10. Valen

CHAPTER 10

VALEN

D inner with Ariana lingers in my mind like a persistent echo. Her laughter, soft and genuine, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke of her dreams—every detail stays with me. I didn’t expect to feel this way, didn’t want to admit how deeply I’m drawn to her. Yet here I am, haunted by the memory of her touch and the warmth of her presence.

“Tragan,” I call, my voice steady, betraying none of the turmoil within. The aide appears promptly, his face a mask of efficiency.

“Yes, sir?” he asks, ever the professional.

“I need you to hire additional security for the estate,” I say, leaning back in my chair. I can't risk taking any more security from the mines. It would not only open it up to theft and sabotage, but would also not go unnoticed in the business world. The last thing I need is more rumors spreading. “Discreetly.”

Tragan raises an eyebrow but doesn’t question me. “Any particular threats we should be aware of?”

“None specific,” I lie smoothly. The truth is, I can’t shake the unease that grips me when I think of Ariana outside these walls. The incident with her ex-boyfriend still burns in my mind. “Just a precaution.”

“Understood,” he nods, making a note on his datapad. “I’ll ensure they blend in with the current staff.”

“Good.” I pause, considering my next words carefully. “And Tragan, make sure they’re top-tier. I don’t want any slip-ups.”

He looks up, meeting my gaze briefly before nodding again. “Of course. Anything else?”

“That’ll be all for now,” I dismiss him with a wave, turning back to the window as he exits.

The night stretches before me, stars twinkling against the dark expanse of sky. It’s a beautiful view, one that usually brings a measure of peace. But tonight, it’s merely a backdrop to my restless thoughts.

Ariana’s presence has become a comfort I didn’t know I needed. Her strength and resilience are like balm to wounds I’ve long kept hidden. And yet, there’s fear too—a fear of what she might uncover if she gets too close.

I grip the edge of my desk tightly. Protecting her has become more than just an instinct; it’s a necessity. But how do I keep her safe without revealing too much? How do I balance this delicate act without scaring her away?

The estate is silent now, most of the staff having retired for the night. But even in this stillness, I can sense her presence somewhere within these walls. It’s both a comfort and a curse.

Tomorrow will bring new challenges and decisions. For now, though, all I can do is ensure she remains protected and hope that one day she’ll understand why.

But not yet.

Not until I'm ready to let her see beyond the shadows that cloak my past.

I stand and move toward the window, looking out over the sprawling grounds bathed in moonlight. Determination settles over me like armor; no harm will come to Ariana as long as she's here.

And for now, that will have to be enough.

The air hums with the scent of freshly brewed kava, mingling with the faint aroma of old leather and ink. I stand behind my desk, fingers tapping a measured rhythm against the smooth surface as I await my visitor.

When he arrives, Kieran strides in with a confident smile, his portly frame clad in a suit that’s seen better days. He’s always been a reliable supplier, but today his eyes flicker with something more—something that sets my teeth on edge.

“Valen,” he greets, extending a hand. I take it, my grip firm but not crushing.

“Kieran. Have a seat.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine, settling into my own as he lowers himself into the plush leather.

He leans back, crossing one leg over the other. “I’ll get straight to it. There’s been an offer.”

I arch an eyebrow. “An offer?”

“Yes.” He hesitates, then plunges ahead. “From Solaris Corp. They’re willing to pay twenty percent more for my equipment.”

Fury coils in my chest like a tightening spring, but I keep my expression neutral. “Twenty percent is generous,” I say slowly, steepling my fingers under my chin.

“It is,” Kieran agrees, his eyes gleaming with avarice. “But I wanted to give you a chance to match it.”

I study him for a moment, letting silence stretch between us. He shifts slightly under my gaze—good. “Kieran,” I begin, voice smooth as silk, “Solaris Corp has been making quite a few waves lately.”

“Oh?” His curiosity piques; he leans forward.

“Indeed.” I nod thoughtfully. “Rumors suggest they’ve been dabbling in some rather… questionable practices.”

His eyes narrow slightly. “What kind of practices?”

“Illegal mining operations,” I say softly, watching him carefully for his reaction. And I know for a fact they are, because I'm one of their investors. Under a pseudonym. And I intend to cash out just before the authorities are tipped off. “Word is they’re trying to corner the market before anyone catches on.”

Kieran’s brow furrows. “Illegal mining? That’s a serious accusation.”

“Very serious.” I lean back in my chair, feigning nonchalance. “And it makes sense they’d offer more for your equipment—they need to keep things quiet.”

He looks troubled now, doubt creeping into his features. “I hadn’t heard anything about that.”

“They’re good at covering their tracks,” I say smoothly. “But if they’re caught—and they will be—it could bring down everyone associated with them.”

Kieran frowns deeply, rubbing his chin. “That’s… concerning.”

I let him stew for a moment before adding casually, “Of course, you’re free to make your own decisions. But aligning yourself with them could be risky business.”

He nods slowly, digesting this information. “Perhaps… perhaps we can renegotiate our terms instead,” he suggests cautiously.

I smile inwardly; the seeds of doubt have taken root. “I’m open to discussions,” I say aloud, keeping my tone neutral.

He exhales in relief and begins outlining new terms that are far more favorable than Solaris’s offer—and devoid of any threats to stability.

As we finalize the details and shake hands once more, I can’t help but feel a grim satisfaction. Protecting what’s mine requires more than brute strength; it demands strategy and precision.

Kieran leaves with reassurances and promises of continued loyalty echoing behind him as the door closes softly.

Alone again in my study, I allow myself a brief moment of reflection before moving on to the next challenge of the day—Ariana remains ever-present in my thoughts.

But first things first: securing the mine ensures her safety indirectly—everything is connected in this intricate web we weave.

And I intend to keep her safe at all costs.

The garden is a riot of color against the otherwise stark landscape of Armstrong. Flowers not native to this war-ravaged planet bloom defiantly, their petals vibrant against the backdrop of crumbling stone and dust.

I find Ariana kneeling among the blossoms, her fingers deftly tending to a particularly stubborn weed. The sight of her here, so at ease amidst this beauty, stirs something deep within me.

“Ariana,” I say, stepping closer. She looks up, startled for a moment before her lips curve into a smile.

“Valen,” she replies, rising gracefully to her feet. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I needed a break from the endless stream of meetings.” I gesture to the garden. “And it seems you’ve found yourself a new project.”

She laughs softly, brushing dirt from her hands. “The garden needed some attention.”

My gaze falls on a cluster of flowers near her. Their deep blue petals shimmer under the sun, delicate yet resilient. “These are Nythar blooms,” I say, crouching beside her. “They’re not native to Armstrong.”

Ariana tilts her head, curiosity lighting her eyes. “Really? They’re beautiful.”

“They are,” I agree. “They originate from my homeworld, Kilgaris Prime. These flowers were once thought too fragile to survive anywhere else.”

She bends down to touch a petal gently. “But they’re thriving here.”

I nod, feeling a strange sense of pride. “Yes, they are. It took years of careful cultivation and adaptation to get them to this point.”

Ariana’s eyes meet mine, and there’s something knowing in her gaze. “They must be very resilient.”

“They are,” I say quietly. “Resilience is often born from necessity.”

She smiles again, and it’s like the sun breaking through clouds. “Sounds like someone I know,” she says softly.

My chest tightens at her words. She sees more than I give away—sees through the layers I’ve built around myself.

“They’ve had to adapt to harsh conditions,” I continue, keeping my tone light despite the weight of my thoughts. “But now they flourish where others thought they couldn’t.”

Ariana nods slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes. “It’s amazing what can happen when given a chance.”

“Yes,” I agree, unable to look away from her. “It is.”

For a moment, we stand in silence, surrounded by the heady scent of blossoms and the quiet hum of life in the garden.

She turns back to the flowers, fingers tracing the edges of a petal with care. “Thank you for sharing that with me,” she says softly.

The words sting like the thorns of the flowers she tends. I’ve hardly shared anything with her, especially the depths of my past. And what happens when we get closer? When she’ll inevitably ask about where I come from, how I got here?

I fear what she might say when she knows my whole truth. But I can’t let that hold me back from being with her right now.

I reach out and gently take her hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her skin against my own. “Anytime,” I reply, my voice low and sincere.

Ariana’s smile widens, and she squeezes my hand briefly before letting go. The connection lingers between us like an unspoken promise.

As she returns to tending the garden, I stay by her side, content in this shared moment of quiet resilience and unspoken understanding.

Sometimes, words aren’t needed to convey what’s in our hearts.