by Calista Skye
The Acerex were a strange, but fascinating mix of ancient tradition and hypermodern technology. Their houses were made of wood, and they were arranged in clusters that looked more like villages than cities. The few women around wore conservative dresses with subtle patterns, and the men carried their swords and axes openly. And they used hovercars and spaceships and small communications devices without a second thought.
“It's like they're some kind of Medieval re-enactment society, except all the time,” Charlotte had whispered when they first laid eyes on Vrax'ton's planet the day before. And that was true, Harper reflected. That was exactly what it seemed like. Except it was real.
“It's kind of weird,” Ava had reflected. “The first alien society Earth connects with, and they're pretty much vikings with spaceships. I mean, it's cool. Cool as shit, actually. But it's pretty weird, too.”
Harper agreed with that. The 'cool' part, anyway. Vrax'ton' didn't seem weird to her. He was the least weird man she'd met.
After they had left the Fire planet on the alien ship, they had stopped briefly at Gideo Station. Monitoring Bry, the Fire Planet, seemed like a moot point now that they had actually been there for days and even survived the Fire, so they sent a signal calling off the rescue and notifying everyone that they'd be visiting an alien planet in another solar system, and that they now considered themselves Earth ambassadors to Acerex, Vrax'ton's planet. It was pretty presumptuous, but they felt entitled.
Harper looked out at the crowd. They were all extremely interested in her. Even if their society had been in contact with alien civilizations for a long time, Earth was the only human society they knew other than their own.
Harper would have loved to have some friends from Earth here, and some family, too. But Vrax'ton had wanted to get married as soon as possible, and Harper agreed. She couldn't wait to be married to the alien warrior with the sun in him.
And now she was. She looked up at the Acerex sun. It was a lot like the Earth's Sun, and this felt like a perfect day in spring. Maybe even a little too warm for the heavy, traditional wedding dress that they'd made for her in what had to be record time. Or maybe they were just as quick with needle and thread as with swords and axes. Her dress even had a little ceremonial knife hanging from the belt.
It was a warrior society, of course. It was by necessity – they were peaceful, but they were surrounded by enemies. And they had to defend themselves very vigorously from alien attackers. But that was only one part of it. Along with the occasional desperate fight to stay free, they also knew how to party and have a good time between battles.
The wedding reception had not been planned by Harper, but Ava and Charlotte and Lily had made sure to keep an eye on things so they weren't surprised by weird alien customs or foods.
The ceremony ended. Vrax'ton took her hand and led her down the aisle, nodding graciously to the attendees. He was dressed in ceremonial robes of blue and white, and he looked beyond stunning with a golden circlet around his temple. That was as it should be. He was the leader of this Acerex tribe, and the king of over a million people. That made Harper a queen, and her mind reeled every time she thought about it. Queen Harper of the Acerex.
It was too much to process, of course. She'd have to ease into her role. But being married to Vrax'ton felt extremely natural. The Acerex were basically human, but apart from the luminous eyes they had one feature that Harper had missed back on Earth: they mated for life. Fated Mates wasn't just something they pretended – they meant it. And they loved fiercely for as long as they lived.
Harper could live with that. That was exactly how she would love her husband. Intensely. And forever.
They looked out over the valley towards the snow-capped peaks on the other side. Vrax'ton's hand was dry and warm around hers.
“Just one thing I'd like to know,” she said. “Why did you come aboard that Gulg ship in the first place?”
He took a deep breath of the fresh air. “I was on patrol always checking neighboring solar systems for activity. I didn't like them being close to Bosh, the sacred Fire Planet. I knew what they do with sentient beings they abduct. And then they went down close to the alien base that I knew had been placed on Bosh's moon. The base you call Gideo Station. I wanted to know what was going on, so I rammed and boarded them. And there you were. I saw that you were my Fated Mate.”
“Just like that. Even if I was pretty much mooning you.”
His glanced at her with amused eyes. “No, not just like that. It's a momentous occasion in the life of any Acerex warrior. It shook me deeply and made me do things that were probably inadvisable. But it ended well.”
Harper squeezed his hand. “It did. Better than I'd ever hoped.”
Behind them, the reception was getting started and they could hear happy voices and laughter and the rattle of tableware.
“You know,” Harper said, “the ceremony is over. I think you can safely kiss me now without incurring the wrath of the Spirits.”
A wide grin spread on his face. “Some say the king should have an Acerex queen. But if only they knew you, they'd see why I picked this particular Earth woman. You have some very alien ideas sometimes. But I like them.”
He effortlessly supported her and bent her carefully backwards, then placed the most passionate kiss on her lips. She held around his neck and enjoyed melting into his embrace and his kiss.
She realized it was suddenly very quiet.
Vrax'ton straightened her up again and she saw that everyone was staring at them. Yeah, their king frenching his new bride out in the open was probably not something they had expected seeing.
To her joy, Vrax'ton just smiled happily. “Hey, she may be your queen,” he called to them. “But she's my Mahan.”
The crowd was silent for two heartbeats while they heard the translation into Acerex, and then they all laughed and cheered.
“They like you already,” Vrax'ton said and kissed her again.
“And I like their king,” Harper said. “Do you know why?”
Vrax'ton just looked at her. “I could venture a guess, but I'll let you tell me.”
“Because he's my Mahan, too.”
The huge Fire Planet warrior king just looked at her, stunned, and then he wiped his eyes. “Some things surprise even me. I thought my life was complete when I had you on Bosh. But only now do I realize what happiness is.”
Harper dried a tear of her own. “Me too.” She looked out at the scenery and felt his warm hand around hers. “And I have a feeling we'll only get happier.”
Make sure to catch the Epilogue at the back of the book!
***
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading my book!
If you want to get an email when my next book comes out, please consider signing up for my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/bpXN31. It is free and I will only send an email when I’m releasing a book, organizing a contest/special offer, or have important news to share.
I appreciate all reviews, both good and bad.
Happy reading,
Calista
More Books from Calista
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And Ator'aq won't fight
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This is a complete, full-length romance novel with no cliffhangers and a happy-ever-after ending!
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Alien Invader's Baby (Science Fiction Alien/BBW Secret Baby Romance)
Standalone sequel to Given to the Alien!
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Alien Invader's Baby is a steamy, standalone full-length novel with a Happy Ever After and no cliffhangers! Click here to check it out!
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A BBW Science Fiction Romance (with a steamy and irresistible HEA)
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StarSet: Alien Seed (A Science Fiction Romance)
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A BBW, Scifi Warrior Prince Romance (set in the world of Starset and The Darkanian's Claim).
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Gamma Raiders: The Space Pirate Prince: Alien Alpha Science Fiction Romance
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Gamma Raiders: The Space Pirate Prince is full of action, adventure, humor, and romance. It’s a full-length novel with a HEA and no cliffhangers!
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Gamma Raiders: Storm Squadron Alpha: SciFi Alien Romance Novel
Can a BBW pilot and a sexy alien warrior find love in the midst of war?
Gamma Raiders continues with a second standalone novel packed with action, adventure, humor, and romance!
One curvy pilot ...
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Gamma Raiders: The Storm Squadron Alpha is a full-length, standalone sequel. The roller-coaster ride leads to an HEA and no cliffhangers!
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Alphas Uncaged 2 (Paranormal Shifter Romance Boxed Set)
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The only one who can help her is the man who destroyed her world. Her very hot, magical, shifter ex.
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Temptation
Facing an arranged marriage to the Sundown Pack’s next Alpha, Elise escapes her room on a full moon to spend a night embracing her wolf side. When she meets and mates with a mysterious fellow wolf-shifter, they discover the next morning just how forbidden their joining is, because Mical is an Omega.
