37.

The first light of dawn filtered through the delicate drapes of the chamber, casting a soft glow over the room. Aeryn stirred, her lashes fluttering as she slowly returned to consciousness. For a moment, she lay still, her body heavy with exhaustion. But as her awareness sharpened, she felt the warmth surrounding her—strong arms wrapped protectively around her waist, holding her close. She blinked, realizing that Alex was lying beside her, his chest rising and falling with the steady rhythm of sleep.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Alex’s face was peaceful, his expression softened by the vulnerability of slumber. His long, dark lashes cast faint shadows over his high cheekbones, and the barest hint of a smile curved his lips. His hold on her was gentle yet possessive, as though even in his sleep, he refused to let her go.

Aeryn’s breath caught in her throat. She didn’t dare move, her mind racing. *Am I feeling this for an alien?* The thought reverberated in her head, making her pulse quicken. She had been too overwhelmed by the events of the last few days—her kidnapping, the terror she had faced, the confusion of being rescued by Alex, the king of a world she didn’t belong to. And yet, here she was, tangled in his embrace, feeling something stir inside her that she hadn’t expected.

Her gaze drifted over his face, taking in every detail as though seeing him for the first time. His features were undeniably striking, sharp and regal in a way that was alien yet captivating. She had seen those same features hardened in battle, cold and commanding when he addressed his subjects. But here, in the quiet intimacy of the morning, he looked almost human. Almost... hers.

The thought sent a rush of warmth through her, and Aeryn’s cheeks flushed. She hadn’t allowed herself to fully confront her feelings before now, too distracted by everything that had happened. But the truth was undeniable—there was something about Alex that drew her in, something she couldn’t explain.

*How did I get here?* she wondered. Just a few days ago, she had been a prisoner, terrified and fighting for her life. Now, she was lying in the arms of the alien king who had risked everything to save her. The reality of it was dizzying, and Aeryn’s thoughts spun with uncertainty.

As if sensing her inner turmoil, Alex shifted in his sleep. His hold on her tightened slightly, pulling her closer to his chest. The sensation of his body pressed against hers made Aeryn’s heart race, and she bit her lip, her face flushing even more. She hadn’t meant to get this close—hadn’t meant to fall asleep in his arms. But now that she was here, she couldn’t bring herself to move.

She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. The sound of his heartbeat, slow and steady, was oddly comforting. It lulled her into a sense of calm, even though her mind was anything but.

*This is crazy*, she thought. *He’s not human. I’m not supposed to feel this way about him.* But no matter how much she tried to convince herself, the undeniable truth remained—there was something about Alex that made her feel safe, something that made her want to stay by his side.

A soft knock at the door startled her, and her eyes flew open. Alex stirred beside her, his arms loosening their grip as he blinked awake.

The door creaked open, and Arin stepped into the room, her tall figure casting a shadow over the threshold. Aeryn’s heart skipped again, but this time for an entirely different reason. She froze, instinctively pulling the covers up to her chin as if they could shield her from Arin’s piercing gaze.

Alex, still half-asleep, groaned softly but didn’t immediately let go of Aeryn. His eyes fluttered open, and he glanced toward the door. Upon seeing his cousin standing there, his expression remained indifferent.

Arin, however, didn’t hide her reaction. Her sharp eyes narrowed as she took in the sight before her—her cousin, the king, lying in bed with a human girl in his arms. Her frown deepened, and her displeasure was palpable.

“Really, Alex?” she said, her voice laced with disapproval. “Caging your new... *pet* already?”

Aeryn’s face turned bright red, and she instinctively hid her face in Alex’s chest. The embarrassment coursed through her, and she wished she could disappear under the blankets. She had never felt so out of place, so small, especially under the scrutiny of Arin, who looked every bit the formidable warrior queen she was known to be.

Alex, however, seemed unfazed by his cousin’s intrusion. He let out a tired sigh, as if Arin’s presence was more of an annoyance than anything else. “Arin,” he said, his voice thick with sleep, “it’s early. What do you want?”

Arin crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed. “It’s well past dawn, Alex. You were supposed to meet with the council this morning. I thought you’d have more important matters to attend to than... this.”

Alex raised an eyebrow, his arms still securely around Aeryn. He didn’t seem inclined to move, nor did he seem particularly concerned about Arin’s judgment. “The council can wait,” he replied lazily. “My wife needs me.”

At the word ‘wife,’ Aeryn’s heart fluttered again, and she peeked up at him through her lashes, her face still partially hidden. Did he really mean that? Or was it just a title he used because of the situation they were in? She wasn’t sure, but hearing him say it sent an unexpected thrill through her.

Arin’s frown deepened, and she let out a frustrated huff. “Alex, this is serious. You can’t neglect your duties just because you’ve taken a liking to... her.” She waved her hand dismissively in Aeryn’s direction, making Aeryn feel even more self-conscious.

But Alex didn’t seem to care. He tightened his hold on Aeryn, his eyes flashing with something akin to protectiveness. “Aeryn is my priority right now,” he said firmly. “She’s been through enough, and I won’t leave her side until I know she’s fully recovered. The council can manage without me for a few hours.”

Arin stared at him for a long moment, her mouth pressed into a thin line. Clearly, she wasn’t used to being dismissed so easily, especially by Alex. But she seemed to realize that arguing with him would get her nowhere. With an exasperated sigh, she turned on her heel and marched out of the room, her boots making sharp clicking sounds on the marble floor.

As soon as she was gone, Aeryn let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She lifted her head slightly, glancing up at Alex, who was now fully awake and looking down at her with a soft smile.

“Sorry about that,” he said, his voice low and comforting. “Arin can be... intense.”

Aeryn blushed, her heart still racing from the encounter. “It’s okay,” she murmured, though she couldn’t shake the feeling of being completely out of her depth. She had never been in a situation like this before—surrounded by aliens, thrust into a role she didn’t fully understand, and now lying in the arms of a man who wasn’t even human.

Alex shifted slightly, propping himself up on one elbow so he could look at her more closely. His gaze was gentle, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes as if he found her embarrassment endearing. “Are you okay?” he asked, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

Aeryn nodded, though her mind was still spinning. “I... I’m fine,” she said softly, her voice betraying her uncertainty.

Alex’s smile widened, and he leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead. “You don’t have to be afraid,” he whispered against her skin. “Not of me, not of Arin, not of anyone. You’re safe here.”

The warmth of his words washed over her, and for a brief moment, Aeryn allowed herself to believe him. Even though everything was still so confusing, there was something about Alex’s presence that made her feel like maybe, just maybe, she could find a place in this strange new world.

And as he pulled her closer once more, Aeryn couldn’t help but wonder if she was already starting to.