Page 8 of Royal Alien Mate

She had left her family with plenty of money to get by, but what kind of world would her sisters and their future children inherit?

Vaath tugged on her hand, jarring her out of her trance, and she finished descending the ramp at his side. He guided her down a smooth white stone path that curved through the thickness of the tall forest. Overtop the trees, she glimpsed the palace’s spires as they approached the imposing structure. A flock of huge yellow birds swept through the sky, speeding beyond the palace toward the forest-covered mountains in the distance.

“Oh, I forgot my backpack,” she said. The handsome alien’s sudden arrival in the women’s quarters had left her so frazzled she hadn’t remembered to grab her belongings, all that she had left from her life on Earth.

“It’s all right. Someone will bring it to my chambers,” he said.

She nodded her thanks and hoped she was soon reunited with her things. She could just kick herself for forgetting the backpack, especially since it contained family photos and mementoes.

What if she never managed to contact her family again?

It was possible her mate would not allow it. A tight ball of worry formed in her stomach. She wouldn’t be able to relax until her backpack and the contents within were once again in her possession.

“A guard told me you lived in the palace,” she said as they continued walking hand in hand. “In fact, the guard said he would escort me to the palace, that you weren’t coming to pick me up.”

He glanced down at her as he squeezed her hand. “Yes, I live in the palace. A guard was originally supposed to bring you to me, per the king’s orders, but I found I could not wait to meet you.”

Alarm filled her. “You defied theKingof Mars? Forgive me, but is that wise?”

“I have spent my entire life defying the king,” he said, amusement tinging his deep voice.

Esmay found this statement rather curious. “I thought the King of Mars was all-powerful. How exactly do you get away with your defiance?” She really hoped she wasn’t walking into some kind of strange political war. That would be just her luck.

“Easy,” he replied. “I am his only son and heir to the Marttiaxoxalian Empire.”

“You are Prince Vaath?”

“I am.”

Shock resounded within her.Vaath. Of course.

No wonder his name had sounded familiar.

Her knowledge of the war returned to her in one horrid sweeping realization—her new mate was the feared Prince Vaath, the very Martian prince who had led several well-known and deadly battles against Earth, including the final battle that had resulted in her home planet’s surrender.

She was very much about to marry the enemy.

Chapter 6

Vaath couldn’t help but notice a chill had descended upon Esmay once she learned of his status as a royal. She kept her head down as she walked beside him, her demeanor more subdued than before, and he felt her tiny hand trembling within his.

Was she afraid of him? Or did she hate him after recalling the importance of his role in the war against Earth?

Before she’d cast her gaze down, he had noticed a glimmer of worry in her blue eyes. He resolved to try his best to make her feel at home in the palace, and also promised himself he would treat her gently as he bedded her for the first time. He didn’t want to accidently hurt her and give her more reason to fear him.

Butfluxx, she was lovely, and he couldn’t stop glancing down at her and admiring her beauty as they approached the palace. He had never seen a female with hair so shiny and golden before, nor one with eyes so blue or expressive. He could drown in that bottomless blue gaze of hers and spend days upon days simply stroking her sunshine locks.

The gates opened up and Vaath guided his tiny human bride underneath the arching entryway to the palace grounds. Her trembling increased and he noticed her peeking up occasionally to take in her new surroundings, though she didn’t look in his direction once. She acted as though he wasn’t beside her, despite the grip he still had on her hand.

Irritation warred with his more rational side. He ought not be angry over her reluctance to acknowledge him. She was new to his planet and his people had conquered hers, lending an inescapable tension to their impending union.

“You needn’t fear me, sunshine,” he said, infusing his voice with warmth.

She breathed deep and finally looked up to meet his eyes, though she said nothing. After a moment, she glanced away and focused on the wide stone steps that ascended to the palace’s main entrance.

Her hand remained trembling in his and his arms ached with the urge to wrap around her and hold her until the shaking ceased, until the last vestiges of her fear dissipated in the safety of his embrace.

Soon, he thought. Soon he would have her alone in his chambers, where no one would disturb them. But first he needed to visit Wyvonus, the palace’s highest Wise One, and secure a blessing for their union.

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