Draikis began removing his clothing.
“What are you doing? Not that I mind.”
He chuckled, quickly putting on some plain clothing, though not before she caught sight of his obvious arousal, now tucked firmly against his belly beneath his clothing.
“The priestly garb can draw a bit of attention, and I want you to be able to enjoy the city without any discomfort.”
Ella’s body felt flush at the idea. “You mean we don’t have to be so careful?”
“Exactly. I selected this location not only because I felt you would enjoy it, but also because my sect never visits this region unless there has been unrest requiring our services. And there has not been any of that in quite some time. Here, we’re landing. Stay close, and enjoy yourself. The populace tends to be rather outgoing.”
The ship touched down without so much as a shudder, the door opening to a clean landing field dotted with other small transports. Larger ships were visible in the distance at a proper spaceport, but this was more for local hoppers, and as such, scrutiny was minimal.
“Shall we?” Draikis asked, stepping outside, then turning and holding out his hand.
Ella took his hand in hers and allowed him to help her out, though she did not really need his assistance. Notably, he did not release his grasp. Rather, he turned and began walking, leading her into the nearby marketplace hand-in-hand, close by her side, just like any other couple might do.
But this was certainly no ordinary couple.
“This is incredible. The smells, the cool stuff everywhere.”
“I’d hoped you’d enjoy the Korvakian marketplace. It’s a favorite of mine for precisely those reasons. And once we walk the city for a bit, we’ll stop by for lunch on the way back to the transport. A little sampling of the local fare, if you’re up for it.”
“Up for it? You know I am.”
“I figured as much. Come on, there is a lot to show you.”
They veered through the marketplace stalls, weaving this way and that. Draikis had spent a fair bit of time here and knew his way around. And while the uniform look of the Norvalians had been a thing back at the compound, here there were others of his race dressed normally, just as he was. Unless he bumped into someone he actually knew, they would be totally anonymous.
Hours passed in a flash, Ella’s mind filled with so many new sights and information. She was the first human to ever see all of this, she marveled, though she couldn’t admit that part out loud. And to see it with this beautiful man at her side, his arm casually draped over her shoulder or around her waist as they walked? It was as close to perfect as she could have asked for, given the circumstances.
True to his word, Draikis stopped at nearly a dozen small kiosks and food carts, the alien tech used to prepare the dishes almost going unnoticed as Ella simply treated it like any other outdoor marketplace. And once she got past the colors and morphology of the vast assortment of alien races, it really was.
Appetites sated, Draikis paid the last vendor and led Ella back to their craft, but taking the long way so she could see more of the city on the way.
It wasn’t until they turned down a small alleyway to cross back to a main avenue that the four husky men following them made their presence known.
“Hey, you!” the muscular, orange-skinned leader said, stepping out from the wall he’d been leaning against and blocking their path. His three associates moved in from behind, blocking the couple in.
“I do not wish for any trouble,” Draikis said calmly, his arm around Ella, relaxed in appearance, but she could feel the tension in his muscles.
“Give me your credits and you won’t have any.”
“Of course. Please, we will do as you ask.”
Draikis pulled the currency he’d been using from his pocket and tossed it to the man. He counted it then stuffed it in his pocket. “What else do you have?”
“I assure you, that is the only currency I am carrying.”
The man’s gaze flicked to the woman at Draikis’s side. “Hmm. I think we’ll take her too.”
Ella felt her man’s arm drop from around her shoulder, a dangerous energy suddenly flowing from his Infala to hers. This wasn’t the sort of power they’d shared in their intimate moments. This was something else. Something a bit scary.
“Please, you don’t want to do this. Take the money and leave us be.”
“You think you can tell me what to do? There are four of us, in case you hadn’t noticed. And we’re going to take turns on your little?—”
It was over so fast Ella had to replay what had just happened in her mind to make sense of what she’d just seen.
