Page 42 of The Alien's Captive Bride

Venus grinned, pushing the bike to go even faster. The extra burst of speed made Azlun tighten his grip, pressing them even closer together. “I’m full of surprises, darling. Just you wait!”

As they raced across the breathtaking Tharvisian landscape, a warmth bloomed in her chest. This world, so strange and beautiful, was starting to feel like home. And the man holding her? He was a big part of the reason why.

The suspendedrestaurant was like something out of a dream. Individual tables floated serenely over a river that glowed with bioluminescent life, the soft lapping of water creating a soothing melody beneath them. The twin moons of Tharvis hung low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over everything.

Venus watched Azlun’s face as he took in the array of fresh game, exotic fruits, and vegetables spread before them. Some of the dishes seemed to be moving slightly while others emitted soft glows or gentle chimes. “How did you manage all this?” he asked, wonder in his voice.

“A magician never reveals her secrets,” Venus said, but then softened, reaching across the table to take his hand. “Actually, Amari helped. A lot. I wanted to do something special for you. To say thank you for everything. For saving my life, for being patient with my terrible cooking, and for... for loving me.”

The last words came out in a rush, and Venus felt her cheeks flush. But Azlun’s eyes, when they met hers, were filled with such warmth and adoration that her embarrassment melted away.

“Venus,” he said softly, his thumb tracing patterns on her palm that sent sparks shooting up her arm. “You don’t need to thank me. Having you here safe and by my side is all I need. When Oran’s blade struck me, do you know what gave me the strength to keep fighting? It was you. The thought of you, your smile, your terrible jokes, your incredible strength. I love you, Venus Arison, more than I ever thought possible.”

Tears pricked at her eyes, but she blinked them back trying to cover her emotion with humor. “Well,” she said, her voice only slightly wobbly, “in that case, maybe I should cancel the fireworks display and the troupe of dancing Tharvisian moon-bears I had lined up for later.”

Azlun laughed, the sound warming Venus more than any alien sun ever could. He stood, pulling her to her feet and into his arms. “The only finale I need is right here,” he murmured before capturing her lips in a kiss that made Venus’s toes curl.

As they kissed, suspended above the glowing river with the alien moons as their backdrop, Venus marveled at how far they’d come. From a political arrangement to this - a genuine connection, a partnership, and a love that transcended worlds.

When they parted, Venus grinned up at Azlun. “You know,” she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief, “I think I’m starting to see the appeal of this whole arranged marriage thing.”

Azlun chuckled, pulling her close again. “Oh really? And here I thought it was my dashing good looks and stellar personality that won you over.”

“Nah,” Venus teased, running her fingers through his hair. “It was definitely the promise of hover bikes and glowing rivers. A girl has her priorities, you know.”

As they settled back into their seats, trading bites of strange but delicious foods and laughing at Venus’s attempts to pronounce their names, Venus found herself filled with a sense of contentment she’d never experienced. Whatever challengeslay ahead, whatever intergalactic crises or political machinations they might face, she would face them with Azlun. Not just as his arranged bride or Earth’s ambassador, but as his partner, his equal, and his love.

And maybe, just maybe, she’d finally figure out how to make that damn chicken soup. After all, she had a whole alien world of ingredients to experiment with. What could possibly go wrong?

TWENTY-TWO

Venus’s breath caught in her throat as Azlun’s sleek spacecraft glided silently over the vast, mirror-like expanse of the Tharvisian ocean. The twin moons cast an ethereal glow on the water’s surface, creating an otherworldly landscape that still, after all this time, made her heart skip a beat.

“You know,” she said, trying to mask her awe with humor, “when you said we were going for a ride, I half expected another death-defying hover bike adventure. Not that I’m complaining about this upgrade.”

Azlun chuckled, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down her spine. “What, and risk you showing me up with your piloting skills again? I do have some pride left.”

As he guided the ship to a halt, hovering mere feet above the gently lapping waves, Venus felt a flutter of anticipation in her stomach. There was something in Azlun’s demeanor, a mix of excitement and nervousness that she’d never noted from him.

“So, Your Highness,” she said, turning to face him with a raised eyebrow, “are you going to tell me why you’ve brought me to the middle of nowhere? Not that it isn’t a spectacularly beautiful nowhere, but still.”

Azlun’s lips quirked into that half-smile that never failed to make her knees weak. “Patience, my love. The show is about to begin.”

As if on cue, the sky above them erupted into a symphony of color. Waves of light danced across the heavens, shimmering curtains of green, blue, and purple that rippled and pulsed with a life of their own. Scattered among the undulating sheets of color were bursts of red and gold like celestial fireworks frozen in time.

“Oh my,” Venus breathed, her eyes wide with wonder. She pressed her hands against the ship’s transparent dome, drinking in the spectacle. “Azlun, it’s... it’s incredible.”

“It’s called the Celestial Dance,” Azlun said softly, coming to stand behind her. His arms encircled her waist, and Venus leaned back into his embrace, reveling in his warmth. “It only happens once every few years when our planet aligns just right with the nearby nebula.”

Venus watched, transfixed, as the colors shifted and swirled overhead. It was like watching the Northern Lights on Earth, but a thousand times more vibrant, more alive. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” she murmured.

“Second most beautiful,” Azlun corrected, his breath warm against her ear.

Venus turned in his arms, ready with a sarcastic retort, but the words died on her lips when she saw the intensity in his eyes.

“Venus,” he said, his voice low and filled with an emotion that made her heart race, “when I first agreed to this arrangement, I never imagined... I never dared to hope that I would find not just a political ally, but a true partner. Someone who challenges me, who makes me laugh, who makes me want to be better every day.”

“Azlun,” Venus started, but he gently pressed a finger to her lips.

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