It’s one of two ships in what we’re referring to as the ‘Galaxy Gladiators’ Fleet’. I’m going to be living in the fast lane from here on out—a bunch of escaped gladiators and Earth women all running from the law.
I certainly didn’t sign on for this. I was content with my life when I laid down in my bed the night before my abduction. I’d just finished a great set at the Lincoln room in the poshest hotel in town. After spending four years in hell, though, I paid for my ticket to paradise.
I glance up at my male, my mate, and wink. It’s all going to work out.
Epilogue
One year later . . .
Elyse
We must be insane. I have no idea why we’re doing this, but my heart is beating wildly in my chest and after a wonderful year, this feels like it’s going to be a highlight.
We’re back on Planet Paragon for Blessed Peace Week. I booked Wrage and I for an engagement to sing on the mainland. I’m not going near the Bang District this time around. It’s just for tonight, not the whole week, but I’m excited.
I didn’t spring my big surprise on Wrage until a couple hours ago. He was initially shocked, then mildly outraged, then I fell into his arms and we both giggled for long minutes. Yes, Wrage giggled. God, he’s so happy. We both are.
The laughing started again when I showed him our costumes. I had a mental picture of the costumes we saw in that horrid room at Elkin‘s bar on Wryth’N and sketched them for Savannah, our resident clotheshorse/ former marine/ and seamstress. She helped me make these.
When I look down, I can’t help but smile. My dress is flowery and flouncy and oh-so-colorful. I can’t look down too long, or my humongous hat filled with fake fruit is going to fall off my head.
Wrage’s outfit matches mine, flowers, ruffles, and all. I even made him a fruity hat, which he’s refusing to wear. This kind of relieved me. Between the horns and the dreads, it wasn’t a good look.
We practiced for a while, but it wasn’t necessary. He remembered every word, and our harmony is flawless. It always has been.
We’re harmonious in so many ways, it makes sense our singing would just be an extension of that.
I don’t know what I was afraid of when we boarded the Devil’s Playground a year ago. I guess I knew in my heart that we’d be with these people awhile and I wanted them to like me. Turns out there was nothing to worry about. They welcomed us with open arms.
Wrage never really loved fighting, so he just visits the ludus and spars with his friends for fun. Which is fine with me. After the match with Ormek and the bloodbath with the T-Rex I’ll be happy to never have to watch my mate fight again.
He learned how to navigate and is now chief navigator for both ships. He’s so happy and proud that he’s found his place onboard doing something he loves. His scowling face is a thing of the past, especially when he looks at me. Our love just gets brighter every day.
I went to culinary school years ago and really enjoyed it, I just found singing even more fulfilling. Now that I live on a ship and performance opportunities only happen at our community events, I’ve gone back to cooking. It fulfills me in a lot of ways—I love providing for people I care about.
Maddie, who was a sous chef at Spago before her abduction, has taught me some very high-level techniques and I’ve learned about foods I never would have dreamed about back on Earth. My skill may not equal hers, but no one on board the Devil’s Playground ever complains about my cooking.
I peak through the curtains at the side of the stage and see all my friends there, patiently waiting for our set to begin. We’re like a family. A huge, loud, rambunctious family who bickers and loves and supports each other.
Speaking of family, months after we left Rhoid I mentioned his mother to him, wondering if he needed closure, although I couldn’t imagine how he could get it. He told me he has a wonderful family—me, as well as an extended family of everyone on the two gladiator ships. He doesn’t want to go backward, only forward.
Analac walks into the bar, looking as ill-at-ease as a man who spent his professional life hiding in the smallest