Page 18 of His Clever Captive

Except here the only aliens present are the ones I’ve invited.

Thank god!

Gwen, Iris, and I are bathed in natural light from the Palace’s large windows as the suns shine down almost as if those huge stars are as happy as I am. Because today, I marry my true love…my fated mate…my Vex.

“Arrggh!” Gwen groans, startling me out of my musing. She scowls at her reflection, jabbing a finger at the empire waist of her lavender gown. “This is atent. A bedazzled, floral tent. I look like a walking greenhouse.”

“A glowing, radiant greenhouse,” I amend with a chuckle, adjusting her braids. “The dress hides that plasma grenade you’re smuggling.”

She smirks, cradling her swollen belly. “You mean my future krav maga champion? Already practicing their moves.”

Iris snorts, leaning over to smooth Gwen’s sleeve. “Careful, or she’ll kick her way out mid-ceremony.” She inhales dramatically. “Speaking of explosive exits…” She waggles her brows, the silver and green threads in her gown catching the light. “Tak and I may have ‘christened’ our new sonic shower earlier.”

“Details,” Gwen demands. “Though Ryz and I do love our bathing pool.A lot.” She giggles.

“You need to try that shower. Crank it to medium-high. Kraetian cock and those vibrations make for multiple screaming orgasms.” She lets her head fall back.

I choke on my champagne, cheeks burning. “Iris!”

“What? You’re not allowed to give me that innocent act anymore. I know Vex can’t keep his hands off you. I’ve walked past your room at night. You guys are kinky.” She winks, and I bury my face in my hands. Oh god, did she hear us role-playingPirates of the Caribbean?

Gwen laughs. “Stop making her blush, Iris. She’ll ruin her make-up.”

Some things never change.

We’ve joked in this same way, huddled in a church dressing room, clueless about the stars waiting to claim us. Now, Gwen’s married to an alien king, Iris is scandalizing the galaxy with her alien tracker, and I’m about to tie the knot with a reformed alien pirate who has at leasttriedto ransom us all at some point or another.

Life’s funny that way.

I fluff the cascading ivory silk of my dress—the fabric shimmering, its neckline dipped just enough to make Vex’s jaw clench. A small rebellion on my part.

“Have you seen the boys?” I ask, fiddling with my bouquet of fuchsia moonvines.

“Ryz and Tak are ‘helping’ Vex get ready,” Gwen rolls her eyes. “AKA, giving him a pep talk. Your pirate’s apparently sweating through his third tunic.”

I grin. Vexeliar Urralix, reduced to a nervous wreck. Who would’ve thought?

The door slides open and Xi appears in a slinky black jumpsuit. “The groom’s debating a tactical retreat into the nearest nebula.” She giggles. “I’m kidding. Sort of. Also, you’re stunning, Lacey. Any last-minute requests? More flowers? Something strong to drink? Or maybe a tasteful bachelorette holo-vid?”

“We’re good,” I say, and Iris tosses a hairpin at her. “Unless you’ve foreseen Gwen going into labor during the vows.”

“The baby’s mercifully patient. Unlikesomeone’ss husband.” Xi winks at Iris before vanishing.

We chuckle and I glance at my friends—who am I kidding—mysisters. The ones who fought like brave warriors, over insurmountable cosmic odds to find our way back to each other. “Thank you both. For…everything.”

Gwen clasps my hand, her voice gruff. “Anytime, Lace. Even if I still think we should’ve made Vex walk the plank once or twice.”

“He’s trying,” I say softly, so proud of him.

Heistrying. With late-night talks with Ryz—where Ryz apologized for his cruel behavior and Vex apologized for turning into the conniving thief his father expected him to become. Vex also returned what he could of his stolen loot to its rightful owner and even awkwardly groveled to Gwen for almost kidnapping her.

He’s far from perfect. But he’s perfectfor me.

The ceremony finally unfolds under Ydris’s moons, their light drenching the courtyard in liquid silver. Vex stands at the altar, resplendent in gold-and-black Kraetian formalwear, hishair braided with tokens from his crew—that have all decided to settle here in Ydris.

Our eyes lock, and the galaxy stills.

Until he whispers, “You’resureabout this, right?”

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