Page 46 of The Alien's Runaway Bride

As her sisters quietly filed out of the room, each giving her an encouraging smile or thumbs up, Raelee felt a flutter of anticipation in her stomach. She didn’t know what the day would bring, but with her sisters’ support and the memory of their laughter, she felt ready to face it.

EIGHTEEN

The journey to their destination was nothing short of breathtaking. Raelee sat beside Vex in a sleek, hovering vehicle that glided effortlessly over the Tharvisian landscape. They left the gleaming spires of the capital behind, venturing into wilder territories that seemed untouched by civilization.

“Where are we going?” Raelee asked, her eyes wide as she took in the ever-changing scenery. Forests of crystalline trees gave way to rolling hills covered in shimmering grass, each blade seeming to pulse with its own inner light.

Vex’s gaze softened as he glanced at her, a hint of the man she’d known on Earth shining through his princely facade. “There’s a lake in the depths of the Luminous Forest. It’s a place few Tharvisians know about, let alone visit. I thought... I thought you might appreciate its beauty.”

The vulnerability in his voice caught Raelee off guard. Moments like these made her question everything she thought she knew about him. How could he be both the deceptive prince who’d hidden his identity and the man who’d shared laughter and secrets with her under the stars?

As they traveled, Raelee found herself studying Vex more closely. In the confines of the vehicle away from the prying eyes of the court, she noticed subtle changes in his demeanor and posture; while still straight and confident, he seemed less rigid. The set of his jaw softened, and occasionally, when he thought she wasn’t looking, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face.

It was a stark contrast to the Vex she’d seen in the palace—commanding, authoritative, every inch the crown prince of an advanced alien civilization. That Vex had intimidated her, reminding her of all the reasons she’d run from this arranged marriage in the first place.

But this Vex? This one reminded her of the man she’d laughed with, argued with, and yes, fallen for during their impromptu road trip. It was... unsettling, to say the least.

“We’re here,” Vex’s voice broke through her thoughts. The vehicle came to a gentle stop at the edge of a dense forest. The trees here were unlike any Raelee had ever seen—their trunks a deep, rich purple, their leaves a kaleidoscope of blues and greens that shimmered and shifted in the light.

Vex stepped out first, offering his hand to help Raelee. She hesitated for a moment before taking it, telling herself it was just politeness, nothing more. But she couldn’t deny the spark of electricity that shot through her at his touch.

“This way,” he said softly, leading her down a narrow path that wound between the towering trees. The forest floor was carpeted with soft, bioluminescent moss that glowed faintly with each step they took. It was like walking through a living dreamscape.

After a few minutes of silent hiking, the trees began to thin, and Raelee caught glimpses of something sparkling ahead. Her breath caught in her throat as they emerged from the forest onto the shore of the most beautiful lake she’d ever seen.

The water was crystal clear, its surface like a mirror reflecting the alien sky above. But it was more than just a reflection—the lake seemed to glow from within, pulsing with gentle waves of blue and purple light. The shore was lined with smooth, iridescent stones that looked like oversized opals, and delicate, frond-like plants swayed gently at the water’s edge.

“Vex, this is...” Raelee trailed off, at a loss for words.

“Beautiful?” he supplied, a hint of pride in his voice. “This is one of Tharvis’s best-kept secrets. The lake is said to have been formed by a falling star in ancient times. The impact infused the water and surrounding area with a unique energy that gives it its bioluminescent properties.”

Raelee took a few steps forward, crouching down to dip her fingers in the water. It was cool to the touch, and tiny ripples of light spread out from where her skin made contact. She laughed softly, a childlike wonder overtaking her.

“It’s incredible,” she breathed, looking back at Vex. The expression on his face made her pause. He was watching her with such intensity, such raw emotion, that for a moment she forgot to breathe.

“Raelee, I—“ Vex began, but he was cut off by a sudden rustling from the forest behind them.

In an instant, the peaceful atmosphere shattered. Vex’s posture changed, his body tensing as he moved swiftly to place himself between Raelee and the potential threat. Raelee’s heart began to race, adrenaline flooding her system as she realized something was very, very wrong.

From the shadows of the forest emerged a group of men, their faces set in grim determination. They wore combat gear that blended seamlessly with the Tharvisian landscape, and each carried what Raelee could only assume were advanced energy weapons.

“How fortunate can we be?” the leader sneered, his eyes fixed on Vex. “If it isn’t the crown prince himself and his little Earth pet.”

Raelee bristled at the insult, but Vex’s arm shot out, keeping her behind him. With his other hand, he discreetly pushed a button on his belt that flashed twice then went dark. “Eerion,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Eerion? The name clicked in Raelee’s mind. This must be the leader of the Drakanor sect her sisters mentioned, the one opposed to the alliance between Earth and Tharvis.

“Did you really think we’d stand by and let you pollute our bloodline with these... savages?” Eerion spat the word, his gaze flickering to Raelee with undisguised disgust. “Tharvis deserves better than to be tied to such an unstable, primitive world.”

Raelee’s fear was quickly being overtaken by anger. She stepped out from behind Vex, ignoring his attempt to pull her back. “And who are you to decide what’s best for your planet?” she challenged, her blue eyes flashing. “Last I checked, that was the job of the royal family, not some extremist group with delusions of grandeur.”

A low chuckle rippled through Eerion’s men, but their leader’s face darkened with rage. “You dare speak to me, you insolent?—“

“Enough!” Vex’s voice boomed, echoing across the lake. The authority in his tone was unmistakable, and for a moment, even Eerion seemed taken aback. “You’re outnumbered and outgunned, Eerion. Stand down now, and I’ll ensure you’re treated fairly in your trial.”

Eerion’s laugh was cold and mirthless. “Outnumbered? I don’t think so, Your Highness.” He made a gesture, and suddenly the forest seemed to come alive with movement. More warriors emerged, their weapons trained on Vex and Raelee. “You’re the one who’s outnumbered. And once we’ve dealt withyou and your little Earth bride, the rest of your family will fall in line.”

Raelee’s mind raced. They were surrounded with no clear path of escape. She glanced at Vex, saw the tension in his jaw, the calculation in his eyes. He was assessing their options, just as she was.

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