Page 35 of The Alien's Captive Bride

Venus couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride. They might be princesses, but they were far from helpless.

“You know,” she panted, ducking under a wild swing, “this isn’t exactly what I had in mind for sister bonding time. Next time, let’s just do a spa day.”

Mila snorted, executing a perfect roundhouse kick. “Boring. Where’s the fun in that?”

But just as they seemed to gain the upper hand, the atmosphere shifted. The guards, bloodied and furious, drew wicked-looking energy weapons from their belts. The air crackled with potential violence, and the hum of the weapons sent chills down Venus’s spine.

“Okay,” Venus muttered, eyeing the pulsing blue blades. “That’s not fair. No one said anything about bringing toys to this party.”

The guards advanced, weapons buzzing with lethal energy. Venus’s mind raced, searching for a way out. They were good, but they weren’t invincible.

“Any bright ideas?” Zora whispered, her voice tense.

Venus’s eyes darted around the clearing, looking for anything they could use as a weapon. “Working on it. How about you use your flower power to call some carnivorous alien plants to our aid?”

Mila groaned. “This is hardly the time for jokes, Venus.”

“Who’s joking? I’m deadly serious. Emphasis on the ‘deadly’ part.”

Just as the first guard raised his weapon for a killing blow, a roar of pure rage echoed through the clearing. Azlun burst onto the scene, his eyes blazing with fury. In one fluid motion, he disarmed the nearest guard and turned the weapon on its owner.

The clearing erupted in chaos. Energy blasts sizzled through the air as Azlun made short work of the would-be assassins. His movements were precise, lethal, driven by a cold anger that sent chills down Venus’s spine.

In mere moments, it was over. The guards lay motionless on the ground, and an eerie silence fell over the clearing.

Azlun immediately rushed to Venus, his hands cupping her face as he searched for injuries. “Are you hurt?” he demanded, his voice rough with emotion. “I swear, I’ll tear this planet apart to find who’s responsible for this.”

Venus leaned into his touch, her adrenaline-fueled bravado fading. “I’m okay,” she assured him, then glanced at her sisters. “We’re okay. Thanks to you. Though I totally had them on the ropes, you know. Just catching my second wind.”

She tried to take a step forward, but her leg buckled beneath her. Looking down, she saw a deep gash in her thigh, likely from one of the energy weapons. The adrenaline had masked the pain, but now it hit her full force.

“Okay,” she grimaced, “maybe I’m slightly less than okay. But you should see the other guys.”

Azlun’s face tightened with concern. Without hesitation, he scooped Venus into his arms, cradling her against his chest. “Hold on,” he murmured. “I’ve got you.”

As they made their way back to the palace, Venus couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. Someone wanted her dead, and they weren’t going to stop until they succeeded.

But with Azlun’s strong arms around her, his heartbeat steady against her cheek, and her sisters flanking them protectively, Venus felt a surge of determination. She was Venus Arison, soon-to-be princess of Tharvis. And she wasn’t going down without one hell of a fight.

“You know,” she mumbled against Azlun’s chest, fighting to stay conscious, “this wasn’t exactly how I planned to end up in your arms today. But I suppose it’ll do.”

Azlun’s chest rumbled with a mix of laughter and relief. “Only you could joke at a time like this,” he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

As they approached the palace, the medical team already rushing out to meet them, Venus allowed herself a small smile. Life as a Tharvisian princess was certainly never going to be boring. And despite the danger, the pain, and the uncertainty, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

After all, what was life without a little adventure?

The palace medical bay hummed with activity as Venus was rushed into treatment. The Tharvisian healing pod glowed with a soft, otherworldly light as she was carefully placed inside. Azlun hovered nearby, his face etched with concern.

“You know,” Venus quipped as the pod’s cover lowered, “I’m starting to think these healing pods and I are becoming a little too well-acquainted. Maybe we should see other people.”

Azlun’s lips twitched in a reluctant smile. “Just focus on getting better. I’ll be right here.”

As the pod worked its alien magic, knitting flesh and mending bone, Venus drifted in and out of consciousness. When she finally emerged, feeling refreshed but slightly disoriented, Azlun was there, his hand outstretched to help her up.

“How long was I out?” Venus asked, flexing her newly healed leg experimentally.

“A few hours,” Azlun replied, his eyes scanning her for any lingering injuries. “How do you feel?”

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