3. Thillak

When the door slid shut behind Isla, time momentarily halted.

It felt as though my surroundings were steeped in an ethereal haze, my senses heightened.

My gaze, unwaveringly fixed on her, couldn't help but drink in the sight.

Her eyes, a mix of fear and curiosity, looked even more dazzling up close, framed by long lashes and accentuated by her flawless skin.

The soft shimmering light in the cell allowed me to observe the delicate play of emotions on her face.

I could perceive the rapid beating of her heart, resonating in tune with my own.

The sweetness of her, unique and utterly intoxicating, hung in the air.

It was a perfume I somehow knew, one that evoked memories of distant dreams.

Every fiber in my being resonated with a singular thought: this was her.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

I've encountered countless Prizes, countless faces, but none had ever ignited such an intense reaction within me.

Was this what happened every time I saw her for the first time?

The thought was peculiar, but I couldn't push it away.

After making our introductions, I said:

"You must be in shock," I started. "What you've experienced would be overwhelming for anyone."

She blinked, those piercing eyes searching mine. "Where…where am I? Why am I here?"

Her voice quivered, but there was an underlying strength in it, a determination to understand.

I tilted my head slightly, my eyebrows knitting in confusion. "Did the drone not explain the situation to you?"

She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling, and shook her head. "I must've passed out before it could."

Ah, that explained the confusion, the overwhelming shock.

I cleared my throat, attempting to find the right words. "You're currently in Ikmal prison, one of the universe's most fortified detention centers. This entire moon is a prison."

Her eyes widened, absorbing the gravity of my words, but I wasn't done. "You've been abducted as a Prize. Fighters compete in the pits below, and if they emerge victorious, they get to claim a Prize of their choosing."

The color drained from her face, her eyes darting around, possibly trying to find an escape route.

I couldn't bear the thought of her being terrified.

"Listen to me, Isla," I said, stepping closer, ensuring my words were crystal clear. "You won't have to be part of any of that. I promise."

She gazed up at me, her deep eyes filled with a mix of skepticism and hope.

I couldn't blame her.

Here I was, an alien, amidst the cold, daunting environment of a prison, yet offering her protection.

The scenario would sound absurd to anyone.

"But why?" she whispered, her fingers subconsciously playing with the hem of her negligee. "Why protect me?"

I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the words.

The feelings she stirred within me were raw, undefined. "Some connections are beyond comprehension," I began. "I can't fully explain it, but I feel a bond with you, one that demands I ensure your safety."

She took a moment, processing everything.

The delicate aroma of her confusion and intrigue wafted towards me, making me more determined to gain her trust.

"You're not like them, are you?" she finally said, her tone soft, almost in awe.

I smiled, taking her hand gently in mine.

The sensation was electric, her soft, warm skin against my cooler one. "No, Isla, I'm not."

Isla's visible discomfort tugged at the strings of my heart.

I remembered the multitude of outfits stored away, artifacts from different worlds and timelines.

Moving quickly, I approached a sleek, dark wardrobe that blended seamlessly into the walls.

Its door hissed open at my touch, revealing an array of clothes.

My fingers brushed past the fabrics, some rough, others as soft as a whisper, until they settled on a long, dark coat.

The coat was made of a material unique to my home planet — a shimmering, insulating fabric that retained warmth and looked like the night sky strewn with stars.

Gently, I draped it over Isla's shoulders.

The relief on her face was evident as the coat cascaded down, enveloping her.

The sensation of the soft fabric brushing against my fingers sent a pleasurable tingle down my spine, reminding me of simpler times.

"Thank you," she murmured, clutching the coat around her like a protective barrier.

Before I could respond, my eyes caught a vivid mark marring her porcelain skin — a deep, angry red that looked terribly out of place.

The beast's rough handling had left a mark, igniting a flare of anger within me.

I motioned for her to sit on the sleek, cushioned bench near the room's corner. "I gave explicit instructions that you were not to be harmed," I said, my voice filled with a cold fury I barely recognized.

I remembered the salve, a blend of rare herbs and compounds, stored in a wall cabinet for such contingencies.

The cabinet opened with a soft whir, revealing rows of neatly organized vials and jars.

The scent of medicinal herbs wafted into the air as I selected the right container.

A deep green paste, cool to the touch, awaited inside.

Hesitating for just a moment, I looked into Isla's eyes, seeking permission.

She gave a slight nod.

I dipped my fingers into the salve, feeling its cool, velvety texture, and applied it to the mark on her arm.

The instant relief was evident in her sigh.

As I tended to her, a burning question lingered on my mind. "Isla," I began cautiously, "have we met before? Do you remember anything about me?"

She looked puzzled, her eyes scanning my face for any trace of familiarity. "No," she replied slowly. "I'm certain I would remember someone like you."

I tried to hide my surprise and the pang of disappointment that accompanied her words.

I had vivid dreams, flashes of memories — or were they premonitions? — of her.

It was hard to accept she didn't share those visions.

"Forgive me," I said, a wry smile playing on my lips. "I had this strange feeling we've crossed paths in another lifetime."

Isla's lips curved into a soft smile, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the now-fading mark on her arm. "Perhaps we have. The universe works in mysterious ways, doesn't it?"

The room's ambiance seemed to shift.

There was an electric charge in the air, a palpable tension filled with promise and intrigue.

I could smell the warm, earthy essence of her skin, mixed with the cool, medicinal aroma of the salve.

Her soft breathing, paired with the subtle hum of the prison's life support systems, created an almost melodic rhythm.

"I promise, Isla," I said, our eyes locking in an intense gaze, "no harm will come to you here. I'll ensure it."

For a moment, it felt as though we were the only two beings in the universe, connected by a bond neither of us fully understood.

But it was a bond I was determined to explore and cherish.

* * *

The troubling weightof her lack of recognition pressed down on me.

There was a unique pain in being forgotten by someone you felt you'd known forever.

Every fiber of my being insisted that she should remember, that we had a history neither could deny.

A vague memory of a curse whispered through my mind, but it was hazy, like trying to grasp a wisp of smoke with bare hands.

Her face was a canvas of emotions — confusion, anxiety, hope.

The delicate interplay of soft light and shadows in the room highlighted her features, making her even more ethereal.

The soft hum of machinery somewhere far away echoed my own turmoil.

"Do you fancy something to eat?" I asked, trying to divert my thoughts, to ground myself.

I could smell the distant wafts of intergalactic cuisine from the kitchens below, a tantalizing blend of sweet, sour, and spicy.

She hesitated, then shook her head. "I'm not very hungry."

But her voice was weak, and her pallor hinted at the need for sustenance.

I activated the food console with a swipe, ordering a variety of dishes.

The prison might have been a place of captivity, but it boasted an array of delicacies from various galaxies.

A gentle chime sounded, and a tray slid out from a concealed alcove.

It held an assortment of foods, each more colorful and fragrant than the last.

Fruits that sparkled like gems, warm bread that released a yeasty aroma, and a frothy drink that bubbled pleasantly.

The rich spice of roasted meats and tangy sauces teased my senses, awakening a hunger I hadn't realized was lurking.

Isla's eyes widened at the spread, and I could see her resolve wavering. "Perhaps just a bite," she conceded.

I chuckled softly, pleased. "That's the spirit."

She hesitantly picked up a shimmering fruit, took a bite, and a look of wonder filled her eyes.

The taste was an explosion of sweet and tart, and I could almost feel the flavors as I remembered them.

We sat in silence for a few moments, savoring our meal.

Yet an important conversation loomed overhead.

Taking a deep breath, I met her gaze, my hand unconsciously reaching out to caress the back of hers.

The softness of her skin was juxtaposed with the cool, hard surface of the table, an analogy of our current predicament.

"Isla," I began, searching for the right words. "There's something I need to tell you. It might sound strange, especially after everything you've witnessed today."

She set her food down, her attention solely on me.

A flood of memories washed over me.

Fragments of love, betrayal, and curses danced before my eyes.

I tasted the saltiness of past tears and felt the heat of ancient suns on my skin. "We've known each other before," I whispered, the words sounding both strange and familiar at once. "In other times, other places. It's… difficult to explain, but there's a bond between us."

Her brows furrowed. "I've never met you before. I think I would remember you if I did."

The air grew dense with tension.

I reached for the bubbly drink, its effervescence tingling on my tongue, providing a momentary relief. "Tell me Isla, do you believe in past lives? In… fated mates?"

She blinked, the surprise evident. "I… I've never really thought about it."

"You and I, we were lovers in another life," I continued, my voice filled with conviction. "But a curse separated us. It's the reason you can't remember, the reason why our fates are so entwined even now."

The cool air of the room wrapped around us like a blanket, and yet, warmth seemed to emanate from Isla, drawing me in.

I had to gather my thoughts, to put into words what felt almost too grand to be articulated.

"When I asked if you'd seen me before," I began, the sound of my own heartbeat loud in my ears, "it wasn't out of mere curiosity. I've seen you. Over and over again. We've met before, Isla. In past lives. Different worlds, different circumstances, but always, always, it was us."

Her blue eyes widened, glistening with a mixture of bewilderment and something I dared to hope was recognition.

The delicate scent of her perfume, reminiscent of spring flowers, filled my senses, grounding me in the surrealness of the moment.

Her voice trembled slightly. "That's impossible, Thillak. People don't just… meet in past lives."

The sound of her saying my name was like music.

I could feel the velvety touch of the couch beneath me, its texture providing a tangible anchor in our conversation's sea of intangibility.

I took a deep breath, tasting the sweetness of the fruits we'd shared moments ago.

"I know how it sounds," I conceded, my eyes never leaving hers. "But the universe is vast, filled with mysteries that neither of us can comprehend. Fate, destiny, whatever you choose to call it, it has a way of bringing souls together."

Leaning forward, I took her hands in mine, relishing the softness of her touch against my rugged palms. "The moment I saw your photo, a rush of memories, emotions, and visions overcame me. It wasn't just recognition; it was a cosmic certainty. I knew, deep in my core, that you are my fated mate."

A profound silence filled the room.

I watched as she tried to process my words, the weight of centuries of memories pressing between us.

The dim glow from the overhead lights painted her face in soft hues, adding to her ethereal beauty.

"But… why can't I remember anything?" Her voice was but a whisper, a fragile sound that conveyed all her vulnerability.

"It might be the curse. Our pasts, though filled with love, were also marred by betrayals. Someone didn't want us to be together, and they found a way to tear us apart."

The bitterness of those past hurts still left a sour taste in my mouth.

I held her face gently, my thumbs caressing her cheeks. "But now, you're here. And even if your memories elude you, I'll help you remember. Every laugh, every tear, every moment we shared. And together, we'll create new memories that'll outshine the old."

Her breath tickled my skin, a warm, minty perfume that made my heart race faster. "I… I don't know what to say."

The soft rustle of fabric, the distant hum of the prison's engine, the subtle warmth radiating from her body — everything converged into this singular moment of vulnerability and hope.

With a soft smile, I whispered, "Then we start afresh. No baggage, no past. Just you and me. And I promise you, Isla, I'll protect you, cherish you. You have my word."

She looked at me uncertainly.

Had I told her too much?

Should I have waited longer?

But how could I when waiting longer than necessary kepy her at arm's length?

The world faded away, and for that brief moment, it was just the two of us, lost in the timeless dance of souls reunited.