Page 3

Quinn

I’m not sure which one of us has the tightest grip on the other’s hand, but Olivia and I stand at the top of the ramp, ready to take our first steps onto an alien planet.

“Just keep breathing,” she says, although I think it’s as much for her own benefit as it is mine.

I do as she says, counting each inhalation and exhalation all while trying to calm my racing heart. For the millionth time, tears threaten to fall, but I blink them back. I don’t want to make a bad impression and turn off any potential men. It would make this entire trip for naught.

“Are you ready?” Olivia asks.

I glance over at her.“Not even a little bit.” When is anybody ready to meet a bunch of aliens with the hope of falling in love?

Devon and Lindsey stand on her other side. At least I’m not alone in my nervousness. The other two women look like they might throw up any second.

“We can do this,” Devon says, her voice surprisingly calm and steady despite her outward appearance. There’s a confidence in her stance I’m not sure I could fake, but I’ll try.

I can do this. I have to do this. There’s no turning back now. Especially since it’s our turn. The ramp is wide enough for all four of us to descend side by side. The metal thuds against the soles of my shoes and our shadows grow long from the sun at our backs. The view we had of the city from above doesn’t do it justice.

Everything is so much bigger, and the nausea in my stomach churns. I feel like I’m back in the bottom tier looking up at all the places where I’d never be allowed and didn’t belong. Olivia squeezes my hand.

“This isn’t Earth,” she reminds me.

As if I could forget.

At last, we reach the bottom of the ramp where the rest of the women congregate. A contingent of sculpted copper aliens with teal hair and horns of various lengths—clearly soldiers or guards of some kind—stand at attention.Each one is just as gorgeous as the next. But two men, in particular, draw my gaze.

It’s the one who stands slightly to the side and behind the other I keep focusing on.There’s an intensity to him that’s magnetic. I can’t turn away. All I can do is take in his raw masculinity.I’m so distracted by him, I almost miss what the guy in the front is saying.

“Welcome to Bohna and our capital city of Preska,” the man says. “My name is Alik. I’m the leader of the Bohnari people. We are glad to have you here.”

It’s pretty obvious now that he is the one in charge. He holds himself like someone who expects people to bow to him.

“I’m sure after the long flight you all would like to get settled in your new home,” Alik continues. “Commander Horek will lead you to your dwelling and the guards will bring your belongings. Rest for the evening and tomorrow night there will be a celebration in honor of your arrival. You are welcome to explore the city as you wish, but please do not go beyond the border walls. If there is anything you require during your stay to feel more comfortable, please don’t hesitate to ask one of the guards. They will ensure you get whatever it is you need.”

Alik turns to the man at his side and speaks to him in a tone too low for me to hear. Then he walks away without another glance at any of us. The powerful man who remains—Horek—scans the area. I get the impression nothing escapes his gaze.

“Followme.” He rasps out in a deep bass that ripples through me and makes the hair on the back of myneck stand up. He tacks on a belated, “Please.”

Something tells me he doesn’t say that word often, if ever.

“Here we go.” I nudge Olivia’s hip with my hand.

We follow Horek through the copper-hued streets with the guards flanking us. Other Bohnari as well as a few other types of aliens varying in shape and size—as well as number of appendages—out on the streets stare as we pass by.They make me feel like a sideshow at the circus or some exotic animal at a zoo who’s being paraded in front of them for their entertainment. Well, the feeling’s mutual. Another thing I note is the disparate number of women compared to men. Of course, the whole reason we’re on Bohna is because their race is dying out, so it makes sense.

“Does anyone else feel like we’re lambs being led to slaughter?” Devon asks, her head swiveling side to side and her gaze scanning our surroundings.

“I didn’t before you said something, so thanks for that,” Lindsey snarks.

“Sorry.” Devon winces. “I just can’t stand all the gawking. It’s freaking me out a little.”

I have to agree with her. Back on Earth, we did everything we could to avoid scrutiny. Those of us on the bottom tier did anyway. While she and Lindsey continue their light bickering, I study the back of Horek. He moves with a fluid grace I wouldn’t expect from someone his size. He’s massive with a tight black sleeveless shirt that complements his burnished copper skin and teal hair that brushes the tops of his shoulders. Small horns are just visible through the strands.

“You’re staring,” Olivia whispers close to my ear.

I jerk and whip my head in her direction. She tips her chin up, gesturing toward the object of my perusal. My cheeks grow hot. “I’m not staring. I’m…”

“Staring.”

I huff. “Fine, maybe I was. But only because I’ve never seen a soldier with long hair before.”

Olivia chuckles. “Is that the lie you’re telling yourself?”

Yes.“It’s just a lot to take in.”

Olivia breathes out. “Yeah.”

My gaze shifts back to Horek. His hand rests on the blaster at his hip and there’s a tension in him that wasn’t present a moment ago.

Finally, we come to a large dormitory. One that’s architecture is industrial in design at its foundation, but mixed with oblong shapes and tons of windows. It gleams with a newness I’ve never experienced. Everything in the bottom tier is dingy and marked with age. Concrete is lined with spiderwebbed cracks that make it appear as if the structure could fall any second. This building looks like it could withstand any type of natural disaster, whether it be an earthquake or hurricane.

The biggest surprise is all the natural landscaping. I can’t remember the last time I saw more than a single random tree. The streets here are lined with them and they surround the dormitory along with flowering bushes and shrubs.

Horek enters the building and two guards hold the doors open so we don’t have to. I slowly turn and walk, tipping my head back to take in the open air atrium. There’s no ceiling until the roof. Sunlight shines in through the wall of windows illuminating all the cozy couches and chairs that are scattered throughout. A fireplace is built into one of the walls. Various potted trees stand tall within the main area as well.

“Is that a palace?” Someone asks in slightly louder than a whisper.

Everyone turns and stares. Sure enough, halfway up the mountain is what definitely looks like a palace.My gaze locks with Olivia’s. She appears as stunned as I feel.

“There are five suites on each floor,” Horek interrupts our study of it all. “Each has its own bedroom, sitting area, and bathing room. There is a library on the third floor and through those doors is a large dining area where you are free to take your meals. There is a cook on site at all times in the kitchen to prepare food whenever you wish.”

At the thought of food, my stomach grumbles. I’d been too nervous to eat earlier, but the mention of the kitchen kicks my hunger into high gear.

“You may choose whichever suite you prefer,” Horek continues. “There are more than enough for you to pick one you like, I’m sure. Additional guards should be arriving any moment with your belongings. If you have any questions while you’re getting settled, you may ask one of them.”

A woman raises her hand. The commander stares at her and she clears her throat.

“When will we meet our potential husbands?”

“You will have an opportunity to meet them at the welcome dinner tomorrow evening,” he tells her. “Or any time you walk through the city. Every male of a certain age is eligible for a bride.”

Devon, Olivia, Lindsey, and I all share a glance within the small circle we’ve made slightly away from the others. The city is massive so I assume the population is as well. Do we really have that many possible men to choose from? It feels a bit overwhelming. My gaze shifts to the commander. He appears to be the appropriate age. Is he looking for a wife?

“There is a comm unit in each suite for emergencies. If there’s nothing else?” Horek asks.

No one else raises their hand or breaks the silence. He dips his head and quickly pivots on his heel before walking out the door. All the women stand around a moment longer exchanging glances. It’s like no one wants to make the first move.

“Let’s go get first dibs on the best rooms,” Olivia whispers. She’s always been fearless and willing to get people to do things.

We might as well. The four of us head for the lift that’s near the entrance.

“I’m thinking the top floor,” Devon suggests. “We’ll have the best view, plus we won’t have to hear people walking around above us.”

Olivia grins. “I like the way you think. Plus, that leaves one other suite empty on our floor so we won’t have to split up.”

Lindsey pushes the button for the eighth floor and the lift doors close just as a flash of someone comes into view. Sorry . Hopefully with only twenty of us and the stairs, one lift will be enough. Unless there’s another one we’re not aware of.

The lift comes to a stop and the doors slide open, and we step out onto the wide landing with a glass balcony that runs the length of the building. Opposite where we stand is the wall of windows with the perfect view of both the palace and the city below. To my surprise, a small amount of excitement builds. Maybe because everything is so beautiful and clean.

“Quinn, are you coming?” Olivia calls out.

I turn. She, Lindsey, and Devon are halfway down the walkway. I rush to join them.

“Why don’t we take the two on the end?” Olivia asks.

“Sure.”

“Lindsey and I will take the ones in the middle then and leave the outer one closest to the lift empty,” Devon adds.

“Meet back out in here twenty minutes?” Lindsey suggests.

We all nod in agreement. The two of them enter their suites while Olivia and I reach ours. We glance at each other and she smiles at me.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” she says.

“I’m glad I’m not alone.”

“Never.” Olivia shakes her head. “Where you go, I go.”

I swallow down the emotions threatening to choke me. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”

“See you then.”

With a slow turn of the knob, I step inside my new home.