Page 28 of Gifted to the Alien Prince
“All lies,” Thadron’s shout rang out from the room and into the hall.
"Enough," Cryostrum commanded. "I will handle this messy family affair for you, your Majesty. Guards, arrest them both."
I braced for the bite of the guard’s metal cuff. Thadron stepped between me and the advancing guards.
"Lay one finger on her and I tear off your hand."
Cryostrum's laughter rose. "Do you see how he protects her more than he cares about his own people, his own family?" He turned his sharp gaze toward Lucian, who stood torn by his own court's confusion. "Your Highness, how can you trust him?"
The crown prince’s voice broke through the rising tension. "Do not forget your place, Cryostrum. You may be an advisor, but you do not get to interrogate or speak for the royal family. Brother," he continued, turning to face Thadron, "I don't care for Cryostrum's tone, but I can't defy the accusation. Or your involvement with Isa."
Thadron looked over his shoulder at me. His usually guarded eyes revealed a vulnerability that made my heart thrum against my ribs. He turned back to Lucian. "It's true I've developed feelings for Isa. But it’s no secret. You even joked about it."
Lucian's lips parted slightly as if to draw breath from the charged atmosphere. "How do I know it all wasn't to gain classified information?"
"Isa isn’t a liar. I believed her when she told me she saw Cryostrum hide the file on his person."
The advisor scoffed. “Your Highness, surely you don't believe the nervous ramblings of a traitor and his human spy he's taken as a lover?"
I watched a vein pulse in Thadron’s temple. He showed tremendous restraint at the insults and accusations hurled our way. “Lucian, I believe I can prove Isa didn't steal the file. And if I can't, I will bear the charges for both of us."
The room held its breath, everyone awaiting Lucian's response. The crown prince’s brow furrowed, his usually light demeanor dimmed by the weight of the moment. He scanned Thadron’s face.
“Do what you must.”
“This is absurd,” the royal advisor sputtered. “You can’t possibly—”
“I can, and I will.” Lucian raised his hand, his voice steadfast and firm. “You’ll remain still, Cryostrum, or you’ll answer to me.” He glanced at the guards. “Hold him.”
The guards stepped forward, gripping Cryostrum’s arms. His eyes flashed with fury, but he had no choice.
Thadron looked at me. “Isa, do you trust me?”
My throat was tight, but I nodded. “With everything.”
He took a breath, lifting his hand to my temple. The warmth of his touch steadied me. His other hand reached toward Cryostrum, fingers splayed, the connection forming between us like a thread of molten light. The air grew dense, charged with the energy of his gift.
Thadron’s voice rose, deep and resonant, a melody both ancient and powerful. The song curled through the air, vibrating in my bones. My mind opened, and I felt the gentle pull of his presence within me, weaving through my memories like a seeker in the dark.
The scene projected into the air like a living painting.
The shadowed halls of Gelverin Keep emerged. I saw myself stepping out of my room and into the hall. Up ahead, Cryostrum’s silhouette appeared, sharp and composed. He paused, glancing around.
I saw it as I did the first time. His hand slipped into his sleeve as though he were tucking something away. Then he stopped to face me and speak.
I felt a shudder run through me as reality returned. Thadron’s hand tightened around mine for support. His gaze burned into Cryostrum, unrelenting, merciless. “Your turn.”
Thadron’s voice swelled again, the song twisting the air with a darker thread as he reached into the advisor’s memories. Another vision shimmered to life where Cryostrum slipped into the archives, his eyes cold and calculating as he removed the hard drive from one of the storage units. The scene shifted, andI saw myself emerging from my room, completely unaware. The royal advisor paused just long enough to glance my way before sliding the stolen drive into his pocket, his mouth curling into a satisfied smirk.
Thadron's melody wove deeper into Cryostrum’s memories. It revealed how he intended to trade the stolen information to the Nexus Spiral, a recently formed criminal group that had been stalking across the galaxy, trading money for illegal deals and each planet’s secrets.
The memory dissolved, the vision shimmering into nothingness. A collective gasp echoed through the hall.
Cryostrum’s eyes were wide with disbelief and rage. He twisted against the guards’ hold, his composure shattered. “This is a trick.”
“Enough,” Lucian snapped. “I’ve seen all I need to see. Guards, take him to the cells.”
The guards hauled the advisor away, his protests fading into the distance. The weight on my chest lifted, though my breath still trembled.