Page 64 of The Alien I Fell in Love with on Walpurgis Night

“Languages are more than just words. They don’t develop without culture. Translators cannot work without knowledge of the cultures the languages come from.”

“This is why Earth translators are terrible,” I say. “They are only using the words, not the culture.”

“I didn’t know humans had translators.”

“We don’t. I did think it was odd there were so many women in power, I just assumed that was part of women’s equality movement.”

“A lot of civilizations get it wrong at first. It’s confusing because Alliance women refuse to leave our territory but that’s only because it’s dangerous and they trust men to do their bidding. Alliance women have always seen men as expendable.”

“Why don’t Alliance men just stop doing their bidding?”

“It goes against the gods to disobey women.”

“Of course it does,” I say, but I catch myself from being too scathing given what I saw in the High Priestess’s Punishment Rooms.

“But now, I want more equality from a woman, not someone who looks at me like a piece of meat to be ordered around. You have never looked at me like you were just waiting for me to stop talking to tell me what to do. And I do believe the gods sent you to me.”

“Axl,” I feel responsible for ruining his life now if he’s left everything for me and I can’t leave Earth for him. “What are we going to do?”

27

Axl

“In your ideal life what would you want to happen?”

“I don’t know. I don’t have all the details to know what my options are.”

“But from what you do know…” I look into Georgiana’s brown eyes and hope that I will see those eyes for the rest of my life.

“In an ideal world, I would want you to live on Earth with me.”

“I wish it were possible.”

“How is it that you were on Earth before? I mean how did you disguise yourself.”

“I have a wearable holo device so I can look like any species or object in the galaxy.”

“Oh,” she says impressed. “Can you turn yourself into a cat?”

“My translator is giving me a description. I’m unfamiliar with those small animals, but yes, I could look like a cat but I would still have the physical form I have now.”

“So you’d be a giant cat?”

“No, I’d appear small… Georgiana, I don’t want to talk about how my holo device works.”

“I’m just trying to understand. Why couldn’t you use that device to live on Earth?”

“Because it’s illegal. I don’t want to live my life as an Outcast or criminal. Also I don’t want to live my life in hiding, pretending to be something I’m not.”

“What future do we have then? I’m sorry Axl, I love you, but I can’t return to the Empire. Especially knowing you wouldn’t even be living there with me.”

“What could I do to convince you?” It’s difficult watching the tears form in her eyes as she shakes her head. “I promise to keep you safe. My mother and sister will keep you safe if we are married. It’s the law.”

“Axl, I need more than people keeping me safe just because it’s the law or their duty. I want to live in a community where I belong and not just because it’s the law. I know If I remained in the Empire I would resent you.”

“Even with our seven children?”

“Even with our seven sacred children. I don’t think seven children could fill the hole in my heart when you are away nor heal the wounds from the disdain Alliance people have for humans. I never believed in soul mates before I met you, but now I think it’s a cruel joke to meet you and not be able to be together. So what are we going to do?”

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