Page 47 of The Alien I Fell in Love with on Walpurgis Night

“I lost my ship on Earth. I didn’t want to tell anyone about your request, not even Alliance Force.”

“That was clever.”

“So I made a personal arrangement with the human woman.”

“Why is she staying in House Zu?”

“Where else would she stay?”

“It looks like you are courting her?”

So my mother and sister have made nothing public. Good. I will follow their lead. “No. She is here for a rest before returning to Earth.”

“Why did you take her to the Grand City Temple?”

“Is it not my custom to go there for purification after a mission?”

“Your custom yes, not hers.”

“Is she not one of the Lost People?”

“Why was the High Priestess purifying her too?”

“Who among us doesn’t need purification?”

The Empress’s eyes narrow. “I want her moved.”

“I’m sorry, but move to where?”

“Out of your House.”

“Empress, with all due respect…”

“Don’t worry, Commander. Guards, bring the human Madame Georgiana Smith from House Zu to the palace. She will be my guest for the next six days. That is when she is slated to leave according to the official records, yes?”

“Empress, I beg of you,” I bow. “She’s only one human woman.”

“Then why does she interest you? Do you not trust me, the Empress, to look after one of my own? She is one of the Lost People after all.”

“Empress, she is…” I begin, but the Empress cuts me off.

“Thank you, Commander Axl, you may leave. Walk in the goddesses’ light.”

“May they always guide my path.” I’m escorted out of the Great Hall by the captain of the guards. He and I have never been friends.

“Oh you must be devastated not to be able to keep your human pet with you. Did you think you were going to receive special treatment again?”

“I didn’t think anything.”

“Commander, you are one of the worst at court. And now you have the audacity to bring a human woman to the Empire just to taunt the Empress. It’s a new low, even for you.”

“I serve my Empress faithfully as do you.”

“No, you’re mistaken, you do not serve like I do,” he replies. Thankfully, we are near the exit of the Great Hall, so this conversation will have to come to an end. As I walk through the doors into the waiting room, he says, “And Commander, do not worry, I’ll make sure your human gets the imperial treatment she deserves.”

“If you do, Captain, the goddesses will make sure you get what you deserve in turn.”

“Are you threatening me, Commander?”

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