Ethereal Lives: A Romantic Sci-Fi Novel

Chapter 9

"Okay guys, time to turn Xan."

The men around Ariane all changed their appearance. This time, rather than finding it disconcerting, she found it fascinating and had to admit to being more than a little curious about the aliens she currently resided with. She knew she was meant to be their prisoner, but in all honesty, it was hard to feel like one when she was allowed to wander wherever she wanted. Earlier she'd spent an hour in the engine room with Biz learning how the ship worked. She didn't think prisoners were usually allowed such liberties.

"We hit Solce airspace soon, so stay in this form since we are so close to Xanlas."

A murmur of agreement went around the room as everyone stretched and cracked necks, becoming comfortable in their new skin.

Ariane shuffled in her seat when he approached her. The scene she'd witnessed last night came to mind, and she felt her cheeks grow warm. Never had she imagined Ax would masturbate while lying beside her. The expression on his face when his eyes met hers proved he didn't plan for her to see.

They hadn't discussed it this morning. Ax had already left the bed when she woke so after getting some food she'd went to the engine room. Unfortunately, it hadn't stopped her mind from wandering to the image of Ax lying with his penis in his hand, and cum coating his chest.

"You need to go to your quarters and stay there."

She met his eyes for the first time that day. "Why?"

"Because I said so."

"Bu-"

"Look," he snapped, "in case you hadn't noticed, I'm the captain of this ship. Why can't you just do as I ask, without questions?"

Ariane got to her feet. Ax didn't move an inch to give her room, so she found herself standing toe to toe with him. But she was stubborn and had no intention of going to her room quietly. "Will someone come to get me when we dock?"

"Why would they do that?" He seemed genuinely perplexed by her question.

He had no intention of letting her leave the ship. Luckily she had already planned for this occurrence.

"You can't exactly leave me on the ship alone. I might escape."

"You won't be alone, only Bizax is going planet-side."

"Err ... Ax..." The words were uttered from across the room by Praid, who stood by the monitors fiddling with his collar and straightening his tie. "I want to go planet-side too. I need some new computer parts."

Ax rolled his eyes. "Fine, only Bizax and Praid are going off the ship."

A cough came from a few feet away. "Actually Ax..."

Ariane watched Ax turn slowly towards Dyan, the dark skinned man who'd first kidnapped her and did her best to hold in a grin.

"Yes?" Ax snapped, turning to the other man.

"I need some new earphones."

"I'm sure Praid can get you some." He waved towards the geek.

"He never gets the right ones."

"Fine, you can go too." He then turned back to Ariane only to be interrupted again by Trel.

"If they're going, I'm going too. I need new boots."

Fury ignited in Ax's eyes. "Does anyone not need to go planet-side?"

Everyone talked at once, drowning out the blips and beeps of the control panel, as they explained why they needed to visit Solce. Ariane sat back down in her seat with a satisfied smile. "See, you can't leave me here alone."