Page 21 of Alien Prince Fake Fiancé

“Were you forced here against your will or not?” The alien had all four arms crossed in annoyance. This female was no fool. What would happen if she said Zade had forced her? Would she be able to salvage the agreement with Antonelius? Would Zade be in trouble?

Shit.She was still angry with him for spanking her, and wanted to get back at him, but she couldn’t allow him to be punished. She refused to lie just to get what she wanted. The decision had effectively been taken out of her hands. Zade would have to be her fake fiancé. When the challenge was over, per the plan, she would have to fake her death, he would go to Cappra as the new Council member, and any chance they had of being together would be gone forever.

Her heart lurched in protest.Suck it up. This is how it has to be, now. This is your own fault. You ran after him. You had the chance to stop. He asked you what you wanted. You should have let him go and waited to track him down until after this business with the Council seat was over. But no. Lost your temper, didn’t you? Again. You’d think one of these days you would actually learn. Fuck!

Ashlyn stiffened her spine. She looked past the Council woman, intending to tell the truth, only to stop short, her jaw going slack. Behind the Councilor, the second alien's features,hidden beneath his hood, suddenly came into focus as he stepped into the light.

His eyebrows, if they could be called that, were composed of a thousand hairbreadth tentacles that swayed like vines in a hurricane. As strange as they were, however, it was his eyes that sent shivers down her spine. Obsidian, glassy and cold with no discernible pupil, they seemed to suck her in, like black holes, into their depths. Not just terrifying, they were unnerving in an otherwise gaunt face. He made her skin crawl.

Suddenly very conscious of the fact that she was being rude, she closed her mouth, blinked several times, and gave the alien a forced, overly bright smile. Hopefully she didn’t appear as socially awkward, unsophisticated, and gauche as she felt on the inside.

“This was not a difficult question, child,” the Councilor prompted kindly. “Did he force you?”

Her stomach flip flopped. If she didn’t fix this immediately, Zade wouldn’t be the only one in trouble. She hated lying and was terrified of getting caught.Don't throw up. Don't throw up. You can do this. This is exactly why Rachel called you, so start playing the part. Mix the lies with the truth. Isn’t that what the best liars do? Calm down, take a deep breath, and go.

“No. No, he didn't force me. What he said was true. We connected earlier, at my sister's binding ceremony,” she lied, “but with everything happening so fast, I was too afraid to take a chance on him. Then I met C’bor. He was exotic and…and powerful. I didn’t worry about how little I knew him. He loved me, and that was all that mattered.”

Real tears rolled down her cheeks. She was so upset, so off balance, she didn’t have to fake the distress in her voice as she continued. “Now I..I’m so confused.”

“Of course you are, child.”

“This is absurd,” snarled the creepy second alien. A quelling look from the Councilor and he quieted.

“Please continue, dear.”

Ashlyn’s heart thudded painfully in her chest, her pulse pounding in her ears as she reached deep inside and spoke the truth she hadn’t shared with Zade. “Honestly, I was mesmerized by Zade from the moment I saw him, but the timing for us wasn't right. I knew he wouldn’t be able to leave his duties when I needed to go home. I came here with him thinking we would have a chance to talk, and then things got out of hand.” Ashlyn held up her hands as if to surrender, pleading for them to believe her. “He never forced me.”

The Council woman clasped both pairs of hands together, a sour expression flashing across her face. “Galaxy-twisted lovers then, and now, a love of triangles.”

Ashlyn couldn’t hold back a small sound of protest. “But we’re not.. I mean.. ”

Antonelius raised his hand, palm up, and interjected, “No. You have said enough. There will be no triangle. If he did not force you, then by the laws of our people, my claim is forfeit.” Without another word, he turned on his heel and left.

Stunned, Ashlyn turned to Zade. “Laws of your people? Forfeit? What does that mean, exactly?”

“It means he no longer has the right to claim you, since he could not hold your interest.”

“Before this goes any further,” interjected the second alien in a harsh tone, “as legal counsel for the Ubrion family, I, Ocliver Vii Salakoori, submit a petition for all properties, monies, and claim to the Cappran seat on the Intergalactic Council be returned to the Ubrion family immediately. If Prince Antonelius does not have a legal claim, the human has no eligible fiancé. Without a fiancé, she has no standing, no grounds for keepingthe seat unless she marries a member of the Ubrion family, which she has repeatedly refused to do.”

Zade bared his teeth, “She has a fiancé. I just claimed her. As legal counsel,Ocliver Vii Salakoori, you should advise the Ubrion family to accept defeat and go home. She’s mine.”

Ocliver’s black, cavernous eyes narrowed. With a sneer, he continued, “I think not. When informed of the human’s engagement to a Caldorian Prince, I familiarized myself with both human and Caldorian laws and customs, so I know you speak falsely in an attempt to avoid the inevitable. She is officially unclaimed.”

Like a fish out of water, Ashlyn’s mouth opened and closed several times as she looked from Zade to Ocliver and back again, her eyes giant blue saucers. They looked like they were about to rip each other to pieces.

“This is neither the time nor place.” Rachel’s mate, Ambassador Shronti, held up one hand. “Let’s focus on the gathering this evening. Ashlyn Faro of Earth, her fiancé , and I––as the official representative of Caldor, have collaborated to co-host a welcome dance and dinner. As Earth is the host planet, you are in for a refreshing treat. The music, dancing and entertainment are reflective of Earth culture, which, until their recent acceptance into the Intergalactic Trade Community, has been unavailable. Let us all enjoy an evening free of politics. I believe there will be plenty of time for all parties to straighten out the legalities tomorrow.”

“Agreed.” The first Council member turned all four eyes toward Rachel and Cam with a sigh. “I had hoped to be done with this nasty marriage dispute quickly, but I can see now that is not going to happen. I believe I will accept the offer of a private room after all, Ambassador.”

Ignoring everyone else, Ocliver turned his full attention to the female Council member and bowed respectfully. “CouncilorBoleen. Before you retire to your private chambers, one last moment of your time, if you will.”

“Very well, but please do make it short.”

“Of course,” simpered Ocliver. “The Ubrion family has come here to reclaim what is rightfully theirs, through marriage if necessary. A new claim has been made; therefore, all petitioners must be considered, per Caldorian law 67932-8. On behalf of C’Nar Ubrion and the Ubrion family, I hereby submit C’Nar’s petition to claim the human as his bride.”

Zade took two menacing steps toward Ocliver and snarled, “Touch her and die.”

Eyebrows waving furiously, Ocliver pointed his finger at Ashlyn, holding everyone’s attention as he decreed, “If you want to keep your seat on the Council, you have exactly six days to marry C’Nar Ubrion.”

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