Page 40 of The Alien's Runaway Bride

She held up a hand, stopping him. “Not now, Vex. I can’t... I’m not ready to talk about this. About us. About the marriage. Not yet.”

Her words stung, but he understood. He’d betrayed her trust even if his intentions had been good. “I understand,”he said, fighting to keep the disappointment from his voice. “But perhaps... perhaps I could show you more of Tharvis? No pressure, no talk of alliances or marriages. Just... let me show you my world.”

Raelee hesitated, conflict clear in her eyes. Before she could respond, a familiar voice rang out.

“Oh, go on, Rae!” It was one of her sisters, striding toward them with the other two in tow. “You’ve been moping around the palace for days. A little sightseeing might do you good.”

Mila nodded, her practical nature shining through. “Plus, it’s a chance to research more data on Tharvisians. Think of the scientific implications.”

Zora added softly, “And maybe it’s a chance to see the man behind the title. The one you told us about from Earth.”

Raelee looked at her sisters, then back at Vex. He held his breath, hope warring with anxiety in his chest.

Finally, she nodded. “Fine. Show me Tharvis.”

Relief flooded Vex. It wasn’t forgiveness, not yet, but it was a start. He offered his hand, half-expecting her to refuse it. To his surprise and delight, she took it, her small hand fitting perfectly in his larger one.

The moment their skin touched, a jolt of electricity passed between them. Vex saw Raelee’s eyes widen slightly. The chemistry between them, far from fading, seemed to have intensified during their time apart.

“I know just the place,” he said, his voice rougher than usual. He led her away from the main gardens, acutely aware of every point of contact between them.

As they walked, Vex reveled in the subtle scent of her perfume—something floral and distinctly Earth-like. He could hear the soft rustle of her clothing and see the graceful sway of her hips out of the corner of his eye.

Focus, he told himself sternly. You’re trying to rebuild trust, not bed her.

They reached a secluded area, pausing before a seemingly solid wall of shimmering plants. With a wave of his hand, the foliage parted, revealing a hidden path.

“What is this place?” Raelee asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Vex smiled, a rare, genuine expression that softened his usually stern features. “A sanctuary. One of Tharvis’s best-kept secrets. I hope you’re not allergic to magic because this place is full of it.”

Raelee raised an eyebrow, a hint of her usual spark returning. “Magic? And here I thought you Tharvisians were all about advanced technology.”

“Oh, we are,” Vex replied, leading her through the opening. “But sometimes, the line between advanced science and magic gets a little... blurry.”

As they stepped into the sanctuary, Raelee gasped, her hand tightening on his. Before them stretched a garden unlike any other. Bioluminescent flowers pulsed with gentle light, their colors shifting in hypnotic patterns.

Crystal-clear streams wove between floating islands of moss, each supporting its own miniature ecosystem. In the center of it all stood an ancient tree, its trunk wider than ten men standing shoulder to shoulder, its branches reaching toward a domed ceiling that mimicked the night sky.

“It’s... incredible,” Raelee breathed, her eyes wide with wonder. “How is this possible?”

Vex grinned, enjoying her amazement. “A combination of extremely advanced bioengineering and what my ancestors calledsacred geometry. The entire sanctuary exists in a sort of pocket dimension. It’s bigger on the inside, as one of your Earth shows might say.”

Raelee turned to him, surprise and amusement dancing in her eyes. “Did you just make a Doctor Who reference?”

“I may have done some research on Earth entertainment,” Vex admitted, a faint blush coloring his silver skin. “I found the concept of time travel particularly fascinating.”

Raelee’s laugh, bright and genuine, sent a thrill through him. “Oh, I would pay good money to see you binge-watching sci-fi shows.”

As they walked deeper into the sanctuary, Vex found himself opening up more than he ever had. He pointed out various plants and creatures, explaining their significance in Tharvisian culture, but he also shared personal anecdotes and memories.

“See that tree with the spiral branches?” he said, pointing to a graceful specimen with iridescent leaves. “When I was a child, I climbed to the top, convinced I could touch the stars. I ended up stuck and had to be rescued by the royal guards. My father was... less than pleased.”

Raelee snorted, the sound so unladylike and endearing that his heart swelled. “I can relate. I once tried to ‘upgrade’ my father’s official state car with a racing engine. Secret Service nearly had a collective heart attack.”

They settled beside a small, glowing pond, close enough that Vex could feel the warmth radiating from Raelee’s body. The air between them seemed charged, filled with unspoken words and barely restrained desire.

“My parents wanted to be here to greet you and your sisters,” he said softly, his gaze fixed on the gently pulsing water. “But my grandparents fell ill, and they had to leave to tend to them. Family is... everything in our culture.”

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