39.

The day had begun as any other in the grand alien palace, but there was a subtle shift in the air. Aeryn could feel it, and as she dressed in the flowing silken garments provided to her, she couldn’t help but think back to breakfast with Alex. His touch, his gaze—everything about him was both comforting and overwhelming at the same time. There was something growing between them, something undeniable, yet Aeryn wasn’t sure how to process the feelings blooming in her chest.

Once she was dressed, Aeryn stepped into the adjoining chamber where Alex waited. He had changed into his formal robes, a dark shade of emerald green that complemented his otherworldly features. His presence always seemed to dominate the room, and when his eyes locked on hers, Aeryn’s breath caught in her throat. There was an intensity to him, something magnetic that she couldn’t ignore.

Alex crossed the room in two swift strides, taking her hand gently in his. "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice low and soft.

Aeryn nodded, her mind still racing. "Yes," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Without another word, Alex led her through the palace corridors, the guards bowing as they passed. The palace was vast, with towering walls and sprawling hallways that made Aeryn feel small and insignificant at times. But Alex’s presence next to her grounded her, made her feel like she belonged here, even if she wasn’t entirely sure why.

They walked in silence for a while, the only sound being their footsteps echoing against the marble floors. Every now and then, Alex’s hand would tighten slightly around hers, a subtle gesture that sent warmth spreading through her chest. She glanced up at him, finding his expression unreadable but his gaze focused entirely on her. The intensity of his attention made her heart race.

When they reached the dining hall for breakfast, the servants had already prepared an extravagant spread of food, much like the day before. Aeryn sat down cautiously, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar dishes, still trying to adjust to the new flavors and textures of this alien world.

Alex, noticing her hesitation, picked up a small piece of fruit and handed it to her with a smile. "Try this," he suggested, his voice gentle. "It’s one of my favorites."

Aeryn accepted the fruit, her fingers brushing his as she took it. A spark seemed to shoot up her arm at the contact, making her skin tingle. She quickly averted her eyes, focusing on the fruit instead. She took a bite, the sweet, tangy flavor exploding in her mouth. It was delicious, and she smiled despite herself.

"Good?" Alex asked, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he watched her reaction.

"Very," Aeryn admitted, still savoring the taste.

They ate together in comfortable silence, the occasional soft conversation filling the air. Each time Aeryn glanced up at Alex, she found him watching her, his expression soft but unreadable. She couldn’t help but feel a pull toward him—something that had been growing ever since he had saved her from Jack’s clutches.

After breakfast, they stood to leave, and Alex offered her his arm. As they walked out into the palace gardens, Aeryn felt the cool breeze brush against her skin. The air here was different from Earth’s—crisper, more alive. The alien flora around them glowed faintly in the early light, casting an ethereal glow over the garden.

Aeryn found herself relaxing in the calm of the moment, her earlier anxieties melting away. Being with Alex, despite all the confusion and the strangeness of the situation, felt… right. She glanced up at him as they strolled, her heart skipping a beat at how effortlessly regal he appeared.

"Do you miss your world?" Alex asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Aeryn blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Sometimes," she admitted, her voice soft. "But everything here… it’s so different, so overwhelming. I’m still trying to understand it all."

Alex nodded, his gaze thoughtful as he looked ahead. "I know it must be difficult for you. But you’ve handled everything remarkably well. I’m… impressed."

Aeryn smiled faintly, unsure of how to respond to the compliment. She wasn’t sure if she was handling things well at all, but Alex’s words made her feel a little more confident.

They continued walking, the silence between them now filled with a sense of unspoken understanding. Aeryn couldn’t help but steal glances at him—at the way his jawline caught the light, the way his hands seemed both strong and gentle, the way his presence made her feel both safe and completely vulnerable.

As they neared the edge of the garden, Alex suddenly stopped, turning to face her. His expression was serious, but there was something else in his eyes—something deeper, more intense.

"Aeryn," he began, his voice barely more than a whisper. "There’s something I need to tell you."

Aeryn’s heart thudded in her chest, her pulse quickening. "What is it?" she asked, her voice unsteady.

Alex stepped closer to her, his hand lifting to gently brush a strand of hair behind her ear. The touch was feather-light, but it sent a jolt through her body, making her heart race.

"I…" He hesitated, his gaze locking with hers. "I’ve been trying to deny it, trying to protect you from it. But the truth is, I can’t keep pretending."

Aeryn’s breath hitched in her throat. "Pretending… what?"

Alex’s hand cupped her cheek now, his thumb brushing lightly over her skin. "That I feel something for you. Something I can’t explain, but it’s there. And it’s getting stronger every day."

Aeryn stared up at him, her mind spinning. She had felt it too—the pull, the connection between them. But hearing him say it aloud made it real, and suddenly, everything seemed to fall into place.

Before she could respond, Alex leaned down, his lips just inches from hers. "I know this is new for you," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin. "But I can’t keep holding back."

And then, before Aeryn could fully process what was happening, Alex’s lips were on hers.

The kiss was soft at first, almost hesitant, as if he were giving her a chance to pull away. But Aeryn didn’t want to pull away. She couldn’t. Her body reacted on instinct, her lips parting to deepen the kiss, her arms lifting to wrap around his neck.

Alex’s grip on her tightened, pulling her closer, and the kiss became more urgent, more intense. Aeryn’s mind spun, her heart racing as she melted into him. It was overwhelming, yet perfect. Every part of her responded to his touch, and for a moment, she forgot about everything else—about the strange world she was in, about the uncertainties of the future. All that mattered was this—Alex, and the way he made her feel.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other’s. Alex’s eyes were half-lidded, his voice barely a whisper. "I’m sorry if I crossed a line."

Aeryn shook her head, her cheeks flushed. "No… you didn’t. I… I’ve been feeling it too."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Alex’s lips, and he pulled her into his arms, holding her close. "Then I’m glad. I’ve been waiting for the right moment. I don’t want to rush you, but I couldn’t hold back any longer."

Aeryn rested her head against his chest, her heart still pounding in her ears. She didn’t know what the future held, but in that moment, wrapped in Alex’s arms, everything felt right.

And for the first time since arriving in this alien world, Aeryn felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.