Chapter 21

TWENTY-ONE

T he next few days passed in a blur of medical check-ups and debriefings. Venus barely left Azlun’s side, determined to help him recover. Which led to her current predicament, standing in the palace kitchen surrounded by ingredients she couldn’t even name, let alone cook.

“Okay,” she muttered to herself, eyeing what she hoped was the Tharvisian equivalent of a chicken. It had feathers, at least. Sort of. If you squinted. And ignored the fact that they were iridescent and seemed to be humming. “How hard can this be? Boil water, add bird-thing, make soup. Easy peasy. Just like Mom used to make, if Mom was an alien with six arms and a penchant for cooking creatures that look like they escaped from an acid trip.”

An hour later, as acrid smoke filled the kitchen and alarms blared, Venus was forced to admit defeat. She stared forlornly at the charred remains of her “chicken” soup, which now resembled something closer to tar than any form of edible sustenance.

“I don’t suppose you have any pizza delivery places on this planet?” she asked the frazzled kitchen staff who had come running at the smell of smoke. “No? Not even a cosmic McDonald’s or an intergalactic Taco Bell?”

When she finally presented Azlun with a bowl of what the kitchen staff had kindly prepared (after putting out the small fire she’d started), he looked at it with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.

“You... made this?” he asked, poking at a floating vegetable with his spoon.

Venus sighed dramatically. “If by ‘made’ you mean ‘nearly burned down the royal kitchen and then begged the staff to save me from my own culinary ineptitude’, then yes, I made it.”

Azlun’s laugh, warm and full despite his injury, made Venus’s heart skip a beat. He reached for her hand, pulling her close. “It’s perfect,” he said softly, his eyes shining with an emotion that made Venus’s breath catch. “Thank you.”

As she watched him eat, occasionally stealing bites for herself, Venus marveled at how natural this felt. Caring for him and being cared for in return. It was so far from the political arrangement she’d expected, and yet... it felt right.

A few days later, Venus paced nervously in their shared quarters, waiting for Azlun to return from his final medical check-up. Everything had to be perfect. She owed Amari big time for helping her plan this surprise - maybe she could convince Azlun to grant her an entire moon or something.

When Azlun walked in, looking tired but much healthier, his skin once again gleaming with its natural silver sheen, Venus pounced. “Get changed,” she said, tossing him what she hoped was appropriate attire for their adventure - something that looked like a cross between motorcycle leathers and a spacesuit. “We’re going out.”

Azlun raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Oh? And where are we going? Another attempt at cooking that ends with the evacuation of the entire palace?”

Venus stuck out her tongue, a gesture that was probably very unprincess-like but she couldn’t bring herself to care. “Ha-ha, very funny. For your information, Your Highness, that is a surprise. Now hurry up, our chariot awaits.”

As Azlun changed, Venus couldn’t help but admire the view. Even with the lingering marks of his injury, he was gorgeous - all lean muscle and smooth silver skin. She felt a blush creeping up her neck and quickly averted her eyes. “Eyes up, Arison,” she muttered to herself. “You’re a princess now, not a hormonal teenager.”

“Did you say something?” Azlun asked, now fully dressed and looking unfairly attractive in the form-fitting outfit.

“Nope!” Venus chirped, perhaps a bit too brightly. “Ready to go?”

The wind whipped through Venus’s hair as she clung to Azlun, the hover bike beneath them purring with alien energy. The landscape blurred past in a riot of colors she’d never even imagined existed in nature - iridescent plains that shimmered like oil on water, trees with leaves that seemed to sing in the breeze, mountains that looked like they were made of crystal and caught the light of the twin suns in dazzling rainbows.

“Having fun?” she yelled over the rush of air, feeling Azlun’s chest rumble with laughter against her back. The warmth of his body against hers and the strength of his arms around her waist made her feel safe and exhilarated all at once.

“I didn’t know you could drive one of these,” he called back, his breath tickling her ear and sending a shiver down her spine.

Venus grinned, pushing the bike to go even faster. The extra burst of speed made Azlun tighten his grip, pressing them even closer together. “I’m full of surprises, darling. Just you wait!”

As they raced across the breathtaking Tharvisian landscape, a warmth bloomed in her chest. This world, so strange and beautiful, was starting to feel like home. And the man holding her? He was a big part of the reason why.

The suspended restaurant was like something out of a dream. Individual tables floated serenely over a river that glowed with bioluminescent life, the soft lapping of water creating a soothing melody beneath them. The twin moons of Tharvis hung low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over everything.

Venus watched Azlun’s face as he took in the array of fresh game, exotic fruits, and vegetables spread before them. Some of the dishes seemed to be moving slightly while others emitted soft glows or gentle chimes. “How did you manage all this?” he asked, wonder in his voice.

“A magician never reveals her secrets,” Venus said, but then softened, reaching across the table to take his hand. “Actually, Amari helped. A lot. I wanted to do something special for you. To say thank you for everything. For saving my life, for being patient with my terrible cooking, and for... for loving me.”

The last words came out in a rush, and Venus felt her cheeks flush. But Azlun’s eyes, when they met hers, were filled with such warmth and adoration that her embarrassment melted away.

“Venus,” he said softly, his thumb tracing patterns on her palm that sent sparks shooting up her arm. “You don’t need to thank me. Having you here safe and by my side is all I need. When Oran’s blade struck me, do you know what gave me the strength to keep fighting? It was you. The thought of you, your smile, your terrible jokes, your incredible strength. I love you, Venus Arison, more than I ever thought possible.”

Tears pricked at her eyes, but she blinked them back trying to cover her emotion with humor. “Well,” she said, her voice only slightly wobbly, “in that case, maybe I should cancel the fireworks display and the troupe of dancing Tharvisian moon-bears I had lined up for later.”

Azlun laughed, the sound warming Venus more than any alien sun ever could. He stood, pulling her to her feet and into his arms. “The only finale I need is right here,” he murmured before capturing her lips in a kiss that made Venus’s toes curl.

As they kissed, suspended above the glowing river with the alien moons as their backdrop, Venus marveled at how far they’d come. From a political arrangement to this - a genuine connection, a partnership, and a love that transcended worlds.

When they parted, Venus grinned up at Azlun. “You know,” she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief, “I think I’m starting to see the appeal of this whole arranged marriage thing.”

Azlun chuckled, pulling her close again. “Oh really? And here I thought it was my dashing good looks and stellar personality that won you over.”

“Nah,” Venus teased, running her fingers through his hair. “It was definitely the promise of hover bikes and glowing rivers. A girl has her priorities, you know.”

As they settled back into their seats, trading bites of strange but delicious foods and laughing at Venus’s attempts to pronounce their names, Venus found herself filled with a sense of contentment she’d never experienced. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever intergalactic crises or political machinations they might face, she would face them with Azlun. Not just as his arranged bride or Earth’s ambassador, but as his partner, his equal, and his love.

And maybe, just maybe, she’d finally figure out how to make that damn chicken soup. After all, she had a whole alien world of ingredients to experiment with. What could possibly go wrong?