Page 28 of Claimed By the Alien Prince

ZEVRAN

I stand at the head of the council table, a heavy weight pressing on my chest as the members file in.

The air buzzes with tension, each face taut with concern or disdain.

My mother slips into the room, her presence unexpected but not unwelcome.

She’s always been curious about my decisions, especially now.

Once everyone settles, I rise. Their chatter fades into an uneasy silence.

“Council,” I begin, my voice steady despite the chaos brewing within me. “With the assistance of young Oswin, Carys has escaped the palace.”

A gasp ripples through the chamber, followed by an explosion of voices.

“Find the human!” one elder bellows, slamming a fist against the table.

“She must pay!” another shouts, spittle flying across the polished surface.

“She is the mate of a prince! We can’t just?—”

The argument spirals into chaos, overlapping accusations and demands crashing against one another like a storm. I let their voices wash over me without response. My heart pounds louder than their outcries; it’s almost deafening.

My gaze drifts to my mother. She leans back in her chair, watching with keen interest as though she’s studying a fascinating new plant species. She knows how to remain composed in chaos—an admirable trait I struggle to replicate.

A noble stands up abruptly, pointing a finger at me. “You brought this upon us! Your bond with her—this reckless infatuation—is an affront to our people!”

My fists clench at my sides. Infatuation? They don’t understand; they can’t grasp what this bond means for me—or for Verus.

“You’re endangering our kingdom,” another adds sharply. “If she talks… If she exposes our secrets…”

“Enough!” I roar, cutting through their clamor like a knife slicing through thick vines. Silence descends as they turn to stare at me wide-eyed.

“Carys is not our enemy.” My voice trembles slightly despite my resolve. “She’s been treated like a prisoner while we argue over what it means for us to have her here.”

“And yet she left! She chose flight over loyalty!” an older noble retorts, his voice thick with disdain.

“I’m aware,” I reply coldly. “But consider this: What if she didn’t leave because of betrayal? What if she fled out of fear? Or because we’ve confined her to these walls like some animal?”

Murmurs ripple around the room; uncertainty flickers in their eyes like flames wavering in the wind.

“Are you suggesting we negotiate with her?” My mother’s tone is sharp but tinged with curiosity.

“I suggest we find her first,” I say firmly. “And then determine how best to proceed.”

The council members exchange glances filled with skepticism and disbelief as they process my words.

“We cannot just allow her to roam free among hostile territories!” one cries out again.

“She has knowledge of our world,” another adds hastily. “What if she speaks of our weaknesses?”

The noise in the council chamber escalates, a cacophony of accusations and fears. Some nobles scream for punishment, their faces twisted with outrage. Others argue that Carys represents an opportunity for unity—an unexpected ally in our struggle for peace.

“She's a human!” one elder bellows, spittle flying as he jabs his finger at me. “What do we gain by keeping her? She’ll only bring ruin!”

“Silence!” My voice reverberates off the walls, cutting through the clamor like a blade.

The sudden quiet is palpable, a hush that wraps around us all. I breathe deeply, feeling the tension radiate from every corner of the chamber.

“I’ll go after her,” I declare, locking eyes with each member present, daring them to challenge me.

Gasps echo off the walls. Some nobles exchange horrified glances, others murmur disapproval, and a few even whisper my name like it’s some sort of curse. I ignore them all, focusing on the fact that they fail to understand the urgency of this situation.

“She’s a threat!” another noble shouts. “You can’t risk your life for her!”

“She poses no threat,” I snap back. “She’s frightened and alone in an alien world—one where every shadow could be hostile.”

“But she’s escaped!” someone counters, their voice laced with incredulity.

“And what do you propose we do?” I counter fiercely. “Let her wander among those who would see her harmed? Or worse?”

The Queen watches silently from her throne, regal and poised amidst the chaos. Her expression is unreadable; I can’t tell if she agrees or disapproves of my intent.

Then she nods—just once—but it feels monumental in its weight. A silent acknowledgment of my authority to act.

I turn on my heel and stride out of the chamber before they can formulate any more arguments against my decision. Each step pulses with urgency as I head toward my study.

The guards stationed along the corridor straighten up as I approach, their expressions shifting from passive observation to keen attention.

“Gather supplies and a mount,” I order without breaking stride. “I'm leaving as soon as it's ready.”

As I enter my study, the familiar scent of wood and ink grounds me momentarily—a reminder of the countless hours spent here deliberating over court matters that now feel trivial compared to Carys’s safety.

I grab a map of Verus spread across my desk, fingers tracing routes leading away from the palace and into unfamiliar territory where danger lurks in every shadowed corner.

“Your Highness.” Aran’tha slips into the room behind me, concern etched across her face. “Are you sure this is wise? You know how volatile things are right now.”

“Carys needs me,” I reply curtly without looking up from the map. The certainty in my voice surprises even me; it reverberates with clarity against all doubts creeping into my mind.

“The court won’t take kindly to this impulsive move.” Her voice lowers slightly as if speaking too loudly might shatter this fragile resolve I've built around myself.

“I don’t care what they think,” I say flatly, folding the map away with precision. “If they want bloodshed over misunderstandings, let them try without me.”

She exhales sharply but doesn’t argue further; instead she shifts slightly closer to peer at my plans laid out before us.

“Have you thought about what will happen if you find her?” she asks cautiously.

“Yes,” I respond with finality. “I’m bringing her back.”

With determination igniting within me like wildfire through dry brush, I prepare for whatever awaits beyond these walls—a confrontation with not only fate but also perhaps something deeper than mere duty: connection, bond… jalshagar.