Page 29 of Taken By the Devilish King

I approach it and take in the alien planet. The plains, the mountains, even the trees, look different. Different shades than I'm used to seeing in nature, but the warm light makes it feel more...homely. More Earthly.

I can't believe the time's already up. That it's time to walk in front of hundreds, thousands, or millions of Vyperians. I'm not entirely sure how many there are but I'm going to be presenting myself before them, and being naked is the least of my concerns.

Being free of clothes, free of fucking bras is easy. Walking to Lofy and giving him my answer? I don't know how easy it is going to be. Partly because I don't know the answer myself yet.

The past two weeks Lofy has shown me the wonders beyond my little planet, the wonders of his species, the wonders of pleasure. But are they enough to abandon my planet, and my whole life there?

"Your Highness," say the maids behind me and I turn to find a Vyperian I haven't seen before.

He stands tall, almost as tall as Lofy, but he’s a shade lighter than him. Otherwise they look very similar. Even down to the short hair and the striking aquamarine eyes.

Then again, he doesn't have my branding on him and his cock appears smaller than my Lofy's.

For fuck sake, Ayla. Why would you look at that?

"Your Highness," he addresses me and takes a bow. "I'm Prince Cilonicrux, King Lofynyx's brother and your escort for the day."

Escort? He's not here to use me, is he? I mean, it's absurd, but I'm also on an alien planet with different customs, so what the hell do I know about absurd.

"Hi, Cilon...sorry, I didn't quite catch your name."

"Cilonicrux," he answers and takes another bow. "I understand it may be long and foreign like my brother's, so feel free to give me a nickname as you have done with my him."

His tail sways from side to side behind him and his gaze remains firmly on me. I have to admit, he's cute, but he appears so young, even younger than Lofy, and my Lofy—despite appearances—is so much older than me at seventy-five years old.

I wonder how old Cilo is.

"Cilo it is," he replies and I shake my head, clearing my thoughts.

Did he read my mind? He must have read my mind.

"And for the record, I'm fifty-three."

I quirk my lips while dying a little inside. Shit. Way to embarrass myself in front of my brother-in-law.

Wait, a minute. Who says he is my brother-in-law? He's nobody until I walk down the aisle. Get a grip, Ayla.

"Are you ready, your Highness or do you require further assistance from your maids?" he asks, refocusing me back to the room and the matter at hand, which happens to be my premarital preparation.

I shrug.

"Well, unless you're hiding a wedding gown somewhere I think I'm ready," I tell him.

Triannis steps forward with a huge smile on her face and gestures toward the partition.

"His Majesty did provide options, Ayla," she says.

I don't miss the way Cilo frowns at the way Triannis addresses me, but if he has a problem he can say it to my face.

"He did? Why didn't you say?"

Triannis purses her lips. "You look so comfortable being naked like us I thought you wouldn't want to dress."

I'm still not sure I do, but it wouldn't hurt to look, would I? After all, a girl only gets married to an alien king once. Might as well look my best even if it goes against Vyperian tradition.

At the very least it gives me more time to make up my mind because...what the fuck do I do? What the fuck do I say? Can I believe Lofy when he says I can have a life on Earth if I choose so, or is that a fake promise?

He's so sweet and caring, but I don't know how much of it is just a facade, if any, and how much is a well-practiced lie to win my heart.

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