Abducted by Adera Orfanelli

hell you will. You bring me to a strange world. Inform me that I have to dress like the natives, and then tell everyone that I’m going to fall in love with you. You don’t have the slightest idea what love is all about.” Her voice rose, but she didn’t care if the entire planet heard her. Balling her fists at her side, she struggled against the urge to slap him.
    “That is why we have Deactivation Day,” he said in a soft voice. He stepped forward and lightly brushed his fingers across her cheek. “I know this is an adjustment for you, but it will be all right. I promise.”
    “The only way you can make it all right is to take me back to Earth.”
    Aidan shook his head. “There are other ways.” Lightly, he stroked his thumb across her full lower lip.
    A shock of awareness rushed through Jacey, and she cursed her body for betraying her. I have nothing waiting for me on Earth . The traitorous thought rolled through her mind. She dipped her head, avoiding Aidan’s touch.
    “Please, Jacey.” His soft voice entreated her to listen, and she raised her gaze to look directly at him. Had he been human, she would have said pain filled his eyes. He wasn’t human. She had to remember that.
    “Please what?” I am not being unreasonable . Her mental words failed to reassure her. He should have asked me before making an announcement like that . An image of the man in the audience rose to her mind. Who was he? Why did he seem so antagonistic toward Aidan? Aidan’s answer only created more questions.
    “Please give me a chance.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers. “Give us a chance.”
    Jacey sighed heavily. “I suppose,” she muttered. “I kind of have to, don’t I? It’s not like I can go home anytime soon.” She blinked away sudden pinpricks of tears.
    “Don’t cry, Jacey. I’ll do anything within my power to make you love BelaZed, and me.” Aidan offered his arm. “Why don’t I show you to your quarters? You can rest for a while, and then perhaps we’ll dine together and I can show you more of my world.”
    Jacey relented. The idea of sitting alone somewhere to gather her thoughts had appeal. She let Aidan lead her down the hallway, noticing the intricately woven tapestries covering the wall. The pale beige and pink stone looked almost like marble, and where beams of sunlight slanted across the floor, it sparkled. She swallowed hard, trying not to feel like a pauper who had just entered the prince’s castle. He’s a ruler. I sure as hell won’t get that on Earth . The thought did little to cheer her.
    After walking down long, twisting corridors, Aidan showed her to her rooms. The heavy oaken door swung open easily, and Jacey paused in awe at the first chamber. A hearth with an inviting-looking fur rug in front of it dominated the far wall. More beautiful weavings hung on the wall, and a long couch covered in plush brown fabric sat clustered with matching chairs around a low wooden table. Overhead, a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. A door led off to the right.
    “Through there is your bedroom and a bathing chamber.” He reached for a small gold-tasseled pull rope that hung not far from the door. “There is one of these in each room. Simply ring and your servants will bring you whatever you desire.” He pointed to a dainty silver filigree chain that hung next to the gold tassel. Crystals hung from the end, sending a rainbow of light cascading over the floor. “This one will ring in my chambers. You may summon me with it. I have a matching cord in mine.”
    “Can everyone summon you?” It seemed to Jacey that the idea of everyone in the palace calling for Aidan’s presence would be a horribly inefficient way to operate.
    Aidan laughed. The warm notes of his laughter flooded over Jacey. Spirals of awareness darted through her. She stood with him in her private chambers. Tantalizing glimpses of the bedroom beyond, the wooden footboard for the bed, another hearth with