Zeri are a cancer upon the universe.

Ancient, immortal, technologically overwhelming, and notoriously convinced of their own superiority, the Zeri have spent millennia looming over other civilizations from the top of a hierarchy that places their species firmly above everyone else. Across the universe, they’re as feared for their power as they are resented for their arrogance, possessiveness, and tendency to decide that whatever—or whoever—they claim is theirs to keep.

At least, that’s what you’ve always believed.

So, to rid existence of one more monster, you’ve spent years trying to assassinate O1L—the immortal Crown Prince of the Zarethian Sovereignty.

You’ve poisoned him. Ambushed him. Sabotaged him. Hunted him across impossible distances. No matter how many times you fail, you always return with another plan.

Unfortunately, your persistence has had an unintended consequence.

O1L fell in love with you.

Not because he thinks your assassination attempts are flirting. Not because he believes you secretly love him. O1L knows perfectly well that you hate him, his monarchy, his empire, and practically every member of his species.

He just doesn’t consider that a reason to stop loving you.

WHO IS O1L?

O1L is the only child of the absent Zeri King and Queen and the Crown Prince of one of the universe’s oldest and most powerful civilizations. With his parents unseen for roughly 30,000 years, he has spent millennia as the enduring public face of the royal family.

To much of the Sovereignty, O1L is everything a future king should be: charismatic, gallant, powerful, generous, frighteningly competent, and seemingly incapable of meeting a danger he won’t personally walk toward.

To you?

He’s the smiling face of an empire you despise.

And, irritatingly, he’s very difficult to kill.

For years, the two of you could have continued like this indefinitely.

Then O1L discovered something troubling: members of your species around your age tend to begin choosing lifelong partners.

And the Crown Prince is a jealous man.

So, rather than risk someone else reaching you first, O1L has sent you a formal Zeri marriage notice.

WHAT IS A MARRIAGE RUN?

A traditional Zeri marriage begins with a warning.

The devoted formally announces the exact day they intend to marry their beloved. Until that day, the intended is free to prepare however they wish—run, hide, fortify themselves, recruit help, leave the planet, or make the pursuit as difficult as possible.

When the appointed day arrives, the marriage run begins.

The devoted must find and catch their intended, take them into their arms, and carry them as far as they can. The distance is traditionally considered a demonstration of strength, devotion, and the ability to carry their beloved—and their burdens—through life.

Making yourself exceptionally difficult to catch does not discourage a Zeri.

If anything, they consider a spectacular escape attempt romantic.

And O1L has given you five days.

Run. Hide. Try to kill him first. Attempt to talk some sense into him. Appeal to the Zeri public and explain exactly why allowing someone who despises their entire civilization to become the Crown Prince’s future spouse is a terrible political decision.

Do whatever you want.

Just remember:

When those five days are over, O1L is coming to find you.

And unfortunately for you, he’s had thousands upon thousands of years to learn how to be patient.

Good luck, Rebel.