Chapter 10

TEN

R aelee's eyes fluttered open, her hand instinctively reaching across the bed. The sheets were cold, unnaturally smooth. No Vex.

"Vex?" she called out, her voice echoing in the empty cabin.

Silence answered, broken only by the gentle ticking of the old clock on the wall. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Each second that passed without a response made her heart beat a little faster.

A knot formed in her stomach as she sat up, scanning the room. His bag was gone. His jacket no longer hung on the chair where he'd carelessly tossed it last night, leaving behind only the faint scent of his cologne. It was as if he'd never been there at all.

"No, no, no," Raelee muttered, stumbling out of bed. Her injured foot hit the cold wooden floor, sending a jolt up her spine. Or maybe that was just the growing sense of dread.

She searched the cabin, her movements growing frantic with each empty drawer, each barren surface. The coffee mug he'd used yesterday still sat in the sink. It felt like a taunt, a reminder of what had been there just hours ago.

Then she saw it. A folded piece of paper on the kitchen counter, her name scrawled across the top in his bold handwriting. With trembling fingers, she unfolded it, holding her breath as if the paper might disintegrate at her touch.

After reading it, the paper crumpled in her fist as a tidal wave of emotions crashed over her. Anger, confusion, hurt—they swirled together, threatening to pull her under.

"Safe?" she spat out, her voice cracking. "What the hell does that mean?"

She paced the small cabin, her mind racing. The floorboards creaked under her feet, each step punctuating her spiraling thoughts. Why would he leave like this? After everything they'd been through, everything they'd shared...

Raelee stopped short, catching sight of herself in the small mirror above the fireplace. Her hair was a mess, her eyes wide and slightly wild. She looked like a woman on the edge, which, she supposed, she was.

"Get it together, Arison," she told her reflection sternly. But the woman staring back at her looked anything but together.

She sank onto the couch, the same couch where just last night, she and Vex had... No. She couldn't think about that now. But the memories came unbidden, vivid, and overwhelming.

"You know," Vex had said, his voice low and teasing, "for someone who's supposed to be in hiding, you're not very stealthy."

Raelee had snorted, nearly choking on her water. "Oh, I'm sorry," she'd retorted, "I didn't realize sneaking was a prerequisite for running away from an arranged marriage. I must have missed that chapter in Rebellious Princesses 101 ."

Vex's laugh had been deep and genuine, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that made her heart do a little flip. "Rebellious Princesses 101? Is that what they're teaching at Harvard these days?"

"Oh yeah," Raelee had grinned, leaning into him. "It's right after Advanced Tiara Wearing and just before Diplomatic Smiling: A Comprehensive Guide ."

The memory faded, leaving Raelee feeling hollow. She'd fallen for him. Hard. And now he was gone.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," she berated herself, pressing the heels of her hands against her eyes until she saw stars. "You know better than this, Raelee. You know better."

But knowing better didn't stop the ache in her chest, the hollow feeling that seemed to grow with each passing moment. She'd let her guard down, allowed herself to dream of a different life. And now...

Now it was time to wake up.

With a heavy sigh, Raelee began to pack. Each item she tucked away felt like another nail in the coffin of her brief taste of freedom. The reality of her situation pressed down on her, suffocating in its inevitability.

As she zipped up her bag, she paused, her hand hovering over Vex's sweatshirt. He'd draped it over her shoulders one chilly evening, and she'd never given it back. Now, it was all she had left of him.

"This is pathetic," Raelee muttered, even as she brought the fabric to her face, inhaling deeply. It still smelled like him—a mix of pine, soap, and something uniquely Vex. "You're acting like a lovesick teenager in a bad rom-com."

Still, she couldn't bring herself to leave it behind. She stuffed the sweatshirt into her bag, ignoring the voice in her head that sounded suspiciously like her mother saying, "An Arison never holds onto the past, darling. We move forward, always."

The drive back to civilization was a blur of winding roads and conflicting emotions. Raelee's knuckles were white on the steering wheel, her jaw clenched so tightly, it ached. The beautiful scenery mocked her, its serenity a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her.

"Oh, look," she said sarcastically to no one, "another breathtaking vista. How lovely. I'm sure it'll look great on the ‘Moments Before My Life Imploded' highlight reel."

As the mountains gave way to rolling hills, then to the outskirts of a small town, Raelee felt the first stirrings of panic. She wasn't ready. She couldn't face it all yet—her parents, the wedding, the suffocating weight of duty.

On impulse, she pulled into a small café on the edge of town. The cheerful bell above the door felt like an affront to her mood, but she plastered on a neutral expression as she approached the counter.

"What can I get for you, hon?" the middle-aged waitress asked, her smile warm and genuine.

"Coffee, please," Raelee said, then added, "The strongest you've got. And maybe a shot of whiskey if you've got it hidden back there."

The waitress chuckled. "Honey, if I had whiskey back here, I wouldn't still be working this job. But I can give you our special brew. It'll put hair on your chest."

Despite herself, Raelee cracked a small smile. "Sounds perfect."

She claimed a seat by the window, wrapping her hands around the steaming mug. The coffee was indeed strong enough to wake the dead, but Raelee welcomed the jolt. It made her feel more alive than she had since waking to Vex's absence.

The normalcy of the scene before her was almost surreal. People going about their day, laughing, talking, living their lives. And here she was, caught between two worlds, belonging to neither.

Raelee's burner phone buzzed. Maya's name flashed on the screen, accompanied by a photo of the two of them making ridiculous faces at the camera. The sight of it made Raelee's throat tight.

"Hey," Raelee answered, her voice rough.

"Oh thank God," Maya's relief was palpable. "Where are you? Are you okay? Do I need to call in the National Guard? Because I totally will. My cousin Dwayne owes me a favor, and he knows a guy who?—"

"May," Raelee interrupted, a reluctant chuckle escaping her. "Breathe. I'm fine." Then, with a bitter laugh, "No, actually. I'm not fine at all."

There was a pause on the other end. "What happened? Where's Vex? Do I need to kill him? Because I will. I've been practicing my right hook, and I'm pretty sure I could take all eight feet of him."

"He's six-foot-five."

"Could've fooled me. Next to you, he looks like the Incredible Hulk. I can still kick his ass."

The mental image of petite, bubbly Maya squaring up against Vex was so absurd that Raelee couldn't help but laugh. It was a fragile sound, teetering on the edge of a sob.

"He's gone," Raelee said quietly when she'd regained control. "This morning, I guess. Didn't even say good-bye."

"That bastard ," Maya hissed. "I'll kill him. I swear, Rae, I'll?—"

"It's not—" Raelee interrupted, then stopped. She took a deep breath. "It's complicated."

"Uncomplicate it for me," Maya said, her tone softening. "Talk to me, Rae. What's going on in that stubborn head of yours?"

Raelee looked out the window, watching a couple walk hand-in-hand down the sidewalk. The man said something, and the woman threw her head back in laughter. The sight made Raelee's heart ache.

"I…I'm in love, May," she whispered.

The admission hung in the air between them, heavy with implications.

"Oh, honey," Maya's voice was full of sympathy. "I'm so sorry. Also, your timing sucks."

A startled laugh burst out of Raelee. "Gee, thanks."

"Hey, I'm just saying," Maya continued, a smile evident in her voice. "You couldn't have fallen for, I don't know, the pizza delivery guy? At least then we'd get free breadsticks out of the deal."

"Maya!"

"What? I'm just trying to find the silver lining here."

Raelee shook her head, feeling some of the tension leave her body.

"So," Maya said after a moment, her tone turning serious again. "What are you going to do?"

Raelee sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know," she admitted. "I mean, I know I have to go back. And I don't even know his full name. I have responsibilities. I have to face my parents, deal with... everything. But..."

"But you'd rather get a root canal than listen to your dad's greatest hits speech about duty to the nation?" Maya supplied helpfully.

"God, don't remind me," Raelee groaned. "I swear, if I have to hear one more time about how an Arison always puts country first , I might actually scream."

"Well," Maya said, a mischievous note creeping into her voice, "we could always stage a coup. I bet we could take the White House if we had enough cupcakes and a really good playlist."

Despite everything, Raelee found herself grinning. "I'm pretty sure that's treason, May."

"Only if we get caught," Maya shot back. Then, more softly, "Where are you? I'll come get you."

Raelee shook her head, even though her friend couldn't see it. "No, I... I need to do this on my own. I'm heading back. I just needed a minute to... I don't know. Breathe, I guess."

"Okay," Maya said slowly. "But promise me you'll come see me before you go home. I've got a fresh pint of Chunky Monkey with your name on it."

"You had me at Chunky Monkey," Raelee said, managing a small smile. "Thanks, May. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably make much worse life decisions," Maya quipped. "I mean, more than usual."

"Hey!"

"Love you too, babe. Drive safe, okay?"

Raelee ended the call, feeling both better and worse. The reality of her situation was sinking in, but at least she wasn't facing it entirely alone.

As she finished her coffee, Raelee allowed herself one last moment of self-pity. She imagined an alternate reality where she wasn't Raelee Arison, daughter of the President, bride-to-be in an intergalactic arranged marriage. In that alternate world, she was just Raelee, a normal girl who could fall in love with a mysterious stranger and follow her heart without worrying about the fate of two planets.

But that wasn't her world. And wishing wouldn't make it so.

Squaring her shoulders, she stood. Time to face the music.

The drive to Maya's apartment felt both endless and far too short. Raelee's stomach was in knots as she parked, her palms sweaty on the steering wheel. She checked her reflection in the rearview mirror, wincing at what she saw.

"Well," she muttered, attempting to smooth down her hair, "at least I look as good as I feel."

Before she could even knock, the door flew open and Maya engulfed her in a fierce hug.

"God, I missed you," Maya mumbled into Raelee's hair. "Also, you look like a lumberjack. A very attractive lumberjack, but still."

Raelee laughed, a watery sound that was dangerously close to a sob. "I missed you too. And, hey, maybe lumberjack chic is my new aesthetic. You don't know."

Maya pulled back, studying her friend's face. "You look like hell," she declared.

"Wow, thanks," Raelee said dryly. "That's exactly what a girl wants to hear after driving for hours and having an emotional crisis."

"Hey, I'm just being honest," Maya grinned, ushering Raelee inside. "That's what best friends are for, right? Besides, you know you're gorgeous even when you look like you've been dragged backward through a hedge."

Raelee collapsed onto Maya's couch, the familiar surroundings both comforting and strange after her time away. "I thought that's what best friends were for," she said, gesturing to the pint of ice cream and two spoons Maya was carrying over.

"Nope, that's what Ben and Jerry are for," Maya quipped, handing Raelee a spoon. "We're just their humble servants. Now, eat your feelings and tell me everything."

For a moment, they ate in companionable silence. Then Maya set her spoon down, her expression turning serious.

"All right, spill," she said. "What happened out there? And don't leave out any details. I want the full soap opera experience."

Raelee took a deep breath and began to talk. She told Maya everything—the diner, the car chase, the mercenaries. The growing connection with Vex, the way he made her feel alive and free in a way she'd never experienced.

"And then there was this moment," Raelee said, her eyes distant. "We were sitting by the fire, and he was telling me about his favorite constellations. I don't even remember what he was saying, really. I just remember looking at him and thinking, ‘Oh. This is what it feels like.'"

"What what feels like?" Maya prompted gently.

Raelee met her friend's eyes, her own shining with unshed tears. "Falling in love."

Maya reached out, squeezing Raelee's hand. "Oh, honey."

"I know," Raelee said, laughing even as a tear slipped down her cheek. "Stupid, right? Falling for a guy I barely know, when I'm supposed to be marrying an alien prince."

"It's not stupid," Maya said firmly. "It's human. And for what it's worth, from everything you've told me about this Vex guy, he sounds pretty amazing. You know, for a potential secret agent or whatever he is."

Raelee snorted. "Yeah, he's great. So great he left without even saying good-bye."

"About that," Maya said slowly. "Don't you think it's a little... weird? I mean, from everything you've told me about him, it doesn't sound like something he'd do."

"I know," Raelee agreed, frustration evident in her voice. "That's what's driving me crazy. It doesn't make sense."

"Do you think there was some type of emergency back home and he had to rush back to his obligations?"

"I don't know what to think."

"Unless..." Maya trailed off, a thoughtful look on her face.

"Unless what?" Raelee prompted.

Maya shook her head. "I don't know. It's just... have you considered that maybe there's more going on here? Something he hadn't told you?"

Raelee laughed humorlessly. "May, there's definitely more going on here. The question is what ?"

"Well," Maya said, a mischievous glint in her eye, "we could always go full Nancy Drew and investigate. I could put his face on every search engine and find what country he belongs to."

"He has this unique accent."

"Like European?"

Raelee frowned. "It's possible. I've never heard it before but it was damn sexy."

"Well, no matter. I can find him. I've got a trench coat and a magnifying glass somewhere..."

Despite herself, Raelee snorted. "Yeah, because that wouldn't be suspicious at all. I can see the headlines now: ‘President's Daughter and Unhinged Friend Caught Snooping in Trench Coats. Fashion Crime or National Security Threat?'"

Maya gasped in mock offense. "Excuse you, I look fabulous in a trench coat. It's very film-noir chic."

"Oh yeah?" Raelee raised an eyebrow. "And what would your detective name be? Nancy Pray-she-doesn't-get-caught?"

"Please," Maya scoffed, tossing her hair dramatically. "I'd obviously be Carmen Slay-diego."

The absurdity of the conversation finally broke through Raelee's melancholy. She burst into laughter, real and unrestrained, for what felt like the first time in days. Maya joined in, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

As their giggles subsided, Raelee wiped tears from her eyes – this time from mirth rather than sorrow. "God, I needed that," she sighed, slumping back into the couch.

Maya smiled softly. "That's what I'm here for. Well, that and to raid your closet when you become space royalty."

"Space royalty," Raelee repeated, her mood sobering. "Right."

Maya's expression turned serious. "Okay, real talk time. What are you going to do?"

Raelee stared at the ice cream. "I don't know," she admitted. "I mean, I know I have to go back. Face my parents. But..."

"But you don't want to," Maya finished for her.

"Is that terrible?" Raelee asked, her voice small. "I mean, I know I have responsibilities. I know people are counting on me. But the thought of going back to that life, of marrying someone I don't even know..."

"It's not terrible," Maya said firmly. "It's normal. You're allowed to want things for yourself, Rae."

"Am I, though?" Raelee countered, standing to pace the small living room. "When the stakes are this high? We're talking about an interplanetary alliance here, May. The fate of two worlds. How can I put my feelings above that?"

Maya watched her friend's agitated movements, her brow furrowed in concern. "Okay, let's break this down. What exactly are you feeling right now?"

Raelee ran a hand through her hair, tugging at the ends in frustration. "I don't know. Everything? Nothing? It's like... imagine you're on a roller coaster, right? And it's terrifying and exhilarating, and your stomach is doing flips, but it's also kind of amazing. And then suddenly, the ride stops. Just... dead. And you're left hanging upside down, all the blood rushing to your head, not knowing if you're about to plummet to your death or if someone's going to come rescue you."

"That's... oddly specific," Maya said, tilting her head. "But I think I get it. You're scared, and confused, and probably still a little in love, right?"

Raelee nodded miserably. "And guilty. Don't forget guilty."

"Guilty? For what, having feelings?"

"For wanting more," Raelee said softly, sinking back onto the couch. "For not being satisfied with the life that's been laid out for me. Do you know how many people would kill to be in my position? To have the opportunities I have?"

Maya scooted closer, wrapping an arm around her friend's shoulders. "Probably a lot. But you know what? None of them are you or your sisters. And none of them have to live your lives."

Raelee leaned into the embrace, feeling some of the tension leave her body. "When did you get so wise?"

"Please," Maya scoffed. "I've always been wise. You just never listen to me."

That drew a chuckle from Raelee. "Fair point."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation settling around them like a heavy blanket.

"Can I ask you something?" Maya said eventually.

"Always."

"This Tharvisian prince... what do you actually know about him?"

Raelee groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Ugh, don't remind me. I know he's got a long, weird name. I know he's the crown prince of Tharvis. And I know he's agreed to this arrangement for the good of his people. That's about it."

"So, basically, you know nothing," Maya said dryly.

"Pretty much," Raelee admitted, lifting her head. "He's just this... abstract concept. This nameless, faceless symbol of everything I'm about to lose."

Maya's brow furrowed. "That's... kind of intense, Rae. Have you considered that maybe he's in the same boat as you? Trapped by duty, unsure of his future, maybe even a little scared?"

Raelee blinked, taken aback by the suggestion. "I... I guess I never really thought about it that way," she said slowly. "He's always been this looming presence in my mind, not a real person with his own feelings and fears."

"Well, maybe it's time to start thinking of him that way," Maya suggested gently. "I mean, he's probably not thrilled about marrying a stranger either, right?"

Raelee chewed on her lower lip, considering. "Maybe. But what difference does it make? The situation is still the same. I'm still expected to marry him, feelings be damned."

"Is it though?" Maya challenged. "Look, I'm not saying you should just roll over and accept this arranged marriage thing. But maybe... maybe there's room for negotiation here."

Raelee's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Maya sat up straighter, her expression turning serious. "I think you need to talk to them. All of them. Your parents, this prince guy, his family – whoever else is involved in this intergalactic matchmaking scheme. Be honest about how you feel."

"You make it sound so simple," Raelee sighed.

"Oh, it definitely won't be simple," Maya grinned. "But since when has Raelee Arison ever backed down from a challenge?"

Despite herself, Raelee felt a spark of determination ignite in her chest. "Never," she said firmly.

"Exactly," Maya nodded, satisfied. "So, what's the plan?"

Raelee took a deep breath, straightening her spine. "First, I need to talk to my parents. No more running, no more hiding. It's time I made my voice heard."

"That's my girl," Maya beamed. "And after that?"

"After that..." Raelee paused, a mix of determination and apprehension crossing her face. "I think... I think I need to go to Tharvis."

Maya's eyes widened. "Wait, what? You mean actually go to their planet ?"

Raelee nodded slowly. "You're right, May. I can't just dismiss this whole thing without even meeting the prince and royal family. It would be disrespectful, not just to them but to the whole alliance. If I'm going to have any say in my future, I need to show that I'm taking this seriously."

"Wow," Maya breathed. "That's... actually really mature of you, Rae. I'm impressed."

"Don't sound so surprised," Raelee said, rolling her eyes.

"So, let me get this straight," Maya said, counting off on her fingers. "You're going to confront your parents, demand to go to an alien planet, and potentially negotiate the terms of your own arranged marriage with an alien prince you've never met?"

Put like that, it sounded absolutely insane. But Raelee found herself nodding. "Yeah, that about sums it up."

A slow grin spread across Maya's face. "That. Is. Awesome!" She pumped her fist in the air. "Operation Space Diplomacy is a go!"

Raelee couldn't help but laugh. "Space Diplomacy? Really?"

"What? It's catchy," Maya defended. "Plus, it sounds way more official than ‘Operation Raelee Goes to Alien Prom.'"

"You're ridiculous," Raelee said fondly.

"Yeah, but you love me anyway," Maya grinned, then her expression softened. "You've got this, Rae. And no matter what happens, I've got your back. Even if I have to hijack a spaceship to come rescue you from some alien royal drama."

The mental image of Maya in a spacesuit, careening through the cosmos in a stolen ship was so absurd that Raelee burst into laughter again.

"Thanks, May," she said when she'd caught her breath. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably cause an intergalactic incident," Maya replied cheekily. "Now come on, let's order some real food. You're going to need your strength for all this space traveling and royal schmoozing."

As Maya reached for her phone to order, Raelee felt a mix of determination and apprehension wash over her. She didn't have all the answers yet, but she had a plan. A terrifying, potentially life-altering plan, but a plan, nonetheless.

She was Raelee Arison, after all. And Arison women didn't back down from a challenge, even if that challenge involved crossing the galaxy to meet her potential alien fiancé.

As the smell of delivery pizza began to fill the apartment, Raelee allowed herself a small smile. Tomorrow, she'd face her parents, her future, and whatever the universe had in store for her. But tonight? Tonight was for bad movies, good food, and the kind of laughter that makes you forget your troubles, if only for a little while.

As she settled in for a night of much-needed normalcy with her best friend, Raelee couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, everything would work out in the end.

After all, stranger things had happened. She was about to travel to an alien planet, wasn't she?

But even as she tried to focus on the future, a part of her mind kept drifting back to Vex. Where was he now? Why had he left so suddenly? And why couldn't she shake the feeling she was missing something important?

Raelee pushed the thoughts aside. One interplanetary crisis at a time. For now, she had a best friend, a pizza, and a whole night to pretend that her life wasn't about to change forever.