Page 49 of The Alien's Runaway Bride

“They are,” Vex agreed. “And they’re all very curious about you and your sisters. Especially after I told them about our... adventure on Earth.”

Raelee tensed slightly at the reminder of their deception, but found the anger didn’t flare as strongly as before. Instead, she felt a mix of emotions—including a growing understanding.

“Vex,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why did you do it? Why pretend to be someone else?”

He was silent for a long moment, and Raelee feared she’d overstepped. But then he spoke, his voice thick with emotion.

“I’ve been a prince my entire life,” he said. “Every interaction and relationship have been influenced by my title. When I heard about your escape... I saw an opportunity to meet you as just a man, not a royal.”

Raelee’s heart squeezed at the vulnerability in his voice. She’d never considered how isolating his position must be.

“I know it was wrong,” Vex continued. “I should have been honest from the start. But those days with you, Raelee... they were the freest I’ve ever felt. And I selfishly wanted to hold onto that feeling for as long as I could.”

Raelee turned in the small space, facing Vex fully. In the dim light of the temple, his eyes shimmered with an otherworldly glow, filled with a depth of emotion that took her breath away.

“I understand,” she said softly, surprising herself with the truth of her words.

Relief washed over Vex’s face, followed quickly by determination. “I’ll spend every day making it up to you, Raelee. If you’ll let me.”

Before she could respond, a loud crash echoed through the temple. They froze, hearts pounding in unison.

“They’re inside,” Vex whispered, his body tensing for action.

Raelee’s mind raced. They were cornered with no clear escape route. Their only way out was to fight.

“Take this.” From a hidden pocket in his clothing, he pulled out a device and twisted the top part. To her disbelief, he handed her a lightsaber just like in the movies.

“I know what this looks like,” he said, “but it’s not. Swing at anything that moves.”

The sound of footsteps grew closer. Eerion’s voice echoed through the chamber. “Come out, Your Highness. You can’t hide forever.”

Raelee’s eyes snapped wide, meeting Vex’s intense gaze. In that moment, a silent understanding passed between them. Whatever happened next, they were in this together.

NINETEEN

Raelee’s heart thundered wildly.

“Stay close,” he murmured, his deep voice carrying an edge of steel.

They inched toward the temple’s entrance, every sense on high alert. Raelee’s fingers brushed against the cool feel of the weapon Vex had given her earlier. The weight of it, once foreign, now felt like a lifeline.

The attack came with the suddenness of a lightning strike.

A group of warriors, their faces twisted with hate, burst from the shadows. Raelee’s world exploded into chaos. The air filled with the clash of weapons and the guttural cries of battle.

“Raelee, behind you!” Vex’s shout cut through the mayhem.

She spun, her weapon raised just in time to deflect a blow that would have taken her head. The force of it sent shockwaves through her arms, but adrenaline dulled the pain. Her attacker’s eyes widened in surprise at her quick reflexes. Raelee didn’t give him time to recover.

She ducked under his next swing, and drove her elbow into his stomach. He doubled over, gasping, and she brought her knee up to connect with his face. He crumpled to the ground.

No time to celebrate. Another warrior charged her, his weapon a blur of deadly motion. Raelee backpedaled, her mind racing.

She stumbled behind a massive stone pillar, the warrior’s weapon glancing off it with a shower of sparks. Raelee used the moment of his weapon’s recoil to strike, landing a solid kick to his knee. As he staggered, she brought the hilt of her light sword down on the back of his head. With a crack of bone, he went down hard.

Her victory was short-lived.

“Raelee, behind you!” From the corner of her eye, she saw Vex launch himself toward her.

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