32.

Alex paced back and forth in his chamber, the weight of the kingdom and its future pressing on his shoulders. Before him sat the royal astrologer, an elderly figure draped in ancient robes, eyes closed as he murmured softly under his breath. The air was thick with tension as Alex waited for the astrologer’s final words.

"You must trust the stars, Your Highness," the astrologer finally said, his voice a low rumble. "Aeryn is the one destined to be queen. She has the spirit and strength needed to stand by your side and lead this kingdom with you."

Alex’s brow furrowed, the idea of Aeryn being the perfect queen still something he grappled with. Aeryn, the human who had been thrust into his world, had continuously shown resilience, but she was still opposed to him, to the kingdom. How could someone so resistant be the one the stars spoke of?

"I don’t doubt your wisdom, old man," Alex muttered, though his mind was racing with doubt. "But Aeryn—"

Before he could finish, a strange sound caught his attention, and Alex’s eyes darted to the window. Dark clouds were swirling ominously in the sky, and a thick, black foam began to gather, blotting out the sun in an unnatural display. His breath hitched, and his body tensed. There was something sinister in that sky—something he couldn't shake.

"What in the world...?" he whispered, stepping toward the window, his fists clenching. The sight filled him with unease, and his instincts told him this was no ordinary occurrence.

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted outside his chamber door, followed by the hurried footsteps of his royal guards. The door burst open, and one of his most trusted guards rushed in, his face ashen and his voice frantic.

"Your Majesty!" the guard panted, his armor clanking as he stopped to catch his breath. "The queen—Queen Aeryn—she's been kidnapped!"

For a split second, Alex’s world stopped. His heart thudded in his chest, and his vision darkened with rage.

"What?" Alex growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Who dared?"

"It was Jack," the guard said, barely above a whisper, his eyes filled with fear. "Your brother…"

At the mention of Jack’s name, Alex's whole body froze. His own blood. His brother. Jack had betrayed him and taken Aeryn, their future queen.

The room grew colder, and Alex’s mind spiraled with thoughts of fury and betrayal. His possessiveness and anger peaked in an instant, the image of Aeryn being taken by Jack burning in his mind. His breath grew shallow, and his eyes glinted with a dangerous fire.

"Jack," Alex whispered, his voice venomous as he clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. The betrayal stung worse than he could have imagined. But it wasn’t the time to feel the pain of his brother’s disloyalty. Aeryn—Aeryn was out there, taken, and who knew what Jack intended to do with her.

The guard shifted nervously. "We must act, Your Majesty. What are your orders?"

Alex didn’t hesitate. His jaw clenched, his muscles tightened, and without a second thought, he issued a command that would set the kingdom on the path to war.

"Alert the army," he growled, his voice filled with resolve and an edge of fury. "We will attack Jack’s stronghold immediately. Prepare the troops for battle."

The guards quickly left, their steps echoing down the corridor as Alex stood still, his mind a storm of emotions. He didn’t care that Jack was his brother. He didn’t care about the blood that tied them together. Jack had crossed a line that could never be forgiven. He had taken Aeryn, and for that, he would pay.

As Alex turned toward the window once again, watching the black foam grow and swirl in the sky, he felt an ominous weight settle over him. Jack had planned this. The black foam, the sky’s sudden change—it was all part of his plan. Alex could feel it in his bones.

Jack had always been a thorn in his side, a constant rival since their childhood. Where Alex had been disciplined and trained to rule, Jack had always been rebellious, unpredictable, and envious of Alex's position as the rightful heir. Their relationship had grown strained over the years, but Alex never imagined his brother would stoop so low as to kidnap Aeryn—especially after learning the truth about her importance to the kingdom.

Alex’s mind raced, trying to think of Jack’s possible motives. Was this about power? Revenge? Or something else entirely? The questions circled in his head, but none of them mattered now. The only thing that mattered was getting Aeryn back—alive and unharmed.

Just then, another guard entered the room, this one calmer but equally grave. "Your Majesty, the army is ready and awaits your command."

"Good," Alex said, his voice sharp as steel. "We leave immediately."

The guard hesitated, his expression concerned. "But, Your Majesty… Jack is your brother. Do you really wish to wage war against him?"

The mention of brotherhood made Alex’s jaw tighten further. He had no time for sentiment, not when Aeryn’s life was at stake. "Jack may be my brother by blood," Alex said coldly, "but he’s a traitor to this kingdom. And anyone who threatens our queen will face the full force of our army, brother or not."

The guard bowed and quickly left to make final preparations. Alex took one last glance at the swirling sky, his anger hardening into determination. He would stop at nothing to get Aeryn back. The stars had declared her fit to be queen, and he wasn’t about to let Jack or anyone else stand in the way of that destiny.

As Alex donned his armor and strode toward the courtyard where his troops were assembling, he felt a surge of energy course through him. His army, loyal and battle-hardened, was prepared to march. The sound of their armor clanking, swords being drawn, and commands being shouted filled the air, heightening the tension.

As Alex mounted his horse, his heart pounded with adrenaline and fury. His eyes scanned the horizon, the dark foam still hanging ominously in the sky like a bad omen. He knew this wasn’t just a rescue mission; this was personal. Jack had dared to cross him, to take what was his, and Alex would not let it go unpunished.

"Forward!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the courtyard as the army began to move.

The kingdom was about to go to war, and Alex would not stop until Aeryn was safely back by his side and Jack paid the ultimate price for his treachery.