Meet My Friends
Aurora's POV
"Scared what?" I asked Elara. Unsure of what I heard.
"He wants to show you off."
"Show me off," I mused, annoyed. "That’s all this is about, right?"
I looked at myself in the mirror, admiringhow cute I was--also remembering the Alien kingdom, how I was treated like a slut and all.
Here, I was treated like a queen.
Snapping out of my thoughts, King Kraye came through the big doors. He was wearing his best armor, polished to a deep black, with shining gold on his joints.
He looked dangerous and important, he was in his human form, looking all red and handsome would not deny that fact.
"Aurora," he said, his voice low. "You look amazing. You are ready to meet my friends."
He took my arm and led me out. We didn't go into a normal hall, but a huge, round dining cave. The roof was made of clear crystal, showing the stunning, clear night sky of Planet 444.
The room was full. It wasn't just Kraye's people; seated at long tables were maybe twelve other beings, all clearly rulers or leaders. They were aliens from all over space, and they looked completely weird.
One creature was just a moving column of purple smoke held inside shiny metal rings. Another looked like a giant spider with thick, green fur. Closest to us was a massive, four-armed warrior alien, with skin like a reptile's scales, wearing heavy black armor.
The second we walked into the room, every single one of them stopped talking. The room went silent. Every alien eye, whether they glowed, flashed, or were just pitch black, was staring straight at me.
I felt their stares like a physical heat. It wasn't just interest; it was a hungry kind of look. These were brutal space rulers, and their expressions made it totally clear they were immediately drooling over me. It felt gross and powerful at the same time.
Kraye seemed to love it. He squeezed my arm gently with a padded claw.
"Gentlemen, look at the reason for our dinner," Kraye said loudly, his voice filling the quiet room. "This is Aurora, our most honored, most valuable guest."
The Crab King led me to the main table, putting me in the best seat right next to his own stone chair.
"Welcome, little beauty," the four-armed reptile-king said, his voice sounding like stones scraping together. "King Kraye kept his word. You are exactly as we heard."
I gave a polite nod, feeling like a very expensive doll on display. "Thank you. It's... nice to meet you."
Kraye ignored them and signaled for the meal to start.
The food started arriving right away, carried by small, silent floating robots. The table was instantly covered with dishes I couldn't even name. There were glowing blue fruits that looked like jewels, thick, dark cuts of meat that smelled smoky and spicy, and bowls of soup that shimmered with bright colors.
"You must eat," Kraye urged, putting a shiny purple piece of bread on my plate. "Our food is made to please the best people in the universe."
I nervously picked up the purple bread. It was soft and warm. I took a bite. The flavor exploded in my mouth, it was sweet and earthy, complex, and totally delicious. It wasn't just 'good'; it was better than the best meal I’d ever had on Earth. It was perfect.
A little drop of tears came down from my eyes, I couldn't believe I would ever eat such, the Alien’s Kingdom was all about brutality.
"This is amazing," I whispered, reaching for a spoonful of a soup that actually looked like liquid gold.
"We are proud of our cooking science," Kraye said, watching me with that strange, possessive look. "Planet 444 is not just strong, it is sophisticated."
I realized then how different this was from Karn's palace. With Karn, I was an object, a toy for his immediate use. I was poked, pulled, and used in crude, loud parties. Here, I was given respect, clothing, and the best food in the galaxy. But I was still a possession. The only difference was that Karn treated his possessions roughly, and Kraye treated him with extreme care, like a rare, delicate glass figure.
I tried a piece of seared white meat that tasted like a mixture of honey and sea salt, and a crystalline green berry that instantly dissolved, leaving behind a rush of pure energy. It was all exquisite.
Kraye kept urging me to eat, filling my plate. The other kings started talking again, about trade and wars, but their eyes kept snapping back to me. They weren't just here for the feast; they were here to judge me, the prize that brought them all to Kraye's table. They were looking at my worth, not my comfort.
The reptile-king, whose name I learned was Xy'dar, leaned forward, his scaly face too close. "Kraye, you are generous. If Karn values her so highly, surely she is worth more than a seat at your side."
Kraye’s voice dropped, ice-cold. "She is not for sale, Xy'dar. She is the insurance against Karn's destruction. She is untouchable."
"But she is human," Xy'dar challenged, licking his lips with a segmented tongue. "Fragile. What if the insurance breaks?"
The air tightened. That was the core fear. If Karn came, this beautiful feast would turn into a battlefield. And I was stuck right in the middle, the reason for all of it.
"She will not break," Kraye stated, his voice final. He took a glowing purple drink and placed it in my hand. "Drink this, Aurora. It is rich in nutrients and calms the nerves. You must maintain your strength. The road ahead will require it."
I took a slow sip, feeling the difference in this golden cage. With Karn, I was disposable. With Kraye, I was essential. But in both places, I was never actually free. The soft music, the delicious food, and the respectful bows, it was all just part of the expensive prison keeping me safe until the inevitable war arrived. I was the prize they were fighting over, and I hated every minute of being treated like something precious that didn't belong to myself.