Page 4 of Tricked By the Alien Prince

“Come, Tanis, now that you are here, perhaps we can get a sneak peek into what today’s festivities will be. I’ve heard that the scouts have returned with all manner of strange beasts. I know you rather enjoy watching the fights.”

Ever since my father forbade me from participating in the fighting pits myself, they have lost most of their appeal to me. Still, they are traditional to my people. Many of our males will even go so far as to participate in them to win glory, and the hearts of potential mates. I’m pretty sure that Tanis has this in mind, given how much he trains.

At least my people do not have to worry about fighting for the valuable medicine. At least they don’t have to fear for their lives constantly, or send off loved ones in the desperate hopes of recovery.

I attempt to maneuver past my unmoving companion, glancing discreetly at his marks. It’s unfortunate for him that his markings have never glowed particularly bright. He is a fine warrior - indeed my best. He would make a good mate, if only a female gave him a second glance.

He’s the closest I have to a friend. I wouldn’t mind helping him… if he only asked. He listens, but he never tells me his opinions back.

Tanis moves to block my way, halting me from proceeding to the gates of the arena.

“Sire, the king has requested your presence.”

With those few words, my entire day is ruined.

ChapterThree

VOLAN

“How many times have I told you to stay away from the pits?” King Valnu roars. My father’s normally light-grey skin is dark, and his markings are pulsating with an intensity that makes me want to squint my eyes.

Dare I say spittle comes flying from his mouth? I’m pretty sure remarking upon it would not please him any further.

Of course, the courtiers standing nearby don’t comment either. I might be able to get away with the taunting phrase, but most of them won’t survive questioning their king. Or they might, but will live to regret it. Of course, each and every one of those males has found something else to be looking at with untold interest, studying the intricate decor and glistening metal detailing on the throne room’s walls and ceilings. Not one of them will take the risk to stand beside their future king, even if it means earning their current king’s displeasure.

“The outsiders cannot be trusted. All it would take is for one of those warriors to get ahold of you and…” His words die off. He stares down the tiered platform towards me with hard eyes, and just a hint of fear.

My own grey skin darkens as guilt washes over me. I glare down at the solid, gleaming tile beneath my feet. All he asks is that I don’t place myself in danger. I wish I could say that it’s because he doesn’t want to see his only born son hurt… but it’s simply because I am the future leader of our people. We’ve never exactly had a caring relationship.

I watch my father shift on his gleaming metal throne. He drags clothing around him, covering up his markings. Unlike me, he can’t control them through willpower. They reflect every one of his emotions. So he hides them. He hides himself. On days like this, I fear the distance that has grown between us.

I cannot believe that one of the fight pit warriors would simply attack unprovoked. I’ve walked among them. Sure, some males are aggressive, but many are also friendly - or at least indifferent.

“Not all outsiders are vile,” I argue with the king. “In fact, there was one male that was quite happy to chat. Just before Tanis came, we’d been-”

“I don’t care,” Valnu says in a sharp tone. “Thoughts of these outsiders are corrupting your mind.”

“I’ve removed you from leading the security patrols,” my father states, as if commenting on the weather. “It’s no longer your concern.”

My stomach drops at his casual dismissal. I had worked hard to earn that position, to prove myself capable of protecting our people. But I push the hurt aside - he must have his reasons. Perhaps he truly believes I’m not ready for such responsibility.

I just desperately wish I could prove myself. After all the work I’ve done… can’t he see that I’m ready?

“I swear that’s not the case,” I beg him. “Perhaps I can find this male and introduce you both. Then you’d see that-”

“No.”

I scowl at the male that is my king and my father.

When is he going to let me prove myself? I am correct in this matter, I know it with all my heart. It’s like my very soul demands this. I thought that I could just bide my time, after all, it’s only a matter of time before my father cedes rule to me. I am of age. Only the old male doesn’t believe I am ready.

“If you’d only listen to me,” I argue with him, “You’d see that I could make some changes around here. The light needs to shine!”

Cycles ago, my people feared the darkness. On our home planet, monsters lurked in the darkness, preying on the unsuspecting. The light - the very light our bodies emit - was our salvation. Here, my people have come to fear those that walk in the light instead.

From somewhere behind me, a courtier male hisses his displeasure. Time and again I’ve argued that our fears are holding us back in the darkness, using our own religion as proof that we must seek the light. It’s a sore spot for many who are still devout, even if we haven’t felt the soil of our home world beneath our feet in generations.

“Talking like this… how do you expect me to believe you are ready to lead our people?” My father sneers at me.

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