Apparently, I’m not very modest—I’m not as bothered about being naked in front of these women as a shy girl might be. Once I’ve taken off the shorts and top, I unclasp my white sports bra and hand it to Juno, then step out of my plain cotton panties and place them in a neat little pile on top of the clothing she’s already holding.
“Not very feminine,” one of the women remarks in a loud whisper. “She has a body like that of a boy.”
“It will not please King Aurus,” says another.
“I can hear you,” I say loudly, stepping into the tub and resisting the urge to glare at them. But their words make me realize something. If I can’t prevent being taken to meet the king, I might be able to prevent his being attracted to me. Sinking down into the water with a sigh, I lean back and let it surround me, closing my eyes for a second.
Just one second, in which I pretend I’m back on Earth, in a bath, about to have some ice-cream and watch a movie.
And then that moment gets ruined.
“She has far too much body hair,” someone says.
“It will be removed after her bath.” That voice sounded like Lenah.
“I canstillhear you,” I say, shooting Lenah a look. She has the grace to avert her eyes.
I glance down at my naked body, which is mostly obscured by the opaque water and petals floating on the surface. I may not have shaved my legs for a while, but my pubes are neatly trimmed, and I’m nowhere near the furry gorilla they’re making me out to be. How will they remove my hair? Is there some sort of alien wax? Not that it matters. I’m not going to let them do it.
Famous last words, it turns out, as just a short while later, I’m being covered in a sticky, sweet-smelling paste and having every last hair ripped out by the root, until I’m smooth and soft as silk from the neck down.
“You will have to grow this to be longer,” Lenah says, reaching out to tug a damp strand of my shoulder-length blonde hair.
“I will not,” I say. If I can’t actually physically get away—yet—I’ll be as argumentative as possible. Meanwhile, I’m constantly plotting my escape, making note of every door, every detail, everything I can which might come in handy when it’s time to go. I’m also subtly gathering information via outwardly innocent questions.
If this is really happening—if I’ve really been abducted and transported to another freaking planet—there must be a way back. I intend to find it as soon as I can.
“King Aurus prefers long hair,” a green-tinted woman says haughtily, pushing her own mane of shiny teal locks over her shoulder.
“Then it’s a good thing he has all of you,” I say sweetly. I wait until the gown has been pulled over my head before asking, “Are you his wives?”
“His harem,” Juno says softly. “His courtesans.”
“There seem to be enough of you. Enough to satisfy even the most… potent of kings.” I try to hide the sarcasm from my voice. “So why does he need me?” The pale yellow gown is light as air, and so sheer, it hides almost nothing. I might as well be naked. But I’m playing along.
For now.
“As we already told you,” Lenah says, “he needs an Omega. Only an Omega can give him what he truly desires.”
My heart starts to thud in my chest but I force my tone to remain calm—almost bored. “Oh yeah? And what might that be?”
Juno steps forward, her expression full of reverence. Her next words stun me into silence.
“To breed.”
TWO
Kim
To breed…
This day is just getting better and better. I trail along behind the women, those two little words running in an endless loop around my mind, making it hard to focus on anything else. The gown floats around and behind me as I walk, but I don’t feel very graceful. I don’t glide, for one thing. These chicks look like they’re wearing skates under their dresses.
I’m still trying to remember how I got here. Where I’m from. I don’t even know how old I am, for fuck’s sake. I’m praying it will all come back to me, like my name did.
Whatever this weird serum is that they say they gave me, it seems like selective amnesia is a major side effect.
While I was in the bath, I asked Juno some more questions, like how I’m able to understand their language: Ulfarian. Turns out that, as well as injecting me with the serum, these mystery mages—read: assholes who’ve obviously never heard of consent—implanted a chip in me, which makes it possible to understand and speak all known languages of the universe. This is an insane thought but I can’t deny it works—for this place, at least. When I put my fingertips up to the spot just below my left ear, I can feel the little bump where the chip is.
