Olivia glanced down, her cheeks tinged with pink. “He’s ignored me since...well since he was hurt by that shapeshifter. It feels like he wants nothing to do with me. It’s not as if we were a couple. I mean we’d barely spoken to one another. I just hoped that when the dust settled and now that he was staying on Alara that he might want to spend time with me...It’s silly, I suppose.”
“It’s not silly at all. You like him, I get it. Maybe he’s struggling with the change from being a warrior on a spaceship to being a guard here at the palace?”
Olivia angled her head and gave me a quizzical look. “You don’t think he will leave the planet do you?” Her voice took on a worried tone.
“I didn’t say that. But I know he still blames himself for me being taken by the shapeshifter.” It was Trex who asked him to stay as a royal guard because he trusts him and wanted Orin to know he still has faith in him.
“Then what can I do to make him talk to me? It isn’t as if I am looking for a commitment. I don’t expect him...I know I am having someone else’s baby, but I thought we could be friends. With Riley leaving, my list of friends is growing smaller.” She frowned.
Riley put a hand on her shoulder. “You are nice enough that you’ll make friends easily here, Olivia. Don’t worry.”
Olivia nodded and looked away before clearing her throat. “I know. It’s fine.” She looked back at me and smiled. “Today is your big day, and I don’t want to spoil it by moaning about myself.”
“IT’S ALMOST TIME, YOURhighness,” a male voice called out after knocking on the door to the royal suite.
My hands began to tremble as I smoothed them down my dress. “I’m glad this is being broadcast planetwide, and I only have to see a handful of people in person outside today.”
Riley laughed. “Have you seen how many people are in the garden waiting?”
My lips parted, and I stopped breathing for a second. “Trex said there would only be a small group attending the coronation in person because of security. How many are out there?” My brows shot up.
Riley offered a response. “I counted about thirty...but that was an hour ago.”
Olivia frowned at Riley who shrugged. “She’s going to have to get used to being in front of lots of people. I mean, she is Queen of Alara for crying out loud.”
I took deep breaths and held my head high. Riley was right, I could do this.
Once I laid eyes on Trex, it would only be the two of us. His presence would give me the courage I needed.
THE PATHWAY LEADINGto the stage in the garden was adorned with a vibrant array of flowers in a rainbow of colors. As I walked, the delicate scent of Alaran flowers enveloped me, leaving an indelible impression. The scents were not familiar and yet reminded me of vanilla, jasmine and honeysuckle.
I inhaled deeply and released a satisfied sigh. It was a sensory experience unparalleled on Earth, where gardens no longerbloomed naturally. Gone were the days of flourishing gardens, replaced by the desperate struggle to grow the simplest of foods.
Alara was plentiful and rich in plant life, delicious foods and beautiful scenery. Life here in my new home was better than I could have ever asked for.
I had a mostly male staff who took care of our meals, cleaning our suite, and even doing my laundry.
That took some getting used to...the idea of another man touching my underthings. But I would get over it as I adapted to the Alaran way of life.
It wasn’t just the staff that made things easier. The technology was amazing in every sense. However, I did appreciate the home-cooked meals done in the palace kitchen. It turned out IloveAlaran food, who knew?
I put one foot in front of the other, ignoring the dozens of eyes on me on either side. My sights were set on my handsome mate, who was dressed in his kingly regalia.
He wore black trousers tucked into matching boots. Instead of his bare chest and leather straps he now wore a gold and dark green tunic accented with intricate embroidered designs of the Ul family insignia. The family of which I was now a part. Across his chest was a pale green satin sash decorated with medals signifying his various accomplishments. His bluish green skin made him even more handsome as his darker blue lips turned up and his eyes sparkled.
He was flanked by Krin who was smartly dressed in a dark shirt and navy trousers with his trademark warrior black boots. Across his chest was a special ceremonial dark purple sash showing his new rank of Captain of the Chetok.
The palace guards wore a distinct palace uniform that comprised black trousers and tunics of deep blue with red sashes denoting their rank. When I reached Trex’s side, he took my hand in his and beamed at me.
We turned to face Xilta, the head of the palace elders who was wearing long elaborate robes of red embroidered with golden thread.
The older Alaran gave me a brief smile and held his head high as he spoke. “Today is a day of celebration. We not only crown a new King and Queen. We also have the honor of being present for their weavers bond ceremony, a fated mate match that we have not seen in many tenri.
I felt Trex squeeze my hand and peered up at him. Our telepathic connection was stronger than ever and I knew he would hear my thoughts if I concentrated. ‘You look so handsome, Trex.’
Trex easily sent me his thoughts in return. ‘As do you...I can’t wait to get you alone, my queen.’
My cheeks flushed, as I looked down to hide my growing heat. I heard him chuff beside me. Then he turned his attention back to Xilta looking as innocent as ever.
