Page 17 of His Brazen Bride

“You’ll receive a wedding ring at the ceremony tomorrow. The event will be broadcast across the galaxy. Xi will give you the details.”

She blinks. “Wow, tomorrow?—”

“You only have to stand there and follow the officiant’s instructions.”

She nods. “Okay.”

We both rise. I can’t help ogling her figure. Lean and firm, with breasts reminding me of juicy jnera fruit—large, round, fleshy?—

“Ryz…” Gwen says warningly.

Vrek.What is wrong with me? I never gawk at females. “I’m merely fascinated by your form…you being a completely new species…” I omit that my groin has taken a keen interest, too. “I should go,” I say.

“So that’s it? We have a deal?” She asks as I turn to leave.

“Yes. We have a deal.”

“Good,” she smiles. “Nice doing business with you.”

I bow. “Likewise.”

5

GWEN

Ican’t sleep.

I’ve been lying here since I finished dinner almost for what seems like forever ago. Xi and I ate in my room and we went over the details of the wedding events tomorrow.

I’m getting married.

Me, the self-proclaimed bachelorette for life.

Oh, and to analien!

I’m still expecting to wake up any second. I’m also surprised I’m taking it so well.

In the past, I’d have probably curled into a fetal position and lost my mind. But not now. I owe it to Iris and Lacey to stay strong.

I sit up in my bed and swipe on a screen showing the outside. After a few moments of trying to make sense of the various moons and planets, I swipe the screen off again in frustration. I don’t understand the way they measure time here yet. All I know is, it’s much more complicated than on Earth.

Since sleep isn’t happening, I decide to throw on some clothes and take a walk.

Xi said I’m free to roam around, though she warned me about getting lost. She admitted she still does herself. I kinda like her.

The hallways are lit by soft LED-style lights running along the ceiling and floor in a calming blue. Guards stand positioned here and there. Xi mentioned security is heightened right now because of the Outside Forces nearby.

“Good moonlight,” I say to two guards as I pass. Chom taught me that.

They bow. “Good moonlight.”

I keep walking until I come to a door with their symbol for liquor. I really could use a drink. Anything to help me sleep.

I enter and find a large sunken seating area, like a 60s-era living room but without the shag carpet. It’s empty, but it is late.

I swipe the air as I drop into a cushioned seat. A screen appears with a bunch of drink images on one side and what I guess is food on the other. I browse the drinks and chose the smallest one. I don’t want to overdo it on space alcohol and be hungover tomorrow. I’ll need my wits about me.

Almost immediately a compartment opens on the table beside me and a shot glass pops up filled with electric green liquid that is steaming delicately.

---