Chapter 3
THREE
Fivra
No, it wasn’t. A—a brothel was not her home and it would never be.
Fivra stood by the enormous window, a glass barrier between her and the vast, swirling expanse of the cosmos. The endless dark was speckled with stars that twinkled like distant promises, but dominating her view was the glimmering space station, a sprawling web of metallic structures entwined like the roots of a hollane tree, each building pulsating with soft lights of every hue. It felt alive, a creature made of steel and energy, thriving in the void of space. She had never seen anything like it, nor could she fully comprehend it.
Her chest tightened as she thought of the farm back home—a simple life and fields stretching beneath a sky that swirled with the great eye of the Axis. Here, there was none of that, only cold metal and the absence of natural light. The station buzzed with an alien rhythm, one that felt disorienting and overwhelming. There were no crops to nurture, no familiar scents of tilled soil, and the steady rustle of wind through tall grass was replaced by the hum of machinery and the city’s pulse.
Fivra’s heart sank as she leaned closer to the glass, feeling both a sense of awe and an unfamiliar ache. The existence she once knew seemed a lifetime away, and fear coursed through her as the reality of her situation sank in.
By her side, Cyprian was a bright, overwhelming presence. He stood tall. His broad shoulders were draped in a fitted dark jacket that accentuated his powerful frame. He looked so very much like the overseer, who both protected and regulated settlement 112-1, who was feared and revered as the one true link to the Axis’ power. But the similarities ended with physical features.
This male wore gold jewelry on his neck and wrists. Red gems adorned his earlobes. He even had intricate designs embedded into the bones of his wings, making them appear as if veins of gold ran through him. He was dazzling. Cyprian’s wings were folded gracefully against his back, leathery and grand, with a red sheen that caught the station’s lights and radiated an ethereal glow. His hair was light gold, shot with bronze. He was the same species as the overseer at the settlement, for sure, but they were not the same. The overseer was dark-haired, remote, cold, and imposing, but Cyprian was…personable. He smiled. The few times she’d laid eyes on the overseer, she’d never, ever seen him smile.
It was a juxtaposition that intrigued and confused her—Cyprian’s predatory elegance whispering of strength and danger while offering a gentle, charming side as he spoke to her. But it was his face that truly captivated her. His features were sculpted like the statues of the ancients, all sharp angles and delicate lines that seemed impossibly symmetrical. The striking contours of his strong jawline led to full lips, often curled into a sardonic smile that played at the edges of his mouth, hinting at amusement or mischief. His skin held a warm undertone, a deeper hue that spoke of sun-kissed days. Yet, it was his eyes—oh, those eyes—that drew her in. They glowed bright silver, like twin moons reflecting the stars.
Fivra caught herself staring at Cyprian. Just as she was about to voice a question, a low whirring interrupted her thoughts. A sleek, silver robot glided into the room. Its movements were smooth and fluid and it carried a tray adorned with an array of colorful dishes that emitted enticing aromas. Draped over one metal arm was a soft-looking, luxurious robe that shimmered under the ambient lights.
“Ah, here we are,” Cyprian’s voice held a hint of satisfaction. “Ria, meet Fivra. She is our new charge.”
The robot turned its optical sensors toward Fivra. The warm glow of its lights pulsated gently. “Greetings, Fivra. I am Ria, your personal maid,” said the machine in a feminine voice. “I will attend to your needs and ensure your comfort.”
Fivra blinked at the robot, feeling a mixture of confusion and intrigue. “My needs?”
“Everything a female in Erovik requires,” Cyprian explained, his gaze softening as he met her eyes. “Ria will help you navigate your quarters, assist you with using the replicators, and provide anything you need for your comfort. She’ll serve you meals, take care of your garments, and ensure you feel at ease here. Ria is quite efficient.”
Ria’s mechanical voice hummed with a touch of warmth. “I am here to serve you, Fivra. Please do not hesitate to request anything you desire.”
Cyprian stepped back slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I must attend to some matters, but I will return soon. I wish to know more about the overseer and the settlement you came from. There is much we need to discuss.”
His intense gaze enveloped her once more, and Fivra felt a strange comfort in his presence, despite the circumstances that had brought her to his door. “You are safe here, Fivra. I protect all the females who live and work at Erovik from harm, and that includes you.” His silver eyes shimmered with sincerity, sparking a flicker of hope within her.
“Okay,” she whispered, finding her voice with difficulty as Ria subtly proffered the robe, holding it for Fivra to take.
With a final nod, Cyprian turned and left. The door slid closed behind him. Pushed into the silence that remained, Fivra found herself alone with Ria. Soft scents of the food wafted towards her, tantalizing her senses and stirring her stomach, which had been empty longer than she wanted to think about.
“Please, Fivra. Take a moment to eat,” Ria encouraged, shifting the tray closer to her. “You’re clearly undernourished.”
Hesitantly, Fivra took a step forward. Her bare feet pressed into the plush carpet as she peered down at the dishes. Fruits burst with color, none of which she recognized. An array of fragrant spices filled the air, making her stomach twitch. Each piece glinted invitingly as if calling out to her from this strange new life. “My diet at the settlement I came from was very bland and plain. I’m afraid I won’t be able to tolerate these foods.”
“The green fruit is low in sugar content. The triangle-shaped wraps consist of simple starches and carbohydrates that should agree with your digestive system,” Ria said, tilting her head slightly. “I will be sure to modify your diet to slowly add new flavors and proteins.”
Fivra tentatively reached for a piece of the green fruit. Her fingers trembled slightly. “Thank you, Ria,” she murmured, attempting a brave front despite the weight of uncertainty. “I appreciate that.” Bringing it to her mouth, she bit into it cautiously. Juice exploded on her tongue, sending waves of flavor that pushed the memory of her dry meals to the recesses of her mind.
“This is delicious,” she breathed. The taste ignited a spark of warmth deep inside her. She found herself savoring each morsel and moving to the triangle pastries, as Ria suggested. Each bite was a reminder of everything lost, and yet, it carried the possibility of something new.
“Would you like more?” Ria inquired, her tone gentle. “This must seem very new and strange to you.”
“Yes, please,” Fivra replied, her voice steadier now, emboldened by the taste of hope. She hesitated, curiously glancing at the assortment of dishes. “It is. Very strange, that is.”
Ria responded by taking away the tray and replicating another serving of the green fruit, along with the triangle wraps, which Fivra devoured quickly.
“Would you like to explore the replicator yourself?” Ria asked. “It can create meals from a database of recipes.”
Fivra felt a flutter of excitement. “Can I?” It felt like a luxury unlike anything she had experienced before. Her hands shook again, but not with fear—rather, anticipation. “How does it work?”
“Simply state your request, and I can assist, or you may speak with the replicator directly. Would you like to try?”
Fivra nodded, her heart racing as she approached the device against the wall. “Um, can you suggest something?”
“Considering your limited diet, how about some fresh burtok bread, simple with a crunchy crust and fermented cheese?”
Fivra’s mouth watered. “Yes, please.”
Ria showed her how to choose the selection and a golden loaf appeared, steaming slightly as it landed upon a soft, woven plate. Fivra’s mouth watered. “That looks…” She closed her eyes at the warmth drifting through the air. “It looks too good to eat.”
Ria’s sensors pulsed light cheerfully. “Erovik prides itself on providing only the finest,” Ria answered, seeming pleased by her reaction. “And I assure you, everything you’re offered to ingest is perfectly edible. You will have access to a wide variety of culinary delights prepared for you based on your preferences.”
Fivra paused. Her heart raced at the thought. Everything was, at once, wonderful and terrifying. The freedom of choice was empowering yet new, exhilarating yet laden with possibilities she had no experience navigating. She’d never had such luxuries, but she also could not shake the feeling of remaining a captive—the true depths of her new reality still out of reach. And underneath it all lay the fear that her friends—all of whom had been separated and taken to auction—had not ended up in a place where they were safe. Not that Fivra was. Cyprian’s goodwill wouldn’t remain intact forever, especially when she refused to take males to her bed. But for now , she was safe.
“What happens next?” she asked around a mouthful of bread. She glanced at Ria, whose round, metal form hovered quietly beside her. “Do I…” More words caught in her throat as she hesitated. “Do I really have to…work?”
Ria’s sensors blinked softly. “That decision is not for me to make. Your comfort and well-being are my only priority. However, I can assure you that for the duration of their contract, none of the females here suffer or endure fornication with males they detest.”
Fivra furrowed her brow. “What does that mean? I am bound to a time frame of service?”
Ria emitted a gentle whirring noise. “Your future depends on how you choose to navigate your time in Erovik. Cyprian is not unkind. He strives to make the courtias content and happy. He has never forced a client on anyone who works here.”
As she mulled over Ria’s words, Fivra’s heart clenched with uncertainty. The allure of the tastes and scents around her filled her with a hope that these luxuries—food, comfort, possibly even friendship—could be part of her new normal. But the heavy memories of her past—of Turi, of Sevas and the others—and the overwhelming fear of being trapped in a brothel clouded every glimmer of potential.
“Can I choose not to stay?” Fivra finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Choose a life outside of…your brothel?”
Ria’s sensors pulsed. “That is a discussion to have with Cyprian.”
Fivra straightened, her resolve hardening. She’d been abducted from the settlement, taken away from a life that offered little but pain and duty. Here she was in an all-new world. It would be foolish to dismiss the chance to redefine herself. “Then I’ll make a plan,” she said firmly, determination stirring within her. “Perhaps there are other things I can do here. I won’t return to a life of hunger and hobbles.”
“That is an interesting mindset, Fivra,” Ria responded, unfurling the soft robe with narrow metal fingers and presenting it to her. “Please put this on. Your body temperature is low. The warmth will feel comforting and allow you to rest more easily.”
Fivra accepted the luxurious fabric with tentative fingers. The material felt impossibly soft against her skin as she slipped it on and covered the awful see-through shift she’d been forced to wear at the auction. It flowed beautifully around her, a hint of silkiness that she wasn’t used to. Nothing here was anything she was used to.
“Sleep, Fivra,” Ria said in her soothing mechanical voice. “It is not yet the down cycle, but you have been through too much to worry about that.”
“Down cycle?”
“We have no day and night on Hevatica Station, unlike those living on planets that rotate near a bright star, so time is measured in cycles. Down cycle is a period of less activity— rest , for those who need it. Even I need to recharge and get repairs. Up cycle is more activity, when beings like you are awake and functioning. It’s manufactured, but it works and in time, you’ll get used to it.”
“I already miss natural light,” Fivra said bleakly. “We have a nearby star called Purrik. It provides light on my home planet.” Not only was she far from the solid ground she’d known her whole life, but the only light she’d know from now on was produced by machines.
“This is a large station set in deep space,” Ria explained. “There is no light provided by a star, but I would not call any light unnatural if it illuminates our world.”
Fivra turned to her metal maid, whose optical node blinked at her. “You’re right.” She smiled. A sliver of the darkness that had settled into her mind lightened, just a little. “Thank you for that.”
Ria retracted her thin metal arms into the oval of her body. “I am here to assist you, Fivra. That includes your physical and mental well-being. Now, get to bed before I request permission to sedate you.”
“You wouldn’t,” Fivra said. She smiled a little.
Ria emitted a weird monotone laugh. “No, but off you go, now. The next cycle will be better than this one, for you. I promise you that.”
Fivra crossed to the bed but said nothing. There was no promise in the world that could guarantee the coming days—or rather, cycles —would be better. Her entire life now centered on the choices and mood of a single male. Cyprian, a Zaruxian, held her existence in his very large hands. She could only hope he didn’t crush her in them.