Page 46 of Claimed By the Alien Prince
“But that sounds like you want to get rid of me,” I shoot back, the words bitter on my tongue.
Zevran shakes his head vigorously, an urgency in his gaze that makes my chest tighten. “I’m not trying to get rid of you. I only mean to keep you safe.” He pauses, visibly wrestling with something inside him before asking softly, “What do you want?”
I blink at him, taken aback by the question. He’s never asked me that before—never paused to consider my desires amidst the chaos swirling around us.
“I… I want to go back with you,” I finally admit. The truth slips out almost shyly but hits hard in the stillness between us.
His expression shifts; a mix of surprise and relief washes over him as if I’ve given him permission to breathe again. “Then we go. Together.” He nods firmly, and it feels like an unbreakable promise slowly snapping into place.
Together. The word hangs there—heavy with meaning and a surge of something more profound than just our situation.
“But what if they come after me again?” My voice trembles slightly despite my efforts to sound resolute.
He leans closer, determination hardening his features. “They won’t touch you while I’m there.”
“Zevran…”
He raises a hand to silence me gently. “Trust me.”
It’s strange how easily those words resonate within me, wrapping around my heart like a vine winding up a tree trunk. Something shifts inside—fears mingling with anticipation as hope sparks in the depths of my chest.
“Okay,” I whisper, unsure but willing to embrace whatever lies ahead as long as he’s by my side.
CHAPTER 36
ZEVRAN
Iride through the palace gates, Carys cradled in my arms. The familiar hum of the six-legged steed vibrates beneath me, a comforting rhythm against the tension thrumming in my chest. My jaw tightens as I survey the courtyard, eyes darting from one guard to another. Each face seems masked with intrigue, every whisper a potential threat.
Someone at court wants my mate dead.
The realization gnaws at me, a relentless ache deep in my gut. I can feel that truth pressing down on us like the dense canopy overhead. They plot and scheme, and I can’t shake the feeling that this is just the beginning. If they succeed in their twisted game, it won’t just mean Carys’s end—it could plunge Verus into chaos and war.
I dismount, careful not to jostle her too much. Her warmth against me feels like a beacon amid the encroaching darkness, a reminder of everything worth fighting for. She stirs slightly as I lower her to the ground, her hair brushing against my arm like silk.
“Easy,” I murmur as she regains her footing. Her amber eyes flash up at me—full of questions, concerns—emotions swirling like leaves caught in a storm.
We step onto a floating platform, its surface shimmering with bioluminescence. As it lifts us into the air, I guide her gently to stand beside me, one hand resting protectively on her back while we ascend through the treetop city.
The view is breathtaking; sprawling canopies stretch endlessly below us, woven with bridges and platforms connecting homes and marketplaces alive with activity. But even this beauty feels tainted by what looms ahead—the shadows lurking within my court.
“Zevran,” she begins hesitantly as we glide upward. “What do you plan to do?”
Her question pulls my focus back to her face—a mix of worry and determination etched there—and it ignites something fierce within me. “I’ll find out who’s behind this.” My voice is steady despite the turmoil roiling inside. “And when I do…”
I can’t finish that thought; the implications weigh heavily on my conscience.
Carys glances down at our surroundings, brows knitting together as if trying to make sense of it all. “What if they’re watching? What if they know that we know?”
“I'll take care of it.” The words spill out more fiercely than intended; I don’t want fear to touch her—not now when we’re so close to safety. “I won’t let anyone harm you.”
The platform hums softly as it rises higher into the treetops, each passing moment intensifying our connection—the air thick with unspoken promises between us. I glance sideways at her; she’s taking in everything—the vibrant colors of our home that seem brighter than ever before.
But even amidst such beauty lies danger—a shadow cast over everything we hold dear.
As we near the palace entrance, guards shift positions along our path—some bowing their heads respectfully while otherswatch closely for signs of dissent or trouble brewing within their ranks.
I step off first and help Carys down carefully before guiding her inside. The air grows cooler within these walls—charged with secrets whispered through marble corridors lined with ancient trees that have stood witness to countless generations.
