28.

As dawn broke over the alien kingdom, the sky lit up in a celestial display of colors, stars colliding and merging in the distance, their light dancing across the heavens. It was a symbolic moment, one that marked the consummation of Alex and Aeryn's union—the union that had saved the kingdom from impending death, famine, and war. The collision of stars was a rare, sacred event, seen as a blessing from the ancient gods of Alex's people. As the light faded, a sense of peace descended over the land.

Alex stood on the grand balcony of his chamber, a proud smile tugging at the corner of his lips. His silver cloak fluttered in the cool morning breeze, and the lingering warmth from the night filled him with a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. The weight of his duties, the pressure of saving his people, and the constant threat of death had finally been lifted. The kingdom was safe—for now.

With a regal posture, Alex began his walk toward the throne room. Each step echoed with purpose, and as he passed by, the guards and servants bowed deeply in respect, their faces alight with gratitude and admiration. He was their king, their savior, the one who had protected them from the brink of despair. A wave of applause broke out among the people gathered in the hallways, their cheers reverberating off the towering marble walls. Word of the union had spread throughout the land, and with it, the belief that their kingdom had been spared from disaster.

The vast throne room opened up before him, its walls adorned with intricate carvings of their ancestors’ victories and legends of old. The golden throne shimmered in the dim light, but today, it seemed to shine brighter, as if reflecting the glory of the moment. Alex ascended the steps to his throne, his cape flowing behind him like the trail of a comet. He turned to face the crowd that had gathered below, thousands of citizens packed into the grand hall, spilling out into the square beyond.

He raised a hand, and the crowd fell silent. His voice, deep and commanding, filled the air. “Today,” he began, “we have witnessed the rebirth of our kingdom. The stars have spoken, and their light has granted us protection. We are saved from the death that once loomed over us!”

The kingdom erupted into cheers, the sound overwhelming and joyous. Alex’s chest swelled with pride as he looked down at his people, his kingdom. They had suffered much, but now they would enter an era of peace, an era of prosperity.

“I declare a week of celebration!” Alex continued, his voice carrying across the room and beyond. “Let there be feasts, music, and laughter in every corner of the kingdom. For today, we are victorious, and we will thrive!”

The people cheered louder, their excitement palpable. Musicians struck up a lively tune, and the sound of celebration quickly spread throughout the palace grounds. Alex watched as his people danced and embraced one another, their joy infectious.

Yet, amidst the cheering and dancing, far away in the shadows of the kingdom, an enemy was stirring. Jack, Alex’s most dangerous adversary, watched from his hidden stronghold, a malicious grin curling his lips. The news of Alex’s triumph had reached him, but instead of feeling threatened, Jack saw it as an opportunity. His cruel mind had been working tirelessly, crafting a plan that would strip Alex of everything he held dear.

“The shield protecting Alex’s kingdom will soon fall,” Jack muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with wicked intent. “He may think he has saved them, but the worst is yet to come.”

Jack’s plan was simple but devastating. He knew that the kingdom's shield, the magical force that had protected them for centuries, was tied to Alex’s union with Aeryn. He had spies everywhere, watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The shield was strong now, but if he could find a way to weaken or sever the connection between Alex and Aeryn, the shield would fall, leaving the kingdom vulnerable to invasion, death, and destruction.

And Jack had no intention of letting that moment slip away.

Meanwhile, back in the royal chambers, Aeryn sat on the edge of the vast bed, her shoulders hunched and her hands trembling. She was dressed in the elaborate alien robes that the court had prepared for her, but the heavy fabric felt like chains, binding her to a life she didn’t want, to a fate she couldn’t escape. The alien room around her, with its towering ceilings and shimmering walls, was suffocating. Everything about this place was foreign, cold, and terrifying.

She hated it.

A sob escaped her lips as she buried her face in her hands, her tears soaking the delicate material of her sleeves. The weight of her situation crushed her spirit. She was alone here, truly alone. There were no familiar faces, no one she could turn to for comfort. The alien servants, while respectful, only served to remind her of how out of place she was. And Alex—her new husband, her king—was a stranger to her.

She hated him. She hated his cold, composed demeanor, the way he held all the power while she was left powerless. She hated that he had dragged her into this mess, into this kingdom where she was nothing more than a pawn in a game she didn’t understand.

Aeryn curled up on the bed, her tears flowing freely now. The sounds of celebration outside only made her feel more isolated, more out of place. How could these people be so happy when she was trapped in a nightmare?

Her thoughts drifted back to her own world, the life she had been forced to leave behind. She missed the simplicity of it, the familiarity. The alien planet was beautiful in its way, with its twin suns and glowing landscapes, but it wasn’t home. She would never belong here, and the thought of spending the rest of her life on this planet, with these people, made her heart ache.

“What have I done to deserve this?” she whispered to herself, her voice hoarse from crying. She had been a regular person, living a regular life. Now, she was bound to an alien king, destined to live in a palace filled with customs and traditions she didn’t understand. And worse, she felt utterly alone in her misery.

A knock at the door startled her, and she quickly wiped her tears, sitting up straighter as one of the alien maids entered. The maid’s skin shimmered a soft blue in the morning light, and her voice was gentle but firm.

“Your Highness, the king requests your presence in the throne room.”

Aeryn’s stomach twisted at the thought of facing Alex, of pretending to be the queen these people expected her to be. But she nodded and rose from the bed, trying to compose herself.