‘Seconds later, Vulkryon and I are beamed onto The Drenthaxian ship. I struggle to free myself from the bonds holding me. I scream as they squeeze me tighter. Vulkryon holds me in his arms, pulling me into his chest, chuckling as he watches me wriggle and writhe.’
“You might as well cease your struggling, Princess. Soon, you and I will be together for all of eternity. With you as my Intergalactic Queen, I’ll be King of all the galaxies.”
“I will never give you the Kingdom of Venuvia. Not as long as I’m breathing. Kidnapping and/or attempting to murder royalty is a treason punishable by death.”
“You are not only beautiful, you are also very clever. A fine quality every Drenthaxian Male looks for in a bride.”
‘I slap him hard across the face after removing the restraints from my arms as he pulls me closer. Vulkryon smiles, rubbing his cheek as I glare angrily in his direction.’
“Beautiful, clever and feisty. I do find those qualities rather attractive in a woman, Araelyn. With you at my side as my Queen, the universe will bow before us.”
“I didn’t ask for this, Vulkryon. I don’t want to be your Queen. I just want to return home to Venuvia.”
“This ship will be your home until after we wed, and after which, my people and I will live with you in the Venuvian Palace.”
“Nothing in this universe would ever make me marry you.”
“Is that so? Not even to save your Kingdom, or the assured safety of your loyal subjects? Rhazulaan forbid you to be the kind of Princess who is so self-absorbed, and shallow that you would dare refuse aid to her people.”
“This is not how I want to protect my people. I may sound like the old-fashioned human girl when I say that I believe one should marry for love, and for no other reason. And I have no love in my heart for you, Lord Vulkryon.”
‘General Flaxby walks over to me, pulling the restraints so I drop to my knees. He kneels down, striking me hard across the face.’
“How dare you speak to the galaxy’s future King with such insolence? As a lady born of royal blood, you should know when to hold that tongue of yours. You will treat Lord Vulkryon with the highest respect.” General Flaxby demanded
“The Venuvians have a saying, General Flaxby; Respect is not just given. It’s something that has to be earned.” I say with zealous confidence in my voice
“I shall have to resort to other means if you don’t cooperate, Princess. And that would be a very ugly way to win the heart of such an alluring creature like yourself.”
‘I look up at the General, smiling as he leans in close enough for me to whisper in his ear.’
“You and Lord Vulkryon can kiss my Glotknuct.”
‘The look on Flaxby’s face had melted from calm to grisly and angered within seconds.’
“You insolent smart-mouthed little..” Flaxby sneered
‘Flaxby raises his arm over his head, attempting to strike me again, but is stopped by Vulkryon stepping in between us.’
“It’s quite alright, General. This is a lot for the Princess to take in. She will learn to adjust in time. Ah, Lieutenant Trexler.”
‘At his call, a Drenthaxian Male with long dark wavy hair approaches, removing his helmet and bowing before Vulkryon and Flaxby. His visor glistens in the semi-dim lighting. I wince looking in terror as I’m being lead toward his minion.’
“Please show our lovely guest to her quarters.”
“Yes, my Lord. Come along, Your Highness.”
‘I had followed Trexler closely, while glancing at Vulkryon. Flaxby shot a menacing glare in my direction for my earlier comment as I slowly turned my head forward.’
“You’re certain you want to marry into this Royal family? There are other Princesses in the galaxy.” Flaxby inquiried, watching as Trexler and I disappear from the control room into the corridor
“It must be her. She is beautiful, clever and lively. I quite admire her fiery spirit. Araelyn is the kind of Queen the Galaxy needs, Flaxby. And my marriage to her will make me the legal ruler of the Venuvian Quadrant. Besides, I only take the very finest, and what jewel would you consider more precious than the Princess of Venuvia?”
‘Trexler shows me to a darkened room. Without hesitance, he pushes me into the room, activating the lock after closing the door. Meanwhile, back in the remains of the Venuvian Palace, my father rises from the rubble and debris, choking on the dust in his lungs.’
“Khyra? Khyra!” King Zetralon calls out
‘Khyra’s arm shoots out from a pile of debris. She takes a large breath, coughing as King Zetralon pulls her out.’
“Khyra, are you alright?”
“I’m fine, Uncle Zetralon.” Khyra replied, nodding in between coughs
“The Drenthaxians have Araelyn. Without her, all of Venuvia is doomed.”
“We’ll find a way to get her back.”
A FEW DAYS LATER ON THE DRENTHAXIAN SHIP..
“Good morning, my sweet Venuvian Goddess. I take it you slept well.” Vulkryon crooned almost sweetly
“Not as well as I usually do, my Lord, but it was well enough.”
“Nothing a fresh brewed mug of Venuvian Nectar won’t fix.”
‘Vulkryon places a mug of steaming iridescent lilac liquid in front of me. I inhale the sweet scent before taking a sip. My eyes lit up in surprise at the taste; it was Venuvian Nectar brewed to perfection.’
“By Zhalla, this is incredible. How did you get the recipe to taste exactly right?” I ask as he turns to face me, placing his hand on top of mine as he sits down
“It was made by our senior team of alchemists and mixologists.” Vulkryon replied proudly
“Authentically mixed synthetic Venuvian Nectar. I must say that I’m impressed by your skill, Lord Vulkryon.”
“Impressed, you say?” Vulkryon asked
‘Vulkryon raised an eyebrow flirtatiously, leaning in close enough to kiss me, I placed my hand on his chest, holding him back.’
“Not that impressed..”
“You will warm up to me in time, Araelyn. In time, you will see how much we need one another.”
‘I had watched him leave as General Flaxby approached, lurking in the doorway and glaring at me as if I had put Fernaxion Sea Urchins in his bed.’
“This is how you show your gratitude to the Ruler of the Drenthaxian Nebula; by shattering his heart and crushing his spirit?”
“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the sleep chamber. I didn’t say I would marry whoever could make the perfect brew of Venuvian Nectar.”
“Joke all you want, Princess. You will marry Lord Vulkryon and you will not be defiant. Any woman would be thrilled to become that man’s wife.”
‘I lift myself from the table, walking out of the room, looking at General Flaxby with resentment.’
“Then perhaps he should marry one of them. I never wanted to rule a Kingdom like this.”
‘I had left, turning down the corridor, looking for the Spacecruiser hangars where Vulkryon’s fleet kept their Drenthaxian cruisers.’
“There it is. I can get out of here and go somewhere that the deluded Blorkmaar won’t think to find me.”
“Going somewhere, Araelyn?” A voice asked
“Love of Zhalla, give me strength. Lord Vulkryon, hey. I was just thinking I’d get some air, and I- -”
“Araelyn, you wouldn’t be trying to escape now, would you?”
“Try to escape this luxurious, yet very roomy warship? I wouldn’t dream of it, Lord Vulkryon.” I fib subtly while turning my head to the side
“Well, if you’re heading out for some air, perhaps I’ll join you. I could use some time off the ship. General Flaxby can be in charge for a while.”
“That won’t be necessary, my Lord. The ship would be in shambles with you gone.”
“Nonsense, Araelyn. General Flaxby has been in charge of the ship before. Spending some time alone with the most gorgeous creature in all the galaxy is nothing short of precious.”
‘I felt my skin instantly beginning to crawl as I felt Vulkryon wrapping his arm around me. Looking over and smiling awkwardly, I gently shoved his arm down at his side. I duck slipping past him when he quantum jumps to block me.’
“If you think you can give me the slip, my dearest, you are sorely mistaken. Either I accompany you, or you don’t leave at all.”
“Either way, I’m still your prisoner, Vulkryon.”
“You, a prisoner? I am surprised at you for thinking such things of me, Araelyn. You know that deep within your heart, you feel something for me.”
“You know something, Vulkryon, you’re right. I do feel something for you; I feel nothing but shame and hatred for having met you. How could anyone think I would give my heart to a man who stole me from my own kingdom? You, Lord Vulkryon, are a great pain in my Glotknuct.”
“And what a fine Glotknuct you’ve got, Araelyn.”
‘I turned around, slapping Vulkryon so hard he fell to the ground, unconscious as I angrily walked toward the hangar. I climbed in, setting the coordinates for the Seventeenth Moon of Venuvia.’
“Now that I’ve got Vulkryon incapacitated, I can find a way back to Venuvia. Hopefully Khyra and my father are alright.”
‘General Flaxby enters the hangar, seeing Lord Vulkryon’s unconscious body on the ground. He kneels down, gently shaking him.’
“My Lord, Princess Araelyn has escaped. Lord Vulkryon?”
“She knocked me out cold. What a woman. The perfect Drenthaxian Queen.” Vulkryon groaned, picking himself up
“Shall we send the fleet after her, my Lord?”
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll get her back, Flaxby. She is my future bride after all. Oh, how I love the thrill of the chase.” Vulkryon inhaled deeply, looking out into the dark void of space
“If you insist, my Lord. Shall we prepare your ship?”
“Immediately.” Vulkryon replied, nodding his head
“As you command, Lord Vulkryon.” General Flaxby says, bowing before him and dragging Lieutenant Trexler out of the room
“Rhazulaan as my witness, I shall find you, my darling Araelyn.” Vulkryon declared, pulling up a holographic image of me and places it in the seat beside him while General Flaxby and Lieutenant Trexler sneak away with a plan of their own