WHAT HAS HAPPENED: Seven years ago, A'ria awakened on Zolan with no memory of who she is or how she got on an alien planet. She now works as a servant in a military camp.

A'RIA | Planet Zolan

I step out of the kitchen, my hands pruned from scrubbing pots and basins and my nose itchy from dusting the floor mat. Ri'ta and Jadah wait for me outside. As entertainers, their only job is to warm masters' furs, so they spend their free time with me. We've gotten close over the past two months.

"What's going on today?" I ask, wiping my hands on my apron and sitting beside them.

Ri'ta shrugs. "I heard the crown discovered a new metal, but they don't know what to do with it. The stuff is hard as a rock but can't be used for weapons or armor because it becomes heavy when impacted."

It sounds like this metal behaves like Oobleck, a liquid found on Earth. A memory flashes. I'm in a lab, mixing chemicals and surrounded by teenagers. This must be a high school memory. I'm thrilled. This is the first time the camp sparked my memory; I'm sure it won't be the last.

"Then why don't they use it for fencing instead?" I ask. "They could replace the wood with the metal if it's so good at absorbing impact."

The girls are quiet for a second before Jadah says, "Wow, A'ria. You could be our next Captain."

I laugh and swat her with my apron. I've never met the Captain. He's out of my reach. The tents in the camp are layered. The outer row is for masters, kitchens, and stores. The healer, chemist, clerk, blacksmith, and administrative tents are in the next circle, and the entertainers and equipment tents are in the heart of camp. The prison and stables are on the edge of the territory. They're the only buildings made of brick and metal. The single tent at the top of the hill is the Captain's tent. He never strays to the outer ring. He never has business out here.

Although I've never seen him, I've heard enough stories to know his cold glare can scatter armies. He used to be a master in the army before he challenged his Captain, defeated him, and claimed the title for himself. Entertainers and masters alike worship him, and my curiosity deepens with every rumor I hear.

Who is this formidable man atop the hill? How can a mortal be more unreachable than the sun?

Ri'ta digs into her bag to retrieve a small journal and flute. "Here. Write your idea about the fencing. I'll have the clerk hand it to the Captain."

"I can meet him and tell him," Jadah suggests.

I shrug. "It's fine. An anonymous note will do." I write my idea in two short sentences, finishing it with, Also, please smile more often.

Ri'ta reads the note. "How would you know he doesn't smile? You've never met the man."

I chuckle. "The entire camp knows he's a grump."

Lightning electrifies the sky, showing Zolan's magnificent might. A storm has formed. No rain falls in these types of storms, but the bright flashes of light can damage sight.

Ri'ta stores her journal. "Let's go before the flashes get worse. Make sure to pull a master into your tent to keep you company."

I sigh. "Bless your heart, Ri'ta. You're insane."

"Come on. It has been two months, and you haven't ridden a master yet. We're at war, and life is short."

"My life would be cut short because I rode a master. I've seen what those men are packing."

I don't think I could handle one cock, but every master is equipped with two. I'll never understand what the Gods were thinking when they designed masters.

"I'll give you a bowl of braised meat if you devour their sausages."

"No," I laugh, although I'm tempted. "I'm content beating my kitty."

Both girls scoff, but I didn't come to this camp for a relationship. I doubt I'll ever settle down in one place. I'm too busy traveling to the world's edge and beyond searching for my memories and identity.

Seeing the storm worsening, my friends and I part ways. I stare at my sandals on my way to my tent. Sensing eyes on me, I look up, but there's no one around except for a few entertainers rushing home.

⚔️

I walk down the dirt path, heading for the kitchens with a basket of herbs. I walk past a couple. A master grips an entertainer's hips and pounds into her. They're lost in each other, distracted from the world. It took me a while to get used to the camp's exhibitionism, but after months of living here, it no longer makes me turn red from head to toe.

Sometimes, I wonder what it's like. I've been to places so isolated and untouched that I sensed ancient, magical energy. But I've never gone to the bed of a master.

I rejected the warmth of a Zolan man for years because I couldn't remember if I had a partner on my home planet. I didn't want to betray the life I possibly had. I've received male attention before, but it always felt like they were morbidly curious about what lying with an alien would be like.

I wonder if I'll ever find out.

Jadah approaches me with a look I know all too well. "A'ria!" she grins. "I need a favor."

I raise an eyebrow. "Uh-uh."

"Could you..." She grabs one of her beaded chains and twirls it. Under the stack of long, thin chains, she's bare-chested. A black flowing skirt covers her legs.

She flashes a pretty smile that has all masters staring. "I missed a lecture, so the headmistress grounded me. Could you lie on my bed and pretend to be me? I'll only be gone for a few hours to hang out with Berorr."

Berorr is her boyfriend. They have become exclusive. That's why she is growing her hair.

"My skin isn't red, Jadah! Besides, what about your roommate?"

"She'll mind her own business. Come on, A'ria. Please! He's sick and needs my help. Just use body paint and pretend to be asleep. You owe me."

I groan. I don't want to get into trouble again, but she's right. I owe her for gifting me dresses, and she's my friend. "I can cover you for two hours maximum, and I'll need to borrow body paint."

"You can find everything underneath my bed. Thanks! You're the best!"

I watch her go. With a sigh, I return to work and present the herbs to the chef. We're short-staffed today. All the servants are busy preparing the camp for the visit of a royal.

It feels like we're all holding our breath for the next attack. The Captain has been working the masters to their limits. I hear their grunts and boots stomping the ground every morning as they run laps around the camp.

"Come on, A'ria. Cut those kekes and add them to the ice!" my boss orders.

I clear my head and get moving.

⚔️

After work, I peek into Jadah's tent. No one is here. The beds are on either side of the tent, neatly made, and the underside of the hide has painted flowers and proverbs. I go through the wooden boxes under Jadah's bed full of makeup and jewelry.

I dip a small, clean sponge into a container of dark red paint. I coat my forearm, fingers, and one side of my face. I'll cover most of my body with the blanket and leave an arm exposed. It helps that it's dim here. Hopefully, if the headmistress peeks into the tent, she'll think Jadah is in bed.

I return the paint and sponge to the box and curse when I spill a box of green powder. Before I know it, I'm coughing in a cloud of green and swaying my hands to disperse the powder. Suffocating, I rush outside.

Slap!

My palm meets skin, and a hand snares around my wrist. The sheer force of their grip rocks my body and nearly makes me trip.

Please don't be the headmistress. Please don't be...

I open my eyes, and a shaky cry rips from my throat when I find a male glowering at me. A green handprint covers his cheek, and red stains his open vest and exposed chest. The man I've been so curious about, whose face I couldn't picture, is flush against me and offering every answer. No daydream could have prepared me for his gigantic size. He's too large to fit into my imagination. Seven feet of red, tense anger.

He smells like pine and leather. His rough dark stubble and furrowed brows warn to stay away from the wild man. The small dagger in his breast pocket jabs into my shoulder. But it's his eyes that dig into me.

This ferocious man can be none other than the Captain. I slapped the peace out of the most important man in camp.

There's an entourage of people behind him, including the visiting Earl that wears a purple robe and a glittering diadem on his forehead.

Everyone is frozen. I am, too, but the Captain burns so hot that I'll soon be melting.

"A'ria," he growls.

How does he know my name?

"I'm—I'm so..." My eyes tear, and my trembling hand reaches for his face to wipe away the green handprint, but it doesn't do me any good.

He grips my chin, and my heart jolts. Can he feel my heartbeat underneath his fingertips?

There are so many eyes on me. But it's this male's potent stare that makes me shrivel. There is so much passion in his gaze. What does he have planned for me?

He releases me, and my body feels heavier as I return to my feet.

"See me tonight," he orders in a steely tone that skins me. "I'll deal with you then."

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