Page 6 of Protected By the Alien Knight

He strides into the room, his presence filling the space and his expression unreadable. “Ambassador, we need to talk.”

I brace myself, unsure of what to expect. “What is it, Crux?”

He hesitates for a moment, almost seeming uncertain, before speaking again. “I’ve been thinking over your situation, and I don’t believe it’s wise for you to remain here in the citadel.”

My brow furrows in confusion. “But I thought this was one of the most secure locations on Avenia?”

Crux shakes his head. “Too many know you’ve been brought here. If word gets out about your location, it increases the risk.”

He pauses, studying me intently. “I have an alternative plan, but it will require you to trust me. Can you do that?”

I meet his piercing gaze, feeling something shift between us. Up until now, he’s been the consummate professional, focused solely on his bodyguard duties. But there’s a new intensity in his eyes that takes my breath away.

“Yes,” I hear myself answering without a second thought. “Of course I trust you, Crux.”

A muscle ticks in his jaw, and he gives a curt nod of acknowledgment. “We’re leaving immediately.”

My stomach drops, but I don’t question him, simply nodding in return. As I move around the lavish bed to repack my travel bag, Crux remains near the door, watchful and alert.

When I’m ready, he gestures for me to follow. We slip out into the lit hallway, our footsteps eerily silent on the crystal floor. Crux leads us through a dizzying series of passages and chambers that all look identical to my unfamiliar eyes.

Finally, we emerge outside into the jade twilight. The golden moons are already visible in the dusky sky, hanging like twin orbs above the glittering spires of the city.

“Where are we going?” I whisper, unable to shake the feeling that we’re doing something forbidden.

Crux doesn’t reply at first, his eyes scanning our surroundings with intense focus. At last, he turns to me. “Somewhere safe. But we must move swiftly and avoid being seen.”

I nod, a thrill of nervous excitement coursing through me. We set off at a brisk pace, sticking to the shadows as much as possible. I have to concentrate to keep up with Crux’s long strides, my heart pounding with the exertion and adrenaline.

After what feels like an eternity of sneaking and dodging through back alleys, we finally arrive at our mysterious destination—a humble dwelling nestled against the rocky cliffs on the outskirts of the city.

Crux ushers me inside quickly, pausing to activate some kind of security system before joining me. I look around in surprise, taking in the sparse but cozy interior. It’s a far cry from the opulent quarters I’d been given back at the citadel.

“What is this place?” I ask, genuinely confused.

Crux removes his outer robe, finally allowing himself to relax slightly. “My home, from before I joined the Order.”

I gape at him, stunned by this new glimpse into his mysterious past. “You... you brought me to your home?”

He nods solemnly. “The fewer who know of your location, the safer you’ll be. We’ll remain on Avenia until I’m certain the threat has been neutralized.”

“But won’t you get in trouble for going against orders?” I can’t help but ask, worried for the potential consequences he could face.

Crux’s expression is grim but resolute. “Probably. But I trust my gut now, not my orders.”

A profound silence stretches between us as the weight of his words sinks in. This is the most I’ve heard Crux open up, and I find myself aching to know more about what drove him to this point.

Before I can find the right question, he brusquely changes the subject. “You should get some rest. My bedroom is next door, the door stays open… in case you need me.”

I open my mouth to protest, then think better of it. Crux is in protector mode and clearly won’t be dissuaded. With a weary nod, I locate my bedroom and prepare for bed, hyperaware of Crux’s presence just outside.

As I brush out my hair and change into a lightweight sleep shirt, I can’t help stealing glances toward the other room where Crux is. Even just doing mundane tasks, there’s a fluidity and quiet power to his movements that is utterly captivating.

When I finally crawl into the simple but comfortable cot, my mind is buzzing with questions and possibilities. But for now I know I could be nowhere safer than Crux’s own childhood home on his heavily fortified home planet.Why have I put so much faith in this brash, intense male whom I barely know?

Sleep eludes me for a long time as I mentally replay the events of the day, from the attack on Orion to being smuggled right out of an elite Avenian citadel. Mundane meetings swapped for racing through backstreets and shadowed alleys until we arrived at this unassuming little dwelling. Crux’s softened expression and rare openness as he revealed his private place to me.

In the stillness of the night, I can finally admit to myself what I’ve been pushing down—the undeniable spark that crackles between us. Here, away from the pressures of the embassy and Crux’s official duties, even in such a short amount of time, I’m getting glimpses of the man behind the stoic knight persona. The way the tension eases from his shoulders, the look in his eyes when our gazes meet...

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