Page 12 of Alien Prince (Alien Abductions and Seductions #1)

Chapter Twelve

Kyron

I feel her presence fade into the background, like a star being swallowed by a black hole. Something isn't right. I rush through the corridors of the palace, my heart pounding in my chest. The Queen's aura is unmistakable, and it's mingling with Gemma's. I know what that means.

She’s taken her.

“Mother!” I shout, my voice echoing off the marble walls. I burst into the grand hall, and there she is—Gemma, or rather, what looks like Gemma, standing with a chillingly familiar posture.

“Kyron, darling,” she purrs, but it's not Gemma's voice. It's the Queen's, cold and calculating.

“Let her go,” I demand, my fists clenched at my sides. My knuckles are white, energy pulses through me— I’m ready to explode.

The Queen smirks, using Gemma's lips. “Oh, Kyron, you've grown soft. This human... She’s made you weak.”

I step closer, trying to keep my composure. “Release her, Mother. Now.”

She laughs, the sound echoing eerily around us.

“Why should I? She's perfect for you, isn’t she? Like she was designed for you.”

My blood boils. “She is mine,” I growl, the possessiveness in my voice barely controlled. “And you will not harm her.”

The Queen's eyes narrow, and her smile turns sinister.

“Do you even know who she is, Kyron? She’s the daughter of my ex-skin and the leader of the rebellion against our crown. I tossed her into your closet because you’re an embarrassment. You never use all the pretty skins I’ve graciously given you. I thought she’d be kept quiet and hidden, but of course not. But the moment I sensed your energies intertwined, the way your aura flared and resonated with hers, I knew. She’s your mate,” she seethes.

She chuckles darkly, her fingers tapping against Gemma's thigh in a mockery of casualness. “And now, she’s trying to fight me, poor little thing. You should feel her struggle, Kyron. It’s almost... amusing.”

The doors to the hall burst open, and Raif storms in, his gun drawn and eyes wild.

“Gemma!” he shouts, but then he freezes, his gaze locking onto me. His eyes widen in shock and confusion.

“Who the hell are you?” he breathes, disbelief coloring his tone. For a moment, the entire room seems to hold its breath. The guards who rushed in behind Raif come to a halt, their eyes also fixed on me with a mixture of fear and astonishment. For the first time ever, I'm seen by others who are not my family or my mate. My bond with Gemma is growing, and solidifying my body.

I look at my hands and see they are still galactically glowing and swirly but have almost a sheen-like casing around my body. Skin, I have translucent skin forming as my body starts to take its corporeal form now that I've found my mate.

The Queen, still in Gemma’s body, seizes the moment.

“Raif, help me,” she pleads, her voice trembling. “Please, he's hurting me.”

Raif's eyes narrow, suspicion flickering across his face.

“Gemma?” he asks, his grip on the gun tightening.

“Raif, please!” the Queen continues, her voice breaking. “He’s... he’s trying to kill me!”

Raif's eyes harden, noticing the unusual display of weakness.

“Gemma would never beg,” he growls, his voice filled with cold certainty. “Who are you?”

“Stop!” I command, stepping into his line of sight. “Raif, think this through. You shoot her, you shoot Gemma again. Let's not make the same mistake twice.”

Raif's eyes narrow, and he shifts his aim slightly, but he doesn’t lower his weapon.

The Queen laughs, a cold, mocking sound.

“You think you can save her? You can't even save yourself, Kyron.” She turns towards the palace guards stationed at the entrance. “Kill them.”

I feel the invisible bond between Gemma and me strengthening, solidifying with each passing moment. I can sense her fear, her struggle, and it fuels my determination. I won’t let the Queen take her from me.

As the guards advance, I reach out with my mind, trying to stabilize with Gemma.

Gemma, fight her. I know you’re there. Fight her.

For a moment, I feel a flicker of response, but it's weak. The Queen's grip on her is too strong. I need to do something—and fast.

“Raif,” I call out, redirecting my attention towards him while he skillfully fires at the guards who are rapidly approaching. “Distract her. I need to get close enough to touch her.”

Raif nods, his eyes locked on the Queen. He fires with precision, each shot landing just right to keep her and her guards on edge. His aim is perfect—close enough to pressure them, but not enough to cause harm. The guards tighten their formation, focused entirely on protecting her.

Seizing the moment, I move quickly and quietly. When I'm close enough, I lunge and grab Gemma’s—or rather, the Queen's—arm.

The connection is instant, electric. I feel the Queen's presence, cold and overpowering, but I also sense Gemma, buried deep within. I focus all my energy on her, pushing against the Queen's hold.

Gemma, it's me. You have to fight. I need you.

I feel her struggling, trying to push the Queen out—to latch onto me.

It's working, but it's not enough. I pour more of my energy into her, our bond strengthening, solidifying. With each blow of my fists and each dodge of the guards' bullets, my galaxy-like body becomes more human, more solid.

I feel a surge of energy from the Queen, a desperate and powerful push. She manages to slip out of my grip, her presence momentarily overpowering me. In that instant of distraction, a guard takes aim and fires.

A burning sensation sears through my arm, intensifying into a fiery agony that spreads like molten lava. I look down and see blood—deep purples, vivid blues, fiery reds, brilliant whites—a galaxy bleeding stardust into the ether. The pain is unbearable, each pulse of blood sending shockwaves of torment through me. Panic surges. I'm becoming solid.

Human.

Vulnerable.

My eyes dart around the room, fear gripping me as the pain threatens to overwhelm my senses. I struggle to maintain control, to fend off the guards, but the excruciating pain makes every movement a battle.

Out of nowhere, Raif appears beside me, his presence a steadying force in the chaos. He fights off one of the guards with a fierce determination, his movements precise and calculated. In a swift motion, he thrusts a gun into my hand. The cold metal is foreign and jarring against my new flesh.

For the first time, I'm acutely aware of the raw, unfiltered sensation of holding a weapon in my true form. The weight and texture of the gun ground me, a stark reminder of my vulnerability. But with Raif by my side and the gun now in my grasp, a surge of resolve courses through me.

“Welcome to the fight, Your Highness,” Raif says, a smirk playing on his lips as he takes down another guard.

“Don't get used to this,” I respond, raising the gun and firing at an approaching guard. The recoil shocks me, but I quickly adjust. “I'm not exactly here to join your fan club.”

Raif laughs, the sound somehow managing to cut through the chaos. “Yeah, well, desperate times, right? Besides, you look almost competent with a gun.”

“Thanks for the backhanded compliment,” I mutter, shooting another guard. “But let's focus on not getting ourselves killed, shall we?”

“Good plan,” Raif replies, his tone lighter than the situation warrants. “Just try to keep up, Your Highness.”

“Keep up? I'm practically doing all the work here,” I retort, dodging a guard's attack and firing back. “You should be thanking me .”

Raif glances at me, a brief look of amusement crossing his face. “I'll send you a thank-you card later. Right now, let's not die.”

“Deal.”

The Queen’s composure starts to crack as she clutches her head, her face contorted in pain as if she has a terrible headache.

“Guards, kill them!” she screams, her voice rising in panic. “Do not let them near me!”

But the guards hesitate, their eyes wide as they witness my injury—their gaze glued to the black hole that is taking shape where the bullet ripped through galaxies and flesh. Instead of attacking, they surround the Queen, stunned and unsure. They’re torn between their duty and the unprecedented vulnerability she is displaying. She has never shown such weakness before, and her behavior is shocking to everyone present.

Taking advantage of their hesitation, Raif and I push forward with unyielding determination. That's my girl, I think, feeling a swell of pride as I watch Gemma fight with relentless vigor, exhausting the Queen with every move.

I fight to close the distance, driven by a mix of admiration and determination.

Gemma, I need you to fight harder! You can do this!

I feel another surge from Gemma, stronger this time. The Queen stumbles, losing her balance as Gemma's internal struggle intensifies.

“You cannot win, Kyron!” the Queen snarls, her voice shaky. “This will not end. She’s mine!”

“No, she’s not!” I shout back, my voice filled with unwavering resolve.

With one final, desperate push, Gemma manages to eject herself from the Queen’s control of her body, taking back what is rightfully hers. The Queen's presence dissipates with a scream of fury, her celestial form shimmering and flickering like a dying star in the space between us. I watch as her translucent, ethereal figure retreats into galactic matter, her glowing blue-white eyes burning with rage and betrayal like abhorrent moons

“You've betrayed me! You've betrayed your crown!” the Queen shrieks, her voice echoing through the grand hall. “I will come for all of you! And when I do, mark my words, I will kill you. Even my heir, if I have to, to protect my crown and this dying planet!”

Gemma collapses into my arms, her body trembling, injured from the internal battle. My form has shifted almost completely to human, still a deep shade of purple with galaxies swirling beneath my translucent skin, but solid and tangible. Holding her for the first time in my corporeal form, a surge of emotions overwhelms me.

My heart races as I cradle her fragile body, the warmth of her skin sending a shiver down my spine. Her breath, ragged and pained, fans across my neck, filling me with a mix of relief, fear, and protectiveness. Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them away, focusing on the rhythm of her breathing.

“I've got you, Mia. You're safe now,” I whisper, my voice trembling with emotion. “I'm here, and I'm not letting go.”

As I hold her closer, feeling every tremor and gasp, I know this moment has changed me. For the first time, I am simply Kyron, a man holding the woman who means everything to him.

“Gemma!” Raif rushes to her side, his face filled with concern. “We need to get her out of here, now!”

I tighten my grip on Gemma protectively, a fierce possessiveness surging through me. “I'm not letting her out of my sight,” I declare, my voice leaving no room for argument. I position myself between Raif and Gemma, not allowing him to get close.

As the guards begin to stir, confusion and fear evident in their eyes, one of the Dragonians, a towering centurion with scales glimmering like molten gold, snaps an order.

“Stand down! Do not engage the Prince!” His voice booms, echoing through the grand hall with authority.

The remaining guards, now few in number, lay down their arms and retreat. Whether out of fear, respect, or a combination of both, I couldn't care less.

Raif and I only have a fleeting moment before more guards arrive, ones with less honor or fear. Raif nods, understanding the urgency.

“We need to get underground.”

With Gemma still in my arms, we move quickly, the sound of distant footsteps growing louder as reinforcements approach. The urgency fuels us, and we know that this brief respite granted by the Dragonian centurion's command may be our only chance.