Drogo was waiting quietly when she emerged.
He led her out of the cell, with one hand at the back of her neck to guide her. It was a possessive, controlling gesture. All he had to do was tighten his grip, and she'd be helpless to run or even move.
Eventually they came to his room. It had a different bed and table, but Hope was pretty sure it was the same room. A tray of food with several plates sat at the table and Drogo gestured to sit.
As they ate in silence Drogo stared at her, but Hope concentrated on her food instead.
He could understand her but what could she say. 'Hey, I'm not a sex slave asshole!' Seemed unwise and counterproductive if she ever wanted her freedom.
Hope decided she needed to bide her time, earn his trust, and do a better job planning her escape than she did last go round.
"But what if we leave Earth? What if we've already left?" Hope realized the flaw with her plan. "Oh god."
She stared sullenly at her plate, no longer hungry.
There was a beep at the door.
"Enter." Drogo called out.
"Wait a second I understood that." Hope nearly yelped out loud as she realized as the word translated clearly rather than just the impressions she caught before.
Why could she suddenly understand them? What had they done to her while she slept? Whatever it was felt like another invasion in a long line of transgressions.
Hope held her tongue, waiting to see if this was just a fluke.
Another alien entered Drogo's apartment. This one looked different than the others she'd seen, but still the same species. The person was smaller in breadth than Drogo, with much longer dreads, almost to its butt. The alien was shorter than Drogo's seven foot towering height, but still a head taller than Hope. Hope felt incredibly small and vulnerable by comparison. This alien had reddish skin, no arm spikes, and facial features that were more delicate.
Hope realized she had to be looking at a woman of their species. She wore a skirt instead of pants, and rather than a bare chest she wore a swath of material over her nearly flat chest.
"I have come with clothes for your subeo. The diplomats have also arrived. They await you in the council room, my Prognatus." The alien woman set the clothes down, took the dishes and exited with a slight bow.
Hope understood almost every word, the alien spoke in a soft almost meek voice, but a few words didn't translate. The woman had looked at her when she said the word subeo. Hope knew what a sub was and didn't quite shine to the term. It was one thing to submit to a strong man, bending to his will. But it was quite another thing for someone to declare you're their sub. It was akin to woman calling themselves bitches, but woe to any man that dared to do the same.
Hope really hoped she just didn't know what the word was. Maybe it meant friend, associate or something. Somehow that didn't ring true though. When the woman said it, it sounded far more formal.
There was only one way to find out the answers to all of her questions.
"Do you mind telling me why I'm here and how I can suddenly understand you?" Hope cringed realizing her question came out far more angrily than she intended. She was attempting to reign in her temper but was failing.
Drogo quickly turned his green eyes towards her.
"Good the implant is working." He said as he stepped towards Hope then stopped cold. "I am sorry for how you were treated."
"Okay that's not what I expected!" Hope mused, but as nice as an apology was that didn't answer shit.
"What the hell is going on?" Hope demanded. "Do you people make a habit of kidnapping women, chaining them up and fucking them? Or am I the lucky winner of this special lottery!?" Hope bit out sarcastically. Well there went the plan to behave.
Drogo cringed and looked stunned by her angry outburst.
"Too bad!" Hope thought.
"Please get dressed and come to my meeting with me." Drogo asked appearing rather contrite.
"Great he's going to watch my every move now, after my botched escape." Hope brooded as she stared up at Drogo trying to gauge his intent.
Again she was confused. He looked genuinely sad, and he had manners as he asked her to come with him. What was with these aliens, did they have multiple personalities or something? One minute he's a deranged humping beast and the next a gentleman.
"I wish I had time to explain, but I must meet with the four ambassadors. When that is done I will explain everything. Just know that I'm sorry."
A part of Hope wanted to resist doing anything he asked, but she wanted answers, and he seemed apologetic and willing to give them after some meeting.
Hope grabbed the clothes the woman had brought and looked them over, noting they were similar to what the alien woman had worn herself. Hope started to release the blanket to pull the skirt on, and Drogo turned away from her.