Claimed By The King(s) Of Kings

Aina

I am amazed at how fancy this cabin is. Definitely not worth seven silver coins, nothing is worth seven silver coins, but it is still beautiful, and all mine for the next week.

Perfection with a side of luxury. That was what Cabin 03 looked like. Unlike economy or business class, where passengers had to share their space, Aina’s cabin, like all other first-class cabins, was private, complete with its own bathroom and food delivery directly from the kitchen.

The room had a large glass window that offered a sweeping view of the greenery flashing past, and Aina was already excited for the moment the train crossed the ocean. She would have a perfect view of the underwater sea life.

The bed she lay on was memory foam, soft enough to swallow her whole. She swore to herself that if she ever built an omega nest, it would be as soft as this bed. The cabin was sleek and modern, with polished wooden floors that gleamed, and the bathroom matched the elegance of the room.

”I need to get a picture of this,” Aina exclaimed, reaching for her phone. The moment she turned it on, it powered off from low battery.

”Seriously? You’re going to die on me now?” she muttered, jumping off the bed and dragging her backpack off the floor. She dug through the mess of clothes and other useless items until her fingers closed around the charger.

She pulled it out, found the outlet beside the bed, shoved the plug in, and left her phone charging on the floor. ”You better come back,” she whispered, glaring at it as though her anger alone could revive it.

With the phone lifeless, her curiosity took over. She wandered the cabin, opening drawers, pulling at handles, snooping like she owned the place. That was when she found them, complimentary pajamas folded neatly in cardboard packaging, soft as clouds when she pressed them against her cheek.

”Moon goddess... these are softer than anything I’ve ever touched.” She held them for a moment, then wrinkled her nose. The smell hit her. She sniffed her armpit and gagged, almost vomiting. ”Ugh. I stink.”

She rushed to the bathroom, pushing the door open, and froze. The space was bigger than her entire room back home.

Marble finishes gleamed under warm lighting, fluffy towels were stacked neatly on shelves, and a deep soaking tub sat waiting like a throne.

A basket of fresh toiletries and washing cloths sat by the sink, thankfully, because she hadn’t packed any. She filled the tub quickly, stripped down, tossed her dirty clothes into the basket with no intention of ever wearing them again, and slid into the water.

She scrubbed her hair, washed until her skin felt new, then leaned back, closing her eyes.

She drifted into a tiny bit of sleep before finally climbing out. Wrapping herself in a towel, she blow-dried her hair and danced around the bathroom, humming along to a little tune in her head.

When her hair dried, she slipped into the pajamas, the fabric hugging her skin, and smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

”Perfect,” she mumbled before skipping back into her cabin. Her stomach growled just in time, reminding her of what the lady who had escorted her earlier had said, that she could order whatever she wanted, a first-class privilege.

Aina felt as though they were trying everything to justify the seven silver coin ticket price. She grabbed the telephone and dialed reception. ”Hello? Can I order food?”

”Yes, Miss,” the attendant replied politely.

”Can I please have lasagne,” Aina said quickly, then added, ”and garlic bread, chicken skewers, chocolate cake, fries, orange juice, and ice cream.”

”Of course, Miss. Is that all?”

”Yep, thank you,” Aina smiled, hugging the phone before hanging up.

She grinned, flopping onto the bed. ”First class is insane. Not worth seven silver coins, though, but still great. Now that I’ve tasted this, I don’t even want to know what economy looks like.”

Getting comfortable beneath the blankets, she turned on the television mounted on the wall, flipping through channels until her breath caught.

Her face filled the screen. It wasn’t even her best picture, she looked a hot mess with dark eye bags and hair like a bird’s nest. She was on a news channel.

Her parents sat at a table, tears streaming down their cheeks. Fake tears, she knew. Bridget dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, Teressa clutched Steyn’s arm, and her father’s voice cracked as he pleaded with the public. ”Please, help us find our daughter. She is missing. We are desperate.”

Aina’s stomach dropped. ”No... no, no, no.” She pressed her hands to her face. They’re lying. Why... why can’t they just let me go?

She knew she was screwed. If people recognized her, they would report her. She needed to change sooner than she had planned. She grabbed the phone again, dialing reception. ”Hey... you said I can have anything I want, right?”

”Yes, Miss,” the attendant replied calmly.

”Good,” Aina whispered, her mind racing.

Minutes later she hung up, pacing the cabin, her thoughts spinning. Hair dye. Contacts. Makeup. Clothes. A hat. Maybe even scissors. She pressed her palms against her face, her voice trembling. ”If I don’t change, they’ll find me. And if they find me, I’m dead.”