The bride contract

Chapter 14 - Niska

Nighttime on a space craft is a strange experience. It’s always dark outside, and the only way you can tell we’re entering the nocturnal hours is that the lights in all the communal areas and corridors dim to minimal, warm, up-lighting. The hum of the ship’s engines are a constant, and honestly, should be able to lull me to sleep, but my brain just won’t switch off.

My whole life has changed in a short span of time. And to be honest, ever since coming to terms with my abduction, and the fact that I was basically ‘a product’ being sold back at the space station, I’ve been bracing myself for the moment I was eventually bought. I guess it’s no wonder my nervous system hasn’t been the same. I’ve had months of anticipating a life of horrific servitude and abuse, but now I’m safely tucked up in a ginormous four-poster bed that feels like laying on clouds with my friends.

I feel like I should still be waiting for the other shoe to drop, but I can’t help but feel like the Xavia

So why can’t I just sleep?

Probably because you’re still selling your body in exchange for a better life.

I sigh as my stomach churns after I turn from my back to my side. The replicated human food we had tonight was interesting. We ended up having multiple courses, including the chef’s versions of spicy tacos, ramen, a bowl of dry Lucky Charms, and, at one point, just plain mashed potatoes. Each dish didn’t quite meet the texture or flavor requirements for the originals back on Earth, but out here? After months of nothing but strange alien slop to eat? It was like a divine feast - plain mashed potatoes and all.

Back home, when I couldn’t sleep, I’d run myself a steaming hot bath and put on an audiobook. Lifting my head, I stare at the doorway that leads to the suite’s bathroom. There’s a tub in there - a huge one, with what looks like massage nozzles and jacuzzi jets. But I think just filling that thing is going to be too noisy for my sleepy companions.

Finally, after not being able to stand it any longer, I peel myself out of bed and slip from the room without waking anyone. I’m still in my plain, utility gown that Mama Z’rykby sold me in. It was miraculously washed and dried for me in the time it took for me to shower earlier, but I swear the stench of the recycled air from the lower levels of Moon’s Rest Space Station still clings to the fabric. Vel had shoved each of us girls into this pod thing earlier that took all our measurements and vitals. She said they would use the information to have a whole wardrobe of clothes made for us, ready and waiting for when we land in Xaavia. My head has been swimming with curiosity over what these clothes will be like ever since. I’m guessing it will be similar to Vel and Lady Zalora’s attire, with corsets and skirts that look like they stepped right out of the Victorian era - except with a few alien extras. And of course, with the obligatory neck-covering.

Unconsciously, my hand reaches up to hold my throat as I absently walk the ship’s corridors. Za

It had reminded me of how Kiahn had acted back at Star Pleasures. With me sat on his lap, and his lips and fangs grazing the delicate skin of my neck. Something about the memory made me feel all hot and tingly. I hadn’t even realized I was teasing him so much, but there he was with a fang-boner in public.

I can’t help the wry smile that lifts my lips at that, my bare feet padding along the maze of hallways in the serenely-lit nighttime. I pass numerous doors, some with a light on above them, indicating that they are occupied and locked. Some are communal spaces, the doors constantly retracted to appear more inviting.

Just when I start to think I might be getting lost, is when a crew-worker turns the corner ahead of me. We both startle when we see each other, but he’s carrying a tray, and almost flings the thing up into the air.

“I’m so sorry!” I say, rushing to help the poor man. Miraculously, he didn’t drop a thing, but some of the empty cups had toppled over on his tray.

“Please, do not apologize,” he replies as he hurriedly rights the items. “Is there something I can help you with Lady…?” his words trail off as he looks at me expectantly, his eyes darting down once to my neck only to fly back up to my face.

Reaching up, I try to cover my throat, feeling oddly exposed now that I’m aware of those particular Xavia

“No, no, not at all, Lady Niska,” the crew-member blusters, bowing his head as a pink tint blooms on his cheeks. “You are Prince Kiahn’s breeding brid-” he stops himself from completing the term, instead opting to clear his throat as if he could swallow the words right back down again. “My apologies. You are Prince Kiahn’s special guest. You may roam where you please.”

“Oh, well… I was looking for the lagoon room?”

After that slightly awkward encounter, I’m armed with directions and start following them. If I can’t relax in the tub, maybe this will suffice. There’s something so calming to me about water, and from the brief look into the lagoon room we were afforded earlier, it had looked like a tropical-themed tranquil paradise.

“She is so fucking beautiful, Za

“I hadn’t taken you for a human-lover,” someone replies, chuckling.

It’s Za

“Not a human-lover,” Az corrects, “just her. Just Lois. She’s just… You saw her! Isn’t she incredible?”

I-… why am I smiling at this? It’s kind of adorable. Even though, I’m pretty sure Lois has no interest in getting caught up with any of these alien guys.

“I think you should calm down and go make use of the plethora of permissions you must have from your last season’s tour.”

“Nah, brother,” Az replies. “I don’t need any of those. In fact, I think I’ll get rid of them. It wouldn’t feel right using them now I know she exists.”

What are they talking about? Permissions? What does that mean?

I can hear Za

“It’s not!…”

The brothers continue their late-night squabble over… God knows what. I decide that whatever it is, it’s none of my business, and I slip inside the door to the lagoon room instead.

The warmth rushes my skin, and I can hear the gentle tinkling of a ru

And it does feel like that. It feels like I should be all warm and glow-y from being in the sun all day, and equally warm and glow-y from drinking Mai-Tais from a coconut with a little umbrella all day, too.

The lighting is still on low in here, but I know I could say something and the voice control would adjust that for me if I want it to.

But I don’t really want it to.

The turquoise pool has lights, and here and there, the tropical trees that reach right up to the fake night-sky ceiling have up-lights at their base. It kind of feels like I’m at some kind of fancy tropical resort, not currently flying through space. Truly, it feels perfect, just the way it is.

Sitting on the edge of the pool, I dangle my legs into the water and oh, my God! It’s so warm. Almost hot. It’s like a huge indoor lagoon of bathwater. It even smells clean and fresh. I think I may have found heaven on a spacecraft.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I whip the awful standard-issue dress-thing over my head, leaving me completely naked as I slide into the welcoming embrace of the water. I don’t even feel embarrassed over the groan of pleasure that leaves my lips. Dunking right under, I pop back up to float on my back, staring at the black ceiling that has dozens and dozens of tiny little twinkling lights embedded into it like stars. The water somehow feels more buoyant than what I’m used to, and it honestly takes me no effort at all to float along with my eyes closed. I think I could easily fall asleep like this, which wouldn’t be wise, but damn is it tempting to just… let go.

Let go of all the fucked up shit that’s happened to me like being abducted by aliens.

Let go of all the fucked up shit I saw at Moon’s Rest.

And, let go of all the fucked up shit I’m going to need to do for this damn contract I’ve agreed to.

I float there a while, the only noises being the gentle swishing of the warm water and my own breathing. But it’s my thoughts that are loud. Like how apprehensive I am about this deal I made with Lady Zalora; seducing her nephew, and pretending to try and make a baby with him. I don’t like the thought of deceiving anyone. It makes me feel kind of twisted up a little inside. Vel had described the bridal contracts as something very casual and formal at the same time. She’d said that after the period of the contract is up, male Xavia

Which is insane when you look at the bigger picture here. He’s a Prince. I’m an abducted human with no agency who has agreed to have sex with him in exchange for mine and my friend’s freedom - or, as close to freedom as humans can get out here. I met this guy two days ago - of course I don’t want to have his baby. I don’t really have a choice here.