Alexis felt the distance between her and Nabvan growing day by day, and she felt something else stirring as well. The other knights had been on the move, preparing for something unknown. She had not received much information from Nabvan about what was going on outside of her room for a while, but then again, she had quit asking.

Her heart had shattered the moment Nabvan had told her he would not be leaving Milisaria with her, even if they had the chance. It made her regret every longing glance she gave to him and every dream she had about him pulling her into his arms like he finally had in the shower. The racing of her heart every time she thought about his lips and his body up against hers kept her up at nights, even though she hated to still feel that when she thought about him.

Alexis sat up as she heard a commotion coming from outside but looked back down the moment Nabvan turned to look at her. There was something in his eyes that hurt when she saw it. Even after all the hurtful words he said, she still often caught him looking over her form with a burning desire to make the shower scene happen once again.

But the door opened, and in walked the one man that meant it would never happen again. King Shene came in wearing some fancy robes that she had not seen him in before, but he looked elegant. He looked like a king should. The anger on his face was slightly less than the last time she saw him, but it still brought back memories of the severe pain in her back. He offered his hand to her, staying near the doorway. Alexis did not think she had a choice but to take it and go wherever he was taking her.

“You look like you feel well. I am pleased that you have healed so well. You are a strong woman.” It must have been the best he could give for a compliment as she did what he wanted and grabbed his hand, following him out the door. She had no idea where they were going, but she could feel that Nabvan was following behind them. She looked down the hall and saw a sight that made her heart skip a beat, and not in a good way.

Down the hallway, many of the women had been chained together in a line. Some of them had their heads down, and many looked unclean or in the same clothes they arrived in. She wanted to cry as she walked past them, and she hoped that Nabvan would see them and finally get what she meant. As much as she was angry with him right now, she knew he would never subject a woman, no matter her race or behavior, to the sight in front of them right now. Sure, he was strong and handsome like most Milisarians. He was probably an excellent commander and warrior, but so were a lot of people. He did not have to stay a Milisarian. After all, the Milisarians had taken in humans; humans would certainly do the same, as would others.

As they passed the women, she looked for Destiney and was relieved to see that she wasn’t there. Alexis counted that eleven of them were there in chains, and they looked to her with desperate eyes, at least the ones who dared to look up at all. They did not look to be incredibly injured, at least not in the places that were not clothed. So, she guessed Destiney had been right about their punishments being less harsh than hers. But that wasn’t the point. They should not have been shackled and dirty like slaves or prisoners. These women were meant to be wives. Even if wives had duties on Milisaria, they needed a certain level of freedom. If things continued to be friendly between herself and King Shene, she would be sure to mention it to him, even if it got her a hard slap on the face. She could not stand to see them that way.

“Where are we going?” she whispered to King Shene as they took the head of the pack heading towards a hatch that would open to their ship hangar of sorts. She did not understand why the women needed to come with them.

King Shene did not immediately respond as he swung them around to face the crowd that was now forming in the hallway. Alexis could make out Siefer, and she watched as Nabvan fell back with him instead of standing next to the king. She did not exactly understand what was happening. She had not been allowed in front of so many until now, and King Shene was not explaining himself. Not that she thought he would be good at it with his communication challenges.

She tried to get Nabvan to look at her, but he seemed to be dead focused on what was beyond them so that he would not give in and do just that. It infuriated her. Why had he been so offended by the mention of leaving together? He was the one who pinned her in that shower and kissed her. That had to count for something: some sort of feeling and responsibility. Now, it just felt like she had forced the whole thing and it meant nothing to him. And she knew deep down that it wasn’t the truth, but that did not mean it didn’t sting, especially as she stood here apart from him, next to a man that she had sworn to loath and never give into. She had the feeling, though, that before this was all over, that promise to herself would be broken.

King Shene began to give a speech to his men, the knights that had gathered awaiting their ship. Alexis tuned out, knowing she wouldn’t be able to understand it anyway. One day, if she would be stuck with them, she would have to learn the language, but not right now. Right now, she let her eyes gaze over at the poor, broken women she had gotten into this situation. She hoped that they saw she was not a monster. She had been hurt too and would do anything once given the chance to get them out of the situation they were in.

The men were revved up for whatever they were doing, so Alexis got the feeling it would be yet another conquer by the Milisarian knights. What would they do when they ran out of planets to conquer? They would be so bored, sitting there with their stolen technology and small brains. The sad part was she knew she could actually do something with this race, with this planet, but King Shene and most of the rest of them would never even give her a chance.

Feeling both upset and quite bold, Alexis turned to King Shene once he began leading her onto the ship and began asking questions. She knew one of them would get her in trouble eventually, but Shene suddenly seemed to be obliging like he had never been before.

“So, why do all these women need to come with us? Why do I even need to come?” Alexis asked, raising an eyebrow at him. She was challenging him to put her down in front of everyone. Then, what would he look like as their king? There had to be talk about his non-traditional ways with women. He didn’t need any more of it.

“You are coming with me because you are meant to be my queen regardless of any other women I have for pleasure. The rest are coming because these are the women who have not yet mated with their partner yet. The knights were afraid that if they left the women behind, another Milisarian man would come along and snatch them up. Surely, much of the inner city and beyond knows of our luck in acquiring a ship full of human women. They will be in the ship so they won’t be stolen,” he explained as if it was the most logical thing in the universe.

Alexis shook her head as he surprisingly led her right into the command center for the ship. Only a few guards and the ship’s crew were with them now. She was the only female, and she couldn’t help but notice it. She wondered where all the women had been taken. Probably to some holding cell on the ship for prisoners. It was going too far.

“You are being horrible to these women, myself included,” she told him through gritted teeth. She made sure to whisper it in his ear so no one around would suspect a thing. He gave the directional orders and left Nabvan in charge, probably making his day, before pulling her out of the room as politely as possible. His hand was against her back to propel her forward in a deceptive show of affection. She knew she had stepped in it, but she was sick and tired of it all, especially with Nabvan’s wishy-washy behavior.

King Shene pinned her up against the wall just outside of the command room. His mouth was so close she could smell his lunch still lingering on his hot breath. For a moment, she feared he would try and kiss her or worse, but he did nothing of the sort. Now that he had brought her out and showed her off, it was a whole new ball game. “I want you to know that while I was away from you, I thought about everything you said. I am angry that a woman can affect me so, but this is the reason we wanted humans. I am trying my best to impress you, to win you, to court you, but you have to start to cooperate.” It sounded both sensual and threatening coming from his lips. Alexis was a bit confused when it came to his change of heart, but it was all she could hope for in this world full of soldiers. It was better than she ever thought she would get.

“I will try to start cooperating,” she told him as he backed off a bit. Alexis crossed her arms over her chest in a show of defiance. He still had not solved the problem of the women.

“I know what that look is about. You are so damn determined, woman,” King Shene told her, sounding the most authentic he ever had. “I will make sure they are allowed to be clean and have nicer clothes, but beyond that, there is little I can do. It is up to each Milisarian how he treats his mate.” Alexis nodded stiffly, knowing he could make an order they couldn’t refuse but figured she better not press her luck. “Now, can we get on with this voyage? I would love to say I conquered another territory on Teleburgda.” Alexis scoffed at that and walked back into the command room as if she owned it. She knew they were headed for another conquest.

Shaking her head, she felt Nabvan’s eyes on her for the first time in what felt like ages. She didn’t shrug off the king’s arm as it wrapped possessively around her waist. Maybe if Nabvan saw, he would admit to her what he felt and that neither of them were meant to be there.