Oh hell no, I am not falling victim to some alien sex pollen, I think as my eyes snap open.
They mentioned my own bed, didn’t they?
I carefully sit up and wiggle to the edge of the bed. As I put my bare feet onto the wooden floor, I remember that I have no clothes. I frown.Okay, that is my first order of business. Clothes.
Tugging the blanket firmly around me, I explore the room. They all had clothes on, so there must be a closet or something somewhere. I find a bathroom with a toilet without a back or tank to it, but there is a handle.Thank God, I could not have been sent to a planet without indoor plumbing, fuck all that noise.
Eventually, I find a chest of sorts with folded pants and shirts. I dig out a light blue shirt and pull it on. It drapes to my knees.Alright, that counts as a dress, I suppose. I roll the sleeves up so I can use my hands.
I can do this.I repeat the mantra several times as I stare at the door. I blow out a long breath and grab the metallic handle.
The heavy door swings on hidden hinges, completely silent. I’m met with a wide balcony that is open to a larger room, easily three stories tall. I stand frozen, listening. But the only thing I hear is the patter of the rain. Candles are lit and flickering happily. Stepping forward, I see three doors to my right and stairs down to my left. I notice a slender set of stairs leading upward. I step towards it, but stop.
Curiosity killed the cat, my mother’s voice sing-songs. Yeah, about that. Just cuz I can do something doesn’t mean I should, I know.
But I’d totally break into the government website all over again, I think, grinning.
I turn towards the regular staircase down. As I get to the first floor, I can see the gorgeous, huge fireplace, built out of smooth river stones. My eyes are drawn to it, the rocks smooth and oval and more orange that I ever saw on Earth. The fireplace’s chimney spans all three floors, and there is a happily cracklingfire in it. The wall next to it is glass, or, I guess, the alien version of glass, and overlooks a wide, calm river, currently rippling with raindrops. I blink hard. The trees and plants are mostly blue.
The low lilt of voices in conversation drifts to me. I stand straighter.I can do this.
My own bed. My own clothes. Surely I deserve no less. I got that even in prison.
I pad to the kitchen. As I get to the open archway, I bite down a gasp. The ceiling in this part of the home is glass.Alien-glass. How cool. I immediately imagine early mornings here, the moon shining down as it fades in the rising sun.Wait, they have a moon, don’t they?Droplets patter rhythmically as the trees’ and shrubs’ leaves dance in the rain.
And around a large, tall table are the three aliens I met earlier. My alien,Atiox, with the deer horns with chains and almost green-blue skin with his long, black hair smoothly down his broad back, stands, leaning his hip against the table. Lux, her skin a pretty ocean blue with horns that curl and deep blue hair, cups her large hands around a mug of something steaming. Ziam sits next to her, his very sharp cheekbones on display on his pastel blue face. His tail is curled around Atiox’s where he stands.Aw, they’re holding tails. Cute, I think as I smile.
“Octavia!” Lux nearly yells as her blue eyes land on me.
They all jump up but freeze. I try not to cringe.
Atiox slowly approaches me as he says, “How are you feeling, wedari?”
I clear my throat as they all stare intently at me. “Um, alright I guess, given I was beamed across the universe.”
I try to be casual but their expressions drop, the worry clear.
“Could I get some water? And my own room?” I thread my fingers together, nervous. “Oh, and clothes.”
Lux frowns harder, “I had intended to keep you na—”
“Yes,” Atiox interrupts hurriedly.
Lux blinks, but nods, “Yes, of course. I’ll get the request comm.”
“Regarding your room,” Ziam says as he stands, “We’ll bring you there shortly. But let us get some sustenance in you first.” He smiles, lips closed, but I haven’t forgotten how sharp their incisors are.
Ziam pulls a very tall stool out and I climb up, as he watches me carefully. He looks ready to catch me if I fall, like I might to a toddler climbing a chair. For whatever reason, it makes me less nervous.
“Good, now, sweetheart, I am the cook around here, and I have some fresh hyras bread and a trufflenut paste for the top.”
I try not to grimace as I see the blue bread. Ziam picks up a knife and spreads the reddish dip on a slice before putting it on a plate and handing it to me.
My stomach rumbles. I’m going to have to eat something here eventually. Might as well bite the—blue—bullet.
I lift the bread to my mouth and take a nibble. The bread is soft and chewy and perfect, tasting a bit like rye. But the dip is incredible. It does taste a bit like mushrooms, but is complex. I chew slowly as the three aliens watch me. It’s rich, and creamy, with the barest hint of spice.
“Mmm,” I mumble as I lick my lips. Ziam looks quietly proud and I scarf down several bites. “S’good,” I say, hand over my mouth.
