Chapter 15

Aeliana could feel it in the air-the tension, the looming threat that had begun to tighten its grip on the fortress. The atmosphere had shifted in the past few days, and the change was unmistakable. It wasn't just about her and Tharx anymore; something larger was brewing. There was an unease that seemed to hang over the entire empire, a storm gathering strength just beneath the surface, waiting to break.

Tharx was no longer the aloof, distant figure he had been when she first arrived. His presence had grown darker, his brooding silences longer, and his temper shorter. He was under siege, not just from the forces gathering outside the fortress, but from something within himself. Aeliana could see it in the way his eyes flickered with something unresolved every time he looked at her, in the way his words were clipped, as though he was constantly on the verge of losing control.

It had started subtly enough-whispers in the corridors, murmurs from the guards. At first, Aeliana hadn't paid much attention. She was, after all, an outsider in this alien world, and her understanding of Tharx's empire was limited. But soon, it became impossible to ignore. Every time she ventured beyond her quarters, she overheard snippets of conversation, fragments of unsettling news that painted a picture of a kingdom in turmoil.

There were whispers of rebellion in the city below, rumors of old enemies resurfacing, factions that had once been loyal to Tharx now rising against him. The people were growing bold, discontent simmering just beneath the surface, threatening to spill over into open defiance. The alien court had begun questioning Tharx's decisions more openly, his advisors expressing doubts about his ability to maintain control. It was as though the entire empire was holding its breath, waiting for something to snap.

And Aeliana could feel that, in some small way, she was part of that fracture.

She had always known that her presence in the fortress was a complication. Tharx had made that clear enough. She was a human, an outsider, and his decision to keep her close had already raised eyebrows among his people. But now, as the unrest escalated, it had become clear that she was more than just a complication.

She was a target.

It had started with rumors. Whispers, carried through the halls of the fortress, about the human woman in the king's possession. At first, Aeliana hadn't understood the full weight of what those whispers meant. She knew she was an outsider in this world, that Tharx's people viewed her with suspicion and disdain. But she hadn't realized just how dangerous her presence had become.

The first time she overheard the guards talking, it was a passing comment. Aeliana had been walking through the corridors, returning to her quarters from yet another restless wander, when she had heard them. Two guards, standing just outside one of the many doorways in the fortress, their voices low but clear.

"She's a liability," one of them had said, his tone edged with contempt. "A weakness the king cannot afford."

The other guard had nodded, his eyes narrowing as he glanced down the corridor, as though expecting to see her. "It's only a matter of time before someone exploits it."

Aeliana had quickened her pace, her heart racing. She hadn't been meant to hear that, but now that she had, she couldn't unhear it. The realization hit her hard: she wasn't just an oddity in Tharx's empire anymore. She was a vulnerability-one that his enemies could use against him.

The rumors only grew from there. Whispers of assassination plots, of rebel factions plotting to use her to bring down the king. The more she overheard, the more the danger became clear. She wasn't just a complication to Tharx's rule-she was a threat to everything he had built.

And it wasn't long before Tharx himself realized it, too.

As the tension in the fortress grew, so did Tharx's behavior toward her. He had always been distant, keeping her at arm's length, but now, there was something else in his actions-a sense of possessiveness, of protection that hadn't been there before. He was watching her more closely, his eyes tracking her movements whenever they crossed paths in the hallways. The once cold indifference of the guards had shifted, too. They were always nearby now, always watching, their gazes sharp and alert, as though expecting an attack at any moment.

One evening, as Aeliana was heading back to her quarters from the library, she found herself flanked by two of Tharx's personal guards. They had never escorted her before, never taken an interest in where she went. But now, it seemed she wasn't allowed to move through the fortress without an escort.

"What's going on?" she asked one of the guards, her voice laced with irritation. "Since when do I need bodyguards?"

The guard didn't respond, his eyes focused straight ahead. Aeliana huffed in frustration, but her irritation quickly gave way to something else. If the guards were this alert, it could only mean one thing: the danger was real. She was a target, and Tharx was doing everything he could to keep her safe.

As much as Aeliana resented the control he exerted over her, she couldn't ignore the fact that he was protecting her. She was a prisoner, yes, but she was also under his protection, shielded from the brutal world outside the fortress walls. The more time passed, the more Tharx's behavior toward her changed. He had grown colder, more distant, but it wasn't the same coldness she had seen in the beginning. This was something different-something tinged with urgency, with a sense of possession that hadn't been there before.

Aeliana wasn't sure how to feel about it. Part of her wanted to push him away, to demand answers, to insist that he let her go. But another part of her-an unsettling, growing part-felt a strange sense of security in his presence. She knew that Tharx wasn't just keeping her in the fortress because she was his possession anymore. He was keeping her close because she was in danger, and he couldn't afford to let anything happen to her.

But for how long could he protect her? How long before the storm outside the fortress walls came crashing down?

It wasn't long before the danger became undeniable.

One night, Aeliana awoke to the sound of raised voices just outside her quarters. She sat up in bed, her heart racing, straining to hear what was happening. The muffled sound of arguing-Tharx's voice, low and controlled, but filled with tension, and another voice, higher and more frantic-filtered through the thick walls.

Aeliana crept to the door, pressing her ear against it. She couldn't make out the exact words, but she could sense the urgency in the tone of the conversation. Something was happening. Something serious.

After a few moments, the voices faded, and the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor. Aeliana hesitated for a moment before slowly opening the door, peeking out into the hallway.

To her surprise, Tharx was standing just outside, his back to her, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He was facing one of his advisors-a tall, sharp-featured alien with a stern expression, his eyes fixed on the king as though he had just delivered grave news.

Aeliana stepped out of her quarters, her heart pounding as she approached them. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice cutting through the tense silence.

Tharx turned sharply, his eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and concern. "Go back inside," he said, his tone brooking no argument.

Aeliana's frustration flared. "I have a right to know-"

"You have a right to do as I say," Tharx snapped, stepping closer to her. His towering figure loomed over her, his eyes blazing with barely contained fury. "Now is not the time for questions, Aeliana."

The use of her name caught her off guard. He so rarely said it. The way he spoke it now, with such force, sent a shiver down her spine. But despite the anger in his voice, Aeliana could see the fear behind it. This wasn't just about control anymore-this was about keeping her safe.

Before she could respond, the advisor stepped forward, his expression grim. "We need to move her, my lord," he said quietly. "The rebellion grows bolder by the hour. It is only a matter of time before they make their move."

Aeliana's heart lurched. The rebellion. The danger wasn't just rumors anymore-it was real, and it was coming for her.

Tharx turned to face his advisor, his jaw clenched, the tension in his body palpable. "I will handle this," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "She is under my protection."

The advisor hesitated, his eyes flicking to Aeliana before nodding curtly. "Very well. But we cannot wait much longer. They will come."

With that, the advisor turned and walked away, leaving Aeliana and Tharx standing alone in the dimly lit corridor.

Aeliana's pulse raced, her mind spinning with everything she had just heard. The rebellion, the danger-she was at the center of it all. And despite her anger, despite her frustration with Tharx, she couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation pressing down on her.

She was more than just a prisoner now. She was a pawn in a game far larger than she had realized.

Tharx turned back to her, his eyes burning with intensity. "You are not to leave my side," he said, his voice low and commanding. "Do you understand me?"

Aeliana swallowed hard, nodding despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "I understand."

Tharx's gaze softened, just for a moment, and in that brief flicker, she saw the depth of his concern for her. It wasn't just about control. It wasn't just about possession. He was protecting her because he couldn't bear to lose her.

But how long could he keep her safe?

The storm was coming, and Aeliana knew that when it finally broke, there would be no turning back.