Flip Costa’s boots echoed against the hard, stone floor of the grand hallway. He was in some sort of important building on the Draconian’s homeworld, Draconia.

His guide, the Draconian, hadn’t told him much since they arrived, except that he was to meet the leaders of his people. The Pensacola Pretty Boy probably should be more nervous than he was; after all, he was the first human to ever visit an alien world, let alone leave Earth’s solar system.

The grand alien hallway they walked down was large, yet quiet. Tall columns rose at least 40 feet upward to the ceiling and were flanked by dark grey and blue solid walls.

As Flip and the Draconian walked forward, Flip’s glanced at gallant statues of other Draconians along the walls. Some of the statues were in strong, dominant poses, while others were not as muscular, but were as equally complex in meaning.

They approached the end of the long hallway where two large, closed doors vaulted upward toward the ceiling. The Draconian and Flip stopped walking, and simply stood before the doors.

“Flip Co-stah,” the Draconian said flatly without even looking at Flip’s direction. “You are to meet the leader of my people, Queen Solis. She is… interested to meet you. Show her deference, answer her questions, and you may live to see another one of your Earth days.”

Flip’s eyebrows raised. He had never heard the Draconian be so verbose or as nearly coy. He wasn’t sure, but he thought the Draconian almost seemed amused.

Suddenly he heard the sound of heavy stone grinding as the two tall doors began to open.

Once the doors opened wide enough to clear passage, Flip Costa and the Draconian entered the royal chamber. The large room’s height was even taller than that of the grand hallway, and in the middle of the room was a throne set on a platform with at least 10 large stone steps leading up to it.

On the throne was something Flip had never seen before.

A female of the Draconian’s species.

Queen Solis.

Flip couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the mysterious being. Much like other members of the Draconian’s species, she had pale skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. But her jaw line and figure were nearly like any other human female; all the right curves in all the right places, according to Flip.

From atop her throne, she looked down at Flip Costa with dark, penetrating eyes and an indomitably stern face.

The Draconian walked Flip to the bottom of the stairs leading up to the throne.

“You must go the rest of the way yourself.”

Flip audibly gulped out of nervousness but did his best to find an inner strength. He slowly made his way up the stairs until he was only two steps down form her literal highness. He attempted to look at her, but the strength of her gaze was too much, and he looked back down to stone stairs he stood upon.

“You are the one they call Flip Co-stah,” the queen said with a strong voice.

It didn’t seem to be a question, but Flip felt obligated to say something. Anything.

“That’s… what they call me,” Flip replied.

“You may look, you who they call Flip Co-stah,”

The Pensacola Pretty Boy carefully raised his head and took in the regal, and rather overwhelmingly beautiful queen. She adorned the same general aesthetic of the Draconian’s outfit, but it was more lavish and royal in nature.

Queen Solis was easily a foot taller than Flip Costa, he figured, and he knew she was probably a good deal stronger than him, too.

The queen’s mouth twisted into a slight smirk.

“I am Queen Solis of Draconium, and my general has brought you to me as his prize.”

Flip’s eyes widened.

“And as my prize, I may do with you as I wish.”

“…and what do you wish to do with me, Queen Solis?” Flip asked uncomfortably.

The queen paused for a moment before looking back down to the Draconian still standing far at the bottom of the stairs.

“General, please take this hu-mahn to my bed chambers and have him disrobe. I will be there when I grow weary of this day.”

Surprised, Flip looked back down to the Draconian, who was now betraying a grin.

“Come, Flip Co-stah” the Draconian commanded with his arm. “The queen has made her command.”

Again, Flip audibly gulped.