2. Asher
Chapter Two
ASHER
“Why in the world did you put ‘princess’ wanted in the ad?” I look over at Helena, the stately secretary for our cowboy league.
She wiggles her brows and flips her long hair off one shoulder. “Royalty is very popular on Earth. Just take a look at the news down there. They’re always talking about princess this and prince that and kings and queens. It’s a big deal. And…” Pausing, she lifted both of her hands in the air, letting them fall in exasperation. “You need a princess.”
I’ve visited Earth many times. Maybe royalty is in the news there, but the only royalty they have left there is in name only. No matter, Helena is right. I need a princess. “Fair enough. When does my ship leave?”
She lifts a hand in the air, tapping at what appears to be an invisible spot in front of her. It instantly reveals the scheduling screen. Our planet, Aphroditea, is a hub for intergalactic transport. Spaceships zip through here on the regular, arraying out through the galaxy. It makes for convenient travel. We are one of the first stops to and from Earth. Although Earth is struggling as a planet, it’s still a popular place for travel. Many travelers are curious to see the planet trying to rebound from being almost destroyed by its own people.
“You can leave in an hour,” Helena says with a satisfied smile. She clasps her hands together in front of her chest. “You are going to fall in love, Asher. I just know it.”
“Here’s to hoping,” I reply with a light shrug.
I’m trying not to let the pressure get to me, but I kind of need to get married. Our people believe in this thing called infinity pulse. In short, true love with an intense physical connection.
Beyond my own need to find a mate, our planet needs women. It all started two years ago. We revere women on our planet so much that we hold an annual festival to honor them. Two years ago, a massive space storm blew through the area during the festival, and many women perished. Our kind has cross-mated with humans for centuries.
We’ve hatched a plan and put out a call on Earth. I’m technically a prince, for reals. If I do find a princess to mate with, part of the plan is that she will help find more women to mate with others on my planet. No pressure. At all.
We hope it will strengthen our numbers. Rumor has it, life on Earth isn’t too great for women. Unlike our planet, where we revere women, they are frequently abused on Earth. During the decline in Earth’s climate, women lost many rights, which set off a chain of events, thrusting women back to being treated like shadows. On Aphroditea, we put them on pedestals. For example, even though I’m a prince, I can’t even call upon all my powers until I have a princess to share them with.
That’s what makes this plan so critical for our people.