Taken by the Admiral by Sue Lyndon

real planet . Oh, God, she was really here. The soil cooled her fingers as she pushed beneath the surface. She turned her head to the side and knew the shadow falling over her was Cavvik.
    He cleared his throat. “Lia, we have a hovercraft to catch. It’s important that we leave at once for the mountain. You can roll around in the grass once we arrive at my home.”
    She tumbled on her back and peered up at him, shielding her eyes from the sun and squinting when a cloud— yes, a cloud!— drifted by it, leaving the sun full, round and unobscured, though there were several other clouds scattered throughout the brilliant blue sky.
    “Lia.” The note of impatience in his voice had her scrambling to her feet.
    She brushed the dirt and grass from her gown. To her surprise, the dress wasn’t stained or wrinkled, but regained its original form like new. Superior Varishan technology apparently extended to fashion as well. Overwhelmed by the grass, sun, clouds, blue sky, and all the other details of her surroundings, she clasped Cavvik’s offered hand and allowed him to guide her down a curving stone path, taking them in the opposite direction from the lake.
    She tried to hide her disappointment. She had planned to sprint to the lake next and dip her toes in the water, but she supposed Cavvik had his reasons for needing to leave the city soon. And she guessed this could be called a city. There had to be hundreds of houses, perhaps thousands, stretching as far as the eye could see in all directions.
    “This is Gefona, the capital city of Varishema.”
    “It’s beautiful. I wish we could explore a little.” She kept her tone upbeat, not wanting to sour his mood. Why was he in such a hurry, especially after dallying so long on the ship?
    Before he could respond, a high-pitched yet distinctly male voice sounded behind them.
    She turned beside Cavvik, wishing she understood the language being spoken. The strange Varishan male, who was only a few inches taller than Lia, glared at Cavvik as if he wished to kill him. Cavvik let loose a string of what sounded like profanities, but in his own language. The strange male paled and took a step back. They talked for several minutes, and it suddenly occurred to Lia that she might have difficulties on Varishema if she didn’t learn their language. Cavvik and all protectors spoke English, but she doubted regular Varishan citizens knew her tongue.
    The heated argument ended with the strange male slinking away as if Cavvik had physically beaten him. Tension coiled in Lia’s stomach as she recalled the doctor’s mention of a mating ceremony, a ceremony Cavvik was apparently skipping because he’d already chosen a mate. Her .
    Quickening his pace, Cavvik put a hand on Lia’s lower back and escorted her to the waiting hovercraft. She didn’t even have time to admire the sleek structure of the small ship. He pushed her into her seat, secured straps around her waist and chest, and barked something at the uniformed driver. Tension radiated from Cavvik, and Lia was too nervous to ask what was wrong. She hoped her presence on Varishema wasn’t resented by anyone. Though she was happy to be here, she wasn’t here by choice. Didn’t the citizens of Varishema understand that?
    She had been taken against her will, just like the forty-five human women before her. The Lost Women, as they were called on the Constantina . Although she didn’t feel lost. For the first time in her life, she felt like she had a future that held purpose. The promise of a home that would one day be filled with the laughter of children gave her purpose. Cavvik wanted a family as much as she did, and by God she was determined to see the dreams that had solidified in her mind the last ten days come true.
    “Do not worry, Lia.” Cavvik reached for her and gently rubbed her shoulders. “All will be well. We will reach my home in the Mohanna Mountains before nightfall.”
     
    * * *
     
    “Will it hurt?” Lia suspiciously