Page 45 of The Alien's Captive Bride

Venus hugged her again. “I didn’t tell you anything you wouldn’t have figured out on your own eventually. You’re a very smart young lady.”

Zhera stepped back. “If you’re agreeable, I’d like to keep in touch with you,” she said.

Venus smiled. “I would like that very much.” Perhaps this ambassadorship stuff wouldn’t be too difficult.

Zhera waved and disappeared into the crowd.

Venus surveyed the room and her eyes narrowed as she spotted Zora attempting to engage Dravek in conversation by a table laden with exotic fruits. Despite Zora’s animated gestures and bright smile, Dravek looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. As Venus watched, he made a hasty exit, leaving Zora with an apologetic-looking Garek.

On the other side of the room, she noticed Roqron watching Mila intently. Her sister, resplendent in her bridesmaid dress, was deep in conversation with Amari, gesticulating excitedly about something. Every so often, Roqron would take a step toward them, only to retreat again, his face a mask of indecision.

“What’s got you so focused, my love?” Azlun’s voice in her ear made her jump slightly. She turned to find him looking at her with a mixture of amusement and concern, two glasses of shimmering, color-changing champagne in his hands. “You’re wearing your ‘I’m plotting something’ face. Should I be worried? Planning an intergalactic coup on our wedding day?”

Venus chuckled, accepting the offered glass and leaning into his embrace. The solid warmth of him grounded her, a reminder that no matter what craziness the universe threw at them, they’d face it together. “Am I that transparent? I’m just worried about Mila and Zora. Your brothers are acting... strange around them. And by strange, I mean like they’ve suddenly developed allergies to my sisters.”

Azlun followed her gaze, taking in the scene - Zora now chatting with Garek, though her eyes kept darting to Dravek’s retreating back, and Mila still oblivious to Roqron’s intense stare. To Venus’s surprise, he chuckled, a knowing glint in his eye.

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry too much about that,” he said, his voice low and amused.

“What do you mean?” Venus asked, raising an eyebrow. “Did you miss the part where your brothers are treating my sisters like they’ve got some contagious Earth disease? Should I be offended on behalf of my planet?”

Azlun’s eyes twinkled with mischief as he pulled her closer, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke. “It’ll be fine. Stop worrying.”

Venus leaned back, eyeing him suspiciously. “All right, spill it, Your Highness. What do you know that I don’t?”

“Now where’s the fun in that?” Azlun grinned, spinning her gently so her back was to his chest, both of them facing the room. His arms wrapped around her waist, and Venus felt herself melting into him. “Besides,” he continued, his voice a low rumble that sent pleasant shivers down her spine, “I have much more interesting plans for the evening than discussing my brothers’ love lives.”

“Oh really?” Venus turned in his arms, a challenging glint in her eye. “Care to share these plans with your new wife, or is it another Tharvisian secret?”

Azlun’s smile turned heated, his eyes darkening in a way that made Venus’s heart race. “I’d rather show you,” he murmured, leaning in for a kiss that toed the line between publicly acceptable and scandalous.

As they swayed together on the dance floor, lost in their own world amidst the celebration, Venus couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation for what the future held. Not just for her and Azlun, but for her sisters as well. Something told her that life on Tharvis was about to get very interesting indeed.

“You know,” she murmured, her lips close to Azlun’s ear, “if you keep looking at me like that, we might have to cut this reception short. I’m pretty sure it’s considered treason to combust spontaneously at a royal wedding.”

Azlun’s low chuckle sent a shiver down her spine, his hands tightening possessively on her waist. “Is that a promise, my princess? Because I’m more than ready to start our honeymoon. I’ve got a whole galaxy to show you.”

Venus grinned, her heart skipping at the new title and the promise in his words. “You bet it is, my prince. Lead the way. This Earth girl is ready for her next adventure.”

As Azlun led her toward the exit, pausing to wave good-bye to their guests, Venus caught sight of her sisters. Mila was now engaged in what looked like a heated debate with Roqron, her eyes flashing with passion while he looked both terrified and enthralled. Zora, meanwhile, had somehow cornered Dravek, chattering away while he looked increasingly flustered.

Venus smiled to herself. Yes, life on Tharvis was definitely going to be interesting. But first, she had a honeymoon to attend to. The intergalactic family drama could wait - she had a whole new world (and a very handsome alien husband) to explore.