“He hasn’t awoken yet, but he will shortly.”
I needed to take control of this situation and fight my way through it. My life had changed drastically many times. Hiding was what I normally did, but I wouldn’t survive six months, no a year, in this room. So I showered and dressed, pulling on a hoodie. I always felt better with the thick fabric surrounding me. Secure or something. I couldn’t explain it.
When I stepped into my bedroom, NAID said, “Prince Kalvoxrencol is awake.”
Panic clawed me. My mind immediately conjured worst-case scenarios: abuse, yelling, and pain. I took a deep breath. Kalvoxrencol had done nothing more than kidnap me, which was not ideal, but he’d done nothing else.
One year. I had to hold on for one year.
I would focus on my next move. Nothing more, nothing less. I would survive. I’d done it before and I could do it again. Granted, I hadn’t been abducted by aliens, but I’d lived through some shit situations.
“I’m detecting stress hormones,” NAID said.
“Because I’m stressed.”
“Can I impart some advice?”
“You’re asking?”
“From my research of humans, males find unsolicited advice angering.”
“I think that’s everyone.”
“Perhaps,” NAID replied.
“Go ahead.”
“Give him a chance.”
“He kidnapped me.”
NAID nodded. Though the motion was odd without her having a neck, I was getting used to it. “He did,” she agreed. “But out of everyone in this entire universe, he is your perfect mate. Give him a chance. If you don’t like him, you can say no. Or in the words of Edith, ‘If your significant other doesn’t appreciate youfor you, kick them to the curb. You are worth more than that.’ I do believe she is right. You, Seth Harris, are worth far more than that.”
I flushed clear up to my roots.
With a wink, she vanished.
I could stay in this room for a year, or I could see what the alien who captured me was like. One moment to the next. One second at a time. I didn’t need to think about more than my next action. I would breathe and forge on. In the end, I would survive. When I got back to Earth, my empty apartment wouldn’t be waiting for me, but I would carve out a new space for myself. I would continue on alone, but uninjured.
The living room was empty; it wouldn’t stay that way for long. Lucy leaped onto the couch before rushing off. I shook my head at her antics but gravitated to the same abstract painting as last time, putting my back to Kalvoxrencol’s door, which made my shoulder blades twitch.
A rush of air sounded. My hands balled in my pockets, but I focused on the painting, following the brush strokes and the splashes of color. Footsteps moved in my direction, almost silent. When he came to my side, his tail wrapped around my ankle for the barest moment. I didn’t hate the sensation, but at the same time, it made me uncomfortable in its newness.
“My Seth, I am pleased to see you.”
I did not respond.
“Our Lucy seems to be making herself at home.”
No words would come out of my strangled throat.
Kalvoxrencol shifted closer, his arm brushing mine. “Would you like to break your fast?”
A smile tugged at the corner of my lips at the old phrasing. Suddenly, I felt like I was in a medieval movie. I almost expected him to start bowing and saying “m’ lord” or “m’ lady.”
I peeked at him, and he watched me closely, tail twitching. “Sure,” I forced out.
Kalvoxrencol opened a panel near the table and pushed some buttons, scrolling through the choices. Food appeared, a selection of fruit, flatbread, and meat. He set the platter on the table before sitting on one of the woven mats. I lowered to the ground across from him, wiggling. I wasn’t used to sitting on the floor.
