“Tania.”
That voice. That goddamn voice. I would know it anywhere in time and space, and I am so excited to hear it now. I thought he would let me just leave, like any other temporary employee at the end of their tenure.
I find myself staring at him, trying to drink him all the way in. I want to remember him. I know there’s no way to take a picture of him home. It would be out of the question for so many reasons. Right now, my biggest fear is forgetting him. I might not remember the iridescence of his eyes, the flashing brightness of his scales, even the regal sweep of his fin.
He steps toward me and wraps me in his massive, scaled arms. These arms have given me so much pleasure, and have comforted me when I did not think comfort was possible. I am no longer sure I can keep myself from crying. This feels like the wrong kind of goodbye. A goodbye that shouldn't be happening. A goodbye against nature, and against everything I want.
“You are quiet, human. Are you looking forward to returning to your home?”
“Sure.”
I keep my words short so he can’t tell that I’m hiding tears. I say what I think he wants to hear, because saying anything else would be humiliation on top of humiliation. He doesn’t want me to get clingy and weird. I’m sure he’s had thousands of willing alien women in his bed. I don’t see any of them here.
“There is a great deal afoot,” he says. “We will be going into intense battle as soon as you are safely off the ship. Much will change. I will change. I will become entirely focused on bringing death to my enemies.”
Is he making excuses? Or just conversation? I can’t tell. I guess I don’t really know him that well. Sleeping with a guy a few times and preparing his taxes is hardly a courtship. Maybe it is better for me to return to Earth. Maybe I can sort my mind out there.
“It’s okay. I understand.”
He lets out a deep sigh.
“Tania, if you want…”
“NO!”
Terrible interjects harshly. I had almost forgotten he was still here, but he is always there. Watching. Interfering. Getting in the damn way.
“Terrible, if you ever speak to me that way again, I will leave you on this planet, not Tania.”
I get a little bit of satisfaction from hearing him chastise Terrible. It’s a long time overdue as far as I am concerned. Terrible acts as if he is the king more often than not. It’s about time Tyrant chewed him out.
“Sire, I apologize for my tone,” Terrible demurs. "She has to return to her home planet. We paid for a single job. Her presence puts the entire fleet at risk. Need I remind you…”
“You need to fall silent this instant before I tear the vocal cords from your throat,” Tyrant growls, holding me close. I’m starting to think that there is a little chance he might not let me go. He might abduct me, steal me away, and make me his forever accountant.
“Tyrant.” Terrible just keeps talking. “She's made for this world. Let her go. Please. For all of us.”
* * *
Tyrant
Unwrapping my arms from this human may very well be the hardest thing I will ever do. She feels so perfect right here, her head against my chest, her soft breasts pressing against the scales of my torso. She is so warm. I think once I let her go, I might be forever cold.
But Terrible is right. His job has always been doing what is unpalatable and unpopular. He is doing that job even though he risks my wrath by doing it.
I do what has to be done, because that is what kings do. Sometimes I take as I will. Other times, I must sacrifice.
So I let her go.
I watch her walk away, feeling as though I am taking the greatest loss I have ever experienced in any battle, and it is happening without a fight.
* * *
Tania
The last walk down the hall toward the bright light which will deposit me back home. This time there is no magical balloon ride. There is a teleportation of some kind which is triggered as I walk. Just as I feel myself swept up into the light, I look over my shoulder, hoping to hear Tyrant call me back.
But he is gone.
The ship is gone.
The world is normal again.
I am standing on the roof of my apartment building; my senses suddenly assaulted by the smells and sounds of the city. It is so much louder than I ever realized. Cars swish by, engines whining and complaining, horns being sounded at random intervals across the city.
There’s no ship. I can’t even see the stars in the sky when I look up. There's nothing but a cloudy haze of light pollution which blocks out the glory of all existence outside our little world.