Page 24 of Alien Prince (Alien Abductions and Seductions #1)
Chapter 10
A Gentle Unveiling
The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden light across the palace gardens, stretching shadows over the neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant clusters of flowers that reminded me of luna lilies. The air was heavy with the sweetness of their blooms, mixed with the freshness of watered soil. A gentle breeze stirred the leaves, carrying with it the soothing melody of a distant fountain. It was like stepping into a tranquil oasis, and as I approached the secluded gazebo, I felt a sense of calm settle over me.
Stepping inside, I relished the feel of the cool, polished wood underfoot, a pleasant contrast to the sun’s warmth outside. The floor was lined with a soft layer of moss that invited me to relax, and the bright colors of the garden framed the gazebo in a beautiful, natural tapestry. Above, sunlight filtered through the latticework, creating intricate patterns that danced across the floor and walls, casting a gentle glow on everything around me. My bare feet were almost ticklish with the sensations from the moss carpet. I curled my toes and shifted my weight afew times to revel in the feeling a bit longer.
Prince Bayn was already there, standing by the far side railing, his silhouette outlined against a backdrop of cascading vines. His markings seemed to shimmer faintly in the sunlight, adding to the quiet aura he carried. In his hand, he held a small glass vial filled with a luminescent liquid, its colors swirling like a tiny, contained nebula.
“May I join you, Maisie?” he asked, his voice soft and resonant, carrying a hint of vulnerability I wasn’t used to hearing from him.
I stepped closer, catching the subtle, exotic scent of his cologne as it mixed with the floral air. “Of course, Prince Bayn,” I replied, my voice gentle as I lowered myself onto the plush cushion beside him. The softness of the cushion beneath me encouraged me to relax, to let my guard down just a bit. “I should be the one asking you though, since you were clearly here first.”
Bayn carefully uncorked the vial, and a faint hiss escaped, breaking the quiet. “This is a traditional Xenorian calming elixir,” he explained, his fingers moving deftly as he handled the vial with care. “It’s meant to promote relaxation and clarity during difficult times.”
He poured a small amount into two crystal glasses, the liquid glowing faintly.
“Please, share in this tradition with me.”
I took a sip, savoring the taste—a perfect balance of sweetness with a hint of tang that lingered pleasantly on my tongue. Something close to a Strawberry lemonade but with less citrus and more savory type flavors that linger behind.
“Stand with me. Share in a toast.” Bayn said as he raised his glass in front of himself. “May our worlds unite in the best of ways.”
I clanked my glass’s edge to his before taking another sip.
As we drank, I noticed a rare softness in his eyes, a tenderness that I’d only glimpsed before. His gaze met mine, and in that moment, I felt something unspoken pass between us, a connection that seemed to go beyond words.
“Thank you for sharing this with me,” I said, my voice quiet. “It’s beautiful.”
Bayn nodded, a small, thoughtful smile touching his lips. “I find peace in moments like these. The responsibilities we bear… they can be overwhelming. It’s important to find solace amidst the chaos.”
I let my fingers trace the cool glass in my hand, grounding me as I listened. The garden’s ambient sounds—rustling leaves, the gentle trickle of water—created a tranquil backdrop that softened the weight of everything we carried. I could feel his empathy, the shared understanding of what it meant to balance duty and self.
“Sometimes, it’s hard to find that balance,” I admitted, feeling the words come naturally. “Since arriving here, I’ve felt that tension. This work matters, but it asks so much.”
Bayn’s gaze softened further, and I could feel the depth of his emotions through the telepathic link we shared—a level of understanding that words alone couldn’t convey. “You’re not alone in feeling that,” he said quietly. “It’s a challenge we all face, in our own ways.”
He stepped forward and pulled me into a strong embrace. At first I was taken aback by the action. Once I felt his calming presence I was melting into his arms. I felt every emotion good, bad, and indifferent float through me until I landed on content.
I pulled away slightly, still tucked in his arms to gaze up into his eyes. I found the window to his soul there; I felt every emotion he was feeling in that moment.
Standing on tip-toe, I leaned in as close as I could before I closed my eyes. I could feel the warmth of his lips teasing mine, his breath softly caressing my skin.
There I was, thinking please kiss me, but before my words would form the sentence, his lips were on mine. Soft and tentative at first, we explored the tenderness of a first kiss.
The kiss reached its precipice when Bayn leaned me over slightly into almost a dip. Holding me in his strong arms, he continued to kiss only deeper. His tongue exploring and tangling with mine. My breath leaving my lungs and not returning quick enough, but I couldn’t break the entanglement of our first kiss.
Perfection.
When it seemed like the world disappeared and nothing was left but our souls, I knew that I had something special here. Something that would last a lifetime.
He broke the physical act of kissing first and somehow managed to continue the feeling of it within me. My whole body was hot. A tingle coursed down my spine and settled in my core where I wanted more.
A gentle kiss to the top of my head from Bayn forced a blush to carry down my cheeks and neck.
We let the silence settle between us, a comfortable quiet where the garden’s beauty wrapped around us like a soft embrace. Beneath Bayn’s demeanor, I sensed a kind and compassionate soul, someone who understood the pressures I faced and who carried his own burdens with quiet strength.
Whatever lay ahead, I knew I could rely on Bayn. Our paths were more intertwined than I’d realized.