Chapter 61 The Lessons of Alba, Eve
THE LESSONS OF ALBA, EVE
The Obsidian Palace is so large it’s visible as we fly over Alba.
It’s the Sovereigns’ childhood home, where Imperial customs still persist despite Reima Two's progressive veneer.
Where humans are still what they've always been to men like Commander Gai, the Sovereigns’ father—decorative objects that breathe.
"You must remove your clothing," Lira says quietly in slow Imperial. "I'm sorry, Eve. But the rules here are absolute."
My hands shake as I remove my simple dress as the transport lands. "Everything?"
"Everything. Pets don't wear clothing in private spaces." Her voice is neutral, but I see the discomfort in her eyes. "You'll be given decorative wear for public appearances, but in the estate..."
I hand her my clothes, trying not to think about what this means.
"Now the ring," she says gently.
"No." My hand closes protectively over Rafe's ring on my thumb. I had thrown it at them in anger. But Lira had given it back to me when we got on the ship, with the words, ‘I know the Sovereigns didn’t want to send you away.’ "Please. It's all I have—"
"Commander Gai's orders were specific. No personal items." She holds out her hand. "I'll hide it in your bed so you can find it at night. I promise. But he musn't see you wearing it or he will take it."
I slide it off with numb fingers, feeling like I'm losing my last connection to them.
We exit the transport. I follow behind Lira, naked and collared.
The massive gates block our way, their surfaces alive with alien patterns that I can’t make out. But it only takes a few seconds for the security locks to register Lira’s presence, and then the gates part and we are met by guards.
I can’t understand what they’re saying. I think it must be a Reima Two dialect. It’s the first time I realize that Reima Two may have its own language, and also another reminder of how ignorant I am of this world and culture.
I have the urge to cover myself, but I know from my time observing pets at the Celestial Spire that will only lead to punishment.
So I walk in my shame, naked and barefoot through the manicured garden, aware of every step on the sharp stony path.
Finally, we walk through a grand entrance, so big it reminds me of a large five-star hotel on Earth, complete with bustling grey-skinned staff.
Upon entry, we are greeted again by different guards. I will call them the house guards, and they flank us, as we are guided down an impressive corridor.
After walking for a few minutes, we walk through massive carved black doors.
Inside there’s a glowing fire, which Lira and I stand in front of.
I let its warmth surround me, and naively, I think just for a second, that it might not be that bad living here.
And that it might be interesting to live in their childhood home.
Then without warning, Commander Gai enters the room, and I fight the instinct to cover myself. He's an older version of his sons and carries the same handsome look. I can’t stop staring at him.
His pet human, Autumn, follows at his heels. Naked, perfectly groomed, and moving with the eerie grace of someone who's forgotten they were ever free.
“Bring her closer,” Commander Gai says.
Lira leads me forward.
“Another human,” he observes, his gaze sweeping me slowly. “My sons never learn. They dress them up as staff and call them employees, but they all end up the same, on their knees.”
“This is Eve Eden, Ward of the Sovereigns of the Ascendant Alliance,” Lira says in Imperial, and I’m glad I can understand their conversation. I was worried when I heard the guards that I would have to learn another language.
Gai circles me slowly in the same way Lorian does. "So this is what has my sons in such turmoil. The terrorist they couldn't bear to let go to the mine."
I stay silent, worried he’s going to defile me in someway, but he doesn’t touch me, nor do I see any hint of sexual desire in his eyes. Only fascination.
"Kneel," he commands, but his voice lacks true commitment, he almost sounds reluctant.
I drop, assuming the position Lorian taught me. No doubt he learned it from someone, probably his father. This thought makes me smile, which earns me a slap on my shoulder. I straighten my back immediately, spread my thighs and put my hands behind my neck.
"At least they trained you in the basics." He touches my hair. "Though I'm told you still have difficulties with obedience."
"Commander, I—"
"Did I ask you to speak?" His voice doesn't rise, but the threat is clear. "Autumn, demonstrate proper protocol."
Autumn moves forward, kneeling beside me with mechanical perfection. Her posture is flawless, breathing regulated, and her expression absolutely fucking empty.
"This is what you'll learn," Gai says. "Peace through submission. Purpose through service. Autumn has been with me for thirty years. Haven't you, my pet?"
"Yes, Master," Autumn responds immediately in perfect Imperial. "Autumn lives to serve, and that brings her happiness and contentment,” she says.
He rewards her with a casual touch, fingers playing with her pierced nipple until it hardens. She doesn't react beyond a slight intake of breath. Might as well be furniture responding to use.
"My sons gave me specific instructions," Gai continues, his hand still idly toying with Autumn’s breast, "to properly train you. And they didn’t say it, but I assure you, they’ve come to the realization that they can’t properly court a woman with you in their bed every night. So here you are with me."
“No!” I instinctually say. “That’s a lie. I’m here for safety.”
Gai stands and towers over me. He raises his hand but stops short of striking me. “Eve, I will forgive your insult because you don’t know any better.”
I know Rafe and Lorian wouldn’t want to be with another, but I still can’t breathe.
Just the thought of another woman makes me sick.
Because logically it makes sense. That’s why Rafe would have wanted me gone so quickly.
He wants to save their business. He is going to take a wife.
Maybe with or without Lorian. How many times did they remind me that I’m human, and because of that, I could never be their wife?
I wipe a tear from my eye because this is logic that makes sense.
“Good,” Gai says and it sounds too much like Rafe, which twists the knife in my heart even more.
“Don’t move unless I tell you to,” Gai says sharply, but he doesn’t touch me.
“I’ll let your behavior slide for now because I know this is Rafe and Lorian’s fault.
They didn’t tell you. They didn’t even have the strength to bring you here themselves.
They created an unhealthy bond with you, Eve, and I’m going to help you break it, and heal yourself.
To be the best human you can be, given the circumstances. ”
“Commander,” Lira says and bows, “if I may, the Sovereigns were busy; that’s why they were unava—”
“Pah, you think I don’t know my sons?”
“Not at all,” Lira says and then, to my astonishment, continues, “I’m simply stating the truth.
You are, after all, an older man. It’s sometimes difficult for fathers to acknowledge that their sons have turned into independent men with responsibilities.
Men’s emotions can cloud their understanding of situations. ”
“Don’t try to talk down to me just because I’m a man,” Gai replies, but Lira stands her ground.
This is the first time I’ve witnessed the matriarchy in action, and it’s shocking. This large man explaining himself to a much younger woman.
“Now where was I?” Gai looks over at me.
"For now, you'll share a room with Autumn.
She'll teach you proper pet behavior." He moves his hand between Autumn's legs, stroking the golden hair there with the same detachment one might pet an animal. No doubt, he’s calming himself after the exchange with Lira.
“You'll eat from bowls on the floor. Speak only when spoken to.
Exist only to please. And if I hear you speaking any human language between the two of you, you will be punished. Do you understand, little terrorist?"
"Yes, Commander," I manage in Imperial.
"Good. Perhaps you're not entirely hopeless. Now, for your training, I’ve looked over your file. We must start over from the very beginning. You need to be reborn into Imperial life. Earth didn’t give you the right start in life, and I mean to correct that.
I like to do things properly and from the beginning.
Now I’m going to prepare; I don’t believe in putting things off.
” He turns to leave, then pauses. "Oh, and, Eve? My sons will visit for their court-ordered conjugal and punishment visits with Tribune Jin Kol; I believe it was once annually. And if you’re not perfect by then, he can take you away, so work hard and trust in my methods.
It would be a shame for such a beautiful human to die in a mine or, worse, be sold to a trainer like Aefre. ”
I’m dumbfounded as I watch him walk out of the room.
What does he mean by start at the very beginning?
"I'm sorry," Lira says, breaking my train of thought. "I'll check on you quarterly, to ensure you're—"
"Unmolested?"
“Surviving,” she says simply.
“I don't want to stay here.”
She squeezes my shoulder, and her green eyes bore into mine.
“I know, but for the moment, this is the safest place for you. The Sovereigns can’t keep you safe at the Celestial Spire.
Rumors were started that you weren’t really being treated like a pet.
It didn’t help that you went missing with Lorian for three weeks.
That gave your enemies all the evidence they needed.
” Then she leans closer. “And Eve, everyone knows that you and Lorian almost killed each other.”
“But we didn’t. And we didn’t break any rules.”
“No one knows that,” she says. “Commander Gai is what he is, but you won’t die here. I can promise you that, because he believes humans are the Lost People.”
“Who?” I ask, remembering the name, but I’m so frazzled I can’t remember from where.
“It’s what some Imperials call humans. It’s based on a religious myth about an Imperial ship that crashed on Earth, and had to survive by breeding with whoever was on the planet at the time. Then humanity was born.”
“That seems far-fetched. But what does this old myth have to do with me exactly?”
“Commander Gai believes in the Imperial religion, so if humans are the Lost People, even if they are a watered-down version of Imperials, he still can’t let any of them die if they’ve done no wrong because they are also children of the goddesses.
And I don’t think he thinks you’ve done anything an Imperial woman wouldn’t have done in the same circumstances, but you just got caught. ”
“Oh,” I say, “I guess that’s something,” feeling more confused by this culture than ever.
Lira nods. “It ensures life. And you will survive this, Eve. You’re stronger than you look. Be brave and remember, no matter what happens here, being a pet won’t kill you.”
I am speechless as I watch my only friend in the galaxy leave me naked in a strange alien house like a newly adopted puppy.