16.

Aeryn awoke with a start, her heart racing and her mind a chaotic swirl of fear and confusion. The remnants of her nightmare clung to her, vivid images of terrifying alien creatures chasing her through endless dark corridors. The sensation of being trapped, of being devoured by the unknown, was so real that it left her breathless and trembling.

She sat up in bed, clutching the covers tightly around her, trying to shake off the lingering terror. Her mind raced, replaying the events of the previous day—the strange ceremony, the crown, the oppressive atmosphere of the palace. Everything felt so foreign, so overwhelming. She couldn’t stay here any longer. The thought of being trapped in this place, surrounded by beings she didn’t understand, filled her with a deep sense of dread.

Her eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of movement or threat. The soft glow of the alien lights cast eerie shadows on the walls, and the silence was thick, almost suffocating. She knew she couldn’t stay in this room, couldn’t remain a prisoner to her own fears. She had to find a way out, had to escape this alien world before it consumed her.

With a determined breath, Aeryn pushed the covers aside and slid out of bed. Her feet hit the cold floor, and she winced at the sensation, but it only fueled her resolve. She wouldn’t allow herself to be paralyzed by fear. She had to move, had to take action.

Moving with as much caution as she could muster, Aeryn tiptoed across the room. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing in her ears like a drum. Every step was measured, deliberate, as if the very walls were listening, waiting to betray her presence.

Reaching the door, she paused, her hand hovering over the handle. What if there were guards outside? What if they caught her trying to escape? Her breath hitched at the thought, but she forced herself to take another deep breath, to push the fear down. She couldn’t let herself be stopped now.

Slowly, she turned the handle and eased the door open, peering out into the dimly lit hallway. To her immense relief, the corridor was empty. There were no guards, no signs of life. Just the soft hum of the palace, the distant sound of something mechanical.

She stepped out into the hallway, her body tense and alert. The air was cool against her skin, and the eerie quiet made every sound she made seem amplified. She moved quickly but quietly, her bare feet padding softly on the smooth floor.

As she made her way down the hallway, her eyes were drawn to a soft, blue light in the distance. It glowed faintly, a beacon in the darkness, and something about it called to her, pulling her forward. The light seemed almost alive, shimmering with an otherworldly beauty that was both captivating and calming. For a moment, her fear was overshadowed by curiosity and wonder.

Aeryn moved toward the light, her steps quickening with each passing moment. She needed to see what it was, needed to understand it. The light grew brighter as she approached, and she could feel a strange warmth emanating from it, a sensation that eased her anxiety, even if just a little.

But as she neared the source of the light, she suddenly collided with something solid. The impact was unexpected, and she stumbled back, blinking in confusion. Her initial thought was that she had walked into a wall, but when she looked up, she realized with a start that it wasn’t a wall at all.

Standing before her was Alex.

He was tall, towering over her with an imposing presence that made her feel even smaller than she already did. His eyes, those mesmerizing eyes that changed color, were fixed on her, and she could see a strange, intense emotion flickering in them—something she couldn’t quite place.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Aeryn stared up at him, her heart racing, and her breath catching in her throat. The height difference between them was almost comical; she had to tilt her head back just to meet his gaze, and she couldn’t help but pout slightly at the disparity. It was an unconscious, instinctive reaction, one born of her own discomfort and uncertainty.

Alex, however, was far from amused. His eyes darkened as he gazed down at her, his expression a mixture of surprise, fascination, and something else—something deeper, more primal. He was captivated by her, by the way she looked so small and fragile in his presence. Her hair was tousled from sleep, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and curiosity, and her lips slightly parted as she pouted up at him.

He felt a strange tightening in his chest, an unfamiliar sensation that he couldn’t quite understand. She was different from anything he had ever seen before, so delicate and beautiful, and yet there was a strength in her eyes, a defiance that made her all the more intriguing.

His gaze traveled over her, taking in every detail—the soft curves of her body, the way her nightgown clung to her form, the way the blue light illuminated her features, making her look almost ethereal. He could feel his pulse quicken, a sense of longing stirring within him that he had never felt before.

Was this what it was like to desire someone? To want something—someone—so deeply that it consumed your thoughts? Alex had never experienced such emotions before. He was a leader, a ruler, and his life had always been about duty, about fulfilling his role for the good of his people. But now, standing before this human, he felt something shifting within him, something he couldn’t ignore.

Aeryn, oblivious to the turmoil within him, took a hesitant step back, trying to put some distance between them. Her heart was still pounding, and the intensity of his gaze was making her nervous. She didn’t understand what he was thinking, couldn’t read his expression, and it only made her more anxious.

“I…I’m sorry,” she stammered, unsure of what else to say. “I didn’t mean to bump into you.”

Alex blinked, her voice pulling him out of his thoughts. He realized that he had been staring, perhaps too intensely, and he quickly tried to compose himself. He could see the fear in her eyes, the uncertainty, and he didn’t want to frighten her more than she already was.

“It’s alright,” he said, his voice softer than he intended. The words came out almost gentle, a stark contrast to the commanding tone he usually used. He could see her relax slightly at the sound, and it only made him more aware of the effect she was having on him.

Aeryn bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She had expected anger, maybe even punishment, but his reaction was…unexpected. She glanced up at him again, noticing the way his eyes seemed to soften, the way his gaze lingered on her as if he were seeing something in her that she couldn’t comprehend.

Alex couldn’t take his eyes off her. Every little movement she made, every expression that crossed her face, only drew him in further. The way she bit her lip, the way she fidgeted nervously, the way she looked so small and vulnerable—it all made him want to protect her, to keep her safe in this strange, unfamiliar world.

But there was also something else, a deeper, more primal urge that he was struggling to suppress. The desire to claim her, to make her his, was growing stronger with each passing moment. He wanted to touch her, to feel her beneath his hands, to explore every inch of her fragile human form.

Were they meant to be together? The question echoed in his mind, and he found himself uncertain of the answer. He had never believed in fate, in destiny, but now he was beginning to wonder if there was some truth to it. There was something about her, something that called to him in a way he couldn’t ignore.

Aeryn, still oblivious to the depth of his thoughts, shifted uncomfortably. The silence between them was growing awkward, and she didn’t know what to do. She wanted to get away, to escape this intense, unfamiliar situation, but she didn’t know how.

Finally, she broke the silence, her voice trembling slightly. “I should…go back to my room.”

But before she could turn away, Alex’s hand shot out, gently but firmly grabbing her wrist. The contact sent a jolt through both of them, and Aeryn’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Stay,” Alex said, his voice low and filled with a strange, unspoken command. He couldn’t let her leave, not now, not when he was so close to understanding what this was, what she meant to him.

Aeryn looked up at him, her heart skipping a beat at the intensity in his gaze. She wanted to protest, to pull away, but something in his eyes stopped her. It was as if he was searching for something in her, something he desperately needed to find.
“Please,” he added, almost as an afterthought, his grip on her wrist loosening slightly. He wasn’t used to asking for things, wasn’t used to feeling so uncertain, but for some reason, he couldn’t let her go.
Aeryn swallowed hard, her mind racing. She didn’t understand what was happening, didn’t know why he was so insistent. But the look in his eyes, the way he was holding onto her, made her pause. There was something there, something that made her feel…safe, despite everything.