Page 13

Lumina

It’s been two days since we began our uneasy truce.

I hate him even more than I did the night he called me despicable, because he makes me feel like a fucking addict. An addict who would do anything for their drug of choice. My drug of choice just happens to be a big, blue Draalian.

I gave up all pretense of self-respect that night when I invited him to cross my self-imposed boundaries. When he indicates a readiness to be with me, I never say no. It’s not just that, though. Half the time I don’t wait for him to approach me, I approach him.

I have to give him credit, he quit being mean. I haven’t heard the shamispah word once since we attacked each other under cover of darkness. I wonder if he loathes himself for his weakness as much as I do.

Things are strained to the breaking point between us. He’s actually been polite—overly polite—never failing to offer me half the cricket-things he eats when he’s starving. I’m unfailingly nice as well, controlling my urge to tell him I hope he chokes on them and he’s almost as gross as they are.

We engage in that tense civility you give to your worst enemy in high school when the teacher is watching. Where your lips say all the right things while your eyes promise you’ll be enemies forever. I can’t wait for him to be healthy enough to climb out of here.

I hate him and desire him in equal measure. Even though he walks around in a hoodie and a ridiculous blanket fashioned toga-style, I still can’t tear my eyes from him. The feeling’s mutual, too. I feel his gaze on me when I stoke the fire or leave the cave to relieve myself.

He untethered me that first day. Somehow he knows I won’t leave him until he’s healthy enough to climb out. He walks to the mouth of the cave and watches me when I leave for a moment, though. He doesn’t completely trust me.

I scavenge for firewood and collect water one small collapsible pot at a time. He’s still too debilitated to do any heavy lifting.

For the first time since we arrived, the sun shines outside. We’ve had nothing but snow showers for days, but today it’s warming up and I definitely see sun out there.

“Basking will help you, right?” He’s looked gray for days, and is getting weaker. Last night even our sex didn’t last as long as it usually does. That was a clear indication his health is worse.

He nods.

“We’re down to one nutrition bar. We both know you’re slipping into torpor.

No amount of my body heat . . .” I don’t mention the “or sex,” I assume we’re both thinking.

“No amount of my body heat will make you better. I think you should bask as long as you can this morning. We need to finish that bar and then climb out. I think if we wait any longer, we’ll both be too weak to make it. ”

“Yes,” he says. He uses one of his few English words.

He removes his toga and hoodie and lies on a large flat rock a couple hundred feet away on the riverbank.

Naked Draalian. I’ve studiously avoided thinking of him as my naked Draalian.

He’s made no secret he finds me both sexually desirable and shamispah .

The moment we get to the top of the canyon, I’ll find a way to contact the authorities, get him to a Newcomer dormitory and we’ll bid each other a not-so-fond adieu.

Around noon, he stands, wipes his hands, and returns to the cave where I’ve packed everything but our last bar.

I’ve got on my t-shirt and jeans as well as the hiking boots I arrived in.

He looks like something from a post-apocalyptic movie.

In addition to his hoodie and blue-blanket cape, the gaiters I loaned him sit atop rags from the blanket we cut into strips and tied around his feet.

And of course, his cocks are waggling in the wind.

“Here you are.” I hand him half of our last bar.

We’ve been savoring our tiny meals until now, but today, we just scarf the food down. He holds out his hand, offering to carry the pack, but at this point I think I’m stronger than him, so I slip it on and we set off.

The path is full of sharp rocks and brambles. I imagine by the time we get to the top of the canyon that rags or no rags, the soles of his feet are going to be cut to ribbons. Oh well, there’s nothing either of us can do about that.

I’ve never claimed to be in good shape. I’m not a fan of treadmills or running or lifting weights, but I lead the way. When I glance over my shoulder from time to time, it’s clear he’s struggling. Basking this morning made him less gray and more blue, but it didn’t make him healthy.

We’re a little past halfway when I see spots of blue blood flecking the trail behind us. He’s bled right through his blanket-shoes.

“How about we rest, Zoriss? Let me re-tie your shoes.”

When he willingly sits down and doesn’t grumble or argue, I know how much the climb has taken out of him.

“I know this is hard, but we’re almost there. As soon as we get to the top, I’ll get you into my vehicle and turn on the heat. I have a couple of blankets in the blizzard box in the back. You’ll be warm for the first time in days.”

Both of us sneak a side glance at each other when I mention that. We know that’s a lie. When we’re fucking, he doesn’t seem to mind the cold. I don’t say that, though.

He’s still breathing heavily, so I keep talking to let him get ready for the steep climb ahead.

Zoriss

“I’ll get you to the authorities—”

“No!” What’s already happened isn’t bad enough?

Does she want to torture me more? Terrible visions fly through my mind of being strapped on a gurney and forced to ejaculate to feed these Earth females’ endless desire for Draalian sperm.

Or being strapped to a bed to be a pleasure slave for the greedy female who bought me.

Why would Lumina threaten me with such things?

“Of course I’ll get you to the authorities, Zoriss. How else do you think you’re going to get off this planet? I’ll get you to the officials and they’ll put you in a facility for newcomers. I think there’s one a couple hundred miles from here.”

“NO!” Facility for newcomers? Is that what they call the hellholes they’ll lock me up in? I’m a strong male, but how can I overcome all the power the authorities can bring to bear? My eyes round in fear at the threat.

“The government regulates these places. They are desperate to repopulate the species, even if it means using alien DNA to make it happen. They advertised on your homeworld, they’ve made it attractive for you to come.”

Attractive? So they can lure us here to use us?

“You’ll have your own room. I hear they’re lovely. The Draals are given the sunniest rooms with large basking rocks. If you choose to stay, they’ll help you learn a craft or trade so you can become an even more valued member of our society. Only if you want, though.”

Valued member of society?

“What do you mean? I wouldn’t be tied to a bed? Forced to perform? I’d be treated . . . nicely?” I still sound panicked and desperate.

“You know I don’t understand you, Zoriss, but something’s not translating correctly. Let me start at the beginning. You hit your head, is that the reason for the miscommunication? Do you not remember why you’re here?”

“Tell me more. Explain from the beginning.” I give her my full attention so she knows I want to hear her.

“After you decided you wanted a mate from Earth, you took tests. We don’t accept just anyone.

The authorities must have deemed you worthy.

You had to be mentally, physically, and psychologically fit.

Then we brought you here, free of charge, and taught you basics about our language, culture, and society along the way.

“I don’t know why you were in that capsule, or where in the process things went haywire for you, but when you got here, you were supposed to be transported to one of our facilities. There you were to be welcomed, shown your room, and introduced to other Draals who came before you.

“You were supposed to receive even more education and then begin making your selection of a mate from a list of those interested in you.”

“My selection?” I’m shocked. I was supposed to be given training that was to be helpful, not just to help me function better as a slave? I was to be allowed to find a female who appealed to me? I was supposed to be given choices?

“We value you so much, Earth women pay a great deal of money to be included in the process. Between the vetting on your planet, the free trip here, the facilities where you’re housed and fed, the intensive testing of both males and females to make certain we’re compatible, it comes to a large expense. ”

Does this explain why she was saving her money?

“Earth females who are interested have to shoulder some of the financial burden by paying fees to the mating agencies. I think I mentioned earlier that I hadn’t yet made enough money to buy into the program yet.”

I look at her in shock—my eyes wide and my jaw open. All the things that haven’t made sense since I met her now click into place with thunderous clarity.

She wasn’t trying to buy me, she was saving to pay the agency for the chance for someone like me to pick her .

She’s been kind and caring from the start. How could I not see the reality of the situation?

I continued to believe what those fucking pirates told me, the line about cocks and sperm, rather than the flesh and blood female who shared my bed.

The one who was kind and generous and put up with my despicable behavior.

The one who not only saved my life, but kept me from going into torpor by sacrificing her own comfort. And I called her shamispah .

I shake my head, so angry at myself for my unforgivable behavior I want the soil to swallow me. Look at her. She’s beautiful. And kind. She tore her clothes off to warm me, to save my life, and I treated her with contempt. How do I apologize for that?

Apologize? That would never be enough. How do I repay her for all she’s done for me?