Page 25 of Protected By the Alien Knight

Squaring those magnificent shoulders, she levels Valente with a look that would liquefy solid neutronium. “That won’t be possible, Richard. You see, my fiancé and I have plans that preclude any catching up between us.”

I preen inwardly at the pointed emphasis on the word fiancé, feeling a rush of vindictive satisfaction as the male does an obvious doubletake between us. His expression first morphs into incredulity, then outright disbelief at Annie so thoroughly and publicly rebuffing him.

“This... you can’t be serious,” Valente scoffs, his eyes raking over me with naked contempt. “You’re with this knuckle-dragging musclehead, Annie? A simpleminded gym rat who can’t count past the size of his biceps?”

This time it’s my turn to sneer openly as I take a menacing half-step forward, leveraging my superior stature and breadth to its fullest extent. I bare my teeth in a silent threat, ready to grind this insignificant gnat into cosmic dust with brutal finality if he dares issue another insult against Annie’s honor.

But once more, she beats me to the punch with a look of utter disdain. “If you can’t be civil, we’ll take our leave. Have a pleasant remainder of your day, Mr. Valente.”

“Typical,” the ex scoffs, eyes flickering between Annie and me with disdain. “Never thought you’d end up with some rich, protein-sculpted pretty boy who can’t handle real intellectual discourse.”

He smirks at me then. “I’m sure she’s entertaining enough between the sheets at least to make up for that vacant stare.”

Annie tenses beside me, her chin lifting proudly, but before she can respond, I fix the insufferable prig with a look of utter contempt.

“How unbearably small and sad your existence must be to find satisfaction only in demeaning the accomplishments of others.” My voice is a dangerous purr. “Annie’s brilliance shines far too bright for simple minds like yours to even comprehend.”

Not waiting for his inevitable sputtering retort, I turn and pull Annie into my side, guiding her away with the regal dignity she deserves. She may brush off such infantile insults, but I’ll always defend her incredible mind and light from embittered fools.

As we exit, I toss one last deriding look over my shoulder that promises physical consequences if he ever disrespects my radiant mate again with his pathetic jealousy. For now, he’s unworthy of another moment’s attention from Annie’s dazzling presence.

We’re nearly at the transit hub when Annie slows her brisk stride and turns to face me. Her eyes shine with profound vulnerability, clearly shaken despite her outward show of poise.

“I’m sorry you had to witness that, Crux,” she begins in a subdued tone. “I had no idea Richard would ambush us like that. I promise after today, you’ll never have to deal with—”

“None of that now,” I cut her off firmly, framing her face with my palms. “That insignificant wretch means less than a speck of cosmic dust to me, Annie. He could never unravel or cheapen what shines between you and me.”

Stretching up on her tiptoes, she fuses our mouths together in a searing, desperate kiss. When we finally part, I rest my brow against hers and simply breathe her in. The exotic floral fragrance of her hair and skin. The faint sweetness of her breath mingling with mine. Every sacred nuance of this woman I intend to spend eternity entwined with.

“Are you ready, my radiant sun?” I ask at last, reverent and hushed against the intimate silence between us. “The whole of eternity awaits our light beyond these stifling bulkheads.”

Annie makes a shuddering sound halfway between a sob and a breathless laugh, lacing her fingers with mine as we turn toward the gleaming durasteel portal for the last time. “With you by my side, Crux?” Her glorious eyes find mine, shining with immutable conviction. “I was born ready, my love. Lead on...”

nine

Epilogue

“Mom! Where are thestupid table runners?” Alice’s frantic voice cuts through the chaos filling the ballroom of my family’s estate on Venturis. It has been a year since the horror, but we are determined to reclaim our family home with joy once again.

I poke my head around the doorframe just in time to see my daughter nearly bowling over a waiter carrying a towering pyramid of crystal flutes. Her usually sleek auburn curls are a mess, strands sticking out wildly and framing her flushed face.

“Easy there,” I try to soothe, dodging a pair of workers hauling in ornate roses in a giant crystal vase. “The runners should be with the other table linens in the prep area.”

Alice lets out an exasperated huff, shooting me a pleading look. “You have to come see this. The flowers for the centerpieces are completely wrong!”

I open my mouth to reply, but a sudden thunderous crash shakes the floor beneath our feet. Plaster rains down as adecorator hastily apologizes for knocking down a two-hundred-year-old ancestral urn in their hurry.

I raise my voice over the fresh pandemonium. “I’m sure the roses you selected will be stunning, Alice. Just breathe and try to—”

“Mom! Mom, I need your opinion right now!”

Alice and I both flinch as the bellow echoes over the general commotion of wedding preparations. Max strides in from the east wing in an ornate suit, looking equal parts frazzled and self-important on his big day.

“The wedding coordinators want rose-gold-filigree overlays on the main table arrangements,” he declares in clipped tones. “But Suxie hates anything other than a pale brushed champagne accent. You have to settle this!”

I’m vaguely aware of my jaw hanging open slightly as Alice beats me to respond.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Max! Nobody cares about napkin ring metallics beyond you and your bridezilla fiancée!”

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