Page 74 of Alien Prince Fake Fiancé

Ocliver grinned, presumably at Cam’s cool tone, then turned to Sasha and Dagan. “King Dagan Tiranon of the Western Sector of Caldor,” he began, bowing once again. “You and your mate have caused quite a stir.”

Dagan raised an eyebrow, choosing to remain silent.

Ocliver held out a hand, palm up, toward Sasha. “My dear. If you would?”

Sasha looked at Dagan, then back to Ocliver. Hesitantly, she placed her hand in Ocliver’s. When their palms touched, a bright blue light flashed between their hands, there one moment, gone the next.

Dagan pulled Sasha back with preternatural speed and stepped protectively in front of her, blocking Ocliver from further contact. “What game are you playing, Salakoori?”

Sasha laughed from behind Dagan. “It’s alright. I feel wonderful. Better than I have in months.”

“And the baby?” he growled; his eyes fixed menacingly on Ocliver.

“She’s fine. Better than fine, I think.” Sasha peered around Dagan, her eyes shining. “Thank..thank you?”

Ocliver dipped his head. “Of course.”

Turning back to Zade and Ashlyn, Ocliver stood quietly.

Zade stepped up beside Ashlyn and crossed his arms. “I’ll ask again. Who are you?”

“First, tell the Lumerians to sheath their weapons. I have no wish to die today. If I wanted to hurt you, I would have let the poison have you in the arena. Do not insult me by telling me they do not exist. I can feel one breathing down my neck.”

Tense seconds ticked by as Zade and Ocliver stared at one another in a silent battle of wills. Finally, Zade nodded. “Very well. Bren?”

Out of thin air, Bren appeared next to Ocliver, the tip of his dagger so close to the Cappran’s throat, the tiny, raised hairs on Ocliver’s skin brushed against the alien metal. Bren’s black camouflage armor flickered, in patches, in and out of sight, like a ghost. An apparition. Ashlyn could see him, but there was no sound.

Ocliver didn’t move a muscle. “And the others?”

Four more Lumerian Knights appeared. One stationed by the door, the others spread out. They were all armed and ready, weapons pointed at Ocliver.

Zade smiled coldly. “Your turn.”

Rather than respond, Oliver closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. On the fourth inhale, a white light, an aura, appeared around his entire being. Brighter and brighter, he glowed, until the light was so intense Ashlyn had to look away.

When she looked back again, Ocliver was gone. In his place stood a woman in a toga style black dress, her arms covered in glowing blue markings. She was tall, nearly as tall as Ocliver was, with long black hair, small, pointed ears, and delicate features. Beautiful. Refined. Timeless.

“Uh, am I hallucinating right now?” Ashlyn asked, dumbfounded.

Bren stepped back in shock, his dagger falling from boneless fingers as he fell to one knee. “I am sorry, my lady. I would never hold a dagger..I did not know..”

Zade was the first to recover. His lips quirked. “I believe that qualifies as a dramatic entrance, my lady. Unfortunately, you have us at a disadvantage. You clearly know who we are, while we know nothing of you.”

The woman’s tinkling laughter was like music, soft and melodic. “I am Aro.”

There was a moment of silence, then everyone started talking at once, including the Lumerians, who sheathed their weapons and gathered around her with rapt attention. Aro laughed again, clearly delighted.

Only Ashlyn didn’t join in. How could she? Ocliver was evil. He worked for the Ubrions. Didn’t he? What the fuck was happening?

Aro reached out and took Ashlyn’s hands. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Ashlyn looked deeply into her mint green eyes. “Who are you, Aro? Why are you here?”

Aro’s smile softened. “I am Aro. I am from Luma.”

Abruptly, all talking ceased. Ashlyn glanced around the room. The Lumerians had gone stock-still, frozen, their eyes, their entire focus, now on their conversation. Ashlyn’s internal warning system started blaring. What was going on? Why did they look like they’d just seen a ghost? They were the ghosts, for crying out loud. She refocused on Aro. “Luma? Is that near Lumeria? A moon, or something?”

Aro shook her head in amusement. “Luma predates Lumeria. We are their ancestors.”

Don’t panic. Breathe. Breathe. Be cool.“Oh. I see. Well, that’s..uh..great, then. So, you’re like, Bren’s great, great, great,grand..I mean..not that you look old..you, ah, look like you’re barely in your twenties. How..” she stuttered, cringing at how ridiculous she sounded. An ancient of the ancients. Her mind was literally being blown right now. “Do you have..uh..any family? Nearby, I mean?”

---