Page 20 of Taken By the Alien Merking
Brooke laughed, the sound bubbling out of her in a stream of silver orbs. “I can’t help it if I’m a novelty,” she replied, her own scales catching the light.
Their playful banter was cut short as the palace came into view. Brooke’s breath caught in her throat, a gasp that was lost in the water. The structure was a marvel of aquatic architecture, a fusion of organic curves and crystalline spires that seemed to grow out of the seabed itself. Bioluminescent creatures clung to its walls, casting a soft, ethereal glow that made the palace look like it was woven from the very essence of the ocean.
“Welcome to your new home, my queen,” Zetron said, his voice brimming with pride.
My new home. The words echoed in Brooke’s mind, a refrain that seemed too surreal to be true. She was no longer just a captain from Earth; she was to be a queen in an underwater kingdom, a partner to a king who ruled a world so different from her own.
As they approached the palace, Brooke’s eyes drank in every detail. The grand archways, the intricate mosaics depicting the history of the Quxoni people, the gardens of coral that swayed gently with the current—it was a sight that defied imagination.
“It’s incredible,” she murmured, her voice filled with awe. “I never could have dreamed of a place like this.”
Zetron’s smile was warm, his gaze tender as he watched her take it all in. “Our home is a reflection of the beauty and diversity of our oceans,” he said. “And now, it is a reflection of you as well.”
They swam through the grand entrance, the water parting for them as if it too acknowledged Zetron’s sovereignty. Inside, the palace was even more spectacular. The ceilings were high, supported by columns that spiraled upwards. Schools of fish darted through the open spaces, their colors a vibrant contrast to the muted tones of the palace interior.
Brooke’s mind reeled with the realization that this was her life now. She was to be a queen in a fairy tale, not of castles and ball gowns, but of coral and tides. It was a thought that both thrilled and unnerved her.
As they moved deeper into the palace, Zetron’s hand found hers, his grip firm and reassuring. “There is much to show you,” he said, “and even more for us to experience together.”
Brooke squeezed his hand in response, her eyes meeting his. “I’m ready for whatever comes next,” she declared, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions within her.
The coral-lined halls echoed with the soft whisper of water. She swam alongside Zetron, her tail undulating with a grace that still surprised her, the scales shimmering in the dappled light that streamed through the transparent walls of the palace.
They turned a corner, and the throne room unfolded before them, its vastness a breath-stealing marvel. Brooke’s eyes widened at the sight. The room teemed with Quxoni, their colors a kaleidoscope of marine hues—turquoise, indigo, emerald—each one a testament to the diversity of this world. She, with her unique violet scales, stood out like a star in the midnight sky, causing more than a few heads to turn in her direction.
Zetron guided her to the front of the room, where two massive thrones, carved from stone and coral, loomed like twin sentinels.The thrones were a marvel of craftsmanship, adorned with intricate patterns and studded with precious gems that sparkled under the water’s surface. They were unlike anything she had ever seen, a fitting seat for a king and his queen.
Before Brooke fully processed the grandeur of her surroundings, Zetron’s voice resonated through the water, clear and commanding. “My people,” he began, his gaze sweeping over the multitude of Quxoni before him, “I present to you your new queen, Brooke of Earth.”
The words struck her like a physical force, leaving her stunned and rooted to the spot. Already? Her mind raced, trying to grasp the magnitude of his announcement. She was still coming to terms with her transformation, with the idea of a life submerged beneath the waves, and now this. She glanced at Zetron, seeking some reassurance, but his features were a mask of regal composure, offering her no reprieve.
The room erupted into a cacophony of murmurs, the Quxoni exchanging glances and whispers as they took in the sight of their new queen. Brooke’s heart pounded in her chest, the sound a steady drumbeat in her ears. She was acutely aware of her exposed scales, of the way her tail caught the light, of the curious eyes that scrutinized her every move.
A tall Quxoni with scales of deep sapphire swam forward, his eyes locked on Brooke. “Your Majesty,” he addressed Zetron with a respectful bow before turning to Brooke, “and Queen Brooke. It is an honor to welcome you to our humble kingdom.”
Brooke opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. She was a captain, a soldier, not a queen. How could she rule a kingdom under the sea when she had only just learned to swim in it?
Zetron seemed to sense her unease, his hand finding hers, a silent pledge of support. “Fear not,” he whispered, his voice a gentle current against her skin, “you were meant for this, Brooke. You are strong, compassionate, and brave. You will be a queen like no other.”
His words, laced with sincerity, soothed her frayed nerves. She took a deep breath, the water flowing through her gills with a calming rhythm. She could do this. She had to. For Earth, for her sisters, and for the unexpected bond she had formed with Zetron.
With a determined nod, she addressed the gathering, her voice carrying across the throne room. “Thank you for your warm welcome,” she said, her eyes meeting those of the Quxoni before her. “I may not be of your world, but I promise to serve you with all the wisdom and courage I possess.”
A cheer rose from the crowd, a chorus of acceptance that filled the room with a palpable sense of joy and anticipation. Brooke’s heart swelled with a mixture of pride and trepidation. She was their queen now, and she would do everything in her power to live up to the title.
As the applause died down, Zetron leaned in close, his breath a warm whisper against her ear. “Well done, my queen,” he murmured, a smile playing on his lips.
Brooke leaned close to Zetron, her voice barely more than a current of water. “We should have discussed the announcement first,” she murmured, her eyes flicking to the sea of faces that watched them with a mix of reverence and curiosity. “I could have prepared something more… regal.”
Zetron’s gaze held hers, a gentle reassurance radiating from his emerald eyes. “You were perfect,” he said, his voice a deep rumble that resonated within her chest. “Your words were heartfelt and genuine. That is what will endear you to our people.”
Brooke’s lips parted, but before she could utter a sound, Zetron’s hand cradled her cheek, pulling her into a kiss that was both a claim and a promise. The warmth of his lips against hers sent a ripple of heat through her body, despite the cool embrace of the ocean. It was a bold display of affection, one that caused a wave of cheers to cascade through the throne room again.
When they finally broke apart, Zetron’s eyes held hers, the intensity of his gaze piercing through the haze of the kiss.
“From the moment you stepped out of the landing capsule, you were mine,” he declared, his voice carrying through the water with an undercurrent of possession. “And I, yours. Forever, Brooke.”
Brooke’s breath hitched, her mind struggling to grasp the enormity of his words. She was a captain, not someone to be claimed. Yet, as she looked into Zetron’s eyes, the notion of belonging to him—and him to her—sent a thrill of excitement coursing through her.
