“Would you really kiss the male who made this?” he asks Lois, his brain apparently snagged on that little tidbit and unable to move on.
“Uh-huh,” Lois confirms, licking the cheesy sauce from her spork as she looks at him with a raised brow. “And I’d do a whole lot more if he can make me pizza and ice cream.”
Az’s mouth hangs open a second or two before he closes it with a gulp. “I-uh… you know,Icould work the nutrition replicator. I’m sure I could make anything you want.”
Vel, who’s sat on the other side of Lois, makes a scoffing noise into her food. “When was the last time you stepped foot into those kitchens, Az?”
Az bites something back at her and Lady Zalora calls for the squabbling at the table to cease. But all I hear is the way Kiahn leans into my space and rumbles in a low voice, just for me, “come to me for anything, Niska. I will see to it that you are fed exactly what you want.”
14
Chapter 14 - Niska
Nighttime on a space craft is a strange experience. It’s always dark outside, and the only way you can tell we’re entering the nocturnal hours is that the lights in all the communal areas and corridors dim to minimal, warm, up-lighting. The hum of the ship’s engines are a constant, and honestly, should be able to lull me to sleep, but my brain just won’t switch off.
My whole life has changed in a short span of time. And to be honest, ever since coming to terms with my abduction, and the fact that I was basically ‘a product’ being sold back at the space station, I’ve been bracing myself for the moment I was eventually bought. I guess it’s no wonder my nervous system hasn’t been the same. I’ve had months of anticipating a life of horrific servitude and abuse, but now I’m safely tucked up in a ginormous four-poster bed that feels like laying on clouds with my friends.
I feel like I should still be waiting for the other shoe to drop, but I can’t help but feel like the Xavianns are being genuine with me. I don’t feel in danger with any of them.
So why can’t I just sleep?
Probably because you’re still selling your body in exchange for a better life.
I sigh as my stomach churns after I turn from my back to my side. The replicated human food we had tonight wasinteresting. We ended up having multiple courses, including the chef’s versions of spicy tacos, ramen, a bowl of dry Lucky Charms, and, at one point, just plain mashed potatoes. Each dish didn’t quite meet the texture or flavor requirements for the originals back on Earth, but out here? After months of nothing but strange alien slop to eat? It was like a divine feast - plain mashed potatoes and all.
Back home, when I couldn’t sleep, I’d run myself a steaming hot bath and put on an audiobook. Lifting my head, I stare at the doorway that leads to the suite’s bathroom. There’s a tub in there - a huge one, with what looks like massage nozzles and jacuzzi jets. But I think just filling that thing is going to be too noisy for my sleepy companions.
Finally, after not being able to stand it any longer, I peel myself out of bed and slip from the room without waking anyone. I’m still in my plain, utility gown that Mama Z’rykby sold me in. It was miraculously washed and dried for me in the time it took for me to shower earlier, but I swear the stench of the recycled air from the lower levels of Moon’s Rest Space Station still clings to the fabric. Vel had shoved each of us girls into this pod thing earlier that took all our measurements and vitals. She said they would use the information to have a whole wardrobe of clothes made for us, ready and waiting for when we land in Xaavia. My head has been swimming with curiosity over what these clothes will be like ever since. I’m guessing it will besimilar to Vel and Lady Zalora’s attire, with corsets and skirts that look like they stepped right out of the Victorian era - except with a few alien extras. And of course, with the obligatory neck-covering.
Unconsciously, my hand reaches up to hold my throat as I absently walk the ship’s corridors. Zann had elaborated over after-dinner drinks that a woman with a bare neck may as well be standing there naked according to Xaviann society. But those of their kind that travel, like the royals and their ship’s crew, are more accustomed to seeing females with uncovered throats from other cultures.
It had reminded me of how Kiahn had acted back at Star Pleasures. With me sat on his lap, and his lips and fangs grazing the delicate skin of my neck. Something about the memory made me feel all hot and tingly. I hadn’t even realized I was teasing him so much, but there he was with a fang-boner in public.
I can’t help the wry smile that lifts my lips at that, my bare feet padding along the maze of hallways in the serenely-lit nighttime. I pass numerous doors, some with a light on above them, indicating that they are occupied and locked. Some are communal spaces, the doors constantly retracted to appear more inviting.
Just when I start to think I might be getting lost, is when a crew-worker turns the corner ahead of me. We both startle when we see each other, but he’s carrying a tray, and almost flings the thing up into the air.
“I’m so sorry!” I say, rushing to help the poor man. Miraculously, he didn’t drop a thing, but some of the empty cups had toppled over on his tray.
“Please, do not apologize,” he replies as he hurriedly rights the items. “Is there something I can help you with Lady…?” his words trail off as he looks at me expectantly, his eyes darting down once to my neck only to fly back up to my face.
Reaching up, I try to cover my throat, feeling oddly exposed now that I’m aware of those particular Xaviann customs. “Uh, Niska,” I answer. “Just Niska. And no, I’m fine, thank you. Unless… I shouldn’t be in this area?” I’m suddenly feeling unsure. Vel hadn’t mentioned anything about restrictions, but if this is an area just for crew-members, it would probably be annoying to have people wandering around.
“No, no, not at all, Lady Niska,” the crew-member blusters, bowing his head as a pink tint blooms on his cheeks. “You are Prince Kiahn’s breeding brid-” he stops himself from completing the term, instead opting to clear his throat as if he could swallow the words right back down again. “My apologies. You are Prince Kiahn’sspecial guest. You may roam where you please.”
“Oh, well… I was looking for the lagoon room?”
After that slightly awkward encounter, I’m armed with directions and start following them. If I can’t relax in the tub, maybe this will suffice. There’s something so calming to me about water, and from the brief look into the lagoon room we were afforded earlier, it had looked like a tropical-themed tranquil paradise.
“She isso fucking beautiful, Zann!” I hear a male voice groan once I reach the door I’ve been looking for.
“I hadn’t taken you for a human-lover,” someone replies, chuckling.
It’s Zann and Az. Their voices are coming from a room further along the hall - a recreational room if I remember correctly from our tour; one filled with lots of soft-looking seating options and tables to play games at.
“Not a human-lover,” Az corrects, “just her. Just Lois. She’s just… You saw her! Isn’t she incredible?”
I-… why am I smiling at this? It’s kind of adorable. Even though, I’m pretty sure Lois has no interest in getting caught up with any of these alien guys.
