Page 25 of Her Alien Guardian

The journey from thePrince Hendto the surface of Prosperia passed in a blur of new experiences. The shuttle ride was smooth, nothing like the jarring transports I had endured on Vionian ships. As we docked with the orbital station, I pressedmy face to the viewport, marveling at the gleaming structure that seemed to float effortlessly in space.

The space elevator was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I remembered the crew of theConqueror of Breslasneering about the Magisterians and their fancy elevators, maintaining that real warriors braved the atmosphere in their shuttles. I knew now what I had suspected then—my Vionian masters had felt nothing truly but envy for their enemies’ technological achievements. I could hardly believe how beautiful the blue planet looked beneath our feet as we descended, or how inconceivably quickly we traveled to the surface. The ground seemed to rush to meet us so quickly that I had a moment of panic that we could never stop in time.

Sala noticed, of course, and put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, sweet one,” she told me, just before the elevator began to slow its descent. “You’re safe, and I promise you’ll grow used to your new life before you know it.”

CHAPTER 14

Tessara

We emerged from the space elevator onto a glassed-in gallery high atop the slender, towering station building. I was struck breathless by the sight of Prosperia City spread out before us. Gleaming spires of crystal and metal reached toward the sky, their surfaces colored with iridescent hues that seemed to dance in the sunlight. Lush gardens cascaded down the sides of buildings, creating a harmonious blend of nature and architecture that made my mind reel.

The streets below seemed a marvel of order and beauty. Elegant hover-carriages glided silently along wide boulevards lined with trees bearing exotic, colorful blossoms. Men in impeccably tailored suits and top hats strolled arm in arm with women whose elaborate dresses and parasols created a rainbow of color against the backdrop of the city.

Fountains adorned with intricate statuary dotted the landscape, the sparkling waters a soothing visual symphony that somehow carried even to our elevated position. In the distance, I could seea vast park, its verdant expanse broken only by winding paths and serene lakes that glittered like jewels in the afternoon sun.

As our transport wove through the city, I pressed my face against the window, trying to take in every detail. The air seemed cleaner, fresher than anything I had experienced before. Even the light felt different—softer somehow, as if filtered through a gauzy veil that enhanced rather than obscured the beauty around us.

All too soon we arrived at our destination, though, and the serene beauty of Prosperia City gave way to a very different scene. The refugee center loomed before us, a utilitarian structure that stood out dramatically from the elegance of its surroundings. As we stepped out of our transport, the sounds of controlled chaos washed over us.

Inside, the center presented a hive of activity. Well-dressed Prosperian men and women moved purposefully through the crowd, their faces set in expressions of determined compassion as they tried to bring order to the influx of newcomers. Refugees from a dozen different worlds milled about, their faces etched with a mixture of hope, fear, and exhaustion.

A cacophony of accents filled the air, some almost incomprehensible to me, interpreters’ attempts to translate only adding to the confusion. Children cried, adults argued, and above it all rode a constant drone of announcements and instructions.

I felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of sensory input. The smell of too many bodies in too small a space, the flickering of holographic displays showing everything from legal documents to star charts, the occasional flash of a medical scanneras harried-looking doctors moved through the crowd—it all combined to create a dizzying assault on my mind.

Sala’s hand on my arm steadied me, her calm presence an anchor in the storm of activity. Alpha’s imposing form seemed to part the crowd effortlessly as we made our way deeper into the center. I clung to them both, grateful for their guidance in this alien environment.

Sala’s voice cut through my distracted observations. “Alpha, darling,” she said, a note of puzzlement in her tone, “isn’t Gamma supposed to meet us here?”

I felt a flutter in my stomach at the mention of Alpha’s brother. The mysterious man who had apparently come all this way just to meet me.

Alpha’s brow furrowed slightly as he scanned the bustling crowd. “I thought he would be,” he replied, his deep voice tinged with a hint of concern. “He said he’d be waiting when we arrived.”

We all began to look around, searching for any sign of Gamma among the sea of faces. I wasn’t sure what exactly I was looking for—would he be as massive and blue as Alpha? Would there be some family resemblance that would make him stand out?

As my eyes scanned the crowded room, I suddenly caught a flash of movement near the entrance. A tall figure was striding purposefully toward us, his presence commanding attention even in the chaotic atmosphere of the refugee center.

My breath caught in my throat as I took in his appearance. He was dressed impeccably in the fashion I had already learned to recognize as that of a Prosperian gentleman—a finely tailored black frock coat hugged his broad shoulders, tapering to anarrow waist before flaring out over his hips. A waistcoat of shimmering silver brocade peeked out beneath, adorned with an intricate pattern of swirling galaxies that seemed to move as he walked. His trousers were perfectly pressed, falling in crisp lines to polished black boots that gleamed even in the harsh lighting of the center.

But it was his face that truly captured my attention. His skin was the same striking shade of blue as Alpha’s, his features sculpted and regal. His short, dark hair was neatly styled, framing a strong jawline and high cheekbones. And his eyes—an intense blue that seemed filled with an inner light—locked onto mine from across the room.

I felt a jolt of recognition course through me. This had to be Gamma.

He drew closer. The sheer grace of his movements made my heart rate accelerate. Despite his imposing stature, he covered ground with a fluid elegance that spoke of tightly controlled power. The crowd seemed to part instinctively before him, as if sensing the aura of authority that surrounded him.

I found myself captivated by the play of emotions across his face as he approached. I could see warmth there, certainly, but also a keen intelligence and something else—a spark of curiosity, perhaps even hunger, that made my heart race.

It seemed almost absurd that this regal, commanding figure could be here for me. And yet, as he drew near, his eyes never left mine. I felt a strange connection forming, a pull toward him that I couldn’t explain. Part of me knew it was likely due to my gratitude toward Alpha for saving me, transferring some of those feelings to his brother. But there was something more, something primal and undeniable that made my pulse quicken.

When he finally stood before us, Gamma’s lips curved into a smile that seemed both charming and somehow predatory. His gaze swept over me appreciatively before he spoke, his voice a deep, melodious rumble that sent shivers down my spine.

“You must be Tessara,” he said, the sound of my name on his lips making my breath catch. “You’re just as beautiful as Alpha told me.”

I felt heat rush to my cheeks, a fierce blush blooming across my face at his words. My stomach seemed to flip, a swarm of butterflies taking flight within me. I opened my mouth to respond, but found myself at a loss for words, captivated by the intensity of his gaze and the overwhelming presence of this extraordinary man—or not a man, really, but something more… alien and yet so vibrantly human.

I felt my cheeks burning as I struggled to find words to respond to Gamma’s compliment. My mind betrayed me, conjuring unbidden images of what his powerful blue form might look like beneath those finely tailored Prosperian clothes. I imagined broad shoulders tapering to strong hips, rippling muscles moving smoothly under alien skin.

Against my will, my gaze traveled lower, tracing the lines of his body. I found myself wondering if he could truly be as well-endowed as his brother, remembering with a jolt of forbidden excitement how Alpha’s massive member had stretched Sala so impossibly. Heat pooled low in my belly at the thought, and I felt a treacherous wetness beginning to gather between my thighs.

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