The back and forth between the two lasted weeks. Varya had become more comfortable with the prince and her fiery personality had started to show itself more and more. She still didn't know if Prince Basileus was harmless, but he hadn't laid a finger on her so far just as he said.
Compared to the woman who was begging for death only weeks before, Prince Basileus much preferred this version of Varya. He would never admit it, but if he needed entertainment, he would say something to set her off, simply so they could spar with words and he would see the fire in her eyes return.
Varya had cabin fever. Compared to her life on Earth where she could come and go as much as she pleased, the place she lived in now felt like torture. Each day started to look the same. If she got especially bored, she would go through the closets in the room and Prince Basileus started letting her use the computer. However, there was an issue. The words on the screen were nothing like that of Earth and she could only scroll through pages and look at pictures.
Eventually, she asked if there was a way to learn the language so she could have a basic understanding of what was on the computer. The prince found someone who could help her. They brought books used to teach children how to read. She had to learn through pictures and memorization because her reading language couldn't be translated to the universal language. She was able to get her hands on a pen and notebook and started her own translation dictionary of sorts. Within a week, she had a basic understanding of the universal language.
The prince was impressed with her intelligence. With the intention of keeping her entertained so she wouldn't bother him, he had been learning a lot about her.
The first few days living in the castle, Varya found out that they were allowed to explore the palace. When the confines of the prince's quarters became too monotonous, she requested to go on a walk. Even within the glass of the dome they were under, it felt like she was breathing fresh air.
Varya wanting to leave his quarters became a problem for the prince. Kruos always had eyes on Basileus and when word got to him that they kept leaving, Basileus was under strict orders not let her out of his sight in public.
On Planet Ptoma, there was a lack of laws to protect beings from getting murdered. Survival of the fittest was in full affect around the palace and Basileus knew the Earth woman was not gifted with strength enough to protect herself. While she was cunning, her brain would not get her far without someone protecting her.
Varya was as persistent as ever to leave the room, despite his warnings about the aliens who lived on this planet. Even in the face of danger, he couldn't blame her. Her mind needed stimulating. She had a lot of energy and a quick wit that would make anywhere boring after too long.
Varya was getting more comfortable with Basileus and she became more physical. When she wanted something, he could guarantee she wouldn't hesitate to grab his arm or his hand and beg. He figured she must have no pride, but Varya started noticing a pattern of him relenting quicker that way. He tried to remain icy, but her blue eyes found a way to melt him.
"Seeing that you're done training, what do you say we take a walk? The gardens look beautiful from up here." Varya met Basileus's eyes as she spoke and put her hands on one of his arms that was crossed in front of his chest.
"No, we aren't going out today. I'm waiting for Emperor Kruos to give me my next mission."
He uncrossed his arms, getting out of her grasp, and sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for Kruos to summon him.
Varya was feeling pent up, but so was he. He had a desire to get out into space and find someone to fight. He wouldn't be satisfied until another alien's blood was splattered on his face. Nothing made him feel more alive.
Varya didn't hesitate to jump onto the bed and sit behind him. Her elbow rested on his shoulder and she met his orange eyes. "Please, Prince? I'll leave you alone after that."
He frowned at her. She truly was a manipulative being.
"We're only going out for a few minutes. If I miss being summoned by Lord Kruos, I will be shipped off and you can forget about ever seeing me again."
"That would be so unfortunate…" Varya started off sarcastically but stopped when his frown deepened.
He got off the bed, putting space between them.
She quickly corrected herself, saying, "It would be unfortunate! You're my only friend." She got off the bed and lightly grabbed his wrist.
Basileus sneered slightly and kept his eyes away from her. He shook her grasp off of him.
"Are you sure Ebari isn't a "friend"? I've seen the looks shared between you two."
Varya sighed and had to keep from rolling her eyes - an action she knew the prince particularly hated.
Whenever they saw Ebari in the halls, he would look at Varya as if he was checking on her. It was not a mystery to anyone that Basileus and Ebari hated each other so she didn't ever approach Ebari out of respect for that. Sometimes her eyes would meet Ebari's golden ones and she would offer him a smile. The elf-like alien would nod and look away.
The prince would notice their silent exchange and they would return to his quarters. He would disappear to his training area again, his temper barely being contained. He never understood how particularly infuriating those situations made him.
"No, Basileus," Varya dared to grab for his arm again and hugged it. She looked up at him and couldn't help the teasing smile that appeared on her features, "You aren't just my friend, you're my best friend."
She laughed as he became more displeased. His bad mood was palpable. She knew how to press his buttons just as he knew how to press hers.
"Not many who have touched me without permission lived long enough to do it again," he said with a scoff. "Get your boots on or we can't go."
"'Okay, father," she joked, but she didn't waste time and found a pair of socks that would go almost to her knees and the same white leather boots she always wore.
Basileus went to his own closet and pulled on a thin and unassuming chest plate. He wouldn't be caught outside without armor, having no trust in the aliens who lived there.
They both exited the room and Varya glanced back at the door as she followed Basileus. One day, when he was gone, she was going to figure out the mechanism to that door so she could get out of there on her own terms.
Basileus slowed down after they got out of the elevator and followed her as she walked to where she wanted to go. It seemed the glass tunnels that connected buildings on Kruos's planet or the gardens interested her the most. Today they would head to the gardens.
The prince stood in a corner of the garden where he was shaded by a tree. Surprisingly there wasn't a snow storm raging outside. The two suns of this solar system were only dots in the sky, but they shined from two directions.
He was always on guard with her around. If she got harmed, Kruos would take it out on him. He wasn't willing to lose his rank. It was the only way he could have direct access to the tyrant and, one day, kill him and take his position.
Varya leaned forward and smelled a purple flower that had a tower of buds running along its stalk. These ones reminded her of snapdragons from Earth, but they stood much taller. She didn't know how such pretty flowers survived here, not sure how much sun they received due to the snowstorms normally raging outside. She walked further and ran her fingers over a leaf of a tropical-looking leafy plant. It had flowers that hadn't bloomed yet, but she kept checking every time she was there, determined not to miss what it looked like when the blooms did open. Her eyes sparkled while she was there, looking through the flowers. The Vance Estate had a beautiful garden thanks to the management of her mother. There were blooms from all over the world. It seemed like a distant memory despite only being almost two months ago.
Prince Basileus wondered, who this woman was before she became a prisoner. She must have been someone important or Kruos wouldn't take such a keen interest in her. She never told him if she carried any titles. Perhaps the perished family she spoke of was important to their planet in some way.
The prince's thoughts were interrupted when he noticed an alien dressed in a red spandex suit under his silver armor come into the garden and take notice of Varya.