Page 43

Grace

A WEEK LATER

“Any idea what you’ll do next?” I asked Riley who was standing in front of me.

She nodded and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I was thinking of joining a human colony's armed forces. I mean...It's what I know, right?”

I gave a nod of agreement. “Krin is leaving Alara in a few days. He could drop you off somewhere if you want,” I said, wearing a cheeky grin.

She brushed me off with a wave. “Knock it off. There’s absolutely nothing there. He made it clear he wasn’t interested in us being a couple.”

Olivia piped, “But he did admit that you are his mate, didn’t he? I mean, it’s evident when you see the markings on his biceps when he’s around you.”

Riley’s lip twisted on one side. “Not precisely. The cheeky jerk acknowledged he noticed I was attracted to him...” She shook her head.

“Then he said he is looking forward to being back on patrols in space, like it wasn’t a big deal that there was sexual tension between us.

He didn’t even say he was attracted to me although I could see he was.

It’s clear he doesn’t think I’m his mate. ”

My head shot back. “Huh? But Trex told me...” I stopped speaking and covered my mouth.

Krin revealed to Trex that his mating marks would ignite whenever he was close to Riley, but he wasn’t sure how to deal with it. The big bad warrior was afraid.

Trex also mentioned he was poor with communication where the opposite sex was concerned. It wasn’t my place to interfere, but hopefully he and Riley would work things out. Maybe being on the ship again they would realize they couldn’t live without one another.

Riley pretended not to hear me and cleared her throat.

“Have you pondered the idea of staying here in the palace?” I asked Olivia with a smile on my face.

She gently touched her baby belly, which was hardly noticeable under her dress.

“Sadly, I don’t have many other choices,” she remarked, then smiled, but it never reached her eyes.

My brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

She looked at me with wet eyes but said nothing.

“Is it something you want to talk about? If not, just tell me to mind my own business.” I said, hoping to lighten the mood.

Her bottom lip quivered. “It’s probably just pregnancy hormones.... But I feel lonely.”

I pulled her into a brief hug. “I apologize. It didn’t dawn on me that I’ve been neglecting our friendship since we got to Alara because...well with everything that happened...” My voice trailed off as she nodded in acknowledgement.

It's only been in the past week that I've finally been able to relax and breathe again.

She shrugged. “It’s not really what I mean. You and Riley have both been great friends.”

I smoothed hair off her cheek. She felt like a younger sister to me and I couldn’t help but like her. “Is this about Orin?”

Orin was staying on Alara as one of Trex’s royal guards and apparently had family on Alara, though I wasn’t entirely sure of the details. Trex advised it was Orin’s story to tell if he wanted to and I never pressed him.

Orin and Olivia seemed to ignore one another, and I wondered if something had happened between them. It made me realize how lucky I was that Trex had no problem accepting our connection at all. In fact, he’d embraced it sooner than I had.

Olivia glanced down, her cheeks tinged with pink.

“He’s ignored me since...well since he was hurt by that shapeshifter.

It feels like he wants nothing to do with me.

It’s not as if we were a couple. I mean we’d barely spoken to one another.

I just hoped that when the dust settled and now that he was staying on Alara that he might want to spend time with me. ..It’s silly, I suppose.”

“It’s not silly at all. You like him, I get it. Maybe he’s struggling with the change from being a warrior on a spaceship to being a guard here at the palace?”

Olivia angled her head and gave me a quizzical look. “You don’t think he will leave the planet do you?” Her voice took on a worried tone.

“I didn’t say that. But I know he still blames himself for me being taken by the shapeshifter.” It was Trex who asked him to stay as a royal guard because he trusts him and wanted Orin to know he still has faith in him.

“Then what can I do to make him talk to me? It isn’t as if I am looking for a commitment. I don’t expect him...I know I am having someone else’s baby, but I thought we could be friends. With Riley leaving, my list of friends is growing smaller.” She frowned.

Riley put a hand on her shoulder. “You are nice enough that you’ll make friends easily here, Olivia. Don’t worry.”

Olivia nodded and looked away before clearing her throat. “I know. It’s fine.” She looked back at me and smiled. “Today is your big day, and I don’t want to spoil it by moaning about myself.”

“IT’S ALMOST TIME, YOUR highness,” a male voice called out after knocking on the door to the royal suite.

My hands began to tremble as I smoothed them down my dress. “I’m glad this is being broadcast planetwide, and I only have to see a handful of people in person outside today.”

Riley laughed. “Have you seen how many people are in the garden waiting?”

My lips parted, and I stopped breathing for a second. “Trex said there would only be a small group attending the coronation in person because of security. How many are out there?” My brows shot up.

Riley offered a response. “I counted about thirty...but that was an hour ago.”

Olivia frowned at Riley who shrugged. “She’s going to have to get used to being in front of lots of people. I mean, she is Queen of Alara for crying out loud.”

I took deep breaths and held my head high. Riley was right, I could do this.

Once I laid eyes on Trex, it would only be the two of us. His presence would give me the courage I needed.

THE PATHWAY LEADING to the stage in the garden was adorned with a vibrant array of flowers in a rainbow of colors. As I walked, the delicate scent of Alaran flowers enveloped me, leaving an indelible impression. The scents were not familiar and yet reminded me of vanilla, jasmine and honeysuckle.

I inhaled deeply and released a satisfied sigh. It was a sensory experience unparalleled on Earth, where gardens no longer bloomed naturally. Gone were the days of flourishing gardens, replaced by the desperate struggle to grow the simplest of foods.

Alara was plentiful and rich in plant life, delicious foods and beautiful scenery. Life here in my new home was better than I could have ever asked for.

I had a mostly male staff who took care of our meals, cleaning our suite, and even doing my laundry.

That took some getting used to...the idea of another man touching my underthings. But I would get over it as I adapted to the Alaran way of life.

It wasn’t just the staff that made things easier. The technology was amazing in every sense. However, I did appreciate the home-cooked meals done in the palace kitchen. It turned out I love Alaran food, who knew?

I put one foot in front of the other, ignoring the dozens of eyes on me on either side. My sights were set on my handsome mate, who was dressed in his kingly regalia.

He wore black trousers tucked into matching boots.

Instead of his bare chest and leather straps he now wore a gold and dark green tunic accented with intricate embroidered designs of the Ul family insignia.

The family of which I was now a part. Across his chest was a pale green satin sash decorated with medals signifying his various accomplishments.

His bluish green skin made him even more handsome as his darker blue lips turned up and his eyes sparkled.

He was flanked by Krin who was smartly dressed in a dark shirt and navy trousers with his trademark warrior black boots. Across his chest was a special ceremonial dark purple sash showing his new rank of Captain of the Chetok.

The palace guards wore a distinct palace uniform that comprised black trousers and tunics of deep blue with red sashes denoting their rank. When I reached Trex’s side, he took my hand in his and beamed at me.

We turned to face Xilta, the head of the palace elders who was wearing long elaborate robes of red embroidered with golden thread.

The older Alaran gave me a brief smile and held his head high as he spoke. “Today is a day of celebration. We not only crown a new King and Queen. We also have the honor of being present for their weavers bond ceremony, a fated mate match that we have not seen in many tenri.

I felt Trex squeeze my hand and peered up at him. Our telepathic connection was stronger than ever and I knew he would hear my thoughts if I concentrated. ‘You look so handsome, Trex.’

Trex easily sent me his thoughts in return. ‘As do you...I can’t wait to get you alone, my queen.’

My cheeks flushed, as I looked down to hide my growing heat. I heard him chuff beside me. Then he turned his attention back to Xilta looking as innocent as ever.

Xilta’s words drifted into the background as Trex and I began flirting with one another telepathically.

I pressed my thighs together, hoping no one but Trex would notice my arousal. Trex was so sexy it was hard not to jump him all the time.

Seriously, you’d think I was desperate for sex, but that was definitely not true. Every opportunity we had, Trex and I engaged in sexual activity...hot and delicious mind-blowing sex.

I questioned whether it was just the honeymoon phase or if this was my new reality. I attempted to stifle a giggle, but ended up coughing instead.

My eyes wandered over Trex’s body while I bit down on my lip, then I discreetly glanced downward. I was relieved that Trex’s tunic concealed his arousal, which was evident from the way he shifted uncomfortably.

Judging by the intense emotions he was emanating, I wondered if we would even make it to the bonding ceremony.

I felt a wave of unease wash over me as Xilta cleared his throat, my muscles automatically stiffening in response. With a scolding glance, he locked eyes with Trex, a silent reprimand hanging in the air between them.