Chapter 13

THIRTEEN

V enus paced the perimeter of her gilded prison, her fingers trailing along the cool, iridescent walls. The alien crystals embedded within pulsed with a soft, golden light that seemed to mock her predicament. Each step was measured, deliberate, as if she could somehow wear a path to freedom through sheer force of will.

She paused at a particularly ornate sculpture, its twisting alien forms eerily beautiful in the dim light. “A golden cage is still a cage,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

The sound of approaching footsteps sent Venus into high alert. She positioned herself near the door, ready to face whatever—or whoever—was coming. When Zhera’s familiar face appeared, Venus felt a mixture of relief and disappointment wash over her.

“I brought you some food,” Zhera whispered, slipping into the room with a tray balanced precariously in her hands. “From my personal kitchen. It’s safe, I promise. I still can’t figure out why Nyrea keeps moving you to different rooms but I’ll find you wherever you are.”

Venus’s stomach growled traitorously, and she couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks, Zhera. You’re quite the rebel, aren’t you?”

As they settled on the plush carpet, legs crossed and the tray between them, Venus studied the young princess. There was a spark in Zhera’s eyes, a hunger for something more than her sheltered royal life.

“Tell me more about Earth, Venus, please,” Zhera urged between bites of strange, colorful fruit. “What’s it like to be truly free?”

Venus paused, considering her words carefully. “It’s not perfect,” she admitted. “But we have choices. The ability to forge our own paths, to make mistakes and learn from them.” She leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially.

Zhera nodded, her expression a mix of excitement and fear. “I’ve always wanted more than... this,” she gestured vaguely around her. “But Nyrea...”

“Your sister doesn’t define you,” Venus said firmly, reaching out to squeeze Zhera’s hand. “You have your own strength, Zhera. I can see it.”

As they continued to talk, Venus’s mind raced with possibilities. Zhera could be the key to her escape, but more than that, Venus found herself genuinely caring for the young princess.

Hours later, after Zhera had left and Venus had tried (and failed) to get some rest, there was another knock at the door. Venus tensed, ready for a fight, but her heart nearly stopped when she saw who entered.

Azlun slipped into the room, his eyes immediately locking with hers. For a moment, neither of them moved, drinking in the sight of each other.

“Azlun,” Venus breathed, her voice catching in her throat.

In two long strides, he crossed the room and pulled her into his arms. Venus melted into his embrace, inhaling his familiar scent. She hadn’t realized how much she needed this, needed him, until this very moment. His lips immediately took over hers in a desperate, soul-reaching kiss. She’d missed him so damn much. Had it only been two days since they crash landed? It felt like a week.

“Are you all right?” Azlun murmured into her hair, his arms tightening around her. “When I heard Nyrea kept moving you, I feared the worst.”

Venus pulled back just enough to look up at him, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, you know me. Just enjoying my five-star accommodations. The lack of windows really adds to the ambiance.”

Azlun chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest, but his eyes remained serious. “Venus,” he said, cupping her face in his hands, “we don’t have much time. Nyrea is more dangerous than we thought.”

“What happened?” Venus asked, her own hands coming up to rest on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palms.

“I met with the king,” Azlun explained, his jaw clenching. “It didn’t go well. Nyrea... she’s not just jealous. She’s unstable. The things she said about you...” He trailed off, his eyes darkening with a mixture of anger and fear.

Venus felt a surge of protectiveness wash over her. She stood on her tiptoes, pressing a fierce kiss to Azlun’s lips. “Let her try something,” she growled when they parted. “I’m not going down without a fight.”

Azlun’s eyes softened. “That’s my girl,” he said, his voice filled with admiration. “But I’d rather not put you in that position. We need to get you out of here, and fast.”

As Azlun outlined their escape plan, Venus couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly everything had changed. Just weeks ago, she’d been bristling at the idea of an arranged marriage. Now, here she was, plotting a daring escape with the man who’d become more important to her than she’d ever imagined possible.

“Dravek is working on securing transport,” Azlun continued, his fingers absently tracing patterns on Venus’s lower back. “But we need a way to communicate with him and Garek without arousing suspicion.”

Venus’s eyes lit up. “I think I might have an idea about that,” she said, thinking of Zhera. “But it’s going to be risky.”

They spent the next hour refining their plan, speaking in hushed tones and stealing touches whenever possible. Venus found herself hyperaware of Azlun’s presence—the warmth of his body so close to hers, the intensity in his eyes when he looked at her, the way his hand would linger on her arm or the small of her back.

“We’re running out of time,” Azlun said finally, glancing anxiously at the door. “I need to get back before Nyrea notices I’m gone.”

Venus nodded, her heart clenching at the thought of him leaving. She reached up, cupping his face in her hands. “Be careful,” she whispered, her thumbs brushing along his cheekbones. “If Nyrea so much as touches you?—“

“I know,” Azlun said, turning his head to press a kiss to her palm. “You’ll make her regret it. I feel the same way about you.” His eyes burned with an intensity that took Venus’s breath away. “I never thought I’d feel this way about anyone, Venus. The idea of you in danger... it drives me crazy.”

“Then let’s make sure we both stay safe,” Venus replied, her voice thick with emotion. “Because I’m not losing you either, Azlun. Not now, not ever.”

He leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both tender and fierce. Venus poured everything she felt into that kiss—her fear, her hope, her growing love for this man who had turned her world upside down. When they parted, Venus saw her own determination reflected in Azlun’s eyes.

“We’re getting out of here,” Azlun promised, resting his forehead against hers. “Together.”

As Azlun prepared to leave, Venus felt a renewed sense of purpose coursing through her veins. She might be trapped for now, but she was far from helpless. With Azlun by her side and Zhera as their unexpected ally, she knew they stood a chance.

“Bring it on, Nyrea,” Venus muttered to herself as the door closed behind Azlun. She clenched her fists, a fierce grin spreading across her face. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

In the days that followed, Venus threw herself into preparation. She worked with Zhera, teaching her self-defense moves and watching with pride as the young princess’s confidence grew. Every stolen moment with Azlun was precious, filled with whispered plans and tender touches.

As the tension in the palace grew palpable and Nyrea’s suspicions rose, Venus knew they were running out of time.