by Zara Zenia
Not to mention, my real body had been immobile for a number of days as I lay sleeping and dreaming in the virtual reality chamber. I was still trying to stretch out my muscles and get them back in working order again.
Jinurak was probably right. He just wanted what was best for me, and we shouldn’t rush into anything too quickly that might cause me to regress instead of progress. In the end, it wasn’t really worth the risk.
As if reading my thoughts, Jinurak stroked my cheek with the side of his thumb. Goose bumps of pleasure erupted across the surface of my skin and I experienced a tingly sensation all over my body.
“We have the rest of our lives to get to know each other and to be together, love,” he whispered soothingly.
“How is it that you have such a charismatic talent for pacifying me?” I grinned, giving him a playful teasing glance.
“I don’t know,” he chuckled back, “but it’s nice to know you appreciate the effort, even if I don’t always get it right.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” I said. “You are the most modest prince I’ve ever met. You are doing a fantastic job.”
“That means the world to me, love.” His eyes beamed with pride at my compliment.
I let out a contented sigh. “Everything still feels a little unreal…muddy. My mind is a bit murky.”
Jinurak frowned with concern and empathy. “It will take some time, but you will be back to good as new before you know it.”
“Thanks for the pep talk,” I said. “It’s encouraging.”
“I want to do anything motivating to help you, love,” he admitted.
“You are definitely inspiring.” I met his gaze and felt a sparkling effect ripple through me, almost as if cool, champagne bubbly was running through my veins and warming me from the inside out.
I always experienced a sensation of euphoria every time Jinurak gazed longingly into my eyes. I wanted to melt under his embrace and the fantastic weight of his stare sent me on a thrill ride.
It was true, I had fallen for him, hard. Head over heels, face first, hard. I couldn’t help myself. What woman wouldn’t want her prince, her knight in shining armor to rescue her from distress. And in my case, he had literally stepped up to the plate in armor from his own military.
“I want to get out of bed today,” I told him, holding my breath and hoping that he would appease me if only for a little while.
“You do?” He seemed surprised. “But you haven’t slept enough…”
“I slept for several hours in a row,” I said. “And it was a deep and dreamless sleep too.” I smiled. “I want to stretch my legs. If I lay in this bed for too long, I’m afraid it might not be good for my mental state. I don’t want the time to be alone with my thoughts.”
“You need a distraction?” He gave me a knowing look as if he was starting to understand where I was coming from.
“That would be wonderful.” I breathed a sigh of relief.
“I can take you downstairs for a little while,” he suggested. “I can introduce you to some of my brothers who are in town, including my brother Lortnam. He just got married to a human woman too.”
“That’s great.” I felt myself practically glowing, excited to be a part of the blending of cultures and races. It was a wonderful way to regroup after the torturous experience of being locked inside the gates of Nora’s wicked castle.
I got dressed and put my hair in a braid. Jinurak came back to take me downstairs to begin the introductions.
I was a little wobbly on my feet. My heart started racing and for a brief moment, I forgot who I was and what I was doing here. It was only after I searched the gorgeous eyes of Jinurak that I remembered everything that happened.
I didn’t understand what was going on inside my head. I hoped I didn’t have any lingering conditions that might hinder me from living a normal life. I didn’t want to be impaired. Hot tears stung in my eyes and blurred my vision.
“Is everything alright?” Jinurak clutched my arms, leaned in and inspected me.
“I’m…fine,” I lied so that he would let me go downstairs. “It’s just…I’m a little shaky, that’s all.” I couldn’t blame it on low blood sugar because I had just eaten breakfast.
“Are you sure you are up for company?” he quizzed.
I nodded, trying to sound more confident and managing to a certain degree to pull it off. “I’m okay now, I promise.”
When we began walking down the stairs, it was as if I suddenly forgot how to put one foot in front of the other. I couldn’t remember how to descend the steps. I looked at Jinurak for support.
“Can you hold onto me while I grip the banister? I just don’t want to fall.”
Jinurak etched his eyebrow in deeper concern but obliged my request without another protest.
I was beginning to doubt that I would be able to go back to normal life as quickly as either of us, or his team of doctors had hoped. But they had only examined me on the surface.
They hadn’t done any testing on my brain to determine any lasting effects of the drugs and sedatives that Nora had given me in the virtual reality tank in order to attempt to brainwash me.
I looked at Jinurak. The time might soon come where I would need to propose the idea of having my brain scanned for any scar tissue or brain damage. I just didn’t want to think about it right now.
It gave me a queasy, unnerved feeling in the pit of my stomach that I wanted to swallow away to the darker crevices of my mind and forget about them forever. If only it were that easy.
As we inched closer toward the main living space of Jinurak’s palace, I could hear the sound of laughter.
It gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling, a sense of rebirth. I wanted to be a part of his family. I had lived a life in solitude for so long, I had forgotten how charming it could be to be surrounded by friends and family to love and support you along the way. Living alone had its perks at the time, but I was ready to move on and begin a new chapter with Jinurak.
We turned a corner at the end of the stairs and Jinurak took my hand. It was a monumental gesture that warmed my heart and sent a surge of adoration through my body. It was a subtle, yet token embrace of his hand clutched in mine that represented his sincere drive to protect me and be my life partner through thick and thin. He was willing to show the people closest to him that he had a companion, and it made my heart sing with joy.
As we walked into the room, it was surrounded by who I assumed to be his Trilyn brothers, other princes from various continents around his planet, as he had previously explained to me after we arrived back in Baltimore. I could set them apart because they had the same olive complexion as he did.
There were a few women in the room as well, along with David Yadav and a handful of other men in suits who I guessed were probably business associates to Jinurak. Everyone had kind and inviting eyes.
“Hi everyone,” Jinurak said in a cheery voice as he addressed the room with a charismatic wave. “I want you all to meet Ariana, those of you who have not yet had the pleasure.”
“Hello,” I said and felt my cheeks burn hot. I didn’t know why I suddenly felt shy and put into the spotlight.
“Welcome home,” Yadav, the one I had been introduced to already gave me an earnest smile.
“Thank you,” I said and shifted my weight. “It’s great to be back in the…real world.”
I hadn’t necessarily meant it as a joke, but the room erupted into delighted chuckles anyway.
“I’m Lortnam.” He extended his hand to shake with me. He had a witty smile that was peppered with mischief. “Don’t let my good looks fool you. I’m the more handsome twin.”
Jinurak rolled his eyes all in fun. “You don’t have to listen to him.”
I pumped Lortnam’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I see the twin resemblance.”
“This is my wife, Kelly.” Lortnam moved aside to let me shake Kelly’s hand.
She had an eager smile. “I can show you the ropes if you’d like.
”
I was grateful to have the aid of a human who was already accustomed to life with a prince from a foreign planet.
“Thank you for the offer,” I said. “I just might have to take you up on it.”
“We aren’t that difficult to live with, are we?” Another brother who had lighter toned skin than the rest of them winked at me and grinned. “I’m Prince Akrawn, Jinurak’ older and much wiser brother.”
Jinurak laughed. “He wishes.”
I loved the playful banter between them. They made me feel comfortable, at ease in their own space and made me feel like I was already one of them without even trying to fit in.
Even though I got the impression that they enjoyed teasing and taunting each other, I could see the love they held in their hearts for one another by the look of respect that floated between them.
He laughed and said, “This is my wife, Cat, our Ambassador to Earth.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Ariana.” She smiled and shook my hand.
“Nice to meet you too,” I answered.
We talked and got to know each other a little more downstairs, but after a while, I began to get a throbbing migraine that pulsed between my eyes and spread to my temples and then reached to the back of my head.
I was in agony and the pain made me feel nauseated.
“Are you okay, love?” Jinurak asked. His frowned and his forehead wrinkled. He still looked handsome to me.
“Why do you ask?” I practically panted, trying to breathe through the discomfort.
“You look a little paler than usual and your features are…twisted.”
“It’s just…I suddenly have this terrible migraine. It’s explicitly hindering my ability to have fun at the moment.”
Jinurak stood up and took my hand. “Why don’t we get you back upstairs?”
I glanced around the room, feeling flustered because I didn’t want to make a scene or have anyone else worry about me.
“I am feeling a little lightheaded,” I said because now that I had stood up with Jinurak, the wobbly sensation took over and I felt as if my knees were going to buckle.
“Oh no, are you alright?” Kelly asked. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“No,” I swallowed hard, holding out a hand. “But thank you. I appreciate the offer. I just need to lie down for a little while.”
“I’ll take her up and then I’ll be back down later,” Jinurak said.
Once we had climbed the stairs and he had situated me back into the sheets, tucking me in and wrapping me up like a cocoon, he sat down beside me.
“Do you want me to turn the fan on and close the blinds to make it cooler and quieter?” he asked.
“That sounds great.” I took a deep breath and fluttered my eyelids closed.
It hurt to keep them open anymore. It was as if my entire brain was entering protest mode and was causing me to suffer from all the stress it had endured.
Jinurak walked over to the curtains and closed them, sealing the room like a darkened tomb. He switched on the fan and the refreshing breeze from the blades began to instantly brush against my hot cheeks. I relished in the low hum sound it made as it swirled around in a circle.
“That’s much better,” I sighed. “Thank you.”
“Do you want me to fetch you some medicine to relieve your headache, love?” he asked.
I opened my eyes. Now was my opportunity to discuss with him the idea of getting a brain scan by a medical expert, possibly a human doctor to see if I had any permanent damage to be found on the tests.
“Actually,” I began cautiously, “I was thinking that maybe I should get a brain scan. By a doctor who is an expert in reading, recognizing and treating brain injuries caused by drugs or virtual reality issues.”
“I don’t know—” Jinurak began but I interrupted him with an interjection that I hoped would plead my case.
“We don’t know exactly what Nora was giving me. What if it affects me for the rest of my life? What if it’s something that can be prevented or stopped before the onset gets stronger inside my system? I just want to make sure that I’m safe. I want to have the best quality of life possible with you.”
I bat my eyelashes and gave him what I hoped would be a pitiful puppy type of expression. I wasn’t trying to manipulate him. I honestly wanted to get to the bottom of why I was still feeling corrupted. Nora had violated me, and I wanted answers.
“Alright, love,” Jinurak whispered after some hesitation and a brief, pondering pause. “I will send for someone to perform the procedure on you here so that I can have control over the situation and watch over you protectively.”
I smiled and squeezed his hand. “Thank you so much. It makes me feel so much better to know that you are willing to support me even when I have fears.”
“That’s what I’m here for, love.” He gave me a smile that reflected a growing, immeasurable love.
“If you don’t mind,” I said, “I am going to get some sleep now. You were right before. I didn’t allow myself to rest enough.”
Jinurak gently kissed the top of my forehead. His soft lips pressed against my skin caused me to feel that throbbing desire between my legs again.
“I will do whatever it takes to bring you back to your normal self, sweetheart. Rest easy, my eternal love.”
His soothing, whispery words sent me right into a lulling and tranquil sleep. I hoped to dream of a new, revolutionary dawn where we were able to put the past behind us and leap forward into a life filled with love, inspiration and paradise.
Chapter 19
Jinurak
The next morning, I laid with Ariana until she woke up. I watched her sleeping. It was blissful for me to see her in a tranquil state of mind, a peaceful and hopefully dreamless sleep. I watched her chest rise and fall with perfect rhythm every time she took a sleepy breath in and out.
Her hair cascaded gently across the pillow like feathery wisps of spiraled perfection. I reached out and tenderly touched it. Her hair felt like silk grazing against my fingertips.
In all actuality, I could lay there beside her forever. She was like a peaceful doll. I felt so much gratitude for being able to pull her from the swamps of despair.
We both rose from the ashes on that fateful day that we escaped by the skin of our teeth from Nora’s detonated and viciously calculated explosive device.
Ariana loved it when I played with her hair. I smiled as I continued to delicately graze my fingers through the soft honied strands of her hair. She sighed serenely and her eyes briefly fluttered open.
“I’m sorry, love,” I whispered soothingly. “Go back to sleep. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Ariana let out a lax moan and a radiant smile curled at the edges of her lips. “No, it’s okay. I need to wake up now.”
“Only if you are no longer tired,” I said.
“I’m not.” She shook her head, yawned and delicately stretched. She had the slender, yet toned body of a ballet dancer.
I relished in the way her beautiful body conformed to the mattress and her elegant white nightgown molded to each slender curve and shape. She was my ethereal princess. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have her.
Her expression was relaxed and subdued. She blinked her eyes as if they were still slightly heavy with sleep.
“How are you feeling?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” She frowned. She sat up and wrinkled her forehead. Her lips pursed sourly. “I still don’t feel like…myself.”
“You don’t?” My heart dropped. I was hoping that a good night sleep overnight would clear her head.
“No.” Ariana looked worried. “It’s hard to explain. I can’t describe the feeling. It’s like I’m a little woozy, foggy and forgetful.”
“Do you still want to go through with the brain scan?” I asked, holding my breath and secretly hoping that she wanted to wait a little while longer on that to see if she felt better in the days to come.
I didn’t want
her to undergo that kind of probing, invasive testing, not now, especially with all the torment she had already been through. I wanted her to get better, and I wasn’t sure the brain scan was the way to go. If she insisted, I would have no choice but to be supportive, even if I didn’t agree with the terms.
It was just all part of the compromise. I tried to remind myself that I was lucky to have her with me. I was lucky that she had woken up from the medically induced sleep in the first place.
Ariana raised her eyes and gave me an almost apologetic glance, as if she knew the thoughts of protest in my head.
“I just want to know what’s wrong with me…”
“I know you do, sweetheart.” I cupped my hand over her shoulder and affectionately rubbed it. “I want you to get better just as much, if not even more so than you do.”
She gave me a pondering glance. “Don’t you think that it would be better if I…knew exactly what happened to my mind? Maybe then we could fix the problem? If we do nothing at all, what if my symptoms get worse?”
She sat up erect and excitedly straight. She took my hands and cradled them with her slender, dainty ones.
“I suppose you have a point there, love,” I agreed. She was selling her case. “I just don’t want you to have to undergo anymore procedures, especially with everything you’ve already had to endure. I don’t want you to go through anymore trauma.”
Ariana gave me a heartfelt smile and tenderly touched the side of my cheek. Her fingertips felt warm and flooded me with a sensual euphoria.
“I know you care about me. I think it’s so sweet of you to worry, but I just want to figure out what is wrong with me, if anything. Maybe you are right. Maybe there isn’t anything wrong with me and it might just take my mind and body to adapt and become accustomed to normal, regular life again. I just want to know for sure.”
“You need the validation that you are going to recover from the drug induced sleep that Nora put you under,” I said.
Ariana nodded as a mutual recognition shimmered in her eyes and made her glow with beauty. “Exactly.”