Outlander (Borealis) by Ellie Bay Page A

were divided by a perfect nose. His bottom
lip was full and accentuated his cleft chin. Short hair, light brown and wavy,
added an unexpected note of whimsy. 
    He was handsome like every man on this exotic planet, yet he
seemed different somehow, like he was above us. I don’t mean that he carried
himself with superiority. Galen was just more introspective, quiet even. He
lacked the sexual verve that radiated from all Borealians and that comforted
me.
    The corners of his eyes creased as he waved his
hands—fingers splayed—above my forehead. Blinding beams of light shot out of
from his palms, illuminating my skin.
    Though I had seen him use his power before, it still awed
me.
    Marcus explained what was happening. “He is scanning you to
make sure you are healthy and to see if your classification has changed.”
    The healer’s light-filled hands hovered a few inches above
me for a couple of minutes and made their way all over my body, leaving my body
warm and buzzing. After he reached the tips of my toes, he curled his fingers
into fists, extinguishing the light.
    I gasped when I noticed a bright white ring at the edge of
Galen’s irises. “Your eyes…”
    “It happens when I’m healing. The rings will disappear in a
few moments.”
    “Galen, was that God’s Light?” I asked with wonder.
    “Yes, I use it to heal and to scan for physical problems.
And like Marcus said, to see your classification.”
    “See it how, Galen?”
    “In my mind, the Light speaks to me.”
    “Whoa,” I said in a whisper.
    Galen turned to Marcus. “Her erotic role as a submissive is
halfway there. That’s progress. What are your observations?”
    Marcus shrugged and then slid his palm over my thigh. “With
the exception of her memory, she is perfect in every way.” He was holding back
a smile, but didn’t succeed entirely.
    “Oh?” Galen blinked, not seeing the humor in it. “You bonded
with her?”
    “Not yet. I am taking things slow.”
    I sat up and waved my hands in front of them. “You know I’m
right here.”
    The men exchanged amused glances. Was it so unusual for a
sub to speak for herself?
    Galen knitted his brows together, wearing his concerned
doctor face. “I’m glad you are in good physical health, but your memory still
worries me.”
    “I remember some things, more like flashes or impressions.
The memories aren’t complete or connected to each other. I still don’t know who
I am or how I got here.”
    An awkward silence hung in the air. Talk of Earth didn’t
endear me to Borealians. “Yes, the other planet.” Galen took a measured breath.
“I know it feels real, but I can assure you that this is your home. God
confirmed it. The sooner you let go of that fantasy, the quicker you will
return to fulfilling your life’s purpose.”
    I felt my anger rising. “Which is, my Lord?”
    “To obey your Dominus, worship God and practice our
rituals.”
    Marcus had said almost exactly the same thing to me
yesterday. “But—” I started. A harsh look from Marcus stopped me in my tracks.
    “She is making huge strides already, Galen. Her submissive
nature is taking over more each day, isn’t it?” Marcus shot me a warning glare.
    “Yes,” I said, recovering quickly. “Dominus has been very
helpful in showing me the ways of Borealis, but must I worship God? I don’t
believe in him.” Apparently, I have no filter. I should really work on that if
I wanted to stay alive.
    Galen looked stricken as he spoke in a serious tone. “That
will change. It must change. Do you understand?”
    I could only gape at him.
    Nervous and alarmed, Marcus jumped in. “She understands. We
were about to start training when you arrived.”
    Galen exhaled, relaxing a little, though he remained
guarded. “Good. That’s a start.”
    Clearly, not accepting the Borealian religion as my own
could be the end of me. And with a culture obsessed with erotic roles and
ritual, I had to pull off the whole submissive act. Too much attention