Page 22 of Ready for Her Alien Husband

Trixie stopped worrying her lip, and the knot in her stomach eased. So what if there were millions of eyes on them and space politics at play? She had the alien of her dreams by her side. She could do this.

The plaza and the crowd remained behind them as she and Vrixiel entered the Parthenon, aka the capital city’smain temple to the Goddess. A long corridor with guards along the stone walls led them to a grand hall that might as well be a ballroom in France’s Versailles Palace. Full of Gaenthians of every clan, the place looked like a Skittles pack, with green being the dominant color. Vrixiel’s parents were somewhere in this room, too.

Everyone’s eyes landed on them when Trixie and Vrixiel stepped into the ballroom. Unlike outside, no applause followed their appearance. The crowd here fell silent.

“Vrixiel of the Pointed Horn Clan and Lady Trixie Miller,” someone announced solemnly.

Trixie was too busy staring ahead to see who. Because standing opposite her, at the very center of the ballroom, was the ruler of Gaenthia.

King Xissiel wore no crown, but the tips of his six horns and the edges of his teal wings were painted in gold. His grizzled black hair was braided into the most complex updo Trixie had ever seen. He was dressed like all the males in attendance – in a kilt, shirt, and vest – but entirely in white, so pristine it shone under the light of the massive chandeliers. Thick gold bands were visible around his wrists, perhaps symbols of his kingly power.

There was no throne in sight, but this guy didn’t need one. King Xissiel was imposing enough standing. Tall, muscular, and with a silver fox look, he was ready for the cover of an alien romance novel with the age gap trope.

“Welcome home,” his deep voice filled the ballroom.

“My King.” Vrixiel placed his hand, fisted except for his pinkie, over the left side of his chest in the formal Gaenthian greeting. He then executed a flawless bow. His nerves were betrayed only by the slight trembling of his pinkie.

Trixie curtsied as taught on the trip here. Her red dress was floor-length and with dozens of layers of skirts, so no one saw her knees wobble.

“Step forward.” The King motioned for them to join him in the center of the ballroom. “There will be no long speeches from me today. I know everyone is impatient for the ceremony of tying the knot, as is the Terran tradition. And,” he smiledgraciously, “no speech can be as effective as the sight of this Goddess-blessed love.”

Under the approving flaps of the guests’ wings, Trixie and Vrixiel went to stand before the King. She held tight to herniel, and his wing molded around her like a mantel. It was time.

King Xissiel stepped to the side to reveal the ends of two ropes on the white marble floor. Two ropes so thick that they could easily hold a ship’s anchor at sea.

What the…?

“Vrixiel of the Pointed Horn Clan and Lady Trixie Miller,” the King spoke, picking the ends of the ropes as though they weighed nothing, “you may proceed to tie the knot.”

Trixie looked from the rope she was being handed to Vrixiel. He seemed just as confused as she was. Whoever had given the King information about the wedding customs on Terra had not done their research. Yes, there was an old tradition of tying an actual knot, but not the most massive wedding knot in existence!

She choked down a nervous giggle. This was ridiculous. Nerve-racking as well. What if the rope was too heavy for her to hold? What if she ended up flat on her ass in a huge puff of skirts before the eyes of the whole planet?

Vrixiel’s feathers slid up her back. She met his gaze again. The confusion was gone from his eyes, replaced by the warmth of his love and devotion. He was ready to proceed if she was.

They hadn’t said the L word to each other yet, but they didn’t have to. Vrixiel’s actions over the past week spoke betterthan words. His gaze now reminded her that she had nothing to worry about when he was by her side.

If the rope was too heavy for her, he would help her hold it. If she lost her balance, he would catch her. Her husband would never let her fall.

Trixie hesitated no longer. She accepted her rope’s end from the King, and so did Vrixiel.

The thing turned out incredibly light.Huh. Another mystery alien material like that of her dresses, which was both extra light and strong.

Rope in hand, Trixie faced hernielagain. The moment their eyes locked, everything else faded away. The King, the guests, the flying cameras – it all became a blur. There was only Vrixiel in front of her, his wings at her sides and his hands working with hers to bind them into one.

“I love you,niela. My bean,” he said while tightening the knot. “I am yours. Now and forever.”

“And I love you,niel.” The knot became blurry as tears of joy filled her eyes. “My boo bear. My husband. My everything. I am yours.”

As they held the knot between them, the King placed his hand on top of it and declared, “Where there were two ropes before, now there is one. Stronger than before, for unity makes strength. May all of us remember that.” After a meaningful pause, he added with a softer tone, “I pronounce you husband and wife. Welcome to the Pointed Horn Clan, Lady Trixie.”

Cheers erupted in the room. Amid it all, she grinned at Vrixiel. The King had not said it, but Trixie had no intention of skipping the most important part of the ceremony. “You may now kiss the bride,” Trixie told her alien husband.

Silence engulfed the ballroom, save for the rustling of wings and the clearing of throats.

Oopsie. Kissing in public during a solemn ceremony was obviously not done on Gaenthia. She had just made a faux pas in her enthusiasm. She opened her mouth then closed it. What if she made matters worse?

“It’s the Terran tradition,” Vrixiel spoke loud enough for the whole ballroom to hear.

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