13.

Aeryn stood in the chamber, surrounded by the alien garments that the servants had brought for her. The fabric shimmered with an iridescent glow, reflecting colors she had never seen before. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached out to touch the material, feeling the strange texture beneath her fingertips. It was unlike anything she had ever worn—soft yet firm, light yet protective. The design was intricate, with patterns that seemed to shift and move as she looked at them.

The servants, their expressions neutral and unreadable, gestured for her to put on the outfit. Aeryn hesitated, her mind racing. She was here, trapped in a world so different from her own, with no clear way back to Earth. The thought of Sheriff, her loyal dog, waiting for her back home, filled her with a deep, aching sorrow. But she knew there was no escape—not yet, at least.

With a resigned sigh, she began to change into the alien garments. The fabric clung to her in a way that was both unfamiliar and comforting. It was as if the outfit was designed specifically for her, molding itself to her body as she moved. Once dressed, she caught a glimpse of herself in a reflective surface. The dress highlighted her form, with a small, glowing red stone embedded in the center of her chest area, a symbol of something she couldn’t yet understand.

Aeryn felt like a different person—someone caught between worlds, between identities. She was still herself, but now she was also something more, something alien. Her heart pounded in her chest as she contemplated what was to come.

The guards waited patiently as she adjusted to the outfit. When she finally nodded that she was ready, they gestured for her to follow them. Aeryn moved cautiously, her mind still spinning with thoughts of Earth and the life she had been ripped away from.

As they stepped outside, Aeryn gasped. The sky above was a riot of colors—brilliant oranges, deep purples, and bright blues swirled together in a mesmerizing dance. It was beautiful, unlike anything she had ever seen on Earth. For a moment, she was lost in the sight, forgetting her predicament.

But the moment of wonder was brief. The guards led her through the corridors of the palace, their footsteps echoing off the metallic walls. The architecture was imposing, a blend of futuristic technology and ancient grandeur. Every corner they turned revealed new marvels—floating orbs of light, walls that shifted and changed colors, and floors that hummed with an energy she could feel beneath her feet.

They finally reached the grand doors of the courtroom. The guards stopped, and one of them pressed a hand to a panel on the wall. The doors slid open with a low hum, revealing the vast chamber beyond. Aeryn’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight.

The courtroom was enormous, far larger than any room she had ever seen. The walls were lined with rows of alien beings, all of them staring down at her with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. At the far end of the room, sitting on a massive throne, was Alex.

He was a commanding presence, his form radiating power and authority. His eyes, those strange, shifting eyes that glowed with an otherworldly light, were fixed on her as she entered the room. Aeryn felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something both captivating and terrifying about him.

As she walked down the aisle, she could feel the weight of hundreds of eyes on her. The murmurs of the court grew louder, whispers of doubt and disbelief. She knew they were judging her—judging her humanity, her fragility, her place in their world. But Aeryn held her head high, refusing to let them see her fear.

When she finally reached the center of the room, she stopped and looked up at Alex. His gaze was intense, as if he could see right through her, into the depths of her soul. Aeryn’s heart raced, but she didn’t look away. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her crumble.

The room fell silent as Alex rose from his throne. He took a step forward, his eyes never leaving hers. The court watched in rapt attention, waiting to see what their king would do.

"Aeryn," Alex said, his voice deep and resonant, "you stand here today, a symbol of hope and strength for our people. But you are also a stranger in a strange land. I know this must be overwhelming for you."

Aeryn’s jaw clenched. She didn’t respond, her mind still reeling from everything that had happened.

Alex took another step forward, closer now. "You are here because of a prophecy—one that speaks of a union that will bring balance and power to our kingdom. You are that union, Aeryn. Whether you accept it or not, you are a part of this world now."

The weight of his words pressed down on her. She had heard enough about the prophecy to understand its significance, but she had no intention of becoming a pawn in their game. Aeryn had been torn from her life, her world, and she wasn’t about to simply accept her fate without a fight.

"I didn’t ask for this," Aeryn said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I didn’t ask to be brought here, to be dressed up like some kind of... of sacrifice. I just want to go home."

The court murmured again, but Alex silenced them with a single glance. His expression softened, just slightly, as he looked at her. "I understand your pain, Aeryn. But you must understand that there is no going back—not now, not ever. You are a part of this world, and this world needs you."

Aeryn felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she blinked them back. She couldn’t break down here, not in front of all these strangers. Not in front of him.

Alex took one final step, closing the distance between them. He reached out, gently lifting her chin so that she was forced to look up at him. "You may not see it now, but you have the power to change everything. Your presence here, your union with me, will bring peace and prosperity to our kingdom. You can be so much more than you ever imagined."

Aeryn’s breath hitched as she stared into his glowing eyes. She could feel the intensity of his gaze, the raw power that radiated from him. But she also felt something else—something she couldn’t quite put into words. It was as if, in that moment, she could see the weight of the universe on his shoulders, the burden of a king trying to save his people.

But that didn’t change the fact that she was here against her will. It didn’t change the fact that she had been taken from her home, from everything she had ever known.

"I don’t want this," Aeryn whispered, her voice barely audible.

Alex’s expression hardened, but he didn’t let go of her chin. "You may not want this, Aeryn, but it is your destiny. You can fight it all you want, but it will not change what must be done."

Aeryn’s heart pounded in her chest. She wanted to scream, to run, to do anything to escape this nightmare. But she was trapped, and deep down, she knew it.

As Alex released her, she took a step back, her mind racing. The court was still watching, waiting for her to make a move, to say something. But Aeryn had no words. She was lost, adrift in a world that was not her own, surrounded by people who saw her as nothing more than a means to an end.

With one last glance at Alex, Aeryn turned and walked out of the courtroom, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She didn’t know what the future held, but she knew one thing for certain—she would not go down without a fight.