your future husband. I have responded to your request as a mail-order bride through Celestial Mates.”
Felicity shook her head, trying to make sense of things. She felt dizzy and weak and her brain felt in a fog. She looked down and noticed an IV in her arm.
“Wait a second. Are you telling me that you read my resume, decided you liked me, knocked me out and abducted me, and are now nursing me back to health?”
Larzukan took a seat across from her bed, wanting to put her at ease as much as possible. “I know this must all seem very shocking to you, and I apologize for any discomfort you may be feeling. I can assure you, however, that I did not cause any harm to you. I have not been able, as of yet, to determine why you have been unconscious, but it was not at my hands.
“I did read your resume and I do like you very much. I have never in my life seen someone as beautiful and intriguing as you, Felicity. As for nursing you back to health, I am afraid I cannot take credit for that either. My healers have been caring for you as best they could. Now that you are awake and can drink and eat for yourself, I see no reason the IV must remain.”
Larzukan pushed a button on the side of the bed, and seconds later, two men and a woman entered and immediately and silently checked Felicity over, removed her IV, laid a glass of clear liquid on the stand, and just as efficiently, left without a word. Felicity looked at the glass with skepticism.
"It is a drink my people make for strength and healing. I promise you it is safe," Larzukan assured her.
Felicity picked up the drink, hesitantly smelling it, and then took a very small sip. The flavor was sweet like honey but had the consistency and color of water. Suddenly, she felt as if she hadn't drunk in weeks, and she gulped the remainder of the liquid in seconds. Even though only moments before, she’d felt weak and dizzy, Felicity now felt like she could run a marathon.
"Thank you," Felicity said with sincerity.
Larzukan smiled and nodded his head in recognition. Felicity stood slowly and began walking around the room.
"This is only a temporary room," Larzukan said softly. “Now that you are awake, you will be moved to your own room. I will take you there now, if you wish. Everything has been prepared for you.” Felicity could only nod her head, too confused for anything else.
Larzukan laid his hand gently on Felicity’s back and led her out of the room and down the hall. While she was unconscious, Larzukan had projected into Felicity’s mind so that to her, everything would seem as it had on earth. He did not want to scare her until he had time to talk to her and get to know her. To Felicity, the Tharagan people would look human, just as the halls and rooms would look like earth dwellings.
Felicity walked slowly down the hallway, beginning to feel slightly more at ease. She noted with interest the fact that Larzukan’s hand on her back felt good and safe. She wasn’t entirely sure what was going on, but her instinct told her that he, at least, was safe. Certainly better than Lance.
Larzukan stopped at the end of the hall and opened the door to her room. He heard Felicity gasp at the opulence. Larzukan had instructed Blancon to tailor the room in accordance with Felicity’s taste. For Felicity, it was like stepping into a dream.
It was as if someone had looked inside her mind and recreated her perfect dream room—the antique feel of handcrafted wood, the chandelier, the high-post bed with sheer lace canopies, and the balcony with a view to the stars. All of it was exactly what she wanted. Even the smell of cedar and oranges filled the air.
The bathroom off the huge room held two side-by-side sinks, a Jacuzzi for ten, and a mirror that took up an entire wall. The color of paint was her favorite color, the soaps were her favorite scents, and the towels were soft and plush.
On a hook was a gorgeous robe with her name embroidered on it. Felicity breathed deeply as she turned to look at Larzukan.
“Do you like it?” he asked softly.
Felicity turned in a large circle, her eyes wide in disbelief. “Is this some kind of a dream?”
Larzukan came closer, pulling Felicity tightly against him. He looked down into her green eyes as he whispered, “This is no dream, my Felicity. This is your life should you desire it. Everything you can imagine is within your reach.”
Chapter 4
Felicity
Felicity walked out onto the balcony after Larzukan left and looked up at the stars. She breathed in the night air, remembering the last time she looked up at the stars. She tried to remember exactly what had happened that night but was having difficulty capturing the memories.
She remembered every second of her horrible night with Lance—the way he made her feel trapped and abused. She remembered waiting impatiently for someone to respond to her resume as a mail-order bride. She remembered staring up at the stars just like she was doing now.
Felicity squinted, looking more closely at the night sky in front of her. Something seemed off, but she couldn’t quite figure out what it was. Felicity searched the sky for her favorite constellation, Orion, but she couldn’t find it. She turned in a circle, searching for the other constellations she knew. The big dipper, the little dipper, Pegasus . . . they were all gone.
The sky was clear and the stars were shining brightly, but all of her familiar stars were missing. Then Felicity put her finger on what was really off—there were three moons hanging over the night sky. “Where am I?” she whispered to herself.
Felicity walked back inside, searching the room they had given her with more scrutiny. Every aspect was exactly the way she would want. There was no way that Larzukan could know this many details about her life. Some of the details were things Felicity had never shared with anyone. They were simply things she’d imagined in her mind like a fantasy or a dream.
Even though Felicity had been unconscious for a week, she suddenly felt overwhelming exhaustion. She lay down in the huge canopied bed and wrapped herself in the downy comforter and fell into a deep and pleasantly dreamy sleep.
She dreamed of a beautiful planet with a blue alien race that could read minds and make anything a reality. She dreamed of a tall palace and bright colors. She dreamed of a beautiful king being crowned in front of his adoring people. Then she saw a woman in a long gown walking toward him. The woman was tall, with blue skin and long hair.
The people were throwing flower petals in the air in adoration of their new queen. The woman bowed her head and received her crown along with her new husband. The woman raised her head and looked out among her people. Felicity awoke with a start, pulling in a deep breath. The woman had been her.
Felicity awoke the next morning to a soft knock on the door. Before she had a chance to answer, the door was opened and several women came in carrying a tray of food. The tray was laid on the table in her room, and Felicity was ushered out of bed to sit and eat. The fruit was pristine and exotic with amazing flavors and juices that ran down her chin. Felicity couldn’t help but feel refreshed.
As she ate, the women made the bed, straightened the room that was already clean, and generally busied themselves, acting like they weren’t looking at her. After she finished eating, one of the women ushered her into the large bathroom.
“You are to meet your betrothed shortly, Miss Felicity. We must make you presentable first.”
Felicity started to protest that she could make herself presentable, but before she could get a word out, the women had already stripped her down and walked her to the huge tub. Felicity was not used to having servants.
These women were efficient with little words. They completely ignored Felicity’s requests to bathe herself and simply went about doing what they had come to do. After an uncomfortable hour of having complete strangers bathe, dress, and perfume her naked body, they finally deemed Felicity presentable.
The women left Felicity with instructions to wait for her betrothed and then scurried out the door. Several minutes later, she heard a discreet knock at the door. She assum
ed that like earlier, whoever was there would simply let themselves in, but when she didn't answer, the knock came again.
“Come in,” she called.
The door opened, and Felicity found herself staring at the man who had led her to her room the evening before, Larzukan.
“Good morning, Felicity. I hope everything has been to your liking so far. If there is anything that you need, please let me know and I will make sure you have it.”
Felicity nodded as she took in the sight of him. “Everything has been amazing so far. Thank you, Larzukan.”
Larzukan smiled, happy that she had remembered his name. “I would like to take you for a walk and perhaps to a late lunch, if that is good for you?” he asked softly. Larzukan extended his long arm, and Felicity stepped forward, allowing him to lead her out of the room.
As they walked, Felicity took note of all the things she saw, putting them away in her mind for later. Larzukan, for his part, was everything she could hope for in a man, and she found herself relaxing as the minutes turned into hours.
When she spoke, he listened intently as if truly interested in what she had to say. His voice was soft and kind but commanding and authoritative at the same time. His hand upon her was soft and gentle, but she could feel the strength in him as well.
He was respectful and courteous, with a bright smile and deep blue eyes. Time flew by as if they were in a world all their own. Felicity felt freer and more alive than she could ever remember feeling.
“I have had the staff prepare a wonderful meal for us with some of the finest wine in the land. If you are hungry, I would love to share a meal with you.”
Felicity smiled at the tender invitation. “I would love to have lunch with you. There are a great many things we need to discuss.” Larzukan looked as if something in her statement scared him, but his smile held true.