10.

Alex stood there, stunned, watching as Aeryn’s eyes fluttered closed once more. Her frail form slumped, and he instinctively reached out, catching her before she could hit the cold floor. His mind raced, trying to comprehend the delicate nature of this human, a creature so different from anything he had ever encountered.

“Humans faint often,” he mumbled, half to himself, his voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and frustration. This was the second time she had fainted in his presence, and it left him perplexed. For a moment, he simply held her, studying her face. She was soft, fragile, so unlike the beings he was accustomed to dealing with. Her beauty was undeniable—there was a gentle grace to her that captivated him, and he found it hard to tear his eyes away.

He lifted her easily, carrying her to the small bed in the corner of the cell. The bed responded to his presence, automatically adjusting to accommodate her. The soft duvet slid over her, cocooning her in warmth as if the bed itself sensed her vulnerability. Alex watched her for a moment longer, her peaceful face contrasting sharply with the turmoil brewing inside him. She looked so helpless, so utterly out of place in his world.

He turned sharply, his mind already shifting to other matters. Before stepping out of the cell, he called out to the guards stationed outside. “Have the doctor examine her immediately,” he ordered, his voice brooking no argument. The guards bowed their heads in acknowledgment, moving quickly to follow his command.

As he walked through the dimly lit corridors of his palace, his thoughts churned. This human—this woman—was supposed to be the key to his kingdom’s survival, the one who would unlock his full power. Yet, she seemed so fragile, so easily overwhelmed. Could she truly be the one?

The doors to his chamber loomed ahead, and he steeled himself as they opened automatically, revealing the vast, dark room beyond. In the center of the room stood his uncle, a figure cloaked in age and wisdom. At 999 years old, his uncle was the oldest living member of their kind, a relic of an era long past. His eyes, though dulled by time, still held a sharpness that made Alex uneasy.

“Uncle,” Alex greeted, his tone carefully neutral as he stepped into the room. The door slid shut behind him, sealing them in. The old man turned slowly, his gaze locking onto Alex with an intensity that belied his age.

“Alex,” the old man’s voice was raspy, but there was no mistaking the authority it carried. “I see you’ve brought the human. The one from the prophecy.”

Alex nodded, not bothering to hide the weariness that tugged at the edges of his composure. “She is here. Though I question whether she truly is the one.”

His uncle’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if weighing Alex’s words. “Doubt is a luxury you cannot afford, my boy. The fate of our kingdom rests on her. Whether she is the one or not, you must ensure she becomes what we need.”

The words hung heavily in the air, a reminder of the immense burden that had been placed on Alex’s shoulders. He moved further into the room, pacing slowly as he tried to gather his thoughts. His uncle remained still, his presence a constant reminder of the expectations that weighed on him.

“She is... fragile,” Alex admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. “She fainted twice already, simply from fear. How can someone like her be the key to our survival?”

“Perhaps it is not her strength that matters,” his uncle mused, his gaze distant as he considered Alex’s words. “But rather, what she represents. The prophecy speaks of a union, a merging of two worlds. She is a bridge, a connection between our world and theirs. Through her, you will find the power you seek.”

Alex stopped pacing, turning to face his uncle directly. “And if she fails? If she is not what we hoped for?”

The old man’s expression softened, a rare glimpse of the years and experiences that had shaped him. “Then we are doomed, Alex. But we must not think in such terms. You must do everything in your power to make her succeed.”

There was a finality in his uncle’s tone that left no room for argument. Alex clenched his fists, his mind a storm of conflicting emotions. He knew the weight of his responsibility, the stakes of the game they were playing. But as he thought of Aeryn, lying unconscious in the cell, he couldn’t help but feel a sliver of doubt creeping in.

“She is unlike anything I’ve ever encountered,” Alex said, almost to himself. “So delicate, so different from us. And yet...”

“And yet she is beautiful,” his uncle finished for him, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Yes, I can see it in your eyes. She has already begun to affect you.”

Alex frowned, not entirely sure how to respond. Was it true? Had this human woman already started to influence him, to change him in ways he didn’t fully understand?

“Do not let your emotions cloud your judgment, Alex,” his uncle warned, his voice suddenly sharp. “Remember what is at stake. She is here for a purpose, nothing more. Do not forget that.”

“I won’t,” Alex replied, though the words felt hollow in his mouth. He knew his uncle was right, knew the importance of maintaining control. But as he thought of Aeryn, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something fundamental had shifted within him.

The old man studied him for a moment longer before nodding. “Good. I will leave you to your thoughts. But remember, Alex—time is of the essence. You must act swiftly if we are to save our kingdom.”

With that, his uncle turned and made his way out of the chamber, his footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor. Alex watched him go, the weight of his words pressing heavily on his mind.

As the door closed behind his uncle, sealing him in the room alone, Alex allowed himself a moment of vulnerability. His gaze drifted to the darkened window, where the vastness of space stretched out before him. Somewhere out there, the universe continued to spin, indifferent to the struggles of one man and his kingdom.

But within the walls of this palace, everything was different. The stakes were higher, the consequences more severe. And as he thought of Aeryn, so fragile and beautiful, lying unconscious in the cell below, he knew that his journey was only just beginning.

He had brought her here to save his people, to fulfill a prophecy that would secure his kingdom’s future. But as he stood there, staring out into the void, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this human woman, this fragile creature from a distant world, would change his life in ways he could never have anticipated.

For better or for worse, Aeryn had already begun to leave her mark on him. And as much as he tried to deny it, he knew that nothing would ever be the same again.