Liv’s head pounded. She opened her eyes and blinked at the soft lighting and soothing sound of crashing waves. They were at the beach. She sat up slowly and watched the shades roll up the windows, letting light in. The walls, previously a pretty yellow-flower print, changed to a sandy white in color and texture.
Her jaw dropped open as the room transformed before her eyes. “I died. I had to have died.” She shoved off the incredibly soft covers, noticing she no longer wore the same clothes, but a super-soft yellow pair of shorts and tank top.
She stepped on the warm stone floor and frowned. She had only seen stone like that in castles she’d visited when she’d traveled with her grandmother. Where on earth were they? The air felt crisper, cleaner than usual. She scurried to the large window and gasped.
“This is some kind of joke.”
“Good morning!” She whirled around to find a very pregnant woman standing at the bedroom door.
“I’m Bella. Welcome to Aurora.” Bella peered at the hair at the bottom of Liv’s ponytail. “Is that purple? I love it!” Bella’s gaze roamed Liv’s sleeveless arms. “Oooh! What pretty ink you have.”
She blinked and glanced out the window again, watching the crashing pink waves hit the sandy white beach. “Thank you. Are we in Europe?” she mumbled. “I’ve never heard of a pink ocean. Ever.”
Bella laughed and shook her head. “No, that’s what I’m here to explain to you.”
“Where’s Karel?” she asked, worried that something happened to his mother and things were worse.
Bella’s smile dimmed. “He’s making arrangements for you both to see his mom. He is the chief of security here, but with me pregnant, Alyx, my husband, had Karel on babysitting duty watching over me like I’m going to pop any second.”
Liv nodded. She hated to tell Bella, but she did look like she was ready to pop any moment. “Where am I?”
“So you know how they say aliens don’t exist and there’s no life on other planets?”
A knot formed in the pit of Liv’s stomach. “Yes.”
“It’s not technically true.” Bella smiled.
“Which part?”
“All of it. You’re currently millions of light years away on a shifter planet called Nova Aurora. This planet is inhabited by shifter aliens.”
She glanced out the window again, noting the purple trees surrounding the area, and a sea of rainbow flowers moving with the wind, creating a soft wave of multicolor. If she wasn’t on another planet, then she’d been brought to some undiscovered part of earth. Highly unlikely.
“Have you been mentally evaluated, Bella?”
Bella grinned. “Trust me, I would have been the first person wondering what the hell kind of joke this is, but I used to work for Gerri and I came here wide awake. It is probably harder since you passed out mid-travel.” Bella shrugged. “I won’t ask you to believe me, because it’s something you have to see for yourself. Just look outside. The oceans are pink. The forests are purple. Snow is blue! I can go on and on, but this room alone should show you how far advanced this planet is,” she said, pointing to the walls. “Mood walls. Everything changes based on your feelings and what you want.”
Okay, yes. That was unarguable. She’d seen the damn thing change in front of her eyes.
“This is kind of hard to believe, you understand. I was in my bed a few hours ago.” After the most amazing orgasm of her life, she left unsaid.
“I come from earth, too.” Bella walked in and sat on a chair, sighing as she did. “I fell in love with Alyx and this is now my home.” Her gaze pierced her with curiosity. “You obviously feel strongly for Karel or you wouldn’t be here.”
That was true. She’d gone on blind faith where Karel was concerned; something she’d never, ever done. She hadn’t even bothered to send her grandmother a message she was going away. Their last argument left a bad taste in Liv’s mouth and all she wanted was to keep her grandmother at bay for a while.
“I’m just having a hard time with this other planet thing.”
Bella nodded. “Well, think about it. Karel is probably taller and beefier than any man you’ve ever dated. His eyes are a distinct color and he will do anything to protect you. Anything.” Bella raised her brows. “Met many men like that on earth?”
That was easy to answer. No. She shouldn’t ignore common sense. Her mind told her Bella spoke the truth. But how and why were answers she probably wouldn’t get until she spoke to Karel, and even then, she might not be in agreement with what he said. But she was on another planet. Another planet!