Page 4 of Taken By the Alien Merking
It was hard to reconcile those two thoughts.
They continued onward, the promise of the caves and the safety they offered spurring them forward. Zetron found himself strangely at ease with Captain at his side, her quiet strength acomforting presence amidst the uncertainty of their situation. He was a king, accustomed to shouldering the weight of his people’s expectations alone. Yet here, on this deserted island, he was not just a ruler—he was a man, walking alongside a woman who was rapidly becoming much more than just a visitor to his world.
The jungle’s dense canopy filtered the sunlight and danced upon Brooke’s skin as they walked. Zetron watched her, the way she navigated the uneven terrain with a grace that belied her unfamiliarity with the terrain. She was a creature of another world, yet she moved with a confidence that stirred something deep within him.
“Tell me about the attack,” Captain asked of him. “Who were those people? Why would they oppose a treaty between humans and the beings of Sanos?”
Zetron’s jaw tightened. The attack was a raw wound, a stark reminder of the discord that plagued his people. Yet, he found himself wanting to share the burden with her, to seek solace in her understanding. “They are a faction that rejects the idea of unity with other species,” he explained, his tone steady. “They fear change, fear what they do not understand. They see the treaty as a threat to our way of life. They seek to go back to the old ways. To turn our back on our technology and return to our roots.”
Captain nodded, her gaze thoughtful. “Fear is a powerful motivator,” she mused. “But it’s a poor foundation for decisions that will affect generations.”
Her insight surprised him, and he felt a grudging respect for her wisdom. “You speak the truth, Captain,” he said, his voice laced with admiration. “Their fear has led to violence, to the loss of innocent lives.”
They walked in silence for a moment, the gravity of their situation hanging heavy in the air between them. Zetron’s mind raced with thoughts of the future, a future that seemed increasingly uncertain at the moment. Yet, in Brooke’s presence, he found a strange sense of calm.
As they approached the cave system, Zetron felt a pang of nostalgia. This place was his sanctuary, a refuge where he had sought solace in the wake of his mother’s passing. The caves were a part of him, a secret corner of the world where he could shed the heaviness of his crown and simply be.
He led Captain into the cavernous expanse, the cool air a stark contrast to the humid jungle outside. The walls of the cave were adorned with ancient rock formations that glistened like jewels in the dim light. Zetron watched Captain’s reaction, her eyes wide with awe as she took in the beauty of his hidden haven.
“This is… incredible,” she breathed, her voice echoing off the stone.
Zetron’s chest swelled with pride. “This cave has been in my family for generations,” he said, the words slipping out before he could stop them. He cursed himself silently, realizing too late that he had revealed a piece of his past that he had intended to keep hidden. But Captain’s presence was disarming, her very essence chipping away at the walls he had built around himself.
They ventured deeper into the cave, the sound of their footsteps a rhythmic cadence that resonated with the heartbeat of the earth. Zetron’s gaze was drawn to the hand-hewn furniture that occupied the space, a testament to the countless nights he had spent here, alone with his thoughts.
Captain ran her fingers over the rough-hewn surface of a wooden table. “You’ve spent time here,” she observed, her voice soft.
“Yes,” Zetron admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “After my mother passed, I found comfort in the solitude of these caves.”
Captain’s eyes met his, a silent understanding passing between them. At that moment, Zetron felt a connection to her that transcended the political machinations that had brought her to his world. She was more than a diplomat, more than a potential ally. She was a kindred spirit, a woman whose strength and resilience mirrored his own.
He gestured toward one of the freshwater pools, its surface shimmering in the ambient light. “We can rest here,” he said, his toneleaving no room for argument. “The water is fresh and clean. You can bathe and replenish your strength.”
Brooke’s gaze lingered on the pool, a hint of vulnerability flickering in her eyes. Zetron turned away, granting her a semblance of privacy as she processed the intimacy of the situation. He knew that he was pushing the boundaries of their burgeoning relationship, but he could not deny the primal urge to care for her, to protect her.
Maybe there was a case to allow these humans to stay, after all.
Chapter 3
Brooke
Brooke’sfingerstrailedoverthe table’s rough surface, the grain of the wood whispering tales of solitude and contemplation. This place, a hidden cavern within the island’s heart, bore the marks of Zetron’s presence like a signature. The furniture, thoughcrude, held a certain charm, each piece shaped by hands that seemed to know the language of this strange place.
Zetron’s voice, deep and resonant, pulled her from her musings. “This pool,” he gestured to the larger of the two, “is for bathing. The other, smaller one, is for drinking. The water is fresh and filtered through the island’s core.”
Brooke nodded, her gaze lingering on the tranquil waters. Their surface danced with the reflection of the bioluminescent flora that adorned the cavern’s walls. She turned to him, her brow furrowing slightly. “And you’re sure your people know what’s safe for me to consume here?”
“Yes,” he replied with a confidence that was both reassuring and disconcerting. “My scientists have studied the nutritional requirements of your species extensively. You need not worry, Captain.”
The possessiveness that peppered his speech when referring to his people gave her pause. A shiver of unease slithered down her spine, but she dismissed it, attributing it to the quirks of interspecies communication.
“I’ll return shortly with food,” Zetron declared, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. “Stay within the cavern. You’ll be safe here.”
Brooke watched him retreat, his powerful form cutting through the shadows like a blade. The weight of their isolation settled upon her shoulders, and she couldn’t help but marvel at the absurdity of her situation. Here she was, on an alien planet, with a creature that was the stuff of fantasy, and yet, the concern in his eyes had been as real as anything she’d ever seen.
She moved to the bathing pool, the warm water beckoning her. Brooke paused, her hand hovering over the warm, clear water. The silence of the cavern enveloped her, broken only by the gentle lapping of the water against the stone edges. She glanced around, ensuring Zetron had truly left, the echo of his departure still lingering in the air.
Trust didn’t come easily to her, especially not in the heart of an alien world. Yet, there was something about Zetron that tugged at her, a gravitational pull she couldn’t quite explain.
