Dark Nine [18+]

Chapter Forty-Seven

Orlai's POV

A week and a half after Planet Apastron was destroyed

"Like I said, I'm just the therapist," Anya sits straight, on a perfect, fluffy white couch, hands folded on her lap, over a pencil skirt, and cute black blouse, while she smiles at me, on the adject fluffy pink couch, and the giant purple unrestrained Kor, on the opposite beige couch, facing me. A compact coffee table separates all three of us, with a vase of plastic flowers.

With a warm smile and a gentle disposition, lovely Anya lights two candles, handing the goji spice to me and the vanilla bean to Arcturus.

I was wearing a white dress, nothing special, with my hair recently washed. I look over the giant torturer holding the petite candle and I'm worried what he's thinking about that enticing flame.

Arcturus' deep galactic purple skin was recently washed from all the grime that had accumulated for one and a half weeks while captive on Danger's hijacked ship.

But the intergalactic alliance reclaimed that vehicle this morning and quickly went to work in fixing intergalactic ties with the most powerful species in the universe; the Kors.

So the captor of my senses, Arcturus, was released from his prison of Elion chains, which I think the Kors didn't even know humans had in storage, because it managed to keep him contained without hindrance.

Nor had I helped him.

But he was promptly freed by the government and given everything he could want to feel pampered and happy again.

Last but not least... we were experiencing protocol. And for some reason I was dragged in here to face it.

"Just so you understand," Anya speaks to me mostly, "Orlai, you don't have to say a thing if you don't wish. I'm just here to advise peace, love and forgiveness. To officially commence that. To put all grievances behind us. That being said. Now is the time for talk. Arcturus," she turns to him, but this whole time he's looking at me.

I don't dare look at his eyes, the most I've done is assessed his skin, his soft white pants, bare torso and hyper-wrist with every ET portal jump logged on, a new gift from Earth.

They were giving him everything he wanted.

Which means they knew exactly who he was and what he was capable of.

"Orlai," Anya turns to me, as Arcturus said nothing at all, not even an acknowledging noise or motion of some kind, "Now is the time to release your feelings in a safe place."

"A safe place?" I finally speak in a quiet whisper after vowing not to, just like him.

I keep a timid hold of the candle as I catch Anya's eye, "Arcturus is an unrestrained predator. He tried to melt my bones down and drink my soul... how am I safe..."

"I'm so glad you brought that up, Orlai," Anya is right on it, "You're alive right now, aren't you? He is unrestrained, as you said. But you're alive. We all are. You are safe. Kors are older than this universe, you can trust in their honour codes, and he is honouring the peace we've offered back... this... right here... right now... is to avoid war. Has he ever lied to you?"

"No, never," I whisper this admission, glancing to Arcturus – his body moves in the slightest fashion. Anya's are eyes immediately drawn to his rippling body, responding in some way to the counselling session, finally, even if it was a simple shift of his hip and knee further toward me.

"Do you have something to say, Arcturus?" Anya whispers. Of course, he says nothing, "Oh, I know what I did, I forgot the water, silly me, of course, of course," Anya jumps up, "Have a minute to yourselves, I'll be right back my beautiful peace honouring creatures."