The look on Alyx’s face was priceless. “Uhm, yeah. I’d better stick to my own lingo, then. Clearly, my wife’s lessons in Earth slang aren’t working on this dude.” He gave Henley a pointed look and her eyes nearly bugged.

“I—I—didn’t mean anything by that. I’m s-s-sorry, Your Majesty,” she mumbled, fumbling over her words.

He winked at the shaken girl. “No offense taken, love. If being married to a feisty human has taught me anything, it’s to lighten up.”

“One caveman shifter down, thousands to go.” She winked. “Remind me to thank Bella when I see her, but in the meantime, you still haven’t answered the question about my arrangements.”

The king nodded. “Alivia and Karel already reside at the palace, but as requested, I sent for Cassandra and Talen. In her condition, I didn’t think it safe for her to travel overland, so I sent a transport. The journey is a rough trek from the north, but this way they are set to arrive tomorrow morning, safe and sound.”

“All righty, then.” Gerri clapped her hands once. “I’m sure the girls want to freshen up, maybe take a nap and have something to eat. I know I do.”

Alyx inclined his head. “Of course. Your bags have already been taken to your chambers. Gerri, I trust you know the way to the guest wing, so I’ll leave you to it.” He left them in the anteroom without more than a goodbye nod.

“This place is one giant anomaly,” Ivy said, looking around as they made their way from the transport bay toward the main palace. “It doesn’t know if it wants to be Camelot or Krypton.”

“You two are certainly taking this whole thing in stride. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact we are light-years from Earth.” Riley ran a hand through her hair. “Is no one else blown away?”

“Of course, they are.” Gerri nodded. “It’s only natural to feel overwhelmed, but this is real. Here we are and here we stay until you’ve had your fill of Alivia and can go home happy in the knowledge that she’s in a good place. That’s if you even want to go home. Liv didn’t, so you never know.”

Ivy snorted. “I can’t blame her. Not if her mate is half as hot as his boss.”

“Facts!” Henley chuckled. “Testify that!” Her eyes widened as they passed rows of screens set into the wall all showcasing gorgeous men and women in various stages of undress. “Holy fuck! Literally!”

Gerri grinned. “I’m glad you two are enjoying the scenery. Those are ads for sexbots. Don’t forget, this deep space thing may be all new to us, but Nova Aurora is a major port of call.”

Ivy laughed. “Are you telling us these sexbots are the galaxy’s answer to fleet week prostitution?”

“Exactly, but the ones you see here are very high end. There are different classes of sexbots depending on what the client can afford. One thing it does do is cut down on STDs.” Gerri smirked, nodding. “And yes, it has the exact same meaning as on Earth, but with different diseases.”

Riley shook her head, even more stunned. “Sexbots. Next, you’ll be telling us they have them in holographic form.”

Gerri nodded again. “They do. They’re actually a lot of fun. I like to think of it as three-dimensional Facetime. You still can’t touch, but what a show!” She winked. “Of course, nothing compares to the real thing. If you think Alyx is gorgeous, just wait. Trust me, it only gets better from here. And bigger.”

“Be still my heart.” Ivy fanned herself. “Please, God, let them be physically proportioned in every way.”

“You mean big hands and big feet, right?” Henley asked with a smirk.

“And everywhere in between, girlfriend!”

Riley burst out laughing. “And here I thought Henley was bad, but I think she just met her match. Ivy, you’re horrible.”

Ivy slung an arm around Riley’s shoulder. “Only the good die young, Riley, and my adventure junkie is buzzing.”

“Mine, too, sister.” Henley nodded, slipping her arm around her friend’s shoulder from the other side. “Stick with us, Riley, and this trip will really be out of this world.”

“You two leave Riley be. She’ll come around when she’s ready. In the meantime, a good meal and a hot shower will help a lot, and I promise to answer whatever questions you have to help settle your misgivings, but let’s find our rooms first.”

No sooner had the words left Gerri’s mouth than a young woman dressed in a flowy iridescent top and matching pants slipped from a concealed door.

“Teva!” She greeted the woman with a quick hug. “It’s so nice to see you again. How are you, darlin’?”

“I’m fine, Ms. Wilder. The better to see you again.”

“Have you been assigned to us for the duration?” she asked.

The girl nodded. “Yes. The queen asked for me specifically. I am to take care of you and your guests.”

“Wonderful.” Gerri turned to the others. “Ivy, Riley, Henley—this is Teva. She will be our liaison here in the palace. Anything you need or want, just announce it out loud and she’ll be notified.”

Ivy snorted. “What? Do the walls have ears?”

Teva nodded. “Yes, exactly.”

“Oh boy, then you’d better invest in some ear plugs, sweetie, because if all the shifters on this planet are as hot as your king, you and your eavesdropping walls are going to get an earful of Earthly delights!” Ivy waggled her eyebrows.

The poor girl flushed to the tips of her ears and Gerri rolled her eyes. “On that note, would you please show us to our rooms, Teva?”

She gulped, nodding again. “Follow me.”

They followed her down the corridor to an elevator bank. She pushed the only button at the center of the chrome wall and the doors slid open. “This lift will take you directly into your lodgings. All you need do is step in and say where you wish to go. Our transports are non-linear and will take you anywhere on the grounds or in the palace. They have been reserved for your use during your visit. Kind of like me.” She smiled at her little joke and ushered them all inside.

Riley elbowed Henley. “Like the elevator from the original Willy Wonka.”

“Computer, the Marque Suite,” Teva said loudly.

“Engaged.”

The doors slid shut and with almost no movement or sound, they opened almost as quickly as they closed.

“Arrived.”

Teva walked out of the lift first and the others followed her into a sumptuous living area. Couches and plush carpets surrounded them in comforting shades, and a glass and chrome fireplace ignited the moment they stepped in. Floor to ceiling windows gave a spectacular view of the grounds, the keep, and the far turrets.

“This place is wild,” Ivy said, walking to the window.

“Holy shit! They have two suns!” Henley gestured to the twin orbs dipping low on the horizon.

Ivy turned, taking in everything before looking to Teva. “So, whose room is this?”

Teva spread her hands out. “Yours. All of you. The Marque is a three-bedroom suite. The queen thought you’d be more content if you roomed together. You have separate bedrooms, of course, but the common area here and upstairs are shared.”

“Upstairs?” Ivy asked.

She nodded. “There is a second floor complete with bar, massage room, and media center.”

At their tinkle of laughter, the walls changed hue, taking on a ghosting of pink.

“Why do the walls keep changing color? It’s freaking me out,” Riley added.

Gerri gave her a soft smile. “The entire castle is mood sensitive.”

“Mood sensitive? Are we such delicate flowers that we need comfort walls?” Riley snorted and the walls immediately changed to a dark blue. She jumped. “What the fuck?”

“That shade of blue is associated with doubt. Yellow is its direct opposite, so I suggest you relax.” The walls changed to a light butter color and Gerri lifted a hand toward the calming effect. “See? The room is trying to help you, Riley, so why not go with the flow instead of trying to fit everything into a neat explanation. Just enjoy the experience.”

A loud gong sounded and Gerri glanced out the window. “Dusk. That means the entire court is gathering in the great hall for dinner and entertainment.” She looked at Teva. “Don’t let us keep you, dear. I know you’re required there.”

The young woman shrugged. “I’ve been assigned to you, Ms. Wilder. If you’re not planning to attend the dinner, then I’m not required to serve.”

“But then you might not eat until very late.”

Teva lifted one shoulder. “I can always get something from the kitchens later.” A soft knock sounded from the door interrupting her. “I took the liberty of ordering Sidaii wine for you and your guests,” she said, walking to open the door. A young boy walked in and she directed him to put the tray on the coffee table in front of the fireplace.

“That was thoughtful, Teva. Thank you,” Gerri replied, watching the girl pour four glasses of the ruby red liquid.

“What’s Sidaii wine?” Ivy asked, taking a glass and holding the clear crystal up to the light. “Is it native to Nova Aurora?”

Teva nodded. “Yes. It’s a fruit wine and it’s renowned here and on our sister planet, Galaxa.”

“Galaxa?” Riley’s mouth dropped open. “You mean there are more planets like this?”

Gerri chuckled. “You sound like such a human, Riley. Earth is not the only planet that supports life. In fact, we’re the infants of the cosmos in terms of development and technology. Galaxa and Nova Aurora were formed in unison from the same asteroid kiss.”

“Asteroid kiss? Isn’t that a rather romantic way of describing what I’m sure was a cataclysmic moment?” Ivy replied.

“You’re talking about the big bang theory, right?” Riley asked.

Gerri nodded. “Yes. The real one. Not the TV show. Anyway, the sister planets were formed and it’s from here that all shifters originate. They traveled to Earth long before our recorded history and bred with humans, creating a hybrid shifter species. Different, yet similar in all ways that count. If you get what I mean.” She clicked the inside of her cheek and lifted her glass. “To new adventures, ladies, and whatever journeys they bring.”

Henley drained her glass, smacking her lips. “Man, that’s good. I took a wine-tasting class offered at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, but nothing they had tasted as good as this.”

“I’d take my time with Sidaii, Henley. It packs quite a punch. Especially for humans,” Gerri warned.

Henley smirked. “I’ll be fine, Mrs. W. It’s one of the advantages of being built like an Amazon. I can hold my liquor.” She held out her glass toward Teva for a refill and the young woman exchanged a look with Gerri.

“It’s your head, girl. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She motioned for Teva to pour, watching as Riley puddled onto the couch after one glass, her eyelids drooping.

“Man, you weren’t kidding about that wine. I feel like I have no bones in my legs.” Teva caught the girl’s glass just as it slipped from her hand.

Cheeks flushed, Ivy plopped down beside her and leaned her head on the cushions. “I can’t feel my teeth.”

Henley snorted, taking the carafe to fill her glass a third time. “Lightweights.” She lifted the cut crystal to her lips. “Since everyone is being a Grade A party pooper, it’s obvious we’re not making it to dinner, so I’m going to take a shower and then eat the biggest meal room service can carry. Preferably in bed.” She turned to Teva. “Oh, will my Kindle work here?”

“No, but all you need do is announce what you want to read and it will be provided.”

Henley giggled. “Like something out of the Jetsons.” She turned in various directions before looking back at Teva again. “Which one is my room?”

“Take your pick,” Gerri answered. “Teva and I will see to the others.” She looked at the two snoring girls on the couch and chuckled. “For real, we’re not making it to dinner tonight.”

Teva grinned. “Looks like Sidaii earned two more notches on its belt.”

“Those two are definitely down for the count and that one—” she gestured to Henley staggering toward the bedroom. “Is not far behind.”

“I wouldn’t worry, Ms. Wilder. The king knew you might be tired from your journey and wasn’t really expecting you tonight. He’s arranged a breakfast tomorrow morning in the gardens for you and your guests. By then, Miss Cassie and Mr. Talen will have arrived.”

“Uhm, can I have a larsh double sheeseburger with bacon and frensh fries sent up asap?” Henley hiccupped. “Oh, and a coke or whatever the alien equiv—” She burped, stumbling on the carpet. “Damn shoooos,” she slurred, giggling.

“Oh boy,” Gerri murmured.

“The wine will have her passed out just like her friends in no time. I’ll keep an eye on her, Ms. Wilder.”

“No, honey, you’ve done enough. I’ll take care of getting them settled.” She shooed the girl toward the door. “Go eat. You can check on my ducklings later to make sure they’re all in a row.”

The girl hesitated. “What about you?”

She shrugged. “I’m in no hurry. Have a tray sent up for me once you’re done with your dinner.”