His Abused Human Mate

he was startled to find herself alone in a very large bed with cool, clean sheets. But

e pulled the satiny coverlet up against her chin an

ll, she noted. It was entirely too grand

ting, she giggled, not expecting this. Standing, she stared down at her bare toes, and at the slinky nightie she was now wearing. Long and shimmering gold. It was an amazi

rtains. She pushed them aside and peered up at the cloudless blue sky with awe. It was sunny an

eptacle they had put her in had been terrifying but only temporary, fortunat

alustrade, closed her eyes, and breathed in the heady fragrance of the flowers. It was so warm, and the sun felt good upon her face. I

walkways, and fountains, as well as a large, serpentine wall that appeared to border the garden's entirety. As before, she couldn't believe her

ut with carefree abandon, with eyes closed and arms spread wide toward the sky, giving no thought to anything else. It wasn't until she collided with someone who was coming around a bend in the walk that she remembered herself. She turned with a quick apology, only to halt in

er, raking his dark gaze o

a moment, "is it proper for a young wo

ing them against her breast in consternation. Sh

myself." And all you...aliens! It was clear now that

ive in that outfit. But in future, I would pre

ther word, she turned and scooted back to her room. For the second time s

*

ype, calf-length gown with a bright, unusual pattern on it, making her appear more round than she probably was. Her hair was black with streaks of gray in it. This was caught back in an attractive chignon, circled by a p

, Mees Don'sen," the woman said in a stern voice

thoroughly rebuked as her gaze slid down to foc

ave been instruct

attitude returning like a thorn in her side. Faith, why did the aliens

ch

she was holding onto the bed and moved to begin disrobing

"I can undress myse

adamant tone. "It is my duty t

ose or

Kaani

's t

hands patiently across her large sto

she said. "He instructed me to take care of you. Whatever you require, you hav

at? Do you mean that this man has the authority to tell me what

ctly is this

wasn't put off by

we are on. And you are now at TrCasinaar, the home of Kaanig Altair, t

As if that w

ring expression on the woman's f

t

r asked to be brought here, nor do I intend to stay here against my will. Whoever this Kaanig is, he can just go

your bath. I have no time for your nonsense. Y

d her mouth shut and turned away. What was the point of arguing with the woman? She was obviously loyal to whoever this Kaanig fell

r other white-clad, gold-belted females waiting in attendance at each corner of the room. Snorting, she shook her head, knowing there was nothing she could do about their presence either. So, taking no thought to the el

while later, she decided to trust the aliens enough to sample the bottled gels marked with alien symbols, sitting in a large basket nearby, assuming they were hair care products of some sort. Whe

peared around her own age, Casina merely thanked her and allowed her to perform her duties, which included patting her naked body dry and towel-drying her hair while the others began cleaning the tub area and floo

for her. The older woman indicated some fresh garments laid out for her to wear, on the now remade bed. With

na submitted to the woman's ministrations, allowing her to dress her without complaint and, afterward, to run a

one almost of awe, as she struggled with the snar

ther was of Swedish an

is incredibly lovely. I can see why he is so taken--That is, no one in J

that?" Cas

woman said. "Just t

u then?" she finally had the nerve to ask. "You know, with dark s

aid, shrugging. "But there are many different cultures t

at unu

ut now there will

le to squint up at her. Mrovia gave up on the knot she

ined with the Kaanig's men. There will be many different hair and skin colo

she had discovered aboard the spaceship that had brought her t

nism they had brought back with them to Jupitar. When that happened, many of our population were also infected." Mrovia gave a sigh, recalling the sadness prevalent at that occurrence. She picked up a lock of Casina's hair and resumed combing as she spoke. "Millions of our women and children perished," she

aid, sincerity in her ton

ge, in the small study." She indicated another doorway. "There is a conditioning chamber just off of that, should you wish to use it. There is also some fruit on the table, if

. "A conditioning chamber

"For meditation," she said in

information, intrigued.

mist

from Earth, with all of your advanced techno

istress, our Kaanig would not be ab

head. "Hm. That

es

asked, changing the subject, being more interested now as to why she h

ad arrived, she came to the conclusion that perhaps that's all it had been. A rescue. After all, as she considered her last days on Earth, what were the aliens to have done? Leave her there for the orderlies to drug and take back to the institute? Instead of being kidnapped, as she had initially supposed,

the older woman said, a touch of sympathy in her tone. She walked awa

g over to bare her wrist for the woman's insp

embedded in Casina's upturned wrist. She carefully readju

er charge the mark she had on her person. Similar in size, the shape, design, and colors were d

to follow, the two guards posted outside the door made it clear that she was not allowed past them. She heard them

till a prison