“That’s not the point,” I snapped. “You’re using my wedding day, which is supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life, as a business ploy and a trap. How can you do this to me?”
For a moment, he almost looked sorrowful, but then the professional mask slid back into place, leaving just a stoic blank expression. “Isla, it’s for the greater good. You might not see it now, but one day, you’ll understand.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “You’re gambling with my life, my happiness, for the sake of some vendetta, but now I’m not even sure if I’ll be able to see that through.”
His voice grew stern. “You will play your part and marry Roman. It’s for the future of our family, our legacy. Sacrifices have to be made.”
Tears blurred my vision, the weight of his betrayal pressing down on my heart. “You have no idea what love or sacrifice means. You’re willing to trade everything, even my happiness, for power and control.”
There was silence for a long moment.
“I’m doing this to protect you, Isla,” he said, his voice gentler. “Because, despite everything, I am still your grandfather, and I do care about you. Just remember that every decision I make is for the betterment of our family.”
Defeat weighed heavily on my shoulders as I sat there, absorbing the reality of my situation. Roman had been right about everything. My grandfather had taken my predicament and twisted it, using my life as a bargaining chip for the family’s benefit.
While I couldn’t say that I fully trusted Roman, at least he had been upfront about everything. He made it clear that he wanted our arranged marriage to be a business transaction, devoid of any romantic notions or illusions.
In some twisted way, that honesty was a relief amidst all the deception.
“Fine, I won’t stand in your way,” I replied with a resigned sigh. “I’ll marry Roman as you wish, but in return, you better promise to let me be. As long as I stay within the facility walls, like I promised.” The words left a bitter taste in my mouth, but it was the price I had to pay to free Ky’rn.
My grandfather rolled his hand in my direction, dismissing me as if I were a young child. “And what else do you want in return, my dear?”
I didn’t hesitate. “I want you to let me care for my new pet,” I replied firmly. “Alone. For whatever reason, he doesn’t seem to like Dr. Violet.”
He tilted his head and quirked an eyebrow, a sly glint in his eye. “Do you have any new findings to share?”
I nodded. “The frozen food he’s being served isn’t enough. He requires fresh, live food.”
My grandfather’s expression darkened as he considered the cost of such a demand. “That’ll be expensive.”
I locked eyes with him, my chin lifted and shoulders squared. A fire started in my chest, fueling me with a newfound determination. “Too bad,” I retorted, my voice firm. “If I’m going to be forced into an arranged marriage, then I’m going to start using myhonorableposition for my own gain.”
Without waiting for further argument, I stormed to the door. Just before I closed it, I turned back to face my grandfather one last time. A mischievous grin crossed my face as I glanced back.
“Oh, and Grandfather, just so you know,” I remarked, my tone dripping with defiance and amusement. “My wedding colors are purple and blue.”
With that, I left him to contemplate the consequences of our new arrangement.
CHAPTERELEVEN
KY’RN
The tank felt like a prison under artificial light, its confines closing in on me, and the water, once so refreshing, now tasted stale compared to the vastness of the ocean. I longed for the freedom to roam open waters, to feel the currents against my scales, and to hunt for my meals.
As I swam lazily through the tank, my gaze kept returning to the large windows that teased me with glimpses of the world beyond, the ocean stretching endlessly. It was a world I couldn’t access, a world where I truly belonged, even on this foreign planet. The temptation of freedom danced before my eyes, just out of reach. The tank was nothing more than a cage, and I could only hope that I wouldn’t be left here alone for much longer.
The silence was maddening. This was a new form of torture, being cut off from communicating with my people. Every passing moment without contact with my unit felt like an eternity, but I couldn’t communicate if I couldn’t touch the water beyond those windows.
My thoughts churned like the restless waters of the ocean. I worried about my unit—the loyal soldiers who had followed me on this mission. Uncertainty gnawed at me. I didn’t know what they were doing, whether anyone else had been caught in search of me. I’d been trained to lead, to make decisions, and here I was, confined and powerless.
The humans, so fixated on their own world, likely had no idea of the broader galactic implications of my capture. To them, I was an alien creature to be studied and perhaps exploited. But to my people, I was a leader in command of a vital mission. If I wasn’t released soon, my absence could have serious implications. Perhaps it already had.
Humans had always been a complex puzzle to us. They were a peculiar species, so territorial and divided. It was no wonder they were cautious about extraterrestrial visitors. They were a paradox, capable of great kindness and cruelty, often in equal measure.
The IPA had observed their world from the shadows for generations, patiently waiting for the right time to make contact. But now, theStardancerincident and my kidnapping had cast a dark cloud over our efforts.
Loneliness settled over me like a heavy fog. How many hours, days even, had passed since I had last spoken to Isla? There was something about her that had called to me from the moment I first saw her that fateful night. Now that I had touched her mind, experienced her thoughts and emotions, I had to know more about her. Our connection defied reason. It didn’t matter that she was a creature of the land, a human, while I hailed from the depths of the sea. Her spirit resonated with mine in a way I couldn’t fully understand but desperately wanted to explore.
