Page 68 of Tricked By the Alien Prince

“All I’ve ever done is try to protect you,” he says, voice reedy and quiet. Tears glide down his cheeks unchecked. “You’re all I have left.”

“And you did,” I tell him, stepping closer. In this moment he looks so fragile. My father, the man that held power over all of us, ready to collapse into my arms.

My chest aches with a confused tangle of emotions - relief, sadness, lingering anger, and underneath it all, a small boy’s desperate love for his father. I reach for him, not as king to subject, but as son to father. I gather him close, for the first time noticing the lack of muscles on his body, once hidden beneath layers of fabric, now exposed to all.

“You did your best to protect us, and I love you for it.” I whisper into his ear, words meant only for him.

“I tried to be a protector, but I couldn’t. I’m not. I can’t.” Sobs wrack his body.

“You did your best, and that’s all I can ask from you,” I tell him, grateful for heeding Tanis’ own advice. My father has tried, and his only fault was not stepping aside when it was time.

Despite all the pain and confusion he’s inflicted upon me over the years, he has been a decent king. He’s led our people through a coup, a social upheaval that changed the very face of the planet, and crafted out a kingdom that by all means shouldn’t have survived at all. Our world was at its darkest moment, and he guided my people through it. His policies weren’t always healthy for us, but they kept us alive. But there’s light now, the blacks turning to gray, and it’s time for a new generation to carve their paths forward. We are ready for the next step now—to stop worrying about simple survival and to actually start living, embracing life.

“I never wanted to hurt you. I can’t lose you too.”

“You won’t lose me,” I tell him. “You’ve taught me well. You can watch me thrive instead.”

My father leans back, searching my eyes. He nods, and in that one moment it’s like all the weight over the years suddenly catches up to him. He collapses at my feet, and I’m barely able to hold him.

“The throne is yours. Lead them better than I did,” he whispers. “I’m so proud of you, son.”

His concession hangs heavy in the air. Words I’ve spent my life waiting to hear.

Around us, the throne room is lit up bright with the combined glows of luminae. It’s not a celebration, there are no cheers or shouts. The room is solemn and quiet, warriors and courtiers watching the moment that crown passes from father to son. They watch their King fall and their prince rise. We stand at the precipice of a new age, a bright dawn stretching out before us, as long as we take the steps to embrace it—and our bodies glow with the same hope.

Our peace is disturbed when the throne room door bursts open. A warrior staggers in, weapon weakly clutched and dragging beside him as he struggles to stay on his feet.

“The arena,” he gasps. “The beasts are loose! All of them!”

My father’s grip tightens, desperate to keep me in place. “I didn’t! I swear, I didn’t command this…”

No one needs to voice how bad this situation is; these beasts are deadly, each beast taking a team of warriors working together to subdue. To have them all free to wreak havoc at once…

“We must secure the area,” I state, already moving towards the doors.

The blood drains from my father’s face.

“The tangler,” he breathes. “I ordered it brought to the arena cells...”

My pulse thunders in my ears. It’s true then; he really managed to secure a Tangler. A near impossible feat; how could he possibly think to contain the creature that made the very tunnels we have lived our lives in? It’s a beast beyond comprehension. Deadly. And now loose in the heart of our city.

“Secure the area!” I call out to the surrounding crowd. My first command, as a king, and it’s a desperate one. “Aid any you find, regardless of tribe or species. The beasts do not discriminate in their prey - neither shall we in offering protection.”

“Forgive me,” the king mutters, cold fingers digging into my arms. “The female - your Maya - I placed her in the arena cells.”

Ice floods my veins. The arena cells. Where Maya is imprisoned. Where I let her be taken, all because I didn’t defend her.

I don’t wait to hear more, already running. I don’t wait for acknowledgment. I don’t wait to see if my father protests or if my warriors follow. I’ve spent too long waiting, too long calculating, too long playing it safe. My mate is in danger, and I will rescue her.

Maya may never forgive me. She may never trust me again. But I will not let my betrayal be the last thing between us.

I run.

ChapterThirty-Three

MAYA

Istumble into blinding light, nearly tripping over my own feet in my haste. Of course, the massive arena would be lit up like it’s the middle of the day—can’t have the spectators miss any of the action after all. At least today they don’t have to strain their necks to see what’s happening. No, today the show’s not just happening in the sand-covered pit; the entire arena is absolute chaos as beasts rampage through every level.

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