I groaned and stared at myself in the mirror. "Was this really necessary?"
Behind me, at least a dozen different girls started nodding vigorously. I shook my head at the different species of women, and turned. "Guys, seriously?
Someone laughed, and a lady I had learned was names Jling came up to me. She had skin the color of fire, and it moved like fire too. Her skin literally changed color in front of your eyes. She was a sensual creature and wasn't afraid to show it.
She grabbed my shoulders and looked into my eyes, for a second I thought she was going to try and kiss me before she smiled to show she had no teeth at all, and said in her language, "You are so beautiful little human. You will sleep here tonight, yes? With us? Visit with us?"
Rolling my eyes I shrugged and looked at the hopeful faces behind her. These women were lonely for company outside of each other, and I was lonely for friends. I nodded, and Jling threw her arms around me.
Quickly forgetting the look they had painted on me, we set into a night of teaching the human, gossiping about the palace, and soon one big cuddle fest of sleeping women.
As I laid awake and stared at the ceiling, all I could think about was that these women got the short end of the stick. Sure, there were a few of Jling's species who liked the work they did and actually offered to do it when their planet was taken over, but other's like the twins had been forced into this life.
Shaking my head, I rolled onto my side on the soft pad the women slept on and fell asleep.
~~
They let me sleep when they woke, and didn't wake me until I had to be awake to clean the floors. Giving myself a once over in the mirror, I figured I didn't have time to change or take any of the makeup they had painted on off, so I headed up with it still on.
The skirt around my waist swished seductively as I walked up the stairs, and the bracelets on my ankles made little tinkling sounds with each step. For the top I was basically wearing a bra.
So I was pretty much wearing what a belly dancer would on Earth.
It was burgundy in color and made me feel like I was walking on water. I had taken a couple of belly dancing classes, but had found I wasn't a big fan of it.
I also couldn't move my stomach the right way and the lady who had taught the class was not very nice about it.
Cleaning the rooms in the outfit was the funnest experience I had had yet on this planet. The bedding needed changed due to some big party happening soon, so that was a hassle, but I didn't mind. The clinks my outfit made had me swaying my hips to my own music.
The big thing was the King's room. I wasn't sure if he would show today, because I was informed his schedule would be different. I was told to stay on my own schedule, but to stay inconspicuous.
Seen but never heard. That was the duty of the others. Mine was don't be seen, don't be heard; just don't exist.
Getting done with the fourth floor I took a deep breath and readied myself for the Kings' chambers. He would need a new change of bedding, so I would have to get that. Probably the bathroom and the hallway would need doing again, and a quick sweep of the main bedroom.
Heading down I dodged other people and got the bedding meant for just the King. It was always a darker color than the rest. It was softer too, both inviting and uninviting.
An anomaly.
Throwing them in a basket, I made sure I had it all before making my way back into the staircase leading up. The basket was heavy, and I was gasping for breath by the time I actually got all the way up. I would definitely have to figure out a new way to do this for next time.
Shaking my head I made my way into the bedroom, and stripped the bed down. It looked like it hadn't been slept in at all, but I tried to ignore the meaning for this as I clinked my way through putting the sheets back on. I really didn't want to have to crawl onto it, but the fitted sheet proved to be an issue on the huge bed.
One person making a bed meant for at least five was hard enough. Fitted sheets are hard enough. Put those together and you have an hour long project of wrestling sheets.
I had sweat on my brow when I finally got the last corner to stay, and hoped it would just stay there. The next sheet was easier, and the big comforter was the easiest. The pillows were all swapped out and got new cases, and as I put the last fluff on them, I heard the door to the hallway open.
Looking around, I felt my heart hop into my throat. The man from yesterday had yelled at me, and I am sure he told the old King.
Shaking my head I hopped up out of the bed and ran to the only room I hadn't been in yet; the closet.
Finding a back corner, I pushed my way through hanging clothes and sat in the dark. I had left the door a little bit cracked and hoped whoever it was wouldn't notice, and the old linens I had thrown in the basket and pushed it under the bed.
It sounded like there were two sets of feet, and I bit my lip. Voices reached my ears, and one of them belonged to a woman, the other was the man from yesterday.
He sounded angry, and I wondered what he was to the King. They lady sounded miffed as well, but I couldn't make the words out yet.
The man said something and something sounded like it was being smashed against a wall, and I threw my hand over my mouth to stop the gasp that threatened to come out. They couldn't know I was here, I would get into so much trouble with that man and Lin.
"You could have told me!" the woman screeched, and I frowned. Between the clothes I could see someone was pacing back and forth, causing the light from the door to be shadowed every now and then.
The man replied, "What was there to tell you, Mirian?" His voice was calm and it sent shivers down my back. Who was this man?
The woman, Mirian, was sobbing now, "You could've told me what to expect when I came here for you."
Something else was smashed, "I didn't ask you to, in fact I told you not to! I did not want you here! You are crazy. Stop following me. You are not allowed in this room, nor are you no longer allowed in any of the rooms I frequent. Do you understand me?"
The woman sobbed, "Then who has been in your room? Someone has! I can tell! I can smell her!"
The man scoffed, "They've been sending maids. I am going to be taking my leave now, Mirian. When I come back, I expect you to be gone."
The pacing person stopped, and a set of footsteps could be heard leaving the room. I took a small breath, and heard the hallway door shut.
Mirian was still in the room, and I could hear her breathing begin to steady. She was talking to herself, but it was so low I couldn't hear it.
I was going to wait her out, and hopefully she wouldn't stay too long that the King would be in. If I were him I would be furious that there were people having romantic fights in my room. Or maybe he didn't know? He seemed to not know a lot about his palace.
She was still in there ten minutes later, and I could feel a sneeze building in my nose. What was she doing?
My eyes began to water and I silently cursed my luck when the sneeze built and I had to let it out. I tried to be as quiet as I could but the door to the closet was thrown open two seconds later and I was staring at one of the most beautiful aliens I had ever seen. She wasn't of this planet, but she had the height. Her skin was a sky blue color, and her eyes were a dark night sky blue. Her hair was inky black, and I could tell she was not happy.
"Who the hell are you?" She screeched, and I figured the game was already up, so I stumbled out.
A scoff was met with my unveiling, and suddenly a hand had found its way into my hair. She forced me to look up at her as she bent over me and laughed. "A human sex slave hiding in the King's closet? Who the hell do you think you are?"
I shook my head, ready to deny what it looked like I was, but she threw me away from her. My head smacked against the corner of a shelf, and a pained noise escaped my mouth.
Closing my eyes, I tried to open my mouth and reply, but when I opened my eyes again the lady was gone and the lights in the other room told me I had passed out.
Groaning, I stood with my hand to my head. I could feel the blood, and when I looked to where I had laid on the floor there was a nice sized pool of it.
Stumbling to the hallway, using the wall as support, I opened the staircase door, and grabbed some cleaning supplies before making my way back.
Sitting down in front of the pool of blood, I began to clean it as best as I could, before the fumes of the chemicals reached my brain and the pain of the blow to my head had me passing out again, face first into what I had been trying to clean.
~~
Ohhh, here we go guys... Amber's story seems to finally be starting ;) The next chapter might be a trigger chapter for some, but it might be emotional... I am not sure yet. My plans might change... Let me know what you guys think!
-Love, Gabe(: