The Alien King's Mate part 21

LILLIAN

We’re silent as we walk back to the palace.

Vulcan scans the streets in search of danger. He should look in the mirror because he’s the danger that lurks in this down.

The king showed me he has a few tricks up his sleeves tonight. He nearly set me on fire when we shared a meal. His fingers and tongue were sly as they handled the food and showed me what they were capable of, and his stare was predatory.

But it was in the pub that I truly began to worry. Vulcan was so carefree. He made me laugh and smile. For a second, I forgot his title as king.

“Did you read much on Earth?” His dark, rich voice ripples through the night.

“Hmm…not recently,” I reply. “I was busy with my company. But I always read the newspaper and clipped coupons.”

“Coupons?” he replies, not recognizing the word. I guess his people aren’t into consumerism like humans are.

“It’s a piece of paper that offers discounts for goods and services. I loved collecting them.”

“I see,” he replies.

We take the secret entrance into the palace. I don’t remove my hood as I walk down the polished halls, wanting to remain hidden. The people we walk by keep their eyes low, but they know I walk beside the king. I feel anxious knowing that hundreds of people are talking and thinking about me. Millions, if I count the people on Earth.

We stop by my bedroom, and Vulcan's massive hands reach for my face. The same hands that had squished food erotically as his raspy voice told me about the wildness in his blood.

He pushes my hood back and tips my chin up. His touch sparks tingles across my skin. “Sleep well, my queen."

It will be a miracle if I sleep at all.

I warm from head to toe, but I can’t tell if it’s because of the mate bond or his narrowed eyes and loaded words. Every day, it’s getting harder to tell what's driving me crazy.

“Good night,” I whisper back. I don’t call him my king or my mate. Those would not be enough to describe what he is to me. He’s a threat, a danger.

“Let me kiss you.” He takes a step forward, proving his nature.

My breath hitches, and my mind races. I struggle to keep my cool. “Guys don’t make commands when trying to kiss a woman.”

“I’m not a guy. I’m a king.” He reaches one hand for his head and pulls off the silver cones that cover his gold horns. He drops them and stares at me with an intensity that will have me melt and join the cones on the ground.

“And what if I reject your request? Will you beg?” Comes my quiet voice.

He chuckles. “I don’t beg for anything, Lilian. I conquer.” He ducks his head and presses a kiss at the corner of my lips–missing them by just a few centimeters.

My heart jolts, and I stiffen.

His lips shift to my ear, and he whispers, “Why so tense? Come to my bed. I will help you relax.”

“You-you’re crossing a line, Vulcan.”

“Don’t worry. You’re the writer of this story. You will decide how it ends no matter how many lines I cross.”

He reaches for the tie at my chest that holds my hood together and pulls. The hood drops, and I’m left feeling naked.

He collects the hood into his arms and steps back.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“Taking this to my bed. Feel free to stop by whenever you want it back.” He smiles. “Good night.” He calmly picks up the cones from the ground, not bothering to hide the third cone tenting his pants.

Tonight, he told me about his lineage–about how his ancestors don’t hold shame in such high regard. I see now that it’s true. Vulcan feels no shame about his sexuality.

He leaves with my hood in his arms. My mind runs wild as I wonder what he will do with the hood. Cuddle it? Smell it?

An asinine amount of jealousy consumes me. I’m Jealous of a hood. How deranged.

I enter the room and throw myself on the bed. Wow, what a night. Can I consider this a date? I don’t know.

Vulcan is certainly making all the right moves. He doesn’t need the help of the mate bond to attract me, but this giant world is a lot to take in. If I accept Vulcan, I would be accepting his world, too.

– • –

It’s morning now. I’m just about to finish my breakfast when I hear a knock at the door. I stand and open the door. My shy maid is here with an older man I don’t recognize. His horns are long, but the left one is chipped. He wears a thigh-long Dashiki and white, flowing pants. The Dashiki is black and beaded at the neckline. His blonde hair and beard are neatly trimmed, and he smiles kindly at me.

“Good morning, my queen. King Vulcan has instructed me to lecture you.”

Oh, right!

“Please, come in.”

He thanked me and helped the maid carry two stools, a small table, and three books. The maid leaves with our plates, never glancing at me. I look forward to learning the language and finally conversing with her.

“My name is Eldorin. I studied the English language and taught our king. It’s a pleasure to service you as well.”

I smile and make a move to close the door.

“Please, my queen. Leave the door open. I do not wish to dishonor you.”’

“Sure,” I say, frowning. Would Vulcan be upset that I’m alone with a teacher?

As if he could read my thoughts, Eldorin adds, “The servants would talk.”

“I see,” I reply, saddened by the reminder that my life is nothing like it used to be. There are eyes following me now.

Eldorin begins his lecture, and I’m captivated. The Versai language is beautiful. Nothing like English, so it will be challenging to learn. But Eldorin is confident I’ll be able to converse after three months of dedicated study.

We take it easy today, but he leaves me with questions. I didn't finish college and wasn't fond of homework, but the Versai language is genuinely interesting.

“Before I forget...” Eldorin says. He goes through his journal, and retrieves ripped pieces of paper. “The king asked me to give you these. I’m unsure what they are.”

I accept the papers and read them.

Coupon 2: Can be exchanged for a night stroll

Coupon 3: Can be exchanged to touch the king’s horns

Coupon 4: Can be exchanged for a vase of G-ma spice (not to be confused for grandmother’s ashes)

Coupon 1: Can be exchanged for a kiss

There are ten other coupons listing ridiculous “benefits.” I’m sure he’s dying for me to use one of these. What a witty alien king.

I rip a piece of paper from my journal and write:

Coupon 1: Can be exchanged for a dip in the bathing pools

“Eldorin, could you please deliver this to the king?”

He accepts it without reading it. “Of course.”

He dips his head and excuses himself.

Once I’m alone, I reread the coupons and chuckle. Right as I’m collecting them, my door bursts open. I jump up, startled, and the coupons fly from my hand. “What the—” I rasp.

Vulcan stands by my door–which is now crooked. He lifts a piece of paper. “I demand to cash this coupon immediately!”

I blink rapidly, trying to grasp the insanity of the situation. He’s shirtless and wears only bloody brown pants.

“What happened to you?” I ask, panicking and standing from my seat.

“This is not my blood. One of my men had an accident, and I was helping the medics,” he explains.

“Well, don’t they still need you?”

“The soldier will be fine. It was only open-heart surgery. Now let’s get back to business, little human. I wish to cash my coupon.”

I pale. “You abandoned a man going into open heart surgery?!”

“I am joking. It was only a cut. He will recover.”

He enters my room, the coupon tight in his fist. “Well?”

Why does it feel like I signed my soul to the devil? I should have never written the damn thing. It was supposed to be a joke!

“Al-alright. Just let me clean up the table.”

He smirks. “Very well. I’ll gather a change of clothes. I’ll return soon.”

He sets the coupon on my table, never taking his eyes off me. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you.”

READ PART 22> 

🗒️View Table of Contents for The Alien King’s Mate>

📚View all Books >

🔗 View Elaine Writing Live > | Connect on Instagram

Tip: You can Tap the grey tag at the bottom of any chapter ⤵️ to organize the story's chapters in order