Page 5 of Claimed By the Alien Prince

CARYS

I sway helplessly, the coarse ropes biting into my wrists as the six-legged beast lumbers forward.

Around me, Kiphian guards jeer and exchange glances, their pointed spines glinting like knives under the vibrant canopy.

Each step sends jolts of discomfort shooting through my body, yet I keep my chin high, refusing to let them see how rattled I am.

The trees loom larger as we approach a massive palace woven seamlessly into the branches above.

It feels alive, as if it grew from the earth itself rather than being constructed by hands.

Sunlight filters through leaves that shimmer in shades of emerald and jade, casting dancing patterns on the intricate woodwork and bio-glass windows that form the palace’s facade.

The scent of sweet sap and blooming flowers fills the air—a sharp contrast to my fear.

“Watch your step,” one of the guards snarls as we ascend a winding path made of smooth bark and vines.

I catch glimpses of other Kiphians—some adorned in brilliant colours that reflect their status, others dressed in simple tunics, all staring at me with varying degrees of disdain and curiosity. A flicker of panic ignites within me; I’m not just a trespasser here—I’m an intruder in their world.

We reach an enormous archway that opens up into a grand atrium.

Vines drape down like curtains from the ceiling’s towering height, thick with blossoms glowing faintly.

My breath catches at the beauty around me, but it quickly fades when I realize I’m still tied up like some trophy they plan to flaunt.

“Get her on the platform,” an authoritative voice booms.

I spot him—the bastard who dragged me here—standing among his soldiers.

He looms tall and commanding, his spine running straight down his back like a banner unfurled in defiance.

His markings pulse rhythmically against his skin, glowing bright against his bronze complexion. A crown sits perfectly atop his head.

As I’m shoved onto a floating platform hovering several feet above the ground, I glance back at him, trying to gauge his intentions through those piercing eyes. They hold something inscrutable—power? Contempt? Either way, I’m caught between dread and awe.

Three Kiphian soldiers surround me as we glide through hallways lined with luminescent stones humming softly against the silence. My heart races; each sound feels magnified in this alien place. I brace myself for confinement or interrogation as they lead me toward a darkened hall.

“Stop,” he orders suddenly.

The soldiers pause and look at him.

“She'll be staying in the eastern guest quarters, next to my own.” His voice resonates with authority, slicing through the tension hanging in the air.

Confusion ripples through the soldiers’ ranks. They exchange glances, clearly questioning his command. I feel it too. Guest quarters? I scan my surroundings, half-expecting someone to step forward and explain this absurd twist. Am I a prisoner or a guest?

The guards shake off their uncertainty, their expressions hardening into masks of obedience. They grip my arms tighter, steering me away from the grand atrium and down a narrow corridor lined with ornate carvings that shimmer in the low light.

“Hey! Wait—” I try to protest, but they ignore me, their silent focus unwavering.

Todd buzzes nervously behind me, darting around as if sensing my growing panic.

“Just stick close, buddy,” I murmur under my breath, hoping he can sense my unease.

We approach an imposing door framed by twisting vines and intricate carvings of Kiphian lore. The guards push it open with a heavy creak, revealing a lavish room that feels like a different world altogether.

Soft mossy floors cushion my feet as I step inside. The walls rise high, adorned with bioluminescent stones that hum gently like an electric lullaby. A massive window offers a breathtaking view of the sprawling forest below—a vibrant tapestry of greens and blues that pulses with life.

But before I can fully absorb the beauty surrounding me, two guards shove me toward the center of the room.

“Your equipment,” one of them says gruffly as they reach for my pack.

“Wait! No!” I struggle against their hold, adrenaline surging through me as they start rifling through my things. They yank out my data tablet and vials—everything vital to my research—and drop them unceremoniously onto a plush table.

And then they grab Todd.

“No! You can’t—” My voice rises in panic as they capture him in a net of glimmering threads that spark slightly when he thrashes about.

One guard turns to me with a smirk. “You’ll need your hands free for whatever Prince Zevran has planned for you.”

My heart races; fury ignites within me. “You can’t do this!” I lunge at them, trying to wrest Todd free from his confinement.

They catch me easily, pushing me down onto the soft floor where moss gives way beneath me like quicksand. Pain shoots through my shoulder as I hit the ground harder than intended.

“Stop resisting,” one soldier growls while keeping a tight grip on my arm.

I bite back retorts that could only make things worse. They pin me down for just long enough to secure their hold before finally releasing me and retreating to stand by the door like sentinels guarding treasure.

The door slams shut behind them with an echoing thud that sends shivers racing down my spine. The lock clicks into place—finality hangs in the air thick enough to choke on.

I curl up in a corner, drawing my knees tightly against my chest while fighting back tears that threaten to spill over in frustration and fear. Todd buzzes quietly nearby, still tangled in his net but emitting soft whirs of reassurance.

“If they kill Todd,” I whisper fiercely into the silence of this opulent prison, “I swear I’ll haunt this tree planet.”

This is not how it was supposed to go; I came here for research, not imprisonment!

With trembling fingers brushing against the moss beneath me, I stare at the ceiling—an intricate pattern of leaves woven into art—and try to make sense of what just happened.

“What the hell is happening?” My voice breaks through the stillness; it echoes back like a ghost taunting me with unanswered questions lingering between breaths.

And who the fuck is Prince Zevran?