Khan says nothing. I peek at the hooded figures. The one out front is in a dark purple robe, and his buddies behind him are all in lighter shades of greyish lavender. Their robes are the same style as the one I’m wearing.
“Is this the Omega?” The lead figure gestures to me. “We have prepared a room for her, with bedding and refreshments—”
“No!” Khan’s growled response echoes throughout the shadowy corridor.
The robed figure bows slightly.
There’s a small pause. Khan isn’t growling anymore, the way he was around the armored warriors. He seems a tad less hostile.
“Take us to your king, magician,” he orders. I rub my ear. Has my translator malfunctioned?Magician?
The hooded figures bow again, and shuffle to one side.
The grand doors swing outwards with agonizing slowness. Khan waits a minute, then heads inside. The purple robes follow.
The inner room is the size of a ballroom—still cavernous because of the soaring ceiling, but cozier, filled with dim light. Pale glowing orbs seem to float at specific points around the circular room. The floor gleams with an inlay of gold, and what looks like amethyst and other precious stones. The pattern winds up to a large round table made of a shiny black substance, like onyx.
More robed figures stand in the corners, waiting with their hands folded in their sleeves. They’ve grouped themselves by the colors of their robes: grey, brown, green, and blue.
Khan marches up to the table. The leader of the purple robes scurries ahead to pull out a lilac-cushioned seat. The chair’s arms are carved from dark wood. Khan settles into it slowly, but doesn’t let go of me, still clutching me in his lap.
I’ve just gotten somewhat comfortable when the doors across the room are flung open. Out strides a giant with tawny hair, bronze skin, and gleaming white teeth. A golden breastplate covers part of his huge chest. He’s wearing what look like brown leather breeches, and carrying a helmet, which he hands to one of the white-robed figures accompanying him. More golden-armored soldiers stream in behind him, taking up guard posts around the room.
“Khan,” the newcomer’s voice booms. He spreads his hands in welcome.
“Aurus,” Khan growls.
“And this is the Omega.” There's a hunger in Aurus’s voice that makes me want to hide. So I do.
I duck my face against Khan’s neck. Immediately, he starts purring. Brave Emma has left the building. Khan hasn't even let me walk, so I might as well play the scared newbie. Which I am.
I'm on an alien planet. I deserve to indulge in a few freakouts now and then.
But I peek out from behind the curtain of Khan’s inky hair to study Aurus. He’s staring back at me.
“She's so small,” he murmurs. “Do you find her adequate to your needs?”
I bristle.
“Quite,” Khan retorts.
“And you are to hers?” Aurus merely sounds curious, but Khan growls back before resuming his purring.
Great. They might as well whip out their dicks and measure them against each other. Maybe that’s what this council is all about.
“Do we have long to wait?” Khan asks over the loud rumbling in his chest.
“Not at all,” Aurus says. “I had hoped you would allow my magicians to examine your Omega—”
“No,” Khan barks.
“Very well. Thank you for bringing her.”
Khan grunts.
Aurus seats himself and leans back in his chair, signaling to a contingent of grey hoods in the corner. They float forward, each carrying a pitcher or a goblet. Aurus’s cup is gold. Khan’s is purple. A smaller, lavender-colored goblet is placed next to his, presumably for me.
I’m thirsty, but I don’t trust anything Aurus would serve us. Apparently, neither does Khan. He makes no move to drink.
