Her eyes filled with a mix of confusion and concern. She must have sensed the shift in atmosphere of our tense exchange.“This is Prince Rivu,”I explained, motioning to the three-dimensional display.“He’s my superior and represents our species in the IPA.”
Isla quickly turned her attention to the holographic image of Prince Rivu with a fierce determination in her eyes.“Tell him,”she commanded, her voice firm and unwavering, “that I will use every resource at my disposal to ensure you get out of here. And I’ll do so quietly, without drawing attention.”
Translating her words into Galactic Common, I watched my prince’s golden eyes assess Isla’s resolve.
“Ask her if three Earth weeks is a workable timeline for your release and rescue.”
The question seemed straightforward, but as I relayed it to Isla, her complexion drained of color. Her gaze darted between the holographic projection and me, her mouth opening as her fingers trembled ever so slightly.“Three weeks?”she echoed, her voice tinged with shock.“Are you certain he said three weeks?”
Confusion clouded my senses. My own tension mirrored Isla’s as I relayed her concerns. “Prince Rivu,” I began cautiously, “Isla wishes to confirm the three-week timeline. Is that accurate?”
His voice, sharper this time, carried an undertone of warning. “Affirmative. The fleet at Atlantis is ready, waiting on my command. We will not delay the mission any longer than necessary.”
“It’s true. Three weeks until my rescue mission is executed.”
Her vibrant blue eyes widened and bore into mine, her lips parting. Her voice was barely a whisper, her fingers trembling in my hand.“That means…you’ll soon be free.”
The enormity of the situation weighed heavily on my heart. Freedom—a notion I had begun to regard as a distant dream—was suddenly tangible, almost within my grasp.“Yes,”I replied softly, allowing a flicker of hope to seep into my voice.“It seems so.”
Turning slightly, I reassured Prince Rivu. “All will be well.”
“Commander Ky’rn,” Prince Rivu replied, his voice a deep rumble, “I trust you understand the importance of this timeline. Ensure you’re prepared. Regain your strength, for your rescue will not be without its challenges.”
I nodded, trying to swallow the lump forming in my throat. “I understand. I will be ready.”
The Prince’s visage softened, the barest hint of a smile playing on his lips. “Once you’re safely within our territory, I will arrange a vacation pod for you on X’thyrl. You’ll have time to recover and heal. We haven’t forgotten our duty to our own.”
Gratitude welled up within me. Relaxing in the serene waters of X’thyrl, surrounded by the comforting embrace of my home planet, was a wonderful prospect.
“Thank you, Prince Rivu,” I murmured. “Your kindness means more than you know.”
As the holographic connection faded, leaving Isla and me in the dim light of the containment unit, she turned to me, her gaze brimming with tears of joy and relief.
“Ky’rn.”Her fingers tightened around mine, her voice choked with emotion.“Soon, you’ll be free. And I’ll be with you until then. I won’t let you go through the next few weeks by yourself.”
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
ISLA
Withdrawing my hand from Ky’rn’s felt like pulling my very soul away from a warmth and connection it craved. My heart fluttered mournfully as I sighed, turning my eyes towards the Makezu commander who, against the odds, had become my unexpected savior.
Three weeks.
The knowledge tasted bitter, tainted with both hope and sorrow. In a mere twenty-one days, Ky’rn would be saved from this terrestrial prison, likely whisked away from Earth and its turmoil forever.
Why would he ever consider returning?
Humans, with our insatiable curiosity, had initiated this chaotic spiral, falsely believing our species to be an unassailable force in the cosmos.
“Curiosity killed the cat…” I whispered to myself, gazing at the small communicator lying dormant on the ground. It was our very curiosity that had led to theStardancer, humanity’s first venture into the cosmos, exploding into shimmering debris, lives extinguished or cast adrift in the vast expanse of space. Those brave souls, propelled by dreams of exploration, had been lost due to faulty leadership.
Bending down, I lifted the communicator. It was impossible not to feel the weight of human inferiority. It was such a small, innocuous device, with a complexity and power far beyond our earthly technologies. The gap between human technology and the advancements of the IPA was vast. It was proof of how much humans had to learn…and perhaps, how much we had to fear.
Sighing, I nestled the device back into its box, securing the lid with a softclickthat seemed to reverberate with finality through the chamber. Roman’s promise to marry me, a deal to secure Ky’rn’s freedom, lingered like an echo in my mind. His rapid adherence to the arrangement was unsettling, barely giving the metaphorical ink a chance to dry before actioning his end of the deal.
In three weeks, not only would I potentially lose Ky’rn, but I’d face the fiery tempest of my grandfather’s wrath once he found out he was being duped. An unsettling dread about the impending confrontation with my grandfather lurked in the shadows of my mind. There would be no way for me to hide from him.
My resolve steadied my trembling hands as I prepared to climb out of the tank, yet before I could fully retreat, Ky’rn’s fingers coiled gently yet firmly around my ankle. His touch was both cool and electric, sending a shiver racing up my spine.
