Page 20 of Her Alien Owner
The party is in full swing, the buzz of conversation and clinking glasses filling the air. But my mind isn't on my guests;it's on Ariana. I watch her from across the room, noting the tension in her shoulders as she moves among the crowd.
I make my way over, weaving through clusters of people. When I reach her, I gently touch her elbow. “Ariana, can we talk for a moment?”
She looks up, surprise flickering in her eyes before she nods. “Of course.”
I lead her to a quiet alcove away from the noise and offer her a drink from a nearby table. She accepts it with a grateful smile, her fingers brushing mine as she takes the glass.
“Thank you,” she says softly, taking a sip.
I lean against the wall, studying her. “You seemed... distracted earlier.”
She shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant. “It’s nothing.”
I tilt my head, not buying it for a second. “Nothing usually doesn’t leave someone looking like they’ve seen a ghost.”
Ariana hesitates, then sighs. “It’s just... this place brings back memories.” She glances around the opulent surroundings. “Memories of what Armstrong used to be.”
I nod, understanding more than she realizes. The weight of past actions hangs heavy in places like these.
“Why did you come here?” Her question is sudden and brave, her eyes locking onto mine with a mix of curiosity and something deeper.
I take a moment to answer, choosing my words carefully. “I’ve spent most of my life involved in destruction,” I begin slowly. "I've seen many places, many lives, end in ash and flames."
I pause, searching her face for judgment but finding only quiet attention. “I came to Armstrong because I wanted to be part of building something that will last.”
Her eyes widen slightly at my admission, and she looks down at her drink as if considering what to say next.
“I didn’t expect that,” she murmurs after a moment. “But it makes sense.” She looks up at me again, her gaze steady and unflinching. Her expression softens as she reaches out and lightly touches my arm.
“Thank you,” she says quietly. “For helping bring life back to my home.”
Her sincerity catches me off guard, and for a moment, all the defenses I've built around myself seem unnecessary.
“You’re welcome,” I reply simply.
We stand there in comfortable silence for a few moments longer before the sounds of the party draw us back to reality. Ariana finishes her drink and gives me a small smile.
“I should get back to work,” she says reluctantly.
I nod, watching as she slips back into the crowd with renewed grace and purpose.
The party swirls around me, but my mind is stuck on Ariana. How close I came to spilling my darkest secrets, to revealing the man behind the mask. Damn, she deserves better than the truth. But the reality of it would crush her.
I watch her navigate through the guests, a graceful wisp of calm amidst the chaos. She’s laughing at something another maid says, her eyes crinkling at the corners. For a moment, I let myself imagine what it would be like to be part of that world—her world—untainted by my past.
But reality slams back into me like a freight ship.
I turn away, leaning against a column and letting my gaze wander over the room. The opulence, the glittering lights—all distractions from the emptiness inside me. The darkness I've tried to bury.
“Valen.” A voice snaps me out of my reverie. Tragan stands at my side, his expression unreadable as always.
“Yes?” I keep my tone even, masking the turmoil within.
“Everything’s in place,” he reports quietly. “Darius and Selene are ready.”
I nod curtly. “Good.”
He hesitates for a moment, then lowers his voice further. “Are you sure about this?”