Page 42 of Tricked By the Alien Prince

And just like that, my pleasant thoughts flee.

I stare resolutely at the ground, trying to gather my distracted thoughts. This is not a topic that any of my people enjoy talking about. It’s definitely not one that I want to share with her… though I must.

“I do not want you to think lesser of me,” I tell her, voice quiet. If she was anyone else, I would never make this omission. I would never reveal this weakness to anyone other than her. All my life I have been trying to prove my worth… and I’m finding that the only person who I want to truly see me now is Maya. The rest can be damned. As long as I have her.

“I doubt that’s possible,” she responds. Her expression turns disappointed as she continues, “I know this place is a secret, Volan. If you don’t want to, or can’t tell me, then it’s okay…”

“I want to,” I reply, quite abruptly. I heave a sigh as I run a hand through my hair. Is this how Maya felt when I interrogated her so briskly, demanding answers? The realization just adds to the weight in my stomach, the guilt growing ever more.

I’m starting to realize that I might never measure up, that I am truly not ready to lead my people as a king. How could I when I don’t even consider Maya’s goals? I’m always so focused on what I want, that I never consider others’ needs and wants.

“Many years ago, a facility was established here. My people were… involved. The original owners needed to keep the location discreet and secure—thus they chose to build everything underground to avoid unwanted detection. The entire area is riddled with naturally formed tunnels and caverns. The building must have been easy, just reinforce some areas, smooth the walls…”

“They were researching how to bioengineer the medicine,” Maya makes the assumption. “It makes sense that such research would need to be secured. Medical companies go to lengths to protect their intellectual property.”

I simply nod, unable to say anything more. I should, but the words get caught up in my throat.

I suddenly realize that I’ve never truly feared rejection, until now. Not even all those times that I petitioned my father to let me take the throne mattered as much as this moment does. To be honest, I’ve never even had a reason to fear the rejection. Back then, I saw the throne as something I was simply entitled to, not something that I should earn.

My father may have been right; maybe I truly am not ready for leading our people.

How can they trust me, when I can’t even bring myself to tell my own mate the truth? I haven’t truly earned her trust—not with how I’ve lied and misled her. It makes my reveal all the more difficult, given how tightly she clings to the concept and belief of trust.

The thing is, I’m certain if Maya knew the full truth, she’d turn away from me in disgust.

“My people were hired by the owners as security,” I try to explain to her. Somehow, my voice comes out even—not at all like the trembling that I feel inside. “We are warriors and fighters, first and foremost.”

“I see that!” Maya smiles at me, completely oblivious to my turmoil. “I’ve never felt safer than in your presence.”

I flinch.

“You don’t understand,” I tell her with choked words. How can I explain to her the complexities of why every tribe on this planet hates my people, the sulthari? Why we hide in the shadows from everyone, including ourselves?

“We were hired to fight off any intruders, to keep things running smoothly and in order.” To keep people in line, I think bitterly.

“So you’ll get in trouble for bringing me here?” she asks, eyebrows creasing together.

I groan, as I sink my head into my hands and rub at tired eyes. In all my life I have never had to consider my words more carefully. I’ve always just sort of blurted out what I want, and things just came my way. I realize now that it’s not going to work like that anymore.

Was it ever? Once I took the throne, I couldn’t just do as I wanted. There are consequences to my actions, and I’m starting to truly realize that now.

“We don’t need to be intruders,” Maya suddenly states, determination filling her eyes. “My people came here for a new start at life, not to cause trouble. What if you come back to Eve’s Rest with me? We could reveal Walter’s plans, his machinations, to everyone. Once the council sees that you are a good guy and that you’re on the side of justice, I’m sure they’ll trust you. In fact, they’ll want to work with your people. Sure, maybe we’ll have to sign a few non-disclosure agreements with your employers, but who hasn’t signed a few in their lifetime?”

Her laughter fills the air, and with it comes a surge of hope. That maybe, just maybe, her people will overlook my people’s past mistakes and instead focus on what can be built together. They need protection—that much is clear given that they’ve just been attacked by a singular tribe of Harckana—and the sulthari can provide that. We have the experience fighting them off on a regular basis, after all.

“You’d do this for me?” I ask. “You’d ask your people to make an alliance with mine? We could trade goods regularly. We wouldn’t have to hide to survive. We could do so much more. You and I…”

Before I even realize it, I’ve crawled my way to her side and grabbed her hand in mine. I hold on to her like a lifeline. This is everything I have ever wanted. She’s offering the very thing that I have dreamt all my life!

“Maya…” I say, leaning toward her. I gaze into her eyes, searching their depths. She’s so hopeful, just like I am. She’ll forgive me, right? Together, we’ll find solutions and carve out a future—one where we both benefit. I’ll protect her people, save them even, and she’ll be my queen, never wanting for anything. I’ll dedicate my life to making her happy, blessed to see her smile and laugh each and every day.

“Yes?” Maya asks, voice breathy.

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to discuss with you,” I tell her. “I want to be completely honest with you. After spending the last few days with you, I’ve realized you mean a lot to me and…”

I have to tell her everything, and I’m determined more than ever now.

“Maya, I’m not?—“

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