Page 30 of Alien Prince (Alien Abductions and Seductions #1)

Chapter 16

Emotional Fallout

A shadow fell across the room, and I looked up to see Kas approaching. His normally stoic expression softened as he met my gaze, a look of contemplation in his violet eyes. “May I join you, Maisie?” he asked, his voice gentle, though I sensed the tension beneath it.

I nodded, gesturing to the seat beside me. His presence, close yet restrained, brought a strange mixture of comfort and unease. We’d been through so much together, and it had changed us—changed me—in ways I was still coming to understand.

As Kas settled beside me, Ryler entered, his usual charismatic energy tempered by visible concern. He gave me a tentative smile, and when he placed his hand on mine in a warm gesture of support, I felt a rush of reassurance. “Good morning, Maisie.”

I took a deep breath, the subtle taste of herbal tea lingering as I searched for the right words. “It’s… a lot to process.”

Kas’s piercing eyes met mine, his expression both firm and sincere. “The events of last night were intense for all of us. Maisie, your bravery and leadership were crucial. We owe you more than we can say.”

Ryler added, his tone soft yet heartfelt, “I don’t know what we would have done without you, Maisie. You’ve become such an important part of our team… and our lives.”

Their words touched me deeply, stirring a mixture of gratitude and something more. I honestly thought they were going to address the elephant in the room and go with the amazing night we shared together.

“Thank you, both of you. I couldn’t have done any of this without your support. To be able to complete my first mission with I.R.M.A. as the lead ambassador means so much.” The weight of Ryler’s hand on mine, a warmth lingering there that felt as intimate as it did comforting.

Then Bayn entered, quieter than usual, his scholarly demeanor touched with signs of strain. Though he said nothing, I felt his empathy, his telepathic abilities creating a subtle bridge of understanding that connected us all. “We each have our own way of coping,” he finally said. “But it’s clear we need each other.”

A silence settled over the room, a connection that was as comforting as it was vulnerable. I glanced at each of them, seeing my own struggles reflected back in their eyes.

Kas broke the silence, his voice filled with a rare softness. “Maisie, you’re more than just an ambassador to us. You’ve become someone we deeply care for.”

Ryler nodded, his eyes reflecting both admiration and affection. “Yes, Maisie. I think it’s time we acknowledge what we’re all feeling here.”

A flutter of excitement and apprehension rose in my chest, heightened by the closeness of their presence. “I feel a connection with each of you too, but it’s complicated,” I said slowly. “I don’t want our personal lives to interfere with our duties to Xeno Prime.”

Bayn stepped closer, his telepathic presence adding a layer of understanding that transcended words. “We understand, Maisie. Our commitment to you and to Xeno Prime is unwavering. We believe our relationships can coexist harmoniously with our responsibilities.”

A sense of reassurance settled over me as I absorbed his words. The soft morning light filtered across the room, and in its glow, I felt the possibilities opening up—a chance for something more. “Kas, Ryler, Bayn,” I began, my voice steady and sure, “I couldn’t possibly choose.”

The three princes exchanged meaningful glances, and in their expressions, I saw echoes of my own hope and resolve. Kas’s hand covered mine, his touch gentle yet grounding. “We’re in this together, Maisie,” he said. “For the good of Xeno Prime and for each other.”

Ryler’s smile, usually so carefree, was now laced with sincerity. “We’ll support each other every step of the way, no matter what comes.”

Bayn’s quiet nod and telepathic connection conveyed his wholehearted agreement, binding us together with an unspoken promise. “You don’t need to choose,” he said. “In our culture it is natural for brothers to share a woman. Our population has been a majority of men for generations, so our women have always been cherished.”

Kas added, “One of the reasons we reached out to I.R.M.A was to assist the men in finding mates since the population of women is still dwindling.”

“I wasn’t made aware of that in my reports,” I said.

“Of course we didn’t let that secret out just yet. We had to make sure that our alliance was going to work.” Bayn said.

“I have a great idea!” Ryler excitedly shouted.