Page 59 of Swipe Right for Stardust

“So, let me get this straight,” I said, pacing the room. “You want us to pretend we’ve discovered an ancient artifact during the final challenge? One that could potentially be dangerous?”

Lysandra nodded. “Exactly. We’ll plant it beforehand, of course. Something that looks exotic and potentially valuable. Caelan won’t be able to resist the temptation to interfere.”

Zarnak frowned. “And you’re certain he’ll take the bait?”

“Trust me,” Lysandra said grimly. “I know Caelan. His greed will get the better of him.”

I glanced at Zarnak, seeing my own uncertainty reflected in his expression. “What if something goes wrong? We could be putting ourselves in real danger.”

Lysandra leaned forward, her gaze intense. “That’s why we’ll have security standing by. The moment Caelan makes his move, we’ll have him.”

Zarnak’s hand found mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“Okay. We’re in.”

The warmth of his touch sent a flutter through my chest, momentarily distracting me from the gravity of the situation.

“What do you need us to do?” he asked.

Lysandra’s eyes glinted with determination. “Here’s the plan...”

Lysandra’s plan unfolded with precision. The technical team crafted a convincing artifact - a small, iridescent sphere that pulsed with an otherworldly glow. It looked ancient and powerful, exactly the kind of thing that would tempt someone like Caelan.

As the party began, Zarnak and I mingled with the other contestants, trying to act natural. I found myself constantly glancing around the room, searching for any sign of Caelan.

“Relax,” Zarnak whispered, his breath warm against my ear. “You’ll give us away if you keep looking so nervous.”

I squeezed his hand. “You’re right. I just can’t help feeling like we’re walking on eggshells.”

Jake and Silla approached us, drinks in hand. Jake grinned, raising his glass. “To the most exciting dating show in the galaxy!”

We clinked glasses, and I forced a smile. As we chatted, I overheard Rachel and Tarnox arguing nearby.

“I can’t believe you cost us valuable time with your ridiculous detour!” Rachel snapped.

Tarnox growled. “If you hadn’t insisted on taking that shortcut, we wouldn’t have needed the detour in the first place!”

Jake leaned in, lowering his voice. “Looks like winning the race didn’t do much for their relationship.”

Silla giggled, her skin shimmering with amusement. “Perhaps they should consider couple’s counseling.”

We all laughed, and the tension eased from my shoulders. I turned to Silla, curious about her plans now that the show was ending.

“So, Silla, what’s next for you?” I asked.

Her eyes lit up. “I’m thinking of visiting Earth, actually. I’ve always been fascinated by human culture.”

Jake took her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to her fingers. “I’ve asked her to spend some time with me in San Antonio,” he said, a soft smile playing on his lips.

I glanced at Zarnak, wondering what the future held for us. Would we go our separate ways after this? The thought made my chest tighten uncomfortably.

Before I could dwell on it further, the lights dimmed. A hush fell over the room as screens flickered to life, displaying a montage of highlights from the show.

I watched, mesmerized, as images of our journey flashed across the screens. There we were, struggling through the crystalline desert, navigating the treacherous floating rocks, diving into the underground river. It was surreal to see our experiences played back like this.

The crowd around us laughed and cheered, reliving the excitement of the challenges. I felt Zarnak’s hand slip into mine, and a warmth spread through me at the contact.

Suddenly, a spotlight illuminated the center of the room. The fake artifact sat in its display case, gleaming mysteriously. Lysandra stood beside it, her expression carefully neutral.

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