Page 26 of The Alien's Captive Bride

Venus stirred, her eyelids fluttering open to a world awash in alien opulence. The room she found herself in was a masterpiece of extraterrestrial luxury—walls embedded with softly glowing gemstones that cast an ethereal light across silken sheets and ornate furnishings. For a moment, she lay still, letting her senses absorb the richness around her.

The air was thick with the scent of exotic flora, a cloying sweetness that tickled her nose. As she slowly sat up, a sharp pain in her side reminded her of recent events. Venus winced, her hand instinctively going to the wound she’d sustained during their escape.

“Beautiful but creepy,” she muttered, her eyes darting around the room. Despite the beauty surrounding her, Venus couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Her instincts, honed by years of navigating the treacherous waters of Earth’s political scene, screamed that this was no place for rest.

As if summoned by her thoughts, the door to her chamber swung open. Princess Nyrea glided in, her elaborate gown shimmering with each step. Venus’s eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the alien princess, but her gaze quickly shifted to the two figures who followed Nyrea into the room.

One was a younger girl, unmistakably related to Nyrea with her silver-blonde hair and delicate features, though her eyes held a softer, more curious expression. Behind her trailed a maid, her demeanor subservient but alert.

Venus’s mind raced, quickly assessing the situation. Nyrea hadn’t come alone – whether out of caution or protocol, it meant this visit wasn’t for any overt threats or actions. The presence of witnesses, especially the young girl who Venus assumed must be Nyrea’s sister, added a new layer of complexity to the interaction.

“Venus, dear,” Nyrea’s voice dripped with false sweetness, “I hope you’re finding your accommodations... adequate. This is my sister, Zhera, and her maid, Lira. They’ve come to ensure you have everything you need.”

Venus sat up straighter, ignoring the twinge of pain from her injury. She met Nyrea’s gaze head-on, her own blue eyes sharp and challenging. “Oh, it’s lovely,” she replied, her tone light but edged with steel. “Though I have to say, I prefer my hospitality without an entourage. Are you afraid to face me alone, Princess Nyrea?”

Nyrea’s smile faltered for a split second before she recovered. “Afraid? My dear, you misunderstand. We’re simply concerned for your well-being. After all, you’ve been through quite an ordeal.”

“Where’s Azlun?”

Nyrea’s eyes flashed. “He’s busy meeting with my father. He’s got more important things to do than be here watching you.”

Venus couldn’t help but notice how Nyrea’s eyes flicked over her, assessing her with barely disguised disdain. Every word and every gesture from the alien princess screamed of a woman marking her territory, yet the presence of Zhera and the maid kept her from being too overt in her hostility.

“You seem very concerned about someone who isn’t yours anymore,” Venus said, smiling sweetly. The barb hit home; she saw Nyrea’s jaw clench ever so slightly.

Nyrea moved closer, her posture radiating dominance, but she kept a careful distance, aware of her sister’s curious gaze. “Azlun and I have a long history,” she said, her voice low and threatening, but not so much that it would alarm the others in the room. “A few days of adventure with you won’t change that. You’re an outsider here, Venus. You’d do well to remember that.”

Venus refused to be intimidated. She met Nyrea’s gaze unflinchingly, her rebellious nature bubbling just beneath the surface. “And you’d do well to remember that Azlun chose me,” she shot back. “History is just that—history. We’re building a future.”

The tension in the room was palpable as the two women faced off. Venus noticed Zhera shifting uncomfortably, her eyes darting between her sister and Venus with a mix of fear and fascination. The maid remained impassive, but Venus could see her watching the exchange closely.

Nyrea opened her mouth to retort, but Venus cut her off.

“Thank you for your... hospitality, Princess Nyrea,” Venus said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “But I think I’d like to rest now. Unless, of course, you’d like to continue this delightful chat about your ex in front of your sister?”

Nyrea’s eyes flashed dangerously, but she composed herself quickly, clearly aware of her audience. “Of course,” she said, her voice tight. “Rest well, Venus. We’ll speak again soon.” She turned to her sister and the maid. “Zhera, Lira, come. Let’s allow our guest to recover.”

As Nyrea swept out of the room, Zhera lingered for a moment, her eyes wide with a mixture of admiration and concern. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but asharp call from Nyrea in the hallway made her jump. With an apologetic smile, she hurried after her sister, the maid following closely behind.

Venus let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. The encounter had been tense, but the presence of Zhera and the maid had kept it from escalating into anything more dangerous. She’d grown up in the public eye, navigating the shark-infested waters of Earth’s political scene, but this—this was a whole new level of danger where even a private conversation was laden with hidden undercurrents and unspoken threats.

No sooner had Nyrea left than a group of servants entered, bearing trays laden with exotic alien dishes. The food looked exquisite, delicate morsels artfully arranged on gold-trimmed plates. But as the servants set the trays down and quietly exited, Venus eyed the meal warily.

“Is this a peace offering or a trap?” she murmured to herself, her gaze lingering on the unfamiliar fare. Growing up as the daughter of Earth’s president had taught her many things, not least of which was to be cautious of unexpected gifts from potential enemies.

Venus’s stomach growled, reminding her that it had been quite some time since she’d last eaten. Still, she hesitated. “Never trust food from the enemy,” she thought, her father’s words echoing in her mind.

As she debated whether or not to risk the meal, a soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Venus tensed, ready for another confrontation, but to her surprise, it wasn’t Nyrea who entered.

The young girl who’d come earlier, no more than sixteen or seventeen Earth years, slipped into the room. She bore a striking resemblance to Nyrea with the same silver-blonde hair and delicate features, but her eyes were a softer shade of lavender, filled with curiosity rather than malice.

“Hi,” the girl said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m Zhera, Nyrea’s sister. I... I hope I’m not bothering you.”

Venus relaxed slightly, intrigued by this unexpected visitor. “Not at all,” she replied, offering a small smile. “I’m Venus. But I guess you already knew that.”

Zhera nodded, her eyes wide with fascination. “Everyone’s talking about you,” she said, moving closer. “Is it true you’re from Earth? What’s it like there? I’ve always wanted to know.”

Venus couldn’t help but chuckle at the girl’s enthusiasm. It was a refreshing change from the hostility she’d faced so far. “It’s... different,” she said, gesturing for Zhera to sit. “Less advanced in some ways, more in others. What do you want to know?”

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