Alien Romance: Auctioned to the Barbarian Warrior

Description

I am the chosen one. The only one who can help him save his planet

Lord Aurzac is the powerful Durlan Warlord, devoid of emotions and fiercely loyal to his land. He is in desperate need to find his mate. Without her, his planet Terrgius will die and his people will perish.

Renaya is single, lonely and not very successful. Her bland life suddenly turns into a nightmare when she is taken from her bed and abducted to another planet. Scared and confused, she is auctioned in front of a barbaric crowd to the highest bidder.

Who is this cold and heartless warlord who bought her? Why does he make her feel so hot deep down in her belly?

Lord Aurzac knows she is the chosen one, the only one who can save his dying planet. Too bad that she demands freedom, not willing to be his slave. Torn between her desire for the irresistible man, the responsibility of saving a planet and her longing for freedom, Renaya must choose to do what’s right.

And as if that isn’t enough, there is an opponent who plans to destroy the pair and the planet. Renaya is taken captive once again. Will Lord Aurzac rescue her again? Will Terrgius return to be the paradise it once was?

Prologue

The force sucked him into the void and he was transported to an unchartered territory. He felt a presence near him. Dark eyes gazed at him with a fiery spirit that burned within, challenging him. Her hands and feet were in chains as her intoxicating scent ensnared his senses. It made him lose his strength. He could feel it... the connection... as strong as any, binding them. The darkness slowly descended, engulfing them both. Her beautiful features contorted with pain and she opened her mouth to scream but no sound came out, as the dark force dragged her back into the shadows...

Lord Aurzac snapped open his eyes and stared into the black void. The universe spread before him like a dark fabric speckled with tiny sparkling gems interspersed with splashes of color: purple, blue and vermilion. His handsome features contorted with pain as a throbbing headache nagged at him. The vision was recurring frequently. He must find that girl before it was too late. She wasn't from his world. She was too different...her pale skin and long dark hair that framed her delicate features made her too fragile. He knew that she belonged to a small planet in a far off galaxy. His Elders spoke of it. If he could find her, he knew she would bring back life to his planet Terrgius. He took a deep breath and stared into space. If he were destined to meet her, he would, no matter what.

Chapter One

Rain spattered on the polished coffin as it was lowered into the cold wet earth. Renaya gripped her umbrella tightly, her knuckles turning white as she started filling up the grave with wet soil. Her grandmother’s coffin disappeared out of sight. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks. As the cold rain hammered down, the noise filled the emptiness inside her. With her delicate features and ivory skin, she looked fragile as she stood there. She was numb with grief while the others slowly drifted away.

The last of the funeral guests left and she slowly walked back to her bedroom. Taking off her dark dress, she stepped into the shower. Cool water slid down her lithe body as she closed her eyes and thought about her life.

At twenty-seven, she was single, lonely and not very successful. Her parents died in a car crash when she was only two. Ever since then, she had lived with her grandmother.

She didn't have any real friends. She had always felt out of place. Even in school, she kept to herself. Not talking much. Only with her grandma she had felt at home. And now she was alone... really alone. She could hear her grandmother’s voice inside her head--her soft melodic voice and grandma’s bright unforgettable eyes flashed through her mind.

She was twenty-one back then. Her grandma stood on the patio tending Azaleas, her gray hair tied back, her blue eyes serene as she looked at the flowers.

“I had a dream last night...” she had said gently tending the flowers.

“Renaya you must believe. There might come a time when life puts you to test and you have to make an important decision. At that moment, you must believe and choose wisely,” her grandma said looking straight into her eyes.

“Believe in what Grandma?” she had asked puzzled. She wondered what she was talking about. And there was a strange light in her eyes as she said those words.

“Renaya, you should know that you are precious. Always remember that.”

“I don’t understand what you are saying.”

“In time, you will understand Renaya,” she had said cryptically. She had then taken off her emerald ring and placed it in Renaya’s hand. “You must wear it at all times. Keep it safe.”

Tears welled up in her eyes at the memory. She still wasn’t sure why her grandma said such a thing. And she still wore the beautiful ring every day. Her stomach knotted and she couldn’t shrug the feeling of emptiness that filled her heart.

Stepping out of the shower she changed into her pajamas and a loose t-shirt. Her hair still damp, she drew aside the drapes and opened the bedroom window. It had stopped raining. The cool breeze brought the scent of rain on the wet soil as she took a deep breath. The sky had cleared bringing out the starlight and the moon crept up from behind the clouds. With her thoughts wandering, she wondered if there was another world out there... somewhere far away. Maybe she would fit in there. Something nagged at the pit of her stomach. What was it? Suddenly feeling tired, she lay down and snuggled under the covers, as her head dropped on the pillow. The house was quiet and empty... eerily quiet. Sleep evaded her as a chill ran down her spine making her shiver. Little did she know that this would be the last night of her life on Earth.

***

She woke up with a jolt. The bed shook violently as she sat up. The curtains quivered and a glass filled with water fell off the table, smashing to the floor. Renaya steadied herself as she got out of bed, her heart racing. She went over to the window and looked outside, wishing the earthquake would stop. The trees were broken and strewn across the road along with the poles and wires. It was pitch black outside and she couldn’t make out much in the moonlit night. Stumbling back and trying to steady herself through the tremors, she held onto the edge of the bed. Suddenly it stopped.

An eerie silence filled the air. She reached for the bedside table drawer, pulling it out. Hands trembling, she groped for the flashlight and turned it on. Fear knotted her stomach as she made her way into the hallway and toward the kitchen. Something wasn’t right... her subconscious kept telling her. Suddenly a wailing siren ripped through the silent night. She staggered back, pushing herself against the wall as she turned the flashlight off. She heard heavy footsteps outside the kitchen door and moved further back into the shadows. The door suddenly burst open and a harsh light blinded her. Her mind racing, she shielded her eyes with the back of her hands. The orb of light moved away as the huge hulking figures of two men, dressed in dark leather suits approached her. One of them moved in closer and sniffed her. Then she saw their faces... The man in front of her had blue-gray skin, strange green eyes, and dark limp hair. He was almost seven feet tall as he sniffed at her neck.

Renaya screamed. She was definitely having a nightmare. The man said something to his partner and all she heard was a guttural voice and grumbled words. The first one grabbed her.

“Get away from me!” she screamed again, trying to futilely wriggle out of his grip as he picked her up. “Let me go!”

They did not answer her.

“Who are you? What do you want from me?” she whimpered, still struggling. They were definitely not human, she realized, and they were going to kill her.

They would not answer her and kept talking to each other in their guttural tongue. Exhausted, she stopped struggling, her body going limp. Tears streamed down her face as they took her outside and around the back into the night.

More lights flashed in the sky as the siren kept wailing. Soon the men entered a triangular door that opened into a dim lit dark room.

“Please don’t kill me...” she whispered in a quivering voice, as tears trickled down her face.

They said something she didn’t understand. Her vision blurred as her mind tried to grasp at the last thread of reality, hoping that she would wake up and all this would be a bad dream.

The other man brought a small silver device and handed it to the one carrying Renaya. He pressed the cold thing onto her neck, then threw her on the dark floor. Renaya felt the skin on her neck grow warm as she fell down. The floor felt weird beneath her. The tranquilizer only took a minute to take effect and the last thing she saw were the two men towering over her.

And then darkness engulfed her, taking her into oblivion.

***

“Do you think she will do?” the one man asked the other.

“Of course, she smells unique,” Ex’ilk grunted. “I will get a good price on the market for this one,” he said, taking in the small figure lying on the floor.

“I don’t know... She seems small and weak,” the other said, shrugging. He still sounded doubtful.

“You let me worry about that. Let’s go and round up the others. We leave now,” Ex’ilk replied.

They left, leaving her in the dark room.

The triangular spacecraft carried Renaya and the alien men, who were from a species known as the Zorg. They soared upward and zipped through the night sky. It reached the outer limits of the Earth’s atmosphere toward the huge Zorg mother-ship that was stationed high above and entered its designated docking station. Many other smaller space crafts, similar to the one carrying Renaya , were docking at the ship. Soon the mother-ship went into warp drive and left for Andromeda 13, a far off space station in the heart of Omega Centauri.

Renaya woke up in the dimly lit cabin. Her vision was blurry. She blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted to the strange light. She tried sitting up, but a wave of nausea hit her. At the same time, a splitting headache forced her to lie back down. The floor felt odd. It was as if it changed from beneath her. It felt like reptilian skin. The only familiar thing was the cold.

She tried to gather her thoughts as she very slowly sat up. Trying to pull the strand of hair away from her eyes, she found her feet restrained by shackles. Her wrists were also bound, and she instinctively pulled on them in a futile effort as they cut through her wrists.

Then it all came back to her as images of strange beings abducting her flashed through her mind. She was far from home in a strange alien ship. The room had a dim lime-green light that made the metallic walls look greenish-gray. The place smelled of metal and rust. The air was heavy in the room and her breathing gradually became labored.

The wall toward her right started to shift and she heard a low rumbling sound as if metal was grinding against metal. A dim ray of light appeared from the triangular opening in the wall. An oddly shaped form silhouetted against the doorway. The shadow entered. It held something. She shuddered at the sight, moving further back towards the wall. The creature was small, with lanky arms and legs and a skinny body that had ridges all over its chest and abdomen, giving it an insect-like appearance. Its head was elongated, with ridges on both sides, and it rested on a long narrow neck. It had big liquid black eyes that scanned her all over.

Fear seized her, making her tremble. The creature moved forward. She froze, her pupils dilating. It held a tray in one hand which he put down. Then, quick as lightning, it put something in her ear. After some buzzing noise, a computerized male voice greeted her as it came in sync with the creature’s lips.

“Master sends food for you,” she heard the creature say through the translator.

“Wh... where am I? Who are you?” she stammered and her breathing became shallow.

“We are in the Zorg mother-ship,” he said, tilting his head and staring at her as if fascinated by her fear.

“Zorg...? I don’t understand. Please let me go,” Renaya said, blinking away tears that threatened to burst.

“I serve my Zorg Master Ex’ilk,” he replied without any emotion. “He sends food.”

“I don’t want it. Take me home!” Her voice grew shrill.

“You are to eat your food or Master Ex’ilk won’t be pleased,” he continued, in a tone that made her shiver. “And take this. It will help you breathe better.” The creature placed two blue pills on her tray.

Renaya didn’t resist. With every passing second, it was becoming harder for her to breathe. Her hands trembling, she swallowed the pills with water. It tasted bitter. Satisfied, the creature turned around and left the room, closing the door behind him with a bang. Renaya shuddered. Tears spilled down her face uncontrollably as she looked at the tray in front of her. It resembled something like porridge. Her appetite lost, she hugged her knees and sobbed. The food lay untouched, turning cold.

They would kill her... she wouldn’t survive this. Fear was taking over her rational thinking. She saw her grandmother’s emerald ring was still on her finger. Tears welled up in her eyes with full force as she remembered her words. She still couldn’t figure out what her grandma had meant... and then a glimmer of hope fluttered inside her heart as she gazed at the ring. It was like a light in the darkness that surrounded her and it was the only tangible reminder of something familiar. Something she could cling to, in this solitary alien universe.

Chapter Two

Lord Aurzac stood on the balcony with his back to his palace chambers, gazing at the once beautiful view of the palace grounds. He was an Argarian, the last in the bloodline of the ancient clan of fierce Durlan Warriors who had ruled Terrgius for a millennium. Fiercely loyal to the land, these warriors were known to be devoid of emotions. But in the last few centuries, the successors had become corrupt and eventually destroyed the land.

He took a sip from his glass, savoring the blue wine as it slid down his throat. The wine on Terrgius was the finest in the galaxy. Gold and silver armor adorned his upper body. But it still revealed his well-built, toned body and fair skin. On his left arm he wore a glove, and on his right, his royal crest. Its emblem was a gold phoenix that spread its wings upward, surrounded by aquamarine stones, and a drop of blood hung on its head. The blood symbolized the sacrifices of his warriors and the phoenix, survivors who came back.

His shoulder length ice blond hair was tied at the nape of his strong neck, revealing his pointed ears which were the mark of the Argarian race. He wore dark leather pants that defined his muscular legs. His face held the cold expression of that of an experienced warlord, and his clear steely gray eyes were unfathomable. The vision he had in his dream last night recurred too frequently. He took another sip of his wine. He shouldn’t be bothered. After all, he was the powerful Durlan Lord and a vision of some woman shouldn't unnerve him.

A movement behind him brought him back from his brooding thoughts as he sensed the presence of his second-in-command, Lady Shanra.

“We are ready to board, My Lord,” Shanra said.

“Good. What’s the status of the Inter-Galactic Council meeting?” he asked.

“The Council will meet in a week, at the designated venue, the headquarters on Andromeda 13. The Emissary from Velarii will be there,” Shanra elaborated.

“Good. The sooner this issue with the Zorg is resolved, the better,” Lord Aurzac said, his jaw clenching.

The Zorg had been plundering his planet for over a century now. He needed to find a solution fast, as his planet’s resources were almost finished. Drought and famine plagued the once beautiful and flourishing planet, holding food and water in abundance. Now the rivers ran dry and the crops failed. His people were dying of hunger. The women could no longer bear children. And the burden of saving Terrgius was his alone.

His responsibility was to mate with a woman, a pure blood, who would bring life back to his planet. Terrgius was a planet with a soul. Its life force was the well-being of its rulers. If the ruler became corrupt or died, the planet would slowly die unless a new successor was chosen. His ancestors in the last century had gone corrupt, leading a life of debauchery, slowly draining the life force of the planet. Then the Zorg invaded, further ripping the planet apart. His father was assassinated when he was young. And his mother had suffered and died for no reason.

And now, almost a century later, he had come of age and taken over the responsibility as a leader. For the past few years, he had looked for the right woman. But he hadn’t found her. Even Commander Shanra had shown him prospective brides, but he never approved. He just didn’t feel the connection. Years ago his mother had told him that he would know it when he saw the woman who was destined for him. But as the years rolled by and his world withered around him, he had lost all hope of finding his mate. That was until he started having visions of a woman who was not from his world.

Why do you care about Terrgius? The others didn’t care. Why sacrifice your life? You can easily escape all of this mayhem, the dark, familiar voice inside his head mocked him. He ignored it and with these brooding thoughts, he left for the Council meeting.

***

Renaya woke up with a start. The creature that brought her food was back again, shaking her in an attempt to wake her up. In the dimly lit cabin of the alien ship, she had lost track of time. She was too tired and weak to move.

“Get up,” the creature shoved her and then dragged her up into a sitting position. “Master is here. Wake up.”

When she didn’t move, Ex’ilk pushed the creature aside and strode toward her. She looked up to see that it was the same green-eyed alien towering over her.

“You better eat, woman!” he growled.

“Let me go! Please... take me home,” she pleaded.

“Your home is destroyed. Eat! I don’t want you looking like that when I put you out there,” Ex’ilk grumbled, frowning with his heavy brows and wrinkling his nose in an expression that seemed as if she smelled bad.

“No, that can’t be true!” she screamed, fresh tears springing into her eyes. “Let me go! Let me go back home!”

She kept screaming when suddenly a sharp burning pain across her cheek silenced her. She wasn’t expecting it and the impact of his slap rendered her head spinning. The headache returned but only for a moment, because she fell on her knees and onto the floor, unconscious.

Cold water splashed on her face made her flinch. Ex’ilk sat in the cabin, watching her. The creature stood nearby, holding the glass of water.

“You eat now, woman. I don’t want you starving,” Ex’ilk said in a harsh tone. “I might let you go if you finish that,” he added, and she saw his dark lips curve into a smirk.

Her hands shook as she picked up the spoon and tried swallowing the now cold and tasteless gruel. An occasional sob would rack her sporadically. But the man didn’t leave until she finished the gruel. She felt like throwing up. But she tried not to, as he would definitely kill her if she did.

Days passed and she lost all track of time. The journey felt like an endless torture. She ate, slept, cried and thought about her destroyed home. The creature came in and gave her food. She asked him one day where they were going.

“We land in two days on Andromeda 13,” he replied, and when she gave him a blank look, he elaborated. “The space station, in our galaxy, Omega Centauri. It's the best marketplace in both the galaxies.” He rasped.

A glimmer of hope lit up her beautiful eyes. Maybe she could escape once they landed.

***

Two days later, the Zorg mother-ship reached Andromeda 13 and entered its docking station. Ex'ilk and his men rounded up the slaves and made them stand in a queue outside the spacecraft. Then they walked toward the marketplace known as the Bazaar of Babylon.

Andromeda 13 was massive. It was the largest space station that connected the galaxies of Omega Centauri and Redshift 7. It was a huge business hub for alien races. Mostly warriors and explorers from far-off planets visited it for trade and recreation.

Renaya was both awed and scared. Her emotions played havoc with her mind. The Bazaar of Babylon was crowded. So many different creatures, all aliens from different worlds gathered there. She saw that all the other alien slaves like her were shackled and all of them were females. She saw no other human.

“Where are the others? I mean humans, like me,” she asked Ex’ilk who was standing nearby.

Grunting, he turned toward her.

“There are none. You are the only human here,” he said giving her a look of disgust. “Your Earth is destroyed.”

A wave of shock hit her in the pit of her stomach. The only human here, the only one alive? If Earth was destroyed then he was right, she was the only human alive. The idea was too overwhelming to comprehend. Standing among the throng of people, she felt more alone than ever.

Chapter Three

Lord Aurzac calmly watched the different faces of the Council members gathered in the great hall. Lady Shanra was standing beside him. The Zorg leader hadn’t arrived yet. They stood apart from the other members, waiting for the meeting to start.

This was his last chance to end the century old war between the Zorg and the Argarians, thought Aurzac. Terrgius was dying. With his resources running out, he needed the Council’s help to back him up. It was the only way to put an end to the war and save his planet from further destruction. The thing that nagged at him most was that the Zorg were ruthless. They destroyed planets and abducted their women for trade. He could only hope the Zorg leader would agree to the peace proposal he was going to present to him.

“This war must end. Our resources are limited. I can’t go on like this,” Lord Aurzac told Commander Shanra.

Shanra looked at him, pensively. She had bright amber eyes, pale bluish skin and long red hair. She wore a dark blue suit that clung to her body and a dark cloak over her shoulders.

“We definitely need the Council’s help to stop the war, My Lord. Without their help, the Zorg won’t agree to the proposal,” she said, in a soft, serious tone.

“The Zorg are pirates! They won’t stop plundering until they see a deal that benefits them!” Lord Aurzac flashed a steely glance at her.

“We are offering them our exclusive weapons. But they know the planet is dying. They won’t buy into it. They know we are weak,” she insisted.

“Our swords are made from the iron of Modrya, the rarest metal in the whole galaxy. They should be tempted to accept the deal... as they do have a weakness for weapons,” he said matter-of-factly.

“You must find a mate soon, My Lord, maybe then the Council will put their trust in you.” Her shrewd eyes softened as her gaze locked onto his. Her whole demeanor changed as she looked up at him, a subtle smile playing at her lips.

Lord Aurzac noticed the subtle change. His expression unreadable and nonchalant, he looked away.

“Whether the Council helps us or not, we need to make sure the Zorg leader agrees to the proposed deal,” he said in a controlled voice with finality in his tone.

The Zorg leader, Trobbut appeared. He was a hulking man with harsh features and long dark hair framing his blue-gray face. The other members seated themselves around the long table as the meeting commenced. Lord Aurzac and Shanra also took their places and the leader of the Council made his opening speech.

***

The slaves from the Zorg ship were taken to a hall where other alien species from diverse planets gathered. They stood in a line, near the stage in the center of the hall. One by one, the female slaves were pushed on the stage. The crowd, made up mostly of male warriors, jeered loudly. Large men in armor leered and laughed at the woman on stage, proudly naming their price.

The creature that had brought Renaya food on the ship now stood there, calling out the names of the women on the stage. Renaya was shocked at the scenario. They were going to sell her at this alien auction. This was unbelievable. Her mind raced and the only logical solution that came to her was to escape.

She looked around to see if anyone was watching her. All eyes were turned toward the stage. Carefully, she inched a few steps backward toward the door. She moved further back very slowly until she reached it. She turned around quickly and was about to leave the stage through the door when her eyes momentarily met those of a man standing a few feet away. Mesmerized by his penetrating gaze, she was rooted to the spot, unable to move. She gasped as she took in his handsome features. Intense gray eyes, dark brows, ice-blond hair, strong jaw line. Her heart beat faster and something hot was building deep down in her belly as he took a few steps toward her, his gaze still locked onto hers. He was tall and his muscular body moved with a civilized grace. His demeanor was calm and cool as he stood in front of her. She felt her stomach flip as she blushed to the core. There was something here. She could feel it.

Two powerful hands grabbed her and jolted her out of her trance. Her scream was lost on her lips as a hand came up to her mouth from behind. She tried to pry it off as Ex’ilk dragged her with him, back into the hall. It was all so sudden that the man in front of her didn’t have time to react. Her only hope of escaping faded fast as Ex’ilk shoved her onto the stage and she stumbled, desperately trying to regain her balance. Her t-shirt was torn from the shoulder, leaving it bare and the pajamas she wore were torn at the hem. Humiliation and embarrassment overwhelmed her as hot tears streamed down her cheeks. The crowd was barbaric. They jeered and whistled and called her names as the auction went on. She stood there sobbing, her head lowered as her body trembled.

“We have a new bid. Fifty thousand denarii for the small woman here,” the creature called above the crowd. “Fifty thousand one... fifty thousand two... and she's yours, My Lord!”

Ex’ilk dragged Renaya down the stage and pushed her aside. He told his assistant to keep an eye on her while he took the payment. A few minutes later he dragged her away from the crowd and pushed her toward the man who had bought her. Exhausted from fear and crying, she stumbled forward and fell on her knees. Two strong but gentle hands grabbed her shoulders and helped her up. Through red-rimmed eyes, she looked up at the man who was holding her. The pair of piercing gray eyes was so close to her that it startled her. It was him. A strange wave of relief flooded her whole being as she let out a ragged breath and burst into a fresh deluge of tears.

Chapter Four

Lord Aurzac took her into his arms as he picked her up. Sobs racked her whole being. The warmth of his body calmed her down as sheer exhaustion made her swoon. She was light as a feather, yet her slim body felt soft and curvy in the right places. He felt as if he were holding a precious being, so delicate that he needed to protect her. Her head rested on his shoulder as he carried her toward his ship. Lord Aurzac had never felt like this before. As he held her in his arms he felt the connection like a jolt that seared through him, numbing him.

After the Council meeting was over, he had wanted some time alone to think things through. He had dismissed Shanra, asking her to get the ship ready for its homeward course and to wait for him to join her later. The Council members had still not given their consent to help him. The Zorg leader, after hearing the proposed terms for peace from the Argarians, was biding his time so he could delay the decision.

Perturbed, Lord Aurzac wanted to clear his thoughts, so he went for a stroll. It was during his stroll, when he was passing through the bazaar of Babylon, that he saw her. He had felt the bond, as strong as any, from the moment he looked into the depths of those warm brown eyes. How bizarre, he thought, that he would find her here, among the slaves. And she wasn’t from his world. She was unusual. Small and frail compared to the women on his planet. But she was destined to be his bride. That he was sure of.

Once inside the ship, he delivered Renaya to her room. She was still unconscious. He pressed a button on the panel on the wall and called the ship’s doctor.

Dr. Aldon was a tall thin man with dark blond hair and blue eyes. He wore a dark green suit and a white cloak. He entered as Lord Aurzac led him toward the patient.

“Good to see you, doctor. Please make sure that she's okay. And I need a sample of her blood,” he instructed. A thorough blood scan would reveal her race and the planet she was from, in addition to her health condition.

Dr. Aldon pulled out a cylindrical device and scanned her body for injuries. He then pressed another syringe-like tube to the inside of her thumb and drew a few drops of blood as a sample. He handed the small vial of blood to Lord Aurzac.

“Thank you, doctor,” Lord Aurzac said.

“Always at your service, My Lord,” Dr. Aldon replied.

“Let me know when she wakes up.”

“Yes, My Lord,” the doctor said, slightly bowing his head.

Aurzac nodded. His gaze went toward Renaya’s reclining form, as he saw her wrists bruised by the shackles. He turned and reached for the door, leaving her in the doctor’s care.

***

Lord Aurzac took the blood sample to Lady Shanra in the control room and told her to run it through the DNA scanner.

“Shanra, after the scan is done, tell Aerav to run it through the central database and give me the report,” he commanded. Aerav was the ship’s technician in control of the database archives.

“Yes, My Lord,” she replied and set to work.

He left for his quarters, where he would get the report in a few hours. By then she would probably be awake. Dr. Aldon told him she was stable, stressed but stable. The Zorg had treated her harshly. The marks on her wrists and ankles said that her body was fragile, not strong enough for fighting. Women in his world were warriors. They fought in ground battles. Lady Shanra was a fierce warrior, and she was good with swords. She had earned her place as his second-in-command. This woman... she would learn... he didn’t need her to be a warrior, but a healer, he thought. He reached his quarters and sat at his desk to review the battle plans.

***

The unfamiliar light gray ceiling came into view as Renaya woke up. She was in a large room with white walls. The first thought that came to her mind was that she was back home and in a hospital. That it was all a bad dream.

But her hope was quickly doused as her eyes drifted to the large oval window on her right, overlooking the black void of space. The bed was a flat slab of white with a mattress made of an unusual material. It was hard but not uncomfortable. A soft warm glow lit up the room, which was soothing. She was still a bit groggy. Thoughts raced through her mind. This didn’t seem like the Zorg ship. Then it all rushed back to her... the auction... the handsome stranger who took her. A movement in the shadows to her left startled her. The white wall silently slid back, and a man stood silhouetted in the doorway. She cringed thinking it was Ex’ilk. But as he stepped into the light, she saw a man dressed in a green overall suit, with a soft white linen coat draped over his shoulders.

“I am Dr. Aldon, My Lady,” he addressed her in his sober voice, as he came toward her.

She simply stared at him, her eyes riveted to his pointed ears. He was fairly humanoid with the exception of his ears, which were the same size as a human ear, but pointed at the tip. He reminded her of an elf from some fantasy movie. A smile tugged at her lips.

“Can you understand me, My Lady? Is your translator working?” he asked gesturing toward her ear, concerned at the expression on her face.

She touched her ear and felt what seemed to be a soft earpiece. She nodded and her head spun.

“Where am I?” she asked, as her hand went up to her head.

“You must be feeling dizzy? I would advise you to eat, please.”

“Where am I? Where have you people taken me?” Renaya asked, and he saw anxiety in her eyes.

“You are aboard the Starship Sorion. Please try to rest, My Lady. Lord Aurzac would like to see you shortly.”

He bowed and turned to leave. As soon as he left, a woman entered with a large tray. It had soup, sandwiches, a platter of hot rice and some kind of broth. She set the tray on a small oval table near the bed and turned toward her, bowing. She wore a plain dark brown suit that fitted her body and a dark green belt around her waist. Attached to it was a small gold brooch that looked like a phoenix. Her blonde hair was neatly tied in a chignon and her green eyes showed wisdom. She was young, twenty-something, and her skin was fair.

“My Lady, I am Ayana and I will be at your service from now on,” she explained as she clasped her hands in front of her. “Anything you need, I will get you. Please have your meal, as Lord Aurzac awaits you.”

“Who is this Lord Aurzac?”

“He’s the one who brought you here, My Lady.”

Oh, so he’s the handsome stranger.

Renaya slowly got up from the bed. But again her head spun and she sat back down. Ayana helped her to the table, encouraging her to eat. Renaya took a few sips of the soup. It tasted delicious, making her mouth water. She was suddenly hungry as she devoured the soup and sandwich. The food was similar to that back on Earth but still the taste varied. It was as if the spices and the flavors were alien to her, but still it was mouthwatering. Maybe because she had not tasted anything so fresh in so many days, that it seemed heavenly. Ayana went toward the wall in front of her and tapped a hidden panel there. It slid open without a sound. A row of clothes, mostly suits, in colors of blue, green and white hung there. Ayana pulled out a blue suit for her and pumps that blended perfectly with it.

“This will fit you,” she said as she laid the suit on her bed.

“How do you know it will fit me?” Renaya asked perplexed.

“The computer picked this size for you. It will fit, My Lady,” she explained while Renaya finished her food. “I will show you the bathroom. It’s this way.” Renaya followed her to another shaft in the wall which she hadn’t noticed before.

The bathroom was small and simple. It had an oval mirror, oval toilet, and a sink. The shower was oval too. Ayana showed her how to use it. Instead of water, there was ionized steam, she explained. The steam particles would thoroughly clean the body, Ayana reassured when she saw the doubtful expression on Renaya’s face.

Renaya felt much better after the shower. Ayana was right, she thought. The suit was close-fitted and clung to her in the most exquisite way. It had a V neckline that beautifully accentuated her small breasts and subtly showed off the delicate curves of her body. She looked at herself in the large oval mirror that appeared on the wall and was surprised at her own reflection. She looked different. Ayana had let her hair loose so that it flowed down her back. She looked simple and elegant, with a little blush on her cheeks and a soft pink hue of lipstick.

Ayana then led her outside the room. They stepped into the dimly lit passageway that curved to their left. Warm white lights lit the gray pathway as Renaya followed her, taking in the white walls. She would never be able to find her way around here, she thought. Her stomach knotted at the thought of seeing Lord Aurzac. What did he have to say to her? She was his slave. Would he set her free?

Chapter Five

The door to the Lord's chambers opened noiselessly as Renaya entered. With a bow, Ayana left them, closing the door behind her. The room was large, decorated in colors of white and gray. A desk with panels was on her left, while on her right, the wall was a huge screen.

Lord Aurzac sat on a chaise lounge, one leg across his knee, holding a glass of wine. He was seated in the far corner, partially hidden in shadows. He tilted his head as he took in the woman in front of him. She was petite, and the suit clung to her lithe body in a seductive way. Her lush hair flowed down her tiny waist. She was beautiful, he thought as his eyes rested on her softly rounded breasts. And then he caught her intoxicating scent. He inhaled deeply.

“Renaya,” he called in his deep voice. Her name sounded strange on his lips.

She felt her blood burn as his penetrating gaze seared through her. She was a bit surprised on hearing him say her name. She didn’t remember telling anyone her name. He sipped his wine and then stood up. He slowly strode towards her, stopping only inches away. He was too close. She could smell him, the heady scent of a man.

“How do you...?” she began, as her eyes swept over him. He wore a dark linen shirt that was open at the front, showing his muscular chest.

“Know your name? I know a lot about you, Renaya.” He pronounced her name with an unusual accent, which sounded oddly nice.

“Where did you get that?” he took her hand in his and felt the emerald ring on her finger as his steely gray gaze bore into her dark eyes. Again, she felt that weird sensation she had felt when she first saw him. His platinum blonde hair was tied at the nape of his neck and she noticed his ears. They were pointed, she observed. He reminded her of one of the Tolkien elves, Legolas.

“My grandmother gave it to me,” Renaya said, gazing at the beautiful ring. “Those monsters destroyed my home,” she continued in a voice ever so soft while she fought back tears. No, she didn’t want to cry in front of him. She wanted to show him that she was strong.

“Earth has survived. It's not in too good a condition, but it has survived,” Lord Aurzac replied, his voice nonchalant. And then his chest tightened as he saw her tear filled eyes. What was happening to him? He had never reacted this way to anyone, ever. Let alone a slave woman. Get a grip Aurzac , said the dark voice inside him. She’s nothing but a slave woman. Focus on what needs to be done.

“Really... it has? Are there any survivors?” she asked earnestly looking up to him, hungry for information.

“We don’t have much data on that yet. But we will soon.”

She seemed sad all of a sudden, as the light that had lit up her beautiful eyes went out. He noticed that her ears were different. They were rounded at the tip. Interesting, he thought.

“It’s true then... I am the last human,” Renaya said, her voice low.

“Maybe you are,” he answered, looking deep into her sad, sad eyes. And that makes you even more precious, he thought.

“From now on, you will work for me.” His tone turned serious.

“No. I will not work for you,” she said, challenging him.”Where I come from there are no slaves.”

“You dare defy me?” Lord Aurzac boomed, in a voice so cold it made her shudder. “You are in my world now. You are my slave and you will do as you are told.”

“I want my freedom!” she insisted, looking him in the eye. He would definitely kill her. But she had to take a chance. She knew how slaves were treated, the Zorg had taught her that.

Lord Aurzac raised a perfectly arched brow, eyes softening a bit. He was amused by her resilience. He took another sip and put the glass down.

“You don’t have a choice, woman.”

“Kill me then. I don’t care,” said Renaya, her dark eyes glinting. There, he could kill her now.

She disobeys and dares to dictate the powerful warlord? Kill her. She will bring nothing but trouble , his dark side whispered cynically.

“Oh, but that would be a waste. I could make better use of you,” he scoffed, ignoring the dark voice inside his head. There was something unusual about this woman. What was it about her that made him lose his strength? He needed to find out.

“You either set me free or kill me. I will not be your slave!” Renaya persisted, her voice almost choking. He should get it over with. What would be the point of staying alive anyway if she was the last living human and would be nothing but a slave?

“You want freedom? Well, there’s a way,” he mused, as his gray eyes darkened to a deeper gray. “But there will be conditions.”

“I’ll accept them if they are reasonable,” she gasped, blinking a few times.

“You will wear this, at all times,” he said, taking out a blood red teardrop stone pendant, hung by a delicate silver chain.

“It’s the Aramith, a rare sacred stone passed down from our ancestors. It’s been in the family for centuries,” said Lord Aurzac, his penetrating gaze heating her blood. “Do you agree to wear it and never take it off?”

She was confused. It was just a pendant. What was the fuss about not taking it off?

“I do,” she agreed, sounding a bit impatient. She would agree to anything that would set her free.

He put the necklace around her neck. The instant the stone touched her chest, it glowed bright red for a few seconds and then turned back to normal. She saw a smile tugging at his lips.

“And you agree to come with me, to my world. Forever.”

“Wh... What? Why...?” she asked.

In a swift move, his firm but rather gentle lips were on hers as his hand slid across her tiny waist. He pulled her close. Taken aback by his intensity, she gasped, her breasts pressed against his hard muscular torso. His lips were eager, gently prying hers apart. Then his tongue slid into her mouth, urgent, demanding, as she yielded and wrapped her arms around his strong neck. Desire set fire to her blood, which pooled deep inside her belly. Her heart racing, she pulled back for a second with a glazed look, catching her breath and saw the stormy shades of gray reflected in his eyes. With one hand he grabbed her behind, his hip grinding into hers and once again he kissed her deeply.

It was some time before they pulled apart. His softened gaze was so intense that tears welled up in her eyes. She shuddered and sobbed into his chest, clinging to him. He held her in his strong arms until the warmth of his body calmed her down. His fingers ran through her tangled hair as he took her face in his hands and wiped away the tears.

“Renaya, I have to go,” he said awkwardly. His expression was unreadable. “There is some business that I need to attend to. We will be landing in a day. If you need anything, Ayana will be at your service.”

Without another word, he pulled away and tapped his wrist twice. The door slid open and revealed Ayana standing there. Lord Aurzac took Renaya’s arm and led her outside. She followed Ayana back to her room, dazed, her emotions fluctuating.

Chapter Six

Renaya felt she had won her freedom. Starship Sorion had landed on Terrgius sometime back and Renaya was waiting with Ayana for further instructions. She wore a long, sleeveless figure-hugging dress with a V neckline in pewter gray, her hair tied in a chignon. With her fingertips, she felt the stone around her neck. It was a beautiful piece of jewelry, unlike any she had seen on Earth. She wondered why it was so important for Lord Aurzac that she never take it off.

Ayana checked her wrist and tapped on the device attached to it.

“We should leave now, My Lady,” she stated.

They left the chamber and stepped into the hallway. Renaya had not had a chance to explore the ship, except for visiting the Lord’s chambers. The Starship Sorion was huge. They walked down the long, curving passageway until they reached a wall. A door slid open and they found themselves in a large room where Lord Aurzac and Lady Shanra were waiting for them.

“Renaya, this is Lady Shanra, my second-in-command,” Lord Aurzac said. Lady Shanra was dressed in a sleek black dress cut off around her knees, with high black boots. Her straight red hair was tied up in a ponytail. She looked absolutely stunning, Renaya observed.

Renaya nodded toward Shanra and smiled. Shanra simply nodded without smiling back. Her shrewd amber eyes swept over Renaya, her thin eyebrows rising as she noticed the necklace.

They all left as the main ship’s gateway opened. Lord Aurzac walked beside Renaya , and Shanra and Ayana followed them.

Terrgius's terrain was similar to that of Earth's. The ground was red-brown, the trees had green leaves and the sky was blue with two suns. She saw no buildings. To her left, the crew of the ship had gathered. There were sleek cars that awaited them. A team of two warriors greeted Lord Aurzac. Renaya took a deep breath as she inhaled Terrgius's air.

He took her hand and led her toward their car. The others followed. The journey wasn’t too long. Renaya was intrigued by the landscape outside. The planet must once have been beautiful with lush grass and trees and flowing water, she thought.

The cars took them to the grand Durlan Palace. They entered the stone gate and onto the stone pathway that led up to the palace grounds. On either side of the road were graying empty grounds with rotten and dried tendrils stuck to stone walls. It seemed to be a forgotten land where there were once beautiful gardens and fields.

There was a weird feeling in her stomach as she stepped on the ground. It was the same kind of feeling when she first saw Lord Aurzac. She closed her eyes and then it happened.

The planet was burning. She was standing under a night sky as it was filled with drones that were attacking them. Then suddenly it was a day again and the Argarian warriors were fighting with the Zorg. Swords clashed as bodies fell and the ground filled with dark blue blood. Screams ripped through the air until suddenly she was standing in a field of green which withered and died. And then she was in a marketplace surrounded by people with gaunt faces, pulling at her clothes and saying something she didn't understand.

Renaya snapped open her eyes and staggered backward as she grabbed Lord Aurzac's arm to steady herself. The throbbing pain began to drum between her temples as she looked at him, a worried expression on her face.

“Renaya, are you okay?” Aurzac asked in a concerned voice.

“I... I had a vision,” she said hesitantly.

“What did you see?” he demanded.

“I saw the destruction of this world,” Renaya replied, fear showing in her eyes.

“The Terrgius’ spirit has connected with you. We must see the Elder tonight,” he said almost to himself.

The vehicle stopped in front of the palace's entrance, which consisted of heavy wooden doors. They went inside and the grandeur of the lobby took Renaya's breath away. The floor was white, made of exquisite marble similar to that on Earth. The lights were a beautiful warm white. The light here was a different kind of light, somewhat ethereal. The ceiling was domed with arches all around and had a mosaic made up of pieces cut out from a mirror. The walls had paintings of the Durlan Lords and Ladies. The lights were a beautiful warm white, reflected in the mirrors on the walls. The white columns which supported the arches had a pattern made up of gold leaves bunched together.

To their left, two giant carved doors revealed a hall where a banquet was waiting. Lord Aurzac, Renaya and Lady Shanra entered the hall which was filled with guests.

An elderly man with white hair and white eyes stood in the corner. Renaya felt she was being observed.

“Lord Aurzac, do you know who that man is?” she said, motioning toward the man standing.

“He’s the Elder. He is the one with the oracle. Come, let me introduce you to him,” Lord Aurzac explained as he led Renaya toward him.

“Elder,” he said, as he nodded in greeting.

“Lord Aurzac. Welcome back,” said the Elder in a sober voice. He then turned toward Renaya.

“Elder, this is Renaya,” Lord Aurzac beamed, introducing her.

“Renaya. A rare one you are,” the Elder replied, looking at her and the stone around her neck. “You have found your mate at last. I say you have chosen wisely.” He turned toward Lord Aurzac again and continued, “You must announce it.”

Mate? What did he mean by mate? She hoped her translator was working adequately. She looked at Aurzac but he ignored her and went toward the center of the hall.

“Ladies and gentlemen... your attention please,” he called to the crowd. “I would like to introduce to you Lady Renaya, my wife.”

“What?” Renaya gasped as everyone in the hall applauded and congratulated them.

“Lord Aurzac! What is going on?” Renaya asked furiously, demanding an explanation.

But he did not seem to hear her. The feast began as the guests settled around the huge table. Renaya was seething inside. The sheer intensity of the betrayal weighed down on her. She trembled with rage, her cheeks flushed and eyes bright. Lord Aurzac came over and pulled her aside in a corner.

“Calm down, Renaya. I’ll explain later,” he said coolly.

“Calm down? You want me to calm down? You lied to me!” Renaya’s voice grew hysterical, tears brimming in her eyes.

“You agreed to come. The Aramith you wear is the sign that you are my mate,” he said through clenched teeth.

“I...I...you...tricked me!” she choked, “I didn’t know what the amulet meant!” Tears streamed down her face. “I wanted freedom!”

Lord Aurzac looked at her for a long time. She wasn't going to be an easy one. He pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear, “You are free. The only way I could have freed you was by taking you as my bride. This may not be the rule in your world, but here, this is the way it is,” Lord Aurzac said, gently.

She looked up and held him at arm’s length. “I am no better than a slave. You gave me no choice.”

“What choice did you have? Your world is almost destroyed. You don’t know if there are any survivors. You should be grateful that I got you out of that Zorg mess.”

“You arrogant bastard! You could have told me what I was getting myself into,” she said, disgusted. “You didn’t even bother to ask if I wanted to be your mate!” And with that, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the hall. Ayana followed.

Lord Aurzac stood there, staring as if she had slapped him. No one dared abuse him, ever. Let alone a woman. He was the powerful Durlan Warrior and this woman was unbelievable. A sense of weariness overtook him. This woman wasn’t going to be easy. She was unusual and different.

She’s being difficult... you can teach her a lesson, the dark voice inside him whispered. Ignoring it, he grabbed a glass of wine from the table and gulped it down. What was she doing to him? It seemed as though he was losing his strength. Nobody had that effect on him. He didn’t want to succumb to his dark side and punish her. He couldn’t do it. The Spirit had connected with her and that was a sign. He must find another way.

The Elder came and stood beside him. He sensed Lord Aurzac’s agitation.

“She is different, My Lord. You must be patient with her.”

“I am trying to,” he said, “Elder, she had a vision when I brought her here. She connected with the Spirit.”

“You must believe. If the Spirit welcomed her, then she will be our savior,” the Elder said softly. “Be patient. Give her time. Maybe you need to approach her differently.”

The Elder’s words were true. She didn’t know their customs. She didn’t know why she was important to them. He would try and explain it to her in the morning.

Chapter Seven

Renaya was furious. She ran out into the hallway wanting to shut herself into her room.

“My Lady... Please wait!” Ayana called, following her. “Let me show you to your room.”

Renaya slowed down as Ayana caught up with her. She led her down the great lobby and toward the back until they reached a door on the left. They stepped into another hallway and made their way up the grand staircase. At the top of the stairs, the landing led to a passageway. There were rooms on their right. Ayana stopped in front of one of the doors and tapped the gold crest on her belt a few times. The door opened and Renaya stepped in behind her. For a moment, her anger was forgotten, as she was awestruck by the grandeur of the bedroom.

The vast ivory walls and the large oval windows overlooked the palace grounds and beyond. They had a surreal feeling to them, as the sunlight lit up the alien marble floor. The bed was oval shaped, surrounded by thin gossamer drapes.

“Thank you,” she said to Ayana. “Please leave me alone now.”

“It's my pleasure to serve you, My Lady. Please take this armband. She handed her a delicate gold band that resembled a bracelet. Attached to it was a small crest similar to the one she had seen on Lord Aurzac's armor.

“This is the key to all the doors in the palace. And it's also a communicator.” She said as she put the armband on Renaya's upper arm.

“How does it work?”

“You tap the Durlan crest twice if you want to open any door inside the palace. It’s been programmed with the link to the central locking system,” Ayana explained. “And when you need me for anything, you press it and hold it down while you talk to me.”

“Okay, thank you,” Renaya said as she looked at the gold armband that looked more like a piece of jewelry.

Renaya sat on the chaise lounge by the massive window as Ayana left the room. She looked up at the three moons that came into view. She had heard the planet had seven moons. Blood moons as they called them, they were dusty red and gloomy in the night sky as if heralding an omen.

Angry and hurt by Lord Aurzac’s betrayal, her thoughts wandered back home. But where would she go? Even if she had her way and went back, she didn’t know what would be the situation there. But if she chose to live with Lord Aurzac, would he be able to love her? Of what she had heard of Durlan warriors, they were cold and heartless, almost devoid of feelings. And then she remembered the hostile look in Lady Shanra’s eyes, and she wondered if these aliens would accept her in their society. She shuddered and took a deep breath. It was all happening so fast. She needed time to think.

Torn apart by the dilemma, sheer exhaustion took over her body as she got up and walked toward the bed. Lying down, her head resting on the plush pillows, she drifted into sleep almost immediately.

***

The next morning, Lord Aurzac was at his desk, checking the battle plans when Lady Shanra entered.

“I have news, My Lord,” she said, as she walked up to him. “Trobbut has a message for you.”

Lord Aurzac got up from his desk and went toward the conference table. Lady Shanra tapped the flat device on the oval table in front of her as a holographic screen appeared at its center. The image of Zorg leader Trobbut appeared. His harsh features filled the room with his menacing presence.

“This is for Lord Aurzac. What you offer is interesting... but I have my doubts. I don't know what game you are playing, Aurzac, but I know this for sure. You are a liar. Everyone in the galaxy knows very well that Terrgius is dying. So what you offer is nothing. See you on the battlefield.” The video message ended with a click. Lord Aurzac's jaw clenched as his fist tightened, knuckles turning white.

“Shanra, gather the troops. Start the training session, pronto! I will join you shortly,” he ordered in a lethal voice.

She pressed the crest on her armband and barked orders into it as she strode away toward the training grounds at the back of the palace. Lord Aurzac went to see Renaya. He must talk some sense into this woman before everything was lost.

Chapter Eight

Renaya woke up feeling a lot better than the night before. After an exotic breakfast that Ayana brought her, she got dressed. She wore a halter neck, pale green, full-length gown that Ayana picked for her. She looked beautiful with her hair loose, and a few strands twisted and held up by delicate pins at her temples.

She stood by the oval windows, looking at the view and the vision she had the previous day came back to her. The withering gardens, dry fountains and harsh sunlight of the two suns made the once beautiful landscape dreary, she thought.

A movement behind her made her turn. Lord Aurzac entered the room. She turned back and gazed outside again, not in the mood to talk to him as her anger returned. She felt his piercing gaze on her naked back.

“Hope you slept well, Renaya?” he said in a controlled, formal voice. He seemed distant. Cold. He thought he should apologize, but his dark pride wouldn’t let him.

“I’m fine,” Renaya replied curtly.

His anger slipped away on hearing her soft voice. She rendered him weak. It was an unusual feeling, one he had never experienced before.

He came closer, standing behind her until his body was against her back. His breath hitched as her sweet scent assailed his senses. He slid his hands down along her arms from behind, then he held her hands, pulling her toward him until she was pressed against his hard chest. She stiffened. His proximity made her gasp and blood rushed to her cheeks.

“You see what is out there?” he said in a soft deep voice, almost a whisper. His lips close to her ear as he spoke. “My home is dying. If you could have seen Terrgius before the war, you would be in a world so beautiful you would never grow tired of it. It would have been what your people call paradise.”

She listened, silently.

“I have been fighting this war far too long. The Zorg have been plundering this planet for over a century now,” he continued. “Years ago my father was assassinated. Since then, our resources have been dwindling.”

She turned in his arms and looked at him. He saw genuine concern in her dark eyes.

“You see this?” He stepped back a little and pulled out a dagger from his belt. The blade shone brightly in the sunlight with intricate carvings covering the hilt. “This is what the Zorg are after. It's made of Modrya iron, a rare form of iron exclusively found on Terrgius.”

She held the dagger and found it amazingly light but knew it was lethal.

“The Zorg won’t accept our peace treaty. I will leave for battle in a few days,” he continued as something flitted across his eyes. For a split second she saw deep sorrow in their gray depths, but then it vanished and was replaced by a cold steely glare.

“Would you like a drink?” he asked, stepping back.

She nodded. He tapped his armband twice and a panel in the wall to their left opened, revealing a mini bar. He poured wine for two.

“Renaya, I need your help,” Lord Aurzac said in a formal voice as he handed her a tall glass of sparkling blue wine.

“How can I help you? I'm just an ordinary human,” she whispered, with an incredulous look in her eyes.

He gazed at her for a long time as he drained his glass.

“You are the chosen one,” he explained. “I come from a bloodline of ancient Durlan Warlords. My ancestors’ spirits are connected with Terrgius’s life force. My soul, too, is connected. But I cannot save the plane alone. My mate must help me.”

“How can you be sure I’m the chosen one?” she asked. “And why would I help you, after what you did to me?”

“The Spirit of Terrgius has already accepted you. You saw the vision. She cries out for your help. And I chose you because I felt the connection as well. It's the bond I share with you.”

She looked deep into his stormy eyes for a long time and took a sip of the wine. It tasted strange but pleasant and slid down her throat smoothly.

“The decision is yours. If you don’t agree to help, my home will be annihilated. Only a few can migrate, but millions will die.” His desperate gaze searched her soul.

“Lord Aurzac, I... I need to think,” Renaya said. Her mind was in turmoil. “I need more time.”

Lord Aurzac nodded and left without another word.

Chapter Nine

Renaya heaved a huge shuddering sigh. She felt she needed air. The burden of such a big responsibility weighed down on her conscience. She tapped her armband twice and the large window slid open. She stepped onto the large terrace surrounded by sleek columns that held up the domed ceiling of the huge pavilion.

How could she not help him? If she was the chosen one, as he said, then she had a responsibility. She was important to them, precious. Her grandmother’s words came rolling into her mind and tears welled up in her eyes. The Spirit of this world had welcomed her and asked for her help. She couldn’t just turn away from it. An entire planet would die and she had the chance to save it. She breathed in the air. It was warm, balmy. She looked down from the balcony and saw the warriors training in the yard. Their muscular chests were bare and they wore leather pants. Swords clashed. Lord Aurzac and Shanra were training the others as well as practicing their own fighting moves.

Aurzac looked handsome as ever. What would her life be like if she chose to stay? He would probably never be there for her. He would stay away for months, travelling in space or going to battles.

She recalled her grandma’s words. This was it. The decision she needed to make.

Renaya you must choose wisely...

Her grandmother would have wanted her to make the sacrifice. If she sacrificed herself for him, would he love her the way she wanted to be loved?

She must see him and talk about it with him. She went inside the bedroom and stepped out into the hallway on the other side. She climbed down the large stairs and waited in the grand atrium. Not knowing the way around the palace, she pressed the crest.

“Ayana, please come and meet me in the atrium,” she said.

“Yes, My Lady,” Ayana replied.

Renaya stood in the foyer, admiring the paintings on the wall, when she heard footsteps coming from behind. When she turned, she saw Lady Shanra walking toward her. She wore her battle training suit that revealed a little bit too much of her body, thought Renaya.

She was tall, and she almost towered over Renaya when she stood in front of her. Shanra tilted her head and looked Renaya up and down as her eyes rested on the Aramith. Her expression changed to disgust as her amber eyes grew brighter.

“Human females are so repulsive. I don’t know what Lord Aurzac sees in you,” she hissed. “Look at you. You are an ugly, pathetic, slave woman.”

“I am not a slave anymore,” Renaya defended herself, blood rushing to her cheeks. Why did this woman make her so nervous?

“If you think you can stay here forever then you are mistaken,” Shanra seethed. “When Lord Aurzac is done with you, he’ll forget all about you.” She spat venomously.

“I...I don’t understand. What are you talking about?” Renaya’s head reeled. “Lord Aurzac would do no such thing,” she said, but she knew her voice sounded uncertain.

“Ah, very cute. So you have feelings for him now?” Shanra snapped. “Don’t be mistaken. You don’t even know him. I don’t know what magic you used to ensnare him, but believe me, it won’t last long.”

And with this last tirade, Shanra turned on her heel and strode away.

Renaya’s heart raced. She felt humiliated. What was that all about? She must go and see Aurzac right now. Luckily, Ayana just rounded the corner.

“Oh, thank heavens, you are here. I would like to see Lord Aurzac,” Renaya said.

“My Lady, you have been summoned by the Elder,” Ayana said. “I will take you to him.”

“But I need to talk to Aurzac first,” Renaya insisted.

“He will be there, My Lady,” Ayana said.

They made their way toward the palace gardens and up to the pavilion over the hill. The columns of the pavilion joined together and formed an arch that supported the dome. The floor was octagonal and ivory white. An oval skylight lit up the pavilion. Sunlight filtered in through the stained glass.

They found Lord Aurzac already with the Elder. Ayana waited at the steps. Renaya greeted the Elder with a bow, as she had learned was the custom there. Lord Aurzac came and stood beside her. The Elder took her left hand, on which she wore her grandmother’s ring. Then he took Lord Aurzac’s right hand and held both hands in his own.

All three of them saw the vision.

Aurzac and Renaya were in a barren field. Three drops of blood dripped from Renaya’s finger on the ground. The world changed as it grew bright and peaceful. The fields flourished, flowers bloomed in the gardens, and water filled the rivers. Then suddenly, a dark form appeared in the sky and blocked out the sun. It was a hooded shadow creature that flew down toward them. It grabbed Lord Aurzac and took him into away, leaving Renaya screaming behind. The ground cracked open and swallowed her.

Lord Aurzac’s eyes snapped open and he drew in a sharp breath. Renaya was trembling as the Elder spoke.

“Death will come,” he said. “The planet will heal if Renaya chooses to heal it but the oracle says death will come nonetheless.”

“This cannot be happening!” Lord Aurzac said, his jaw clenched. “We will go to the sacred hall now.” He took Renaya’s hand and pulled her with him.

When they reached the palace, they walked toward the sacred hall.

“What have you decided? Will you help us?” he asked with a determination that intimidated her.

“Yes,” she replied. If this was her destiny, then so be it. Death was inevitable for both of them. At least she would do something good before dying.

“The oracle can be wrong. It may or may not be true,” he explained as if reading her thoughts. “Don’t think about death right now.”

“It’s okay, Aurzac,” she whispered. “I’ll help. I hope I can save you and your planet.” Tears filled her eyes, as realization hit her how painful it would be if she lost him.

They reached the doors that opened to a staircase, leading them down underground. When they reached the base of the stairs, the two doors on their right slid open and they entered a small chamber. They stepped into some sort of an elevator. Lord Aurzac tapped his crest and the elevator moved smoothly. They were going lower and lower until they reached the sacred hall room that housed the lifeline to the core of the planet.

Renaya looked at him sideways. His strong jaw clenched as his hand gripped the hilt of his dagger tightly, turning his knuckles white. Her stomach knotted as she took in his handsome profile, filled with agitation. She turned toward him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. Lifting herself up on her toes, and tilting her head she pressed her lips to his. He grabbed her around the waist and deepened the kiss, fervently devouring her.

The doors slid open and they pulled apart. Aurzac stepped into the hall, pulling her with him. It was a big hall with a dome-shaped ceiling, which was lit by a huge chandelier. The hall had strange artifacts, sculptures of unknown beasts lining the walls, paintings of wars on the ceiling.

In the center of the hall was a huge statue of a woman. She sat on a throne with one leg tucked beneath her. She rested her hands on her knees, palms up as if praying or meditating.

“Come with me,” Lord Aurzac said as he walked toward the statue. They climbed up the steps that led to it.

“This statue represents Terrgius’s Spirit,” he told her as they stood in front of it.

Lord Aurzac took out his dagger and unsheathed it. He then cut his thumb and drew blood. He held his thumb over the statue’s palm and three drops of dark blue blood trickled onto it. Then he took her hand and looked into her eyes.

“Ready?” he asked, waiting for her approval.

She nodded. He cut a small sliver into her skin and dark red drops oozed out. He held her hand over the statue’s open palm and drew three drops. The red blood mixed with the blue and it absorbed into the stone. The Aramith turned a bright red around Renaya’s neck.

Next, Aurzac took a small cylindrical device from his pocket. He ran it over the cut in her hand and it healed almost immediately. He did the same with his thumb.

A low rumbling sound reverberated throughout the hall. It sounded like thunder rolling, or a dull beat of drums far away.

“We must leave now,” he said, pulling her with him.

“Did it work?” she asked.

“It will work,” he said and they ran toward the elevator.

The rumbling grew louder as the elevator doors closed. When they exited the elevator again, they went up the stairs to the doors that led outside onto the patio. Hand in hand they walked toward the conference room.

Chapter Ten

“What was that sound?” Renaya asked him once they were outside.

“It is the sound of the Terrgius’s life-force... water. The dried up riverbeds will fill up and supply water to the city,” he said. “We have our own reserves at the palace, which would have run out soon if we hadn’t fixed it.”

They entered the conference room. Lady Shanra, his Starship Sorion’s technician, Aerav and the Elder were all gathered there. Renaya had an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach. She flinched as she felt Shanra’s eyes on her.

“Lord Aurzac, we have reports coming in from all over the planet that say the rivers are filling up again. The news is spreading fast. I am gathering the data from other parts too,” Aerav said excitedly as he checked the tablet in his hand and quickly tapped on it.

“The planet is healing,” the Elder said with a serene smile on his lips.

“It will take some time before it heals fully,” Lord Aurzac said. “Shanra, what’s the status at the battle front?”

“I’ll check and let you know, My Lord,” she replied. Her voice seemed quiet and seething, thought Renaya, as she walked out of the room. Why did she have to make it so obvious?

Lord Aurzac turned toward Renaya. “You did it, Renaya,” he said in a low voice. “Thank you.”

Renaya blushed and bit her lower lip.

They left the conference room silently and made their way towards his chambers. Lord Aurzac’s bedroom was even larger than hers and more luxurious. Renaya went toward the large oval window and looked outside. The moons looked white. Things were getting back to normal, she guessed.

“Aurzac? I don’t understand the prophecy,” she said. He saw fear and worry in her eyes.

“Don’t worry about it. It doesn’t mean that what we saw will actually happen. Sometimes it’s just a warning.”

Warning... Was there a threat to them? For some reason, Shanra came to her mind.

“Are you immortal?” she asked him. She had read that vampires were immortal, but aliens? She doubted.

He laughed. This was the first time he had laughed since she met him.

“No, I am not. But even immortals can’t escape death. They may not die a natural death but they can be killed.”

“How old are you?” she asked with wonder in her eyes.

“We may not be immortal but we live a long life,” he replied. “Much longer than humans. We stop aging after thirty. At least, our aging is very slow.”

She stared at him. He looked back at her with a penetrating stare till her blood heated.

“I am a hundred and thirty years old, according to our solar cycle,” he said, amused by her curiosity. “A day in Terrgius lasts 36 hours and the year is 412 days. You do the math.”

Wow, she thought, that made him old. Yet he looked as young and handsome as ever.

“You are very precious Renaya,” he said with a strange look in his eyes.”Do you know why Terrgius chose you?”

“No,” she said. “What you just said reminded me of my grandmother.”

“That ring... it’s a Durlan heirloom,” he said, his eyes darkening.

“What? But how’s that possible?” A confused look crossed her eyes.

He handed her a glass of wine and took a sip of his own as he gazed at her for a long time, watching her drink.

“Years ago, an emissary from Earth visited Terrgius. Her name was Lady Lilian.”

“Grandma? She's been here? That is the craziest idea ever,” Renaya laughed but then stopped short. He was gazing at her hard. She blinked at the intensity of his gaze.

“The ring that your grandmother gave you was a gift from the Elder, for helping us.”

Renaya stood there silent, rooted on the spot.

“Yes, Renaya. Humans have helped us before. The Elder told me all about it. They have been our strong alliance for centuries.”

“Wow... I wonder why grandma never told me.” The wine was making her thinking fuzzy. Then she shivered, as the realization hit her. Her grandma had known all along.

“Probably to keep you safe,” he said, as he came to stand behind her, wrapping his strong arms around her waist. She exhaled slowly. The warmth of his body had a soothing effect on her. She felt all her worries faded away.

“You did a brave thing today,” he spoke softly in her ear.

She laid her head back against his shoulder and closed her eyes. She understood now what her grandma had meant all those years ago, as she fidgeted with the emerald ring on her finger. She was home now.

He planted soft kisses on her neck, and she moaned. Desire rushed through her body, gathering deep inside her belly. His heady scent dazed her, as did his kisses on her neck, which sensitized her body all over. He turned her in his arms, as he cupped her chin and tilted his head to get a perfect lock on her lips. She moaned as he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth, tasting her for a moment until they pulled apart. She saw his darkening gray eyes burn with desire.

“Will you ever be able to love me?” she asked, as Shanra’s harsh comments nagged at her.

“Renaya, I am lucky to have you,” he said, searing her with his stormy gaze. “I couldn’t have found anyone better.”

Slowly he unhooked the halter neck and let the dress slide down and pool at her feet, leaving her naked except for her panties.

“You are a beautiful woman, more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.” His voice was deep and his gaze piercing. He admired her and bent down to kiss her lips, as one hand deftly savored the feel of her breasts. She could feel the bulge in his groin as it pressed against her, making her moan again. He peeled off her panties and his fingers explored her, making her cry with pleasure.

With a swift move, he picked her up and took her to bed, gently laying her down. He took off his suit and pants. Her breath caught as she saw him standing there, naked, his ice blonde hair flowing around his shoulders. She noticed a deep scar, a slash from a sword, on his hard stomach and another on his shoulder. He joined her under the covers and she relished the feel of his hard body on top of her. She looked deep into his eyes, and for the first time, she glimpsed his bare soul. His gaze was drowning her and as his mouth claimed hers, they were both lost to the rhythm of passion.

***

The next morning, Renaya woke up refreshed and glowing. Her heart fluttered at the memories of the previous night. She had never been this happy, ever.

Lord Aurzac was not in the room. He was an early riser, she observed. She got out of bed and went for a shower. When she was done, she called Ayana for her dress and breakfast.

Dressed and ready, she went downstairs thinking of exploring the palace. She wondered where Aurzac had gone. She went towards the grand atrium and checked the banquet hall, which was now empty. Then she roamed about checking the other rooms. There was a huge library in the palace, but the books were all in an alien language. She would learn this language, she thought, making a mental note of it.

The next room was across the hallway. It was dimly lit and she remembered that this was the conference room. It was empty except for voices she heard from a small room toward her right. The door was ajar and in the dim light, she could see the back of a woman and a man who stood next to her. As she moved in closer, she saw that the woman moved in to kiss him. Shock and anger registered on her face as she realized it was Aurzac and Shanra locking lips. She barged in, seething with rage. Tears started streaming down her face.

“Aurzac... How could you?” she cried before she turned on her heel and ran.

Aurzac pushed Shanra back and ran after Renaya. “Renaya!” he called. But she was already gone. He cursed through clenched teeth and proceeded to her chambers. She was sitting on her bed, sobbing with her face in her hands. It pained him to see her like this.

“Hush now... It’s not what you think. There’s been a misunderstanding,” he said with genuine concern in his voice. But she heard nothing. Shanra’s words rang true, and she felt shattered.

“You used me,” she sobbed. “And now that you are done, you will abandon me for another!”

“Will you hear me out?” he said, clenching his fist.

“No! There’s nothing to explain. You don’t love me. You abused me and I was stupid enough to believe you,” Renaya cried. “Just leave me alone!”

Aurzac looked at her for a long moment and decided she was being hysterical and that any explanation would backfire. Women in such a state should be left alone and not be bothered , he thought. Better give her some time to cool down and talk sense into her later. He did not have time now anyway. He had pressing matters on his mind.

“Okay. I’ll be leaving for Andromeda 13 in a little while. I’ll be gone a few days and we will talk when I get back,” Aurzac said.

She had her back to him as she sat on the bed. He strode toward her. Gently, he turned her around, took her face in his hands and kissed her.

Then he left.

Chapter Eleven

Lord Aurzac cursed as he made his way toward his chambers. He didn’t want to mess things up. How could Shanra be so stupid? Women are so complicated, he thought, shaking his head. He was beginning to get a headache.

Shanra had come into the conference room's small chamber where he was checking his battle plans. She told him that the situation on the battlefront had changed and that there was a cease-fire, at least for now.

“The news of the healing planet has reached Trobbut,” Shanra announced. “He sends an invitation for negotiation on Andromeda 13. The Council will preside too.”

“That’s great news!” he said and he looked up at her. His face was relaxed and calm. “When do we leave?”

“We leave today,” Shanra said. She stepped closer to him. Her eyes were strangely dark. He stood up from his chair to pick up a few plans and was about to leave when she blocked his way. There was a seductive look in her amber eyes and suddenly she kissed him, taking him by surprise. He stopped her, but it was too late already. Renaya had already seen it. The pain on Renaya's face tore at his heart.

***

Lady Shanra stood in her chambers, reveling in her triumph. She had seen Renaya enter the conference room without noticing Shanra. The opportunity was just too tempting. And it had worked out just the way she wanted. Lord Aurzac had given her temporary authority to take care of the matters at the palace until he returned. That is, if he returned at all, she thought as a wicked smile played on her lips.

She had just finished discussing the plan with Trobbut through their secret communicator. The plan was going smoothly. Now it would just be a matter of time before she got rid of the little despicable human.

***

Lord Aurzac prepared for his journey. He packed up and left for the Starship Sorion. The misunderstanding he had with Renaya tugged at his heart. Part of him wanted to clear things up right away, but he just didn’t have enough time and she was in no state to hear him out anyway. The journey to Andromeda 13 would take a week. Less than an hour later, he and his crew were on their way.

As soon as Sorion was out of Terrgius’s atmosphere, Shanra took action. She called her servant girl Misa and told her to call the dungeon guard, who she had earlier tipped off, to set to work. Shanra wore a black suit and took a gun with her as she waited.

***

Renaya was devastated. Sadness filled her heart as she thought about the betrayal. How could she be so naïve? So stupid, that she trusted an alien? Why would he love her when he could get much better options from his own race? She might be the chosen one to heal his planet, but that was it. He could never love a small, pathetic woman like her. He might be passionate in bed but it ended there. Shanra knew it and she was right about him.

Fresh tears of bitterness spilled down her cheeks. She was numb and knew that she would never be able to trust anyone with her love again. Ever. She had just started to fall deeply in love with Aurzac. Exhausted from crying, she dozed off. She didn’t notice that someone entered her room.

Two rough hands grabbed her and jolted her out of her sleep. Her scream was stifled by the hand that came over her mouth. The stranger dragged her out of bed, manhandling her as he slapped her hard in the face. She stopped struggling immediately and went numb.

He took her underground to the dark atrium where the dungeons were located. The dungeons were small gray cells with no windows. He restrained her to one of the metal walls, putting leather binders on her wrists and ankles. He then suspended her hands above her head and restrained them. She cried out as the pain cut through her wrists. He locked the door and disappeared, leaving her in the dim light of the morbid lamp that hung from the ceiling. Renaya couldn’t understand why they had imprisoned her. The day had ended so badly and it was only this morning that she was so happy. It all seemed like a distant dream.

***

“Lady Shanra? We have imprisoned her,” Misa said.

“Excellent. Take me to her now,” Shanra ordered. The servant girl bowed and Shanra followed her to the dungeons.

Renaya heard footsteps coming her way. She looked up to see green eyes filled with venom and a pale bluish face. Lady Shanra entered the cell and stood before her, a smug smile pasted on her lips.

“Please, let me go,” Renaya pleaded, her eyes red-rimmed, cold tears glistening on her face. “Why have they brought me here?”

A sharp slap hit her face and blood oozed from her nose, trickling over her lips.

“Shut up! You have committed heinous crimes for which you will be punished,” Shanra laughed like a maniac.

Misa blanched as she watched Shanra torture the leader’s mate.

“P... please... stop...” Renaya sobbed. “Au...Aurzac...where is he?” Her breath came in gasps.

“I told you to shut up, you red-blooded bitch,” Shanra said shrilly and again slapped her hard. Misa closed her eyes, muttering a prayer. “You really thought you would be queen? Ugh, look at you. Terrgius being ruled by an ugly queen! How pathetic is that? Isn’t it Misa?” she spat, addressing her maid.

“Yes, My Lady,” Misa squeaked.

“And let me tell you one thing. Aurzac is not coming back,” Shanra said, stressing each word. “He is probably dead by now.” Her voice was sinister and cold. Laughing again, she turned on her heel and strode out with Misa tailing behind.

Renaya’s head pounded with a splitting headache. She wished the nightmare would end. Oh no, Aurzac... The torture she had just endured was nothing compared to the fact that her husband was dead.

Suddenly she remembered the Oracle. The vision they had seen was this! He had chosen her as his bride. And she had been fighting with him before he left. The thought plunged her into guilt. It was all her fault. She deserved this punishment. Too numb to cry, she prayed she would wake up from this nightmare in her bed and see Aurzac alive and well.

Chapter Twelve

Lord Aurzac was in the cockpit of his ship when Aerav came to him. It had been four days since he had been aboard the Starship Sorion and there was no news from home. In a few days, they would dock at Andromeda 13. He had been trying to reach Shanra but due to some technical difficulties, the communication had been disrupted, he was told.

Today he got the opportunity to talk to her over a video call.

“How’s everything back home?” he inquired.

“All good. Terrgius is healing. Communication has been bad. I will send you the detailed report,” she said.

He noticed a strange look in her eyes. He wondered what it meant.

“How is Renaya?” he asked.

“She’s fine. Doesn’t talk much. Stays in her room,” Shanra said flatly.

Aurzac had a feeling something wasn’t right. But he brushed it off thinking he was being paranoid. The holographic screen turned to noise and the call dropped.

He sighed and took his seat as Aerav came to him.

“I have bad news, My Lord,” he said hesitantly.

“Go on, what is it?” Aurzac asked.

“I have been intercepting a continuous inflow of locked messages. The communication is between Terrgius and Velarii. I have been trying to crack the code for weeks now and today I did it,” he paused. “The origin of our messages is the Durlan Palace conference room.”

“What? How?” Aurzac asked surprised.

“The last communication was dated four days back. The day we left,” he explained, looking pale.

“What’s in the conversation?” Aurzac asked.

“My Lord, it’s disturbing.”

“What is it? Tell me now!” Aurzac ordered.

“We have a mole. The messages were being exchanged between Lady Shanra and Trobbut,” Aerav explained. Sweat broke out on his forehead.

“It looks as if they’re planning an assassination attack against you, My Lord. According to the messages, when you reach Andromeda 13, they plan to attack you. The peace meeting is a sham.”

Lord Aurzac stared at him. Rage burned inside him. His jaw clenched and he looked murderous. “What else?” he asked in an ominous tone.

“Shanra has imprisoned Lady Renaya in the dungeon.”

“No. No!” Aurzac said, fear taking over his anger. His breathing became labored. “When was this?”

“The day we left.”

“No. No. No!” Aurzac banged his fist on the table. “Not Renaya. Not her.” His voice choked and his chest constricted.

His expression was unreadable, only his eyes betrayed the turmoil within his soul. He blinked back tears that threatened to spill, his gray eyes filling with agony. He had never reacted like this before. How strange it was that his eyes welled up like that at the mere thought of his mate being tortured. He turned his face away from Aerav. He took a deep breath, tried to compose himself and then resumed commanding his ship.

Aerav had never seen his Commander like this. He saw how shattered he was. He wished he wasn’t the one bringing the news.

“Set course for Terrgius. We go back now,” Lord Aurzac ordered in a cold commanding tone. He desperately wished he hadn’t given the authority to Shanra.

***

Renaya clutched the Aramith in her hand. She sat in the corner of her cell and hugged her knees. They had taken off her restraints since she would be unconscious most of the time anyway. Despair gnawed at her soul. She had stopped eating. She just wished for death to come and end her misery. With Aurzac dead, she had no reason to live.

She daydreamed, reliving those short precious memories she had with him, clinging to them as if they were her life force. It must have been more than a week since she was imprisoned. Nobody came to see her. The prison guard would give her bland food and water. That was all. Even Ayana wasn't allowed to see her. She simply waited for death to take her to her mate.

***

She thought she was dreaming. Aurzac was there, standing in front of her. He looked so worried. She smiled and tears blurred her vision. She wanted to kiss him ... And he kissed her... Why was he crying? Lord Aurzac never cried. He took her in his arms and picked her up. Yes, she would go with him. Darkness engulfed her as he held her close.

He couldn't bear to see her like this. She had become pale and thin. Her eyes were red-rimmed and gaunt, and there were dark circles underneath them. Her hair was pasted on her face and her wrists were blue-black from the restraints. He held her close as uncontrollable tears streamed down his face. He rushed upstairs and took her to her chamber where Dr. Aldon awaited them. He stood by the entire time the doctor treated her.

“She will be fine, My Lord,” Dr. Aldon reassured him. “She’s a bit malnourished, but she’s stronger than she seems.”

“She better be. Treat her doctor. I want her back,” Aurzac commanded, turning on his heel as he left to see the arrest of Shanra for himself.

***

He stood there, stone-faced as Shanra was taken aboard the small spacecraft, bound in shackles. She gave him a look that chilled him to the bone. With her was the guard who helped her. Misa was spared as she confessed to everything, saying she was coerced.

The guards dragged Shanra and the other prisoner into the ship as it left for the prison on Andromeda 13.

Lord Aurzac went to his conference room and set up a video conference with the Council. He needed to alert them of the situation. After that, he busied himself with the battle plans.

Chapter Thirteen

He remembered that day when the doctor had treated her. And he had waited at her side as she lay there, sleeping. She still looked pale and thin. As he bent down and kissed her, her eyes fluttered open.

“Aurzac?” she whispered with an incredulous look in her eyes. “I thought I had lost you.” Her breath hitched and she heaved a sigh.

“Oh, Renaya, I am so sorry,” he said gently, taking her in his arms. His lips found hers.

“Don’t you ever leave me like that again!” she sobbed into his chest.

He tightened his arms around her and buried his nose in her hair, taking in her sweet scent.

“I didn’t know Shanra would go to this extent. But you don’t have to worry about her anymore.”

“Oh, Aurzac. Please forgive me. I... I love you...” she whispered, looking up into his stormy gray eyes.

“Shh, Renaya. You don’t have to apologize. It’s my fault that I left you like that.”

He cupped her face in his hands and looked deep into her dark eyes.

“I promise you, except for battle, you will come with me anywhere I go. I'll show you all the incredible places out there. And I will love you in a way that only you will remember, and kiss you in every place I take you. Centuries later, even if you forget everything else, you will still remember my taste like wine in your mouth, my scent on your skin like perfume. And then you will know what it means to be loved by a Durlan Warrior.” He kissed her deeply, sealing his promise.

***

One week later, Lord Aurzac was training his troops vigorously. The Council agreed to help him with re-enforcements, sending in more troops for training. His on-ground battle army had expanded. He had a good chance of destroying the Zorg and making them leave the planet, now that the planet was gradually healing. The trees were growing along the once barren wasteland. Rivers flowed with bubbling water and crops flourished. The towns and cities were becoming better places to live. The poor people now had the opportunity to earn a sensible living. As his training session ended, he went to check in on Renaya. It had been a week since her rescue and she had recovered fast.

They shared a room now. He went inside and saw her reading. He smiled and felt a tug at his heart. She wanted to learn his tongue and had been making good progress. She was very intelligent, he had observed. She looked up and saw him, closed the book and ran into his arms. He kissed her passionately, with an urgency that made her want more. Long after they pulled apart, he still held her close.

“Renaya, my love. How do you feel?” he asked, his voice gentle.

“I’m fine,” she smiled, beaming up at him. “You worry too much.”

“Only for you, my love. Sadly, I have to leave for battle,” he said. “But guess what? Dr. Aldon just told me he has found a way to slow down the human aging process. It will prolong your lifespan just like mine.”

“So I could live as long as you do?” Renaya asked.

“Probably. And I will make sure that you are happy all of the years we spend together.”

“Thank you. Come back safe, Aurzac,” Renaya said with genuine concern. “I don’t want to lose you again.”

“I will be alright. You learn the Argarian tongue while I'm gone,” he smiled, warmth radiating from his eyes.

“And you come back in one piece,” Renaya said as she pressed her lips to his.

He tucked one free strand of hair behind her ear and bent in to claim her mouth.

They kissed deeply, one last time. He held her for a long time and then left for battle.

***

The ground battle between the Zorg and the Argarians raged for weeks. Swords clashed, bodies severed and blood spilled. In the space battle, Aurzac’s army held off the Zorg from further invasion. Lasers and explosions lit up the night sky. The Argarians wished the war would end. Many more days passed before the Zorg retreated. Trobbut went into hiding and finally Terrgius found the long awaited peace.

***

The day began with the preparations for the King's coronation and the subsequent marriage feast. The palace was alive with the many guests and the decorations being set up.

Renaya had butterflies in her tummy. She had been trying out outfits for the ceremony with the help of Ayana for days. She finally chose an exquisite green gown with a train. The veil was made of gossamer net.

“You must hurry, My Lady,” Ayana said.

“I know, I am just so nervous,” Renaya said. She couldn’t stop giggling.

“You look beautiful, My Lady. I can assure you that. Lord Aurzac won’t be able to take his eyes off of you.”

“Now you flatter me,” Renaya smiled.

***

The ceremony took place in the palace garden. The thrones of the King and Queen were placed in a stunning pavilion decorated with white flowers. A long buffet table was set on the left side of the pavilion. More chairs and oval tables were placed in the garden. Soon, guests started to gather. The ceremony began as violins and a cello played beautiful music that filled the summer air.

Renaya stood, ready to walk down the aisle. A carpet of ivory rose petals led to the pavilion. The green silk dress clung to her figure. Her shoulders were bare. The veil was draped across her neck and trailed behind. She wore the Aramith around her neck. Her hair was done in a messy bun with an intricate gold tiara that partially covered her forehead, giving her an ethereal look. She wore gold heels that matched the sophisticated thread work on the bodice of her dress. The music reminded her of a piece from Bach’s symphonies. She loved it. Feeling elated she walked down toward the pavilion where her King awaited. Her breath stopped as she saw the handsome man, dressed in simple gray pants and a white shirt. He wore his warrior’s crest on his arm. She reached the top of the pavilion and stood beside him. His look told her that he was equally mesmerized by her beauty.

The Elder pronounced their oaths as they repeated after him. He put the crown on Lord Aurzac’s head, declaring him King of Durlan Warriors. He then pronounced Renaya Queen and gave Aurzac a ring that he put on her finger. They bowed and held hands.

The crowd cheered and applauded as they sat on their thrones. Renaya understood now that she was destined to be here on this planet, in another universe, married to an alien warrior. Later she would find out that she was admired as the most beautiful Queen in the history of Durlan Warlords.

*****

THE END