Page 3 of Rings and Wings and Stardust Things

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical yet intrigued by his showmanship. Ryon simply winked, reveling in my reaction.

I raised an eyebrow, more amused than skeptical by his over-the-top theatrics. Ryon just winked, clearly getting a kick out of my reaction.

Then, he pointed to this massive dome, its panels shimmering like a kaleidoscope on steroids. “The Prismatic Pavilion, where the brainiacs gather to unlock the universe’s secrets. Though rumor has it, it’s haunted by the ghost of some mad scientist who messed around with trans-dimensional experiments...”

A delighted shiver ran down my spine. This place was straight out of a storybook, equal parts whimsical and wondrous.

The transit pod banked gently, giving us a view of these towering arches wrapped in flowering vines. “Ah, the Verdant Archways—a classic lovers' lane. Many a romance has bloomed under those trellises.”

He shot me a teasing look. “Don’t tell me you humans have forgotten how to woo?”

I scoffed, trying not to rise to the bait. “We’re professionals, remember? All business.”

Yet, a traitorous part of me couldn’t help but sneak glances at the handsome being beside me. Damn that charming smile of his.

Ryon’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper as we neared a majestic palace crowned with spiraling minarets. “They call it the Citadel, seat of the High Council. But few know about the secret underground chambers where...”

He paused dramatically, then broke into a rakish grin. “Well, perhaps I’ve said too much already.”

I rolled my eyes, though a reluctant smile tugged at my lips. Despite his obvious embellishments, Ryon’s tale spun visions of mythic grandeur in my mind. I found myself swept up in the romance of this extraordinary place, my creative instincts stirring.

Ryon leaned closer. “You’re picturing the wedding now, aren’t you? Imagining how these marvels would be the perfect backdrop?”

My cheeks heated at his accurate guess. “Maybe a little,” I admitted with a sheepish grin. “Though your wild stories aren’t helping me focus on logistics.”

Ryon chuckled, not even pretending to be sorry. “Where’s the fun in that?”

Before I could ask about the next landmark, my gaze was drawn to a breathtaking sight—a sprawling garden suspended by glimmering cables, lush foliage spilling over the sides in cascades of emerald and fuchsia blooms. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, dappling the meandering pathways below.

“Those are the Hanging Gardens,” Ryon murmured, his voice softer than before.

I craned my neck, trying to take in the full majesty of the floating paradise. “It's breathtaking,” I murmured, my gaze inevitably drawn back to Ryon.

For a heartbeat, our eyes met, and I found myself captivated by the intensity of his stare. There was something in those alien eyes, something that hinted at depths I couldn't begin to fathom.

Heat crept into my cheeks, and I quickly averted my gaze, suddenly self-conscious. What was I thinking, trying to decipher the expressions of an alien species?

And yet, a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Ryon than met the eye. Perhaps it was the way he carried himself or the spark of mischief that seemed to dance in his eyes as he spun his tales.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I turned back to the floating gardens, determined not to let my imagination run wild.

“Can we go inside?” I asked, gesturing towards the verdant oasis. “I'd love to see it up close.”

“As my lady wishes.”

RYON

What in the seven moons had possessed me to say that?

Luckily Savannah didn’t seem to pay any attention to my words, distracted by the garden before us, spread out like a giant, colorful buffet of smells.

Savannah drank it all in with wide, inquisitive eyes, pausing occasionally to lean closer and examine a particularly striking specimen.

“What’s this one?” she asked, leaning in so close to a bunch of tiny, bell-shaped flowers that I thought she might inhale them.

I swallowed hard, trying not to get distracted by the way her neck arched. “Uh, those are Zynthian lilies. They can actually change color based on the emotions of the people around them.”

Her eyebrow shot up, intrigued. “Seriously? That’s kinda cool.” As if on cue, the lilies turned a warm crimson, mirroring the heat creeping along my spine

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