7. Sabrina

Ihear the angry shouts and heavy footsteps of goblins outside my chamber door. My heart races as I realize Zarek has locked me in, either to keep me prisoner or protect me from whatever chaos is unfolding beyond these walls. The thought of him shielding me sends a confusing mix of warmth and frustration through me.

Scanning his opulent bedchamber as I hastily dress, I search for anything I might use to defend myself if his enemies come for me. Ornate swords and daggers decorate the walls, but they're more ceremonial than practical. I curse under my breath, wishing for my trusty plasma blaster that was confiscated when I was captured.

As I rummage through an armoire, my mind spins with the gravity of my situation. Part of me yearns to exploit this turmoil to stage an escape and get as far away from this forbidding alien world as possible. It may be my only chance at freedom, to return to the safety and familiarity of my academic life.

I could escape, but where would I go? Back to my stuffy studies on Orion Outpost, with the rare field trip to the nearest star system? That's no life. Not when I've seen a glimpse of Jardixia.

As I listen to the sounds of conflict outside the chamber, I can't bring myself to abandon the goblin king. We've only known each other a couple of days, but there's something about Zarek that calls to me. His touch, his gaze, sets my blood on fire. And beneath his arrogant exterior, I've glimpsed a tender side that intrigues me more than I care to admit.

No, I can't leave him to face this alone. Zarek is more than just the goblin king. He's become something more to me, something I'm not quite ready to put into words. I can't just leave him to be overthrown or executed.

My decision made, I grab the least gaudy weapon I can find, a simple dagger with a worn leather grip, and stuff the crystal orbs in my tunic. No way will I leave Zarek's gift behind for some usurper.

I pace the room, ears straining for any clue to what is happening outside. Distant explosions, muffled shouts, and the clatter of weapons filter through the walls. But nothing points to Zarek's fate. Surely he's still alive...

As the sounds grow closer, I take up a defensive position near the door, holding my dagger at the ready. I may not be a trained warrior, but I'll be damned if I go down without a fight.

The door bursts open and a lone goblin soldier rushes in, his face grim. I brandish my dagger, trying to show more confidence than I feel.

"What have you done with Zarek?" I demand, my voice firm.

The goblin soldier sneers. "The king has been dealt with. Now you're coming with me. Drop the weapon, human."

Anger and fear surge through me in equal measure. Like hell I will. I lunge forward, surprising the soldier with my ferocity. He barely dodges my slash.

He advances on me, weapons drawn, and I'm severely outmatched, but I'm not outnumbered, so I refuse to surrender. I'll fight tooth and nail if I have to. I strike out with the dagger, my movements wild and untrained. But it keeps him from advancing on me.

We circle each other, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a knife. Finally, the goblin soldier makes a move, rushing me. I duck out of the way, slashing at his arm. He roars in pain, an emerald gash blooming on his leathery skin, but I don't stop pressing my advantage. Thanks to his diminutive size I can hold my own.

I score a few more minor hits on the soldier, each strike sending jolts of agony through my already strained muscles. The adrenaline coursing through my veins briefly masks the searing pain from a previous wound on my side, but I know it's only a matter of time before the goblin lands another terrible blow. My luck can't last forever. I need to get out of here!

The soldier catches me off guard, knocking the dagger from my hand. It clatters to the ground, just out of reach. I rush forward, trying to get to it, my fingertips almost touching the leather grip.

Just as I'm on the precipice of losing this fight, a loud crash rocks the palace. The soldier's eyes widen in alarm, and I seize my chance. I dart past him, sprinting down the corridor with the dagger in one hand and the box holding the pair of crystals stuffed in my tunic.

As I round the corner, I hear the soldier's heavy footfalls echoing behind me, but before he can pursue me further, the sound of collapsing debris obstructs his path, buying me precious time to widen the gap between us.

I have to find Zarek... I don't know what I'll do when I find him, but I know I can't leave him to this fate. As I navigate the labyrinthine halls of the palace, dodging clashes between warring goblin factions, a plan forms in my mind.

It's reckless, impulsive, and probably suicidal. But when have I ever let that stop me? I'm Sabrina Hexter, xenoarchaeologist extraordinaire. And I'll be damned if I let a little thing like a goblin coup stand in my way.

Hang on, Zarek. I'm coming for you, you arrogant, infuriating, captivating bastard. And when I find you, we're going to have words about locking me in your bedchamber.

As I race through the palace, I can't help but marvel at how much has changed in just a short time. When I first breached the Goblin Empire's borders, I had no idea what I was getting into. But now, I wouldn't change a thing. For better or worse, Zarek has changed my life forever. And I'm not about to let some power-hungry goblins take that away.

The palace is in chaos. Goblins are running through the halls, weapons drawn. There's smoke and shouting and a strange, sickly smell in the air. I need to find Zarek, but I'm too exposed out here. I duck into an empty chamber, my heart pounding in my chest.

As I race through the palace, I can't help but notice the new distinction in the goblins' uniforms, revealing their loyalties. Those still faithful to Zarek display his emblem—a radiant gold and emerald crown—sewn into their tunics. The goblins allied with the coup have crudely torn Zarek's sigil from their regalia, leaving frayed edges as a testament to their betrayal.

Dodging through the turmoil, I slip past the hostile goblins, their attention diverted by louder crashes and the commands of their leaders. This chaos is my friend, allowing me to weave between factions, friend and foe alike, unnoticed by some and evaded by others.

I've never felt so alone, so vulnerable. But I know I can't give up now. Perhaps the Orbs of Knowledge and Secrets can help? I'm going to be so mad if Zarek is full of shit about their abilities...

I set the box down and open it up. Two glowing orbs, one blue and one green, sit inside. I take a deep breath and pick up one orb. It feels cool and heavy in my hand. "Show me where Zarek is," I say.

The orb pulses with light. Suddenly, an image appears in its center. I see Zarek, chained in a dungeon, surrounded by metal netting. He is scowling and battered… but alive. A wave of relief washes over me, and I feel like I can breathe again.

But my relief is short-lived. I need to get to him, but how? A wild idea comes to mind, something I saw in an old Earth action flick. I need to get to my spaceship! Is it time for an old-fashioned jail break? I bite my lip, making my decision. "Screw it."

Using the orbs as a guide, I navigate through the chaos to find my ship. It takes longer than I would have liked, but I finally arrive at the landing pad. To my relief, my ship is still here, though it has taken some damage.

I rush to the control panel and start the engine. I'm going to have to fly this thing through a city rather than space. It's going to be a bumpy ride. As the ship lifts off, I aim it toward the dungeons where Zarek is being held. The orbs show me the way, and I hope they're doing a good job of guiding me as guards stream out of the dock, firing laser blasts.

I'm able to avoid the worst of the fire, but some of the hits rock my ship. The sound of metal tearing fills the cockpit, and I know I can't take too many more blasts.

But I can't give up now. Not when I'm so close. I press on, dodging and weaving above the city streets. More guards are streaming out of the palace now, trying to shoot me down. It's a miracle that I've made it this far. But I can't let myself get cocky. One mistake could mean the end for both me and Zarek.

I've never flown like this before, and it takes all of my concentration to keep the ship from crashing. The city below me is a blur of movement and chaos. I can't afford to think about what I'm doing or what I've left behind. All that matters is getting Zarek out of that dungeon.

I reach the dungeons and the guards turn their attention to me. Their blasts are coming in thick and fast, and I can see the damage to my ship is extensive. I can't take many more hits. Do I crash into the wall? It's crazy, but I can't see another way. I don't know if I'll survive, but if I do nothing, neither will Zarek.

With a silent prayer to whatever gods are listening, I pull back on the controls and send my ship careening toward the walls of the dungeon. It's a reckless move, and I know I'm risking everything. But I can't just leave Zarek to die.

The impact is deafening, and the ship shudders under the force of it. I'm thrown around the cabin, my body slamming against the controls and the walls. I try to hold on, but it's no use. The ship is spiraling out of control, and I just hope it hits my target.

As the world spins around me, I close my eyes and brace myself for impact. My ship crashes through the wall of the dungeon, the sound of tearing metal filling the air. I'm thrown around like a ragdoll, my body slamming against the console and the walls of the ship. There's a sickening metallic screech as I hit the ground, and I'm sure that this is it.

As I stagger out of the wreckage, I'm shocked to find myself still alive. My head throbs, cuts sting all over my body, and my stomach churns, but against all odds, I make it through. The ship is a mangled mess, yet somehow, I survived. I take a moment to compose myself, my breaths shallow and rapid. Glancing around, I find no sign of goblins, which feels like a miracle in this chaos.

The smoke stings my eyes and the sound of distant fighting echoes through the upper floors. But I venture deeper into the dungeons. My heart races with a mix of fear and anticipation. I have no idea what awaits me on the other side, but I must press on. Zarek needs me.

The dungeon's cold, damp stone walls surround me, each corridor darker and more ominous than the last. An eerie silence envelops me, broken only by the occasional drip of water. Electric torches flicker, casting long, dancing shadows that seem to move in the corners of my eyes. The air is thick with a musty, earthy smell, and the distant clank of chains adds to the oppressive atmosphere.

Other than the usual goblin patrols, the chaos caused by my ship's crash seems to have driven them away temporarily, so I know I need to hurry. Finally, I emerge from a tunnel, my heart pounding in my chest. This is insane. I'm a xenoarchaeologist, not a soldier or a rescuer. Yet here I am, dagger in hand, searching for the goblin king who has somehow made me feel more alive than any of my studies ever did.

I round a corner and my heart almost leaps from my chest. There, locked behind iron bars, is Zarek. He's hunched in pain with a crackling metal net trapping him in place. Cuts and bruises mar his gray skin, but it's the look in his eyes that sends a surge of emotion through me. Fury, relief, and something else I don't want to think about.

"Sabrina," he purrs, his voice thick with pain but still laced with that infuriating cheekiness. "I must say, I'm flattered you came all this way just for me. I knew you couldn't resist my charm."

I roll my eyes, trying to hide the smile tugging at my lips. "Don't let it go to your head, Your Majesty. I'm just here to make sure these... evil munchkins don't take over your kingdom."

Zarek chuckles, wincing slightly as the movement jars his injuries. "Evil munchkins? I like that. Seems fitting for these traitorous little bastards. Though, I must admit, I'm a bit disappointed they managed to get the drop on me. Won't happen again."

"I'm sure it won't," I retort, stepping closer to the bars. "Now, are you ready to get out of this cage, or do you want to sit there and lick your wounds a little longer?"

The goblin king smirks, his eyes glinting with mischief. "By all means, Sabrina, work your magic. I'm always ready for a daring escape, especially with such a stunning rescuer."

I shake my head, trying to hide the blush creeping up my cheeks as I set to work on freeing him from his prison.

Zarek watches me with his piercing gaze, a grin playing at the corner of his lips. I can see the pain etched on his face, but he holds himself with a regal dignity despite his predicament. He nods toward a control panel on the wall, his voice strained as another wave of electricity courses through him. "Hit the red button. It should open the cell."

I rush over to the panel, my fingers trembling as I press the button. The net crackles one last time before going silent. "The other red button!" he bellows.

I hit the other red button, and the cage door swings open. I rush toward Zarek, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reach out to touch him, he flinches away. "Don't," he rasps. "It's still active. You'll get electrocuted."

I pull back, my eyes scanning the net for any weaknesses. "How do I get it off you?" I ask, desperation tinging my voice.

Zarek smirks, his eyes gleaming with a mix of mischief and pain. "Come now, darling, you're the clever one. Surely you can figure out how to untangle me from this infernal contraption. Just don't take too long admiring the view, as much as I know you'd like to. Time is of the essence, and I'd rather not become a charred royal delight."

The thought sends a chill down my spine. I rack my brain, trying to come up with a solution. I need something to cut through the net, something strong enough to withstand the current.

My eyes land on a plank of wood from one of the smashed doors. It's not much, but it's better than nothing. I grab it and approach Zarek, my hands trembling. "Hold still," I say, my voice barely a whisper.

Carefully, I wedge the plank between Zarek's body and the crackling net, hoping the wood will act as an insulator. He grunts in pain as I apply pressure, trying to create some space between him and the electrified mesh. Sweat beads on my brow as I work, my heart racing with each passing second.

"Hurry," Zarek hisses through gritted teeth. "I can feel it... draining me."

With a burst of desperate strength, I pry part of the net away from his body. It's just enough space for him to wriggle free. I keep the plank in place, acting as a barrier, as Zarek contorts and twists his way out of the deadly trap.

Finally, with a roar of pain and triumph, he breaks free, collapsing to the ground in a heap. I drop the plank and rush to his side, hands hovering over his injured form, afraid to touch him in case I cause more pain.

"Zarek?" I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.

He raises his head, those piercing green eyes locking onto mine. A slow, wicked grin spreads across his face. "I knew you couldn't resist playing the hero," he teases, his voice rough but filled with warmth.

I let out a choked laugh, relief flooding through me. "You're welcome, Your Majesty," I retort, helping him to his feet.

When he stumbles, leaning heavily on me, I'm struck by how much I care for this arrogant, complex, captivating alien.

"We need to get out of here," I say, my voice firm despite the fear gnawing at my insides.

Before I can respond, he leans in, capturing my lips in a searing kiss. His tongue explores my mouth, and I feel a surge of desire rush through me. But he pulls away too soon, leaving me breathless and wanting. Zarek's eyes are dark with desire, but there's a softness in them I've never seen before.

He looks at me, his expression unreadable. "I didn't think you'd come back," he admits.

I meet his gaze, my heart pounding. "Neither did I."

But here we are, standing together amid the chaos and destruction, our fates entwined in ways I never could have imagined. "We should get out of here," I say, the urgency of the moment bringing me back to reality.

He nods, his face set with grim determination, his grip on me tightening. A wicked grin spreads across his face. "I hope you're ready for a real challenge, my defiant little human. It's time to show these treacherous fools what happens when they dare to cross the goblin king and his queen."

He leans in close, his breath hot against my ear. "Stick close to me. I'll enjoy teaching you the finer points of crushing our enemies and making them beg for mercy. And afterward..."

His voice drops to a low, suggestive growl. "I'll thank you properly for saving your king. I've got a few delicious ideas in mind for expressing my royal gratitude."

With a dark chuckle, he takes my hand in his, his claws grazing my skin. "Now let's go take back what's ours, shall we? The goblin kingdom won't reconquer itself."