Kringl (Rescued by the Alien)

Chapter 6

Chapter

Six

J oy followed Kringl through the ship, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and exhilaration. Had she made a terrible mistake in revealing herself? The blue-skinned alien towered over her, his massive frame a reminder of how easily he could have overpowered her if he chose. Yet, despite his intimidating size, Joy felt an inexplicable sense of safety in his presence.

There was a warmth in his golden eyes and an ease in the way he carried himself that made her fear melt away. For reasons she couldn't quite explain, Joy trusted him. He was powerful without being intimidating, and she sensed that he was important.

Her gaze was drawn to the intricate golden tattoos adorning his blue skin, tracing the patterns with her eyes before catching herself and looking away, a flush creeping into her cheeks.

This wasn’t the time for schoolgirl crushes. She knew that. Still, she couldn't quite ignore the flutter in her stomach when Kringl glanced back at her, his expression unreadable.

As they reached what appeared to be the bridge of the ship, Joy's eyes widened at the array of technology surrounding them. Standing consoles flashed with lights, and a wide glass stretched across the nose of the ship, displaying a view of snow and ice. Kringl approached another blue-skinned alien, this one with silver markings instead of gold.

"Zaan," Kringl said, "we have a situation."

The alien— Zaan—turned, his gaze widening as it fell on Joy. “Prince Kringl,” he began, then stopped short. "A female? On our ship?”

Prince? So, her instincts about him had been right. He was confident because he was royalty. She didn’t know what species of royalty, but she now knew he was a prince.

Kringl’s dark brows pulled together as if dismayed by this information being revealed.

Zaan stopped closer to the prince, lowering his voice as he addressed Kringl. "Your Highness, need I remind you of our mission? We must return to our home world, and you must…”

“I know my duties, Zaan.” Kringl’s response was sharp.

The other blue-skinned alien released a breath. “So, she is just for your amusement while we remain on this world?”

Joy bristled. “Amusement? I’m not here to amuse anyone. I’m here because I need asylum.”

Zaan slid his gaze to Kringl. “Asylum? She is not…?”

“She is not.” Kringl’s words were clipped and hard.

Joy would have been offended by the forcefulness of his denial, if she didn’t agree completely. “I don’t know why your ship is here or what you might be doing flying around the galaxy, but I’m not interested in entertaining anyone. Not even if they’re a prince.” She flicked her gaze to Kringl. “No offense…Your…highness.”

The corners of Kringl’s mouth twitched. “No offense taken, human.”

“Joy,” she corrected. “My name is Joy.”

Kringl inclined his head to her, but the amusement did not leave his eyes. “Joy.”

Zaan folded his arms and narrowed his gaze. “Why do you require asylum?”

She slid her gaze to Kringl. Did she have to explain everything again?

Kringl spoke before she had to launch into her story “The village is apparently populated by humans who were on their way to an outpost. The leader, Velsnickel, and his elves have escaped from Earth and are keeping the humans here against their will so their presence cannot be revealed. If she wishes to leave with us, I will not say no.”

“You wish us to repatriate her to the outpost?”

“I don't care where you take me,” Joy interrupted. “I don’t need to go to the outpost or back to Earth. As long as I’m not here, I’ll go anywhere. Can humans live on your world?”

Zaan made a rough noise in the back of his throat at this.

“There have been humans on Valoria, but it has been a long time.” Kringl said. “Our planet would not be a hostile environment to you. It is much warmer than this.”

Joy had to keep herself from leaping. “Great. I hate the cold.”

“Highness.” Zaan’s mouth had dropped open. “You would return with a human female? What will your father think…?”

“I am not returning with a human bride.” Kringl’s hint of a smile faded. “I know my duty, but as a prince I also know that I must help others. I will not turn away a creature asking for help.”

Joy flinched at his words, even as she berated herself for thinking of Kringl as anything more than a way off the planet. Of course, a prince wouldn't consider her as a potential mate. She was nothing but a desperate refugee, lucky to be getting any help at all. Besides, she barely knew the prince.

Then why did the rejection sting?

“Understood.” Zaan gave the prince a quick nod, his shoulders relaxing with Kringl’s assurance.

“This does change things,” the prince said. “We must all be on our guard. Expedite the repairs. I want us ready to leave as soon as possible. I'll go to the celebration tonight, to avoid arousing suspicion. Joy will remain hidden here, and the crew will continue working."

"Kringl.” Joy surprised herself with her boldness in addressing him so informally. "Be careful. Don't trust any of the elves and especially not Velsnickel."

His golden eyes met hers for a long moment. “Thank you, but you should not worry about me.”

Joy felt that flutter in her stomach again. Was she worrying about him? Why did the thought of him going to the night’s festivities make her stomach lurch? Why did he make her stomach feel funny? She looked away, her cheeks warm, and she hoped he hadn’t seen her flush.

She reminded herself sternly that his kindness was born of generosity, nothing more. An alien prince could never truly be interested in someone like her. She had no family, no name, and no title. He clearly had a responsibility to select a noble wife and probably one of his own species.

Yet she felt an unusual connection to him. Even though he’d just arrived on the planet, he felt familiar. Joy had the strange feeling she’d known him for ages. How ridiculous was that? She had no right to feel this way about someone she'd just met, let alone an alien prince.

But the fear that gripped her as she watched him walk towards the village that evening—that, she had every right to feel. She knew Velsnickel all too well, and she knew the malice that lurked behind his jolly facade. As Kringl's cloaked figure grew smaller in the distance, Joy pressed a hand to the cool metal of the ship's hull, fighting back inexplicable tears.

"Be safe," she whispered, though he was far beyond hearing.