Ancientt (Elaine Waters)

The Alien King’s Mate part 20

Added 2023-08-11 00:06:57 +0000 UTC

KING VULCAN

We walk down the halls, side-by-side. My little mate’s figure is drowned by a black hood. She wears a brown dress and sandals underneath.

My horns are covered with silver cones, and I wear black pants, boots, and a loose grey tunic with long sleeves. Simple clothing with few stitched details that should help me blend in. But I must admit that I’ve never been very good at that.

I hardly ever leave the palace. I trained to be king in the mountains, away from my family. There’s nothing outside the palace for me anymore. Only unwanted memories and whispers of the people about how much they hate their king.

We walk down the long halls. The passing servants and royals respectfully lower their faces.

It’s dark, and the golden glow of torches and candles warm the palace. I stare at Lilian’s shadow as we walk. It’s projected in front of us. Long, wide, and imposing. This amuses me, because there’s not much to fear about my little mate. She endearingy timid. Her hands were stiff as she tended to my injured back, but trembled as she caressed my cock.

She studies the art on the walls. The tapestries, statues, and the dozen other little things I never cared to study in my own castle.

“How does the elevator work? The one we took to reach this floating city?” she asks.

“Ore,” I reply. “It’s our life source. The Versai mine it and use it for electricity, transportation, and rituals. The levitation elements of the ore allow us to lift our city closer to the sun and create elevator mechanisms.”

“Amazing,” she replies. “The art, gold statues, and technology. I never thought I could be so moved by your planet.” She lowers her head, thinking about her words. “I never thought I could love a place other than Earth.”

I’m determined to change this.

We reach the exit. I’ve led her down the security exit of the palace, an underground tunnel that’s only used by guards. No citizens will see us walk out of here.

I lead her through the town. A single guard follows in the shadows–not that I think I’ll need him. I have a knife sharpened for whoever dares to look at Vivian the wrong way.

The deeper we walk into the city, the more people we see. Our shoes tap against the cobblestones and people chat, but I focus on Lilian and her small gasps. There are some features in this city that aren’t seen on Earth, like the miniature railroad floating in the air, carrying goods across the city. There is gold everywhere–in the light poles, the benches, the brick homes. Ancient gold that has been there for decades, long before I banned gold.

Few people glance at me, ignoring Lilian like she’s invisible. I don’t mind the attention.

As we approach the market, I ask Lilian, “Why didn’t you ask me why gold is banned?”

“I didn’t think it was my place,” she replies.

“It is.” She is my queen.

“Well, then…” she meets my eyes and licks her lips, and I set a hand at the small of her back to ensure she doesn’t fall.

“Why is gold banned?”

I exhale, glancing over the town once again. “Because gold has ruined the planet. Decades of battles where gold was used for weapons have destroyed oceans and forests. Once gold is created, it cannot be reshaped. You will find piles of it protruding from the earth and water everywhere, making it difficult for life to thrive. Much of the surface of the planet is already disturbed by the massive amounts, so I had to ban its production.”

“That explains the lack of trees,” she whispers.

“Yes. And although I’ve always been hesitant about collaborating with your planet, I admire its beauty.”

I’m sure she understands, unlike many of my citizens. But I didn’t ascend to the throne for popularity. I’m here to fulfill a duty. To protect my people and the planet.

We reach the market. There are plenty of stands here, and I direct Lilian to a food stand. We sit on the golden bench that’s set in front of the carriage, and I order a bowl of sweet bread and dipping sauce.

The vendor squints his eyes, studying me, until I extend a handful of silver coins. Double the required payment. He takes the coins and stuffs it into a can on the stand.

As he prepares the food, I hand Lilian a red wipe to disinfect her hands. The food is served quickly. I clean my hands and take the eating utensils from her bowl.

She looks confused.

“It’s universal for the Versai to eat with utensils. Even toddlers are quickly taught to not eat with their hands. It’s considered rude and discouraged in our scripture.” I take a piece of bread with my hands and dip it in the sauce. “But long ago, it was my ancestor’s way. They lived in the wild, far from any society. They were the last tribe of hunters and gatherers as the cities multiplied around them. And they had no shame in using their bare hands to eat. There was nothing shameful about it. Their hands hunted food for their family, forged weapons of gold to protect, and pleased their lovers in bed.”

I eat the bread, licking my fingers and looking directly at her. Watching her face turn redder like heated gold.

The vendor huffs, displeased by me, but I don’t care.

“I may be a noble, but wild blood runs in my veins. I enjoy my food. Grabbing it, squishing it.” I eat another bite, flashing the tongue that one day she’ll sit on. I bet that she’ll sit on my face before the completion of the throne chair I ordered for her.

“What do you think?” I ask, licking my thumb and studying her lips. “Would humans be disgusted?”

She shakes her head mutely. I reach for a piece of bread, dip it, and lift it to her mouth. She parts her lips, watching me with a mesmerized look. Wide eyes and flushed cheeks. And I’d bet my horns that her panties are stickier than the sauce we’re eating.

“Such a good, filthy girl.” I grin. “Just like her mate.”

She averts her gaze. “You speak crazy words, alien king.”

“Then grip me like that bread you have in your hand. Squeeze me just like you were last night.” I chuckle. “That will shut me up.”

My cock hardens at the memory.

She stuffs her face with trembling hands, escaping the conversation. I’ve never been this amused in my life.

I give her a break and let her finish her food in peace. Once we’re done, we clean our hands and walk away from the frowning vendor.

“I want to take you to a pub so you can experience the people. I’m afraid the castle mostly has stiff, arrogant nobles to offer. My family included.”

She looks up at me so quickly her hood slips, but I catch and fix it. She grins. “I would love to try a drink! Last time I had alcohol was…” she clears her throat. “Uh, nevermind.”

“Was it the day you spilled my grandmother’s ashes?”

Her lip quivers. “Vulcan. I’m… I’m so sorry! Your poor grandma. I swear I didn’t pick her up with the broom. My friend thought the broom was too expensive to use on ashes—not that she’s right! Oh, god. I’m so sorry.”

I laugh, the sound echoing down the street. My poor mate is horrified. It’s adorable.

“That wasn’t my grandmother. It was a spice from Versai that I gifted to the humans.”

“What?” She whispers. “And you didn’t tell me?”

“I never told you otherwise. You made this nonsense up,” I chuckle.

She laughs, too, her shoulders relaxing. “That’s a relief. I thought she was haunting me this entire time.”

I lead Lilian into the pub. The entrance is tall to accommodate horns, but not tall enough for me. I have to bend my head as my short mate walks in.

Not many heads turn our way. There are plenty of hooded figures here. Men hiding from debt collectors, or not wanting their wives knowing they’re here.

Music plays from the stage, and I sit on a stool with Lilian. There’s no table before us. The Versai don’t bring tables to bars. They believe that once a person wants to set their drink down, they should end the night and go home.

I order us drinks, and Lilian clanks her mug against mine—a strange human gesture I’ll have to question later.

We enjoy the spiced alcohol. Lillian takes sips, unsure of her tolerance. I throw the entire cup back, knowing it will take a lot more than this for me to get drunk. Actually, that’s a lie. If Lilian smiled at me bright enough, I would lose my balance. My world would shift.

“Here’s to sex and money!” A drunk yells from the front, beside the drummer on stage.

“Shut up, Werra. Go home!”

The drunk throws his empty cup across the bar. “Fool! I’m the king of this pub!”

“I’ll give you that. I’d prefer having you as king than the bastard we have in the castle.”

The pub roars with laughter, and I scowl. Must this gossip happen now?

“What are they saying?” Lilian asks me in English.

“That they hate their wicked king,” I reply.

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Why?” I shrug. “They’re right. Their king is wicked. Just look at all the things I do to you.”

I cup her cheeks and lean my face in, until we’re just a breath away. Until our skin is warming and tingling and her parted lips are inviting mine.

“Things like this,” I whisper.

Then I release her. “Wicked king!” I say in English, then Versai. “Wicked king!”