Page 15 of Taken By the Devilish King

"Yeah, I do. When the performers are paid for it and are not under duress on an alien planet."

"They wouldn't be under duress. They're drugged."

Ayla jumps back and closes her eyes while shaking her head.

"Oh my God. There's so much wrong with that sentence. Please, if you truly...love me or whatever just take the poor people home."

"I will see to it that they're immediately returned." I purse my lips into a smile and bow my head.

"Thank you."

She stares at me and I keep my gaze to her feet. I don't like that I disappointed her and I vow not to look her in the eyes again until her mood improves.

"Which ballet was it, anyway?"

"An ensemble going by the name of The Royal Ballet."

She gasps.

"Damn. I really wanted to see that." There's a tint of excitement in her tone that I feel in my head too but she brushes it off just as quickly. "But I won't have them perform while they're abducted."

"I will respect your decision," I tell her.

"What else have you planned for me?"

Still looking at her feet I give her a breakdown of all the other pleasures she can indulge in, like the Vyperian movies that can show her more of our planet and our ways, or the gladiators that can fight to the death in her honor—a statement which doesn't please her in the slightest.

"There's also a team of royal masseurs at your disposal. They can work wonders on any body, Vyperian or not."

The rays of sunlight peek through her mind once more and I dare look up at her again.

"Lofy, darling, you just said the magic words. Massage. Please."

Lofy.

No one has called me that before. And no one would if they wanted to keep their heads, and tails.

But I know Earthens like to use pet names on their people.

Perhaps she is growing soft for me.

Perhaps I can earn her heart and body, still.

CHAPTER 5

AYLA

Iwant to stay angry, I really do, but the truth is Lofy is right. His planet's ways may be somewhat antiquated depending on which part of the world you come from, but they're their ways and they make sense for them as much as I dislike it.

Besides, the concept of abduction doesn't seem to be the same as it is on Earth. For starters, no kidnapper would lavish their "victim" with feasts, and entertainment and all the comforts they could possibly imagine. That doesn't sound like kidnapping at all. More like forced vacation if you ask me.

And then there's the fact that the onus falls with the captive. With me.

I can refuse his advances and if he's to be believed he will then return me to my home and leave me to be in peace. And isn't that quite something.

So, since I have no other option but to be forced to have magnificent feasts, and looked after like I'm a future queen, I’ll just embrace the fact knowing I'll be free in fifteen days.

If that doesn't happen, I'll worry about it then. After all, what am I supposed to do? Sneak out? Try to steal a ship back to Earth? Admiral Calliope might have that kind of knowledge and strength but I don't. I'm just a simple human who pretends to be other people for a living.

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