Page 48 of The Alien's Runaway Bride

Tears pricked at Raelee’s eyes as the full weight of Vex’s feelings for her became clear. Through the bond of the ceremony, she could feel the depth of his care, his unwavering support, and yes, his love. It surrounded her, warm and steady, asking for nothing in return.

Part of Raelee wanted to pull away, to shield herself from the vulnerability of the moment. But a larger part, the part that had been slowly awakening since their first meeting, wanted to lean in, to lose herself in the connection they shared.

As Vex’s voice rose and fell, weaving promises of partnership and understanding, Raelee found herself teetering on the edge of a precipice. The words “I love you too” danced on the tip of her tongue, held back only by the last vestiges of her fear.

Instead, she tightened her grip on Vex’s hands, pouring all the emotion she couldn’t yet voice into the gesture. The glow between them pulsed brighter in response, and Raelee could have sworn she saw a flicker of hope ignite in Vex’s eyes.

The final words faded away, leaving them in a cocoon of silence. Raelee blinked, feeling as though she was emerging from a dream. The energy still hummed through her veins, a tangible reminder of the connection they now shared.

“That was...” she trailed off, unable to find words adequate to describe the experience.

Vex’s smile was tender as he raised a hand to cup her cheek. “I know,” he said simply.

Leaning into his touch, Raelee made a decision. She might not be ready to voice her feelings aloud, but she could show Vex that his love was not unrequited. She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

It was a gentle kiss, full of promise and newfound understanding. When they parted, Raelee saw her own wonder reflected in Vex’s eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispered, hoping he understood that she meant for more than just the ceremony.

Raelee felt lighter than she had in weeks. The man beside her wasn’t just a duty to be fulfilled or a political alliance to be managed. He was Vex – complex, caring, and now irrevocably intertwined with her own heart.

Raelee’s mind was reeling. Just days ago, she’d been running from an arranged marriage to an alien prince. Now, here she was, standing in an ancient temple on a distant planet with that same prince offering her something far deeper than she’d ever imagined.

“I... I want that,” she managed to say.

Vex nodded, a sad smile touching his lips. “I’m not rushing you. I just... I needed you to know. Whatever happens next, whatever you decide, I wanted you to understand the depth of what I feel for you.”

The sincerity in his voice, the vulnerability in his eyes... it stirred something deep within Raelee. Despite her lingering anger and confusion, she couldn’t deny the connection between them. It had been there from the moment they met in that diner, growing stronger with every shared laugh, every tender moment, every heated argument.

Before she could respond, a distant sound caught their attention. Voices, muffled but growing closer.

“They’re searching the area,” Vex said, his posture instantly alert. “Hopefully, we’re safe in here, but let’s find a place to keep out of sight.”

Raelee nodded, her heart rate picking up again as the reality of their situation came crashing back. They moved deeper into the temple, finding a small alcove partially hidden by a large, ornate pillar.

As they settled into their hiding spot, Raelee found herself pressed close to Vex in the confined space. She could feel the heat of his body and hear the steady beat of his heart. It was... distracting, to say the least.

“Vex,” she whispered, needing to break the tension somehow. “Tell me more about Tharvis. About your family. I want to understand.”

He looked down at her, surprise and gratitude flickering across his face. “What would you like to know?”

Raelee thought for a moment, her mind racing with questions. “Your brothers,” she decided. “What are they like?”

A soft chuckle rumbled through Vex’s chest. “Ah, my brothers. They’re... quite a handful, to say the least.”

As Vex spoke, Raelee found herself relaxing despite their precarious situation. His voice was low and soothing, a stark contrast to the danger lurking outside their sanctuary.

“Dravek is the youngest,” Vex explained. “He’s our military strategist, always planning for every possible scenario. He can be intense, but there’s no one I’d rather have by my side in a crisis.”

Raelee nodded, thinking of her own sister. “And the others?”

“Roqron is our tech genius,” Vex continued, a hint of pride in his voice. “Half the advancements you see on Tharvis are thanks to him. He’d rather be in his lab than at any royal function.”

“Sounds like Mila,” Raelee murmured, a pang of homesickness hitting her unexpectedly.

Vex’s arm tightened around her slightly as if sensing her shift in mood. “And then there’s Azlun, the middle child. He’s our diplomat, charming and quick-witted. He can talk his way out of—or into—just about anything.”

Raelee couldn’t help but smile, thinking of Zora’s similar ability to charm her way through life. “They sound wonderful,” she said softly.

---