6. Isla

The dim lighting of Thillak's cell, with its iridescent blue hue, gave off a gentle warmth, contrasting sharply with the cold sheen that dominated this facility.

I tried to focus on the gentle hum of the machinery, a comforting white noise in the background, as I slowly regained my composure.

My once rhythmic heartbeat still felt erratic, each pulse echoing loudly in my ears, like the remnants of a haunting melody.

Tucked into the plush lounge chair, I pulled a soft, velvety blanket around me.

Its fibers caressed my skin, grounding me and making the horrors of the recent past feel just a tad more distant.

But then, breaking through my attempt at a peaceful moment, came Thillak's voice — authoritative and commanding.

"Let it be known that Isla is under Protection," he declared, locking eyes with a tall, intimidating figure I had come to recognize as Cayggod.

Thillak's eyes bore into Cayggod's, ensuring his message would not be taken lightly. "She is not to be touched, not even looked at. As far as anyone is concerned, she's invisible, she doesn't exist."

I watched, astonishment gradually replacing my fear.

Thillak was powerful; that much had been evident.

But this?

This was another level.

His words weren't just threats; they were laws being laid down.

The faintest aroma of Thillak's essence reached my nostrils — a mix of musk and something spicy.

I remembered it from our earlier closeness, an earthy and grounding fragrance that made me feel, oddly enough, safe.

"Anything that happens to her will be revisited on the perpetrators a thousand-fold," Thillak continued, his voice cold, sending a chill down my spine. "This includes their friends and relatives back home. No mercy shall be granted."

Cayggod simply nodded, but I could see the gravity of Thillak's decree registering in his eyes.

He made a note on a translucent pad, its soft glow illuminating his focused face.

"As for those two," Thillak's voice took on an even darker edge, "ensure they never assault anyone again. I trust you know what to do."

The words were chilling, and a shiver ran down my spine.

I felt torn.

On one hand, the promise of protection brought relief, while on the other, the realization of Thillak's influence and ruthlessness was unsettling.

I sipped on a warm drink placed next to me, the sweetness of some foreign fruit dancing on my tongue, further distracting me from my spiraling thoughts.

As Cayggod left, taking Thillak's orders with him, Thillak turned to me.

The intensity of his earlier demeanor was replaced with gentle concern.

He moved closer, and I could feel the warmth emanating from him.

The same scent that I had come to associate with safety wrapped around me, and I found myself leaning into it.

"Are you okay, Isla?" he whispered, his voice soft and soothing, sending a pleasant tingle down my neck.

The weight of the events began to press down on me, but there was a bubble of curiosity that refused to be squashed. "Who are you, Thillak?" I found myself asking, my voice barely above a whisper.

He took a moment before replying, his gaze distant. "Someone who will do everything to ensure you're safe."

His cryptic response only piqued my interest more.

But for now, the exhaustion of the night's events took precedence.

The soft glow from the room's ambient lighting threw gentle shadows on Thillak's face, softening his strong jawline and intense eyes.

Those very eyes, filled with concern and regret, settled on me.

The silence was thick, and yet, I felt a strange calm.

Drawing a steadying breath, Thillak sat directly in front of me, his knees touching mine. "Isla," he began, his voice as soft as velvet, "I promise you, nothing like tonight will ever happen again."

I could hear the sincerity in his voice, its timbre resonating with genuine concern and regret.

Though words could often be deceiving, there was something about the way they flowed from him that gave me solace.

"It's my fault," I admitted, my voice trembling slightly, feeling the sting of my hasty decisions. "I shouldn't have wandered off like that. Not in the middle of the night, not here."

A frown settled on Thillak's face, darkening his features. "It's not your fault. You shouldn't have to think twice about your safety, especially not here." He paused, drawing a deep breath that caused his broad chest to rise and fall. "It's my fault for not providing you with a security detail."

I looked into his eyes, startled by the guilt I saw there.

My skin tingled as he reached out, brushing strands of hair away from my face.

The gentle touch was unexpected, yet rather than startling me, it warmed something deep within.

It was almost as if, for a brief moment, we weren't in some alien confinement, but a safe, intimate space, far removed from the world's chaos.

"Thillak," I began, my voice filled with a newfound determination. "Who are you? Really?"

He looked away for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts, before returning his gaze to mine.

The weight of his next words, however, took me by surprise. "I'm the head of a vast criminal enterprise," he said simply. "Even from Ikmal, I continue to oversee its operations."

I leaned back, trying to process what he just shared.

The room's ambient sounds became sharper in the tense silence: the faint hum of machinery, the distant whispers of guards, and the subtle shift of Thillak's breathing.

The news was a lot to digest, but instead of fear, I felt a rush of curiosity.

"Does that mean…" I hesitated, formulating my question, "you're some kind of… kingpin here?"

A soft chuckle escaped Thillak's lips, the sound unexpectedly melodic in the tense atmosphere. "You could say that, yes," he admitted, the hint of a smile playing on his lips. "But it's more complicated than that."

The tangy aroma of a nearby fruit platter became more pronounced as my senses adjusted to the information, trying to find comfort in familiar sensations. "How did you end up here, on Ikmal, managing an empire? Why this… prison?"

His fingers touched the back of my hand. "Life has a way of taking unexpected turns," he said, his voice low and thoughtful. "Choices made, paths taken, all leading me here, with you."

I pulled my hand away gently, still trying to reconcile the gentle, protective man in front of me with the criminal overlord he claimed to be.

Yet, through the whirlwind of emotions, Thillak's presence was a beacon of stability.

"Regardless of my past, or my present," Thillak continued, his gaze intense, "know this — you are safe with me. Always."

A peculiar warmth spread through me.

The heady mix of fear, surprise, and undeniable attraction made my head spin.

Here, in the most unlikely of circumstances, I found myself drawn to an alien with shadows in his past.

I was uncertain, but deep down, a spark of hope flickered, hinting at a connection that might just defy the odds.

* * *

Thillak's revelationfrom earlier hung in the room, heavy like a thick heavy mist.

I couldn't help but glance at him repeatedly as I tried to reconcile the stories I'd been told with the person seated before me.

But right now, there was another mystery to unravel. "Thillak," I started, my voice tentative, "about what you mentioned earlier, being fated mates. What did you mean?"

He looked into my eyes, and I felt as if I was being pulled into the depths of a vast, star-filled universe.

I could smell the faintest hint of his musky cologne, a scent I was growing familiar with, and it grounded me as I prepared myself for what he had to share.

"Throughout the ages, across galaxies, across dimensions," he began, pausing to find the right words, "we've met. We've fallen in love. We've faced challenges. We've been torn apart, only to find each other once more."

The enormity of his words were not lost on me.

My skin prickled with goosebumps, his words igniting memories that felt foreign and familiar all at once.

"That's..." I struggled, "it's so surreal. But how is it that you remember everything, while I'm in the dark?"

Thillak sighed, a sound filled with the weight of centuries. "I've often asked myself the same thing. Every time we meet, the universe seems to test our bond in unique ways. I believe something happened in our last life, something that makes our reunion more challenging this time around."

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to dredge up any memories from the depths of my subconscious.

The sounds of distant machinery and the soft murmur of Thillak's breathing painted an almost serene ambiance that battled the turmoil of thoughts racing in my mind.

I inhaled deeply, the cool air filling my lungs, and then I asked, "If we're meant to be, why this challenge? And if we're to uncover my memories, what do we do now?"

Thillak's face turned serious, and the warmth I felt earlier was replaced by a sudden cold realization. "For us to fully unlock your memories, we need to be free from this place."

"And how do we do that?" I questioned, my voice laced with a mix of hope and uncertainty.

A small, sad smile played on his lips. "To truly be free, I must die."

I jolted back in shock. "What? No! There has to be another way. You can't just—"

"Calm down, Isla," Thillak interrupted, gently placing a hand on my shoulder, making me acutely aware of the warmth of his touch against the cool fabric of my clothing. "It's not as literal as you think. In the criminal world, sometimes, the only escape is to fake one's death. By doing so, I'll be free from the shackles of my past and the enemies that want me caged. And we can start anew, together."

The realization flooded my senses.

I could smell the heady mix of hope and apprehension in the air, hear the soft assurances Thillak whispered in my ear, and feel the strength and determination in his embrace.

For a long moment, we just sat there, soaking in the gravity of the decision ahead.

And as I nestled closer to Thillak, I realized that even though my memories were yet to resurface, my heart seemed to recognize him.

Perhaps that was the true essence of being fated mates.