42.

The soft morning light filtered through the translucent curtains of Alex's chamber, casting a golden hue over the room. Aeryn was curled up in his arms, her head resting gently on his chest as he pointed out the tiny birds fluttering around outside the window. These birds were unlike anything from Earth—they shimmered with colors that shifted like the cosmos, their wings leaving trails of light as they soared through the air.

"Those are called *Alythians*," Alex said softly, his voice a deep rumble in Aeryn's ear. "They’re only found in my cosmos, and they symbolize freedom and strength."

Aeryn, still a bit groggy from sleep, looked up at him, her eyes wide with wonder. She had never seen anything like them before. Everything here felt so strange and different, but in moments like this, with Alex’s arm around her and his voice steady and calm, it was hard to feel frightened. She could almost forget where she was—almost forget the impending danger looming over her from being in this alien kingdom.

Alex glanced down at her, his gaze softening. "They remind me of you," he murmured. "Small, but full of fire."

Aeryn blushed at his words, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. She quickly looked away, focusing on the birds again, trying to steady her racing heart. She couldn’t afford to let her emotions get tangled up with his—not when everything about his kingdom felt like a threat. She needed to stay vigilant, to protect herself from being swept away by whatever strange bond was forming between them.

But before she could think further, the door to Alex's chamber slammed open with a thunderous crash, and Aeryn jumped in shock, instinctively sitting up straight from Alex’s lap. Awareness hit her like a tidal wave, and she quickly scrambled off of him, her heart pounding with embarrassment and confusion.

Alex’s eyes darkened, his protective instincts kicking in immediately as he recognized the intruder. It was Arin—his cousin, the war-hardened queen from another galaxy. She stood in the doorway, her eyes flashing with fury and something else that Aeryn couldn’t quite place. Jealousy? Anger? Perhaps both.

"Arin," Alex growled, his voice dangerously low, "what do you think you’re doing? You have no right to barge into my chamber like this."

Arin crossed her arms, her expression unrelenting as she stepped further into the room. "No right?" she spat. "I’m your cousin. I have every right to know what’s going on, especially when it concerns the future of our kingdom."

Her gaze flickered toward Aeryn, cold and sharp, sizing her up with barely concealed disdain. "And here I find you," she sneered, "with this human, wasting time instead of preparing for what’s coming. Do you really think this weak little girl can be our queen, Alex?"

Aeryn flinched at Arin’s words, the sting of her insult hitting harder than expected. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm. She didn’t know how to fight back in a situation like this—where she was completely out of her depth, far from home, and dependent on Alex for survival. But the look in Arin’s eyes told her everything she needed to know: this woman saw her as a threat. Or worse, an obstacle.

Before Aeryn could respond, Alex was already on his feet, his towering presence filling the room. He stepped in front of Aeryn protectively, his glare fixed on Arin with an intensity that made the air in the room feel thick and charged.

"You will not speak to her like that," Alex said coldly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Aeryn is under my protection, and whether or not you accept her has no bearing on the decision I’ve made. She *is* the future queen."

Arin’s lips curled into a bitter smile. "And what, you expect me to just fall in line? Accept some human girl as our queen because you say so?"

Alex’s patience was wearing thin. "You will respect my choice, Arin. And you will respect Aeryn, or you will answer to me. Do you understand?"

For a moment, the room was silent, the tension thick enough to cut through. Aeryn stood behind Alex, her heart still racing from the confrontation, unsure of what to do or say. She had never asked to be queen—she didn’t want this life, this responsibility. But she also knew that whatever was happening now, whatever power struggle she had been thrust into, was far from over.

Arin’s eyes flickered with a dangerous glint as she stepped closer, her gaze locked with Alex’s. "You’re making a mistake," she warned, her voice dropping to a whisper. "This girl doesn’t belong here. You’re blinded by something, Alex. Something that will destroy you."

Alex’s jaw clenched. "That’s enough."

Arin looked as though she was ready to argue further, but Alex cut her off, his voice a low, lethal growl. "You will never enter my chamber again without my permission. If you do, there will be consequences."

For a moment, Arin seemed taken aback by the harshness of his tone, but she quickly recovered, her face hardening. She took one last, scathing look at Aeryn before turning on her heel and storming out of the room, the door slamming shut behind her.

The silence that followed was heavy, almost suffocating. Aeryn stood frozen in place, still trying to process what had just happened. Her mind swirled with confusion and anxiety. Arin’s words echoed in her ears, each one like a dagger reminding her of how out of place she was here. A human. Weak. Unfit to be a queen.

"Are you alright?" Alex’s voice broke through her thoughts, soft and concerned now. He turned to face her, his expression filled with something like regret.

Aeryn nodded quickly, though her heart was still racing. "I… I don’t know," she admitted, her voice shaky. "I didn’t mean to cause any trouble."

Alex sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "You didn’t cause any trouble. Arin is… difficult. She’s been through a lot, and she’s fiercely protective of our kingdom. But that doesn’t excuse her behavior."

Aeryn bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She didn’t want to be in the middle of some intergalactic power struggle. She didn’t want to be seen as a threat or a problem. She just wanted to understand what was happening and why she had been dragged into this in the first place.

"She’s right, though," Aeryn whispered after a moment, her gaze falling to the floor. "I don’t belong here."

Alex’s eyes softened as he stepped closer, gently cupping her face in his hands, tilting her chin up so that she had to look at him. "You belong where I say you belong, Aeryn. And I say you belong with me."

His words hung in the air between them, filled with a sincerity that made Aeryn’s heart ache. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that everything would be okay. But doubt still lingered in the back of her mind.

"I don’t understand why," she said quietly, searching his eyes for answers.

"Because you are stronger than you think," Alex replied, his thumb brushing softly against her cheek. "And because, no matter what anyone else says, I choose you."

Aeryn felt her chest tighten, her emotions swirling in a confusing mix of fear and hope. She didn’t know if she was strong enough to face what lay ahead, but in that moment, with Alex’s steady gaze on her and his hands holding her close, she felt like maybe, just maybe, she could find the strength she needed.