Page 12 of Alien Naga's Prize
“Oh?” For some reason, despite the fact that Starlight Lottery, which is clearly not a lottery, has duped me, and presumably many other hapless females, I look over at Piet.
He gives me a megawatt smile which is somehow out of place.
“Enjoy each other and your new lives,” he says. “Azul’s planet is beautiful. You’ll love it,” he adds.
I look up at my new husband and see his brow has drawn down.
“We will not be going there immediately,” he says in a way which almost sounds rehearsed. “I have some business to conclude elsewhere first.” He turns to me, his features softening. “If you will permit me, my goddess?”
“Um…” I’m going to have to up my game if I’m not to end up tongue tied every time he turns his stunning gaze on me. “Yes?”
Azul’s face splits into a fanged smile. “Then let me escort you to my ship.”
Without any warning, I’m lifted up into his arms with a squeak, and he moves sinuously out of the ceremony room and into the central atrium.
“I can walk,” I protest.
“I am aware of your ability to walk,” he responds. “But I wish to carry you.”
“I’m aware you can carry me, but I wish to use my legs.” I glare at him.
A look of confusion rushes over Azul’s face only to be replaced with what I’m starting to see is a mask he puts on for everyone.
“Very well,” he says and allows me to slither down his body until I’m on my feet. Whereupon he sets off across the atrium again, and I realize the dress I’m wearing is very much constricting my movement.
After tottering after him as he increases the distance between us, I stop, hike up the stupid fabric to thigh height and stride to catch up.
“See, I can walk,” I say as I skip over his tail and join by his side.
Azul gives me a side eye and stops dead, his gaze raking down my body to my bare legs. His throat bobs and the tips of his forked tongue poke out between his lips.
“I see,” he says, his deep voice cracking strangely. “I see very well.”
“Are we going then?”
Azul’s throat shifts, and he drags his eyes away from me to the exit on the far side of the atrium.
“Do you have…any other clothing or belongings?” he rasps.
“Starlight Brides told me my stuff would be taken to your ship.”
Azul looks relieved. “Good,” he says and sets off again.
This time I notice he avoids looking at me until we pass through the airlock and into an atmosphere which reminds me ofBritannia, the scent of star fuel burning the inside of my nostrils. It’s busier in here than the atrium, with a number of, I presume, other couples, setting off on their new lives together. Most of them look blissfully happy.
I wonder how Azul and I look.
“My ship is this way, my goddess,” he says gesturing to the left where there are a number of sleek looking space craft waiting.
He glides alongside me until we reach a matte silver ship, and I think he’s going to come to a stop, but instead he undulates past, and I see an absolute hunk of space junk behind the silver one.
“Your ship, my little sunray,” he says with a bow.
I repress a grimace. It looks like I’ve forsaken one floating rust bucket for another one. Azul leans in close.
“What she lacks in looks, she makes up for in speed.” He hitches up the corner of his mouth to reveal a fang.
WhathaveI got myself into?