Page 41 of The Pregnancy Pact

Iwasn’t sure what lay in store for us the rest of the trip to Asterion. More bickering? Likely. Sex? Highly unlikely, despite Ellax’s obvious desire for it.

What did await us was…not much longer on the space ship. In fact, I’d barely read the pact Ellax had written up and handed his screenpad back when his phone buzzed. He picked it up. His golden eyes skimmed the screen, absorbing the message, before they flickered up to me.

“The captain sends word that we are within Asterion’s atmosphere. We will be landing in approximately two hours.”

“Wait, what? Already?”

I shot up from the edge of the bed, which I’d distracted myself by making neatly, before taking a seat on it.

My alien husband gazed down his straight nose at me. “Did you assume the journey to my planet would take forever?”

I don’t know what I’d assumed. I’d never been to Asterion before. Not to mention, the crazy events unfolding on this ship had made me lose track of time.

“I’m not sure I’m ready for this,” I said, glancing down at my clothes, nervously attempting to smooth away wrinkles. “The gym attendant let me leave my other clothing there. She said she could send them out to get laundered. I guess I figured I’d have them back before we arrived on Asterion.”

“Those will never do,” Ellax agreed. “We must make you suitable. After all, Lorelai, you are no longer simply a human records keeper. You are now the wife of a Lead Advisor, and an Asterion Elder. You must look the part.”

I gritted my teeth. As if I wasn’t already nervous enough. He had to agree I looked like trash. I bit my tongue to hold back a retort, even as he proceeded to type out a message on his phone, explaining,

“I will have something brought for you. There are other passengers aboard this ship. Surely, they can part with a gown or two. Never fear. We will find you suitable attire.”

I could have protested his methods, but found I didn’t really want to. The oddity of borrowing a dress from a complete stranger aside, I supposed there was some comfort to be found in knowing I didn’t have to wear gym clothes or even borrow Ellax’s clothes the first time I stepped foot on his home planet. Soon to be my home planet.

The notion sent a cold chill through my guts, twisting and cramping them.

A new home planet.

A new life as a Lead Advisor’s wife.

Was I really doing this?

***

“Are we really doing this?” I whispered, my throat tight and my nerves raw.

Please tell me this is a nightmare and I’m about to wake up.

Ellax tilted his head, the bronze circlet on his brow catching the overhead light and flashing against his silver skin.

“We are really doing this,” he answered calmly. “No escaping now. Best ready yourself.”

Ready myself.

How does one ready oneself for such a venture? My hands trembled slightly as I finished my makeup. I hadn’t attempted anything other than natural, basic makeup meant to enhance. If I’d tried to get too fancy, my shaky hands would have left black mascara and eyeliner marks all over my face.

I didn’t bother doing much with my hair, either. A simple knot, basic but classy. Always suitable.

As far as jewelry went, all I had was what I’d been wearing when I came on board Ellax’s starship. A plain golden chain the twins had given me last year for my birthday. Small golden hoops for earrings.

No rings.

I glanced down at my hands.

No rings. Did aliens wear rings? Wedding rings? How did they show they were married? What symbols did they use? Despite my familiarity with the Overlords back on Earth, I found I didn’t know.

I glanced over at Ellax, who had drawn on a pair of shiny black boots and was now changing out a couple of jeweled studs in his ears.

“Ellax?”

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