14.

The grand hall was bathed in a warm, otherworldly glow, the walls reflecting the brilliance of the light that filled the space. Aeryn stood at the center of it all, feeling small and out of place amidst the grandeur of the ceremony. Her heart pounded in her chest as she scanned the room, searching for any means of escape. She was desperate, every fiber of her being screaming to get out of this alien world and back to Earth. But she knew there was no way out. Not now.

The dress she wore was unlike anything she had ever seen on Earth. It clung to her body like a second skin, shimmering with hues of blue and green that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. A small, red stone nestled in the center of her chest, glowing softly against her skin. The fabric was soft and smooth, but it felt constricting, as if it were a constant reminder that she no longer belonged to herself.

Aeryn’s eyes darted around the room, taking in the alien faces that stared back at her. Their expressions were unreadable, but she could sense their expectation, their anticipation. This was not her world, and these were not her people. She had no place here, no desire to be their queen, no intention of helping them.

She wanted to scream, to shout at them to let her go, but she knew it would do no good. Instead, she focused on the only person in the room who seemed to understand her fear—Alex. He stood at the far end of the hall, his tall, imposing figure commanding attention. His eyes, glowing with the same vibrant colors as the dress she wore, were fixed on her, watching her every move.

"I am not feeling good," Aeryn said quietly, trying to make her voice sound as weak and convincing as possible. She hoped that if she could feign illness, they would let her leave. She couldn’t bear to stand here any longer, under the watchful eyes of these strangers.

Alex’s expression hardened, his jaw clenching tightly. The silent warning in his eyes was enough to make her heart sink. She had seen that look before, and she knew what it meant. There was no escape. Not this time.

Aeryn fell silent, her shoulders slumping in defeat. She felt trapped, a prisoner in a world that was not her own. She had never felt so helpless, so powerless.

As the ceremony continued, Aeryn stood still, her hands trembling at her sides. She could feel the weight of the crown as it was placed on her head, the cool metal pressing down against her scalp. The crown was beautiful, intricately designed with gemstones that sparkled in the light. But to Aeryn, it felt like a shackle, binding her to a fate she had never chosen.

The moment the crown was settled on her head, a bright light shot out from it, reaching up toward the sky. Aeryn gasped, her heart racing as she watched the beam of light stretch higher and higher, illuminating the entire hall. The intensity of the light was almost blinding, and Aeryn had to squint to protect her eyes.

She shivered, a cold sweat breaking out across her skin. The light was mesmerizing, but it also terrified her. It felt like a signal, a beacon calling out to the universe, announcing her presence in this alien world. Aeryn didn’t want to be noticed; she didn’t want any of this.

Her breathing quickened as the light continued to shine, her fear growing with each passing second. What if this was the start of something even worse? What if she was truly trapped here, forced to stay and play the role of queen in a world she didn’t understand?

But amidst her panic, she felt a gentle touch on her hand. Aeryn turned her head to find Alex standing beside her, his expression softer now, almost reassuring. His hand was warm against her cold skin, and despite everything, his presence brought her a small measure of comfort.

"It’s alright," Alex whispered, his voice low and calming. "You’re safe. I’m here."

Aeryn wanted to believe him, but the fear in her heart was too strong. He was not a human! He was an alien! a freaking alien! She had been torn from everything she knew, thrown into a world where nothing made sense, where she had no control over her own fate. How could she feel safe in a place like this?

But Alex’s words, his touch, they did something to her. They made her feel less alone, even if only for a moment. She looked up at him, searching his face for any sign of deceit, but all she saw was sincerity. He meant what he said—he was here, and he would protect her.

The light from the crown began to fade, and the hall grew dimmer once more. The ceremony was drawing to a close, but Aeryn’s ordeal was far from over. She still had no idea what awaited her, what her future in this alien world would hold.

As the final rituals were performed, Aeryn stood quietly, her mind racing. She didn’t trust Alex, not fully, but she couldn’t deny the strange connection she felt with him. He was an enigma, a powerful being who held her fate in his hands. And yet, there was something in his eyes, something that told her he was just as trapped as she was, bound by a destiny neither of them had chosen.

When the ceremony finally ended, Aeryn was led away, her steps slow and uncertain. The crown still sat heavy on her head, a constant reminder of the role she was expected to play. She felt like a puppet, her strings being pulled by forces she couldn’t see.

But as she walked, she felt Alex’s hand on her arm, guiding her gently. She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. There was no anger in his gaze now, only a strange mix of determination and something else—something she couldn’t quite name.

Aeryn didn’t know what the future held, but she knew one thing for certain: she couldn’t give up. She had to find a way to survive in this world, to fight for her freedom, even if it meant going against everything Alex and his people wanted from her.

As they left the grand hall, Aeryn took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever was to come. She might be trapped in this alien world, but she wouldn’t let it break her. Not yet. Not ever.