Chapter 24

Lorelai

I wasn't sure what lay in store for us the rest of the trip to Asterion. More bickering? Likely. Sex? Highly unlikely, despite Ellax's obvious desire for it.

What did await us was…not much longer on the space ship. In fact, I'd barely read the pact Ellax had written up and handed his screenpad back when his phone buzzed. He picked it up. His golden eyes skimmed the screen, absorbing the message, before they flickered up to me.

"The captain sends word that we are within Asterion's atmosphere. We will be landing in approximately two hours."

"Wait, what? Already?"

I shot up from the edge of the bed, which I'd distracted myself by making neatly, before taking a seat on it.

My alien husband gazed down his straight nose at me. "Did you assume the journey to my planet would take forever?"

I don't know what I'd assumed. I'd never been to Asterion before. Not to mention, the crazy events unfolding on this ship had made me lose track of time.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for this," I said, glancing down at my clothes, nervously attempting to smooth away wrinkles. "The gym attendant let me leave my other clothing there. She said she could send them out to get laundered. I guess I figured I'd have them back before we arrived on Asterion."

"Those will never do," Ellax agreed. "We must make you suitable. After all, Lorelai, you are no longer simply a human records keeper. You are now the wife of a Lead Advisor, and an Asterion Elder. You must look the part."

I gritted my teeth. As if I wasn't already nervous enough. He had to agree I looked like trash. I bit my tongue to hold back a retort, even as he proceeded to type out a message on his phone, explaining,

"I will have something brought for you. There are other passengers aboard this ship. Surely, they can part with a gown or two. Never fear. We will find you suitable attire."

I could have protested his methods, but found I didn't really want to. The oddity of borrowing a dress from a complete stranger aside, I supposed there was some comfort to be found in knowing I didn't have to wear gym clothes or even borrow Ellax's clothes the first time I stepped foot on his home planet. Soon to be my home planet.

The notion sent a cold chill through my guts, twisting and cramping them.

A new home planet.

A new life as a Lead Advisor's wife.

Was I really doing this?

***

"Are we really doing this?" I whispered, my throat tight and my nerves raw.

Please tell me this is a nightmare and I'm about to wake up.

Ellax tilted his head, the bronze circlet on his brow catching the overhead light and flashing against his silver skin.

"We are really doing this," he answered calmly. "No escaping now. Best ready yourself."

Ready myself.

How does one ready oneself for such a venture? My hands trembled slightly as I finished my makeup. I hadn't attempted anything other than natural, basic makeup meant to enhance. If I'd tried to get too fancy, my shaky hands would have left black mascara and eyeliner marks all over my face.

I didn't bother doing much with my hair, either. A simple knot, basic but classy. Always suitable.

As far as jewelry went, all I had was what I'd been wearing when I came on board Ellax's starship. A plain golden chain the twins had given me last year for my birthday. Small golden hoops for earrings.

No rings.

I glanced down at my hands.

No rings. Did aliens wear rings? Wedding rings? How did they show they were married? What symbols did they use? Despite my familiarity with the Overlords back on Earth, I found I didn't know.

I glanced over at Ellax, who had drawn on a pair of shiny black boots and was now changing out a couple of jeweled studs in his ears.

"Ellax?"

"Yes?" he replied without glancing my way.

I pursed my lips.

I'm his frickin' wife. I can talk to him.

Emboldened, I said, "What about jewelry? Is this okay? Plus, do Asterions wear wedding rings? Should I have one before we meet your peers?"

He barely flicked me a glance. "Asterions approve of jewels and jewelry," he answered. "A great deal of our wealth comes from the mines on our home planet. We enjoy displaying it."

I glanced at his ears. Ah. That explained it. I'd never heard that before.

"So, yes, we wear rings," he said, picking up a gaudy bauble and sliding it onto his own finger. "I suppose we wear them at our weddings." He paused, his face freezing in concentration. "I believe I did when I married Druea."

"No, not wear them at your wedding," I said. "That's not what I meant. Wear them as a symbol that you're married. On Earth, when you get married, you exchange rings. You wear them to show the world that you're married."

Now he shot me a tiny frown. "Why would we need rings for that? We have our marriage marks. Soon, the entire planet of Asterion will know we are married. This announcement will be sufficient."

"Never mind." I shook my head. "It's no big deal."

I continued to feel Ellax's stare on me as I finished my hair before rising to pick up my borrowed gown.

About twenty minutes back, a knock at the door had heralded our Doreethan flight attendant, who was standing outside holding a garment bag full of clothing. Ellax had taken the bag, closed the door with a bare thank you , then brought it to the bed where he'd laid it out. I'd hovered behind his shoulder while he'd rifled through the colorful clothing, finally holding up one dress and saying,

"This. It looks the closest to your size, and should complement you."

For once, I hadn't argued. After all, he knew his people and their clothing and customs better than I did. I'd decided to trust him and go with his pick, which I did now, taking the dress he'd selected and stepping into the closet to change. I suppose I could have dropped my clothing right there in front of him. After all, unless some miraculous intervention occurred, we'd soon have our pact sealed and witnessed and be getting into bed together. But I wasn't ready for that quite yet. Besides, he had a nice full-length mirror tucked away in here…which I purposefully avoided studying while I stripped down to my bra and panties. I knew what my body looked like. I resisted the urge to scrutinize it in light of the fact that I would soon be getting in bed with the most beautiful creature I'd ever laid eyes on. I didn't want to see the stretch marks, cellulite, and hip dips. What was the point? They weren't going anywhere.

He can either like it or lump it, I thought, yanking the extraordinarily soft fabric over my head.

Or he might be like Charlie. Have sex. No frills. No fun. Get it done, get up and clean up. Leave. Let's be real. Most men don't really care what you look like, as long as you allow them to stick it in you.

Not exactly great thoughts for my self-esteem, but, hey. I was doing my best to hang on.

Not until I was fully dressed, did I turn to stare in the mirror.

Oh wow.

I'd never owned anything like this before. I didn't know what type of plants or fibers Asterions used in their clothing, but this was certainly the softest fabric I'd ever worn. The royal blue color contrasted well with my blue eyes and dark-blonde hair, while the style of the dress, gently belted and tucked in at the waist, complimented my figure. I felt…youthful. Graceful. Classic. Things I couldn't necessarily remember feeling in a very long time.

He has good taste, I'll give him that, I thought, emerging from the closet.

Apparently, Ellax figured he had good taste too.

When I walked out, he paused what he was doing to inspect me. I allowed him, thinking he might actually give me some helpful pointers. Instead, he nodded approvingly.

"The dress is becoming, as I knew it would be."

That was it. Complimenting himself rather than me. Oh well. It was preferable to Charlie's snide remarks or put downs.

"How much longer until we land?" I asked, seating myself on the chair in front of the desk and draping my arm over its back.

"Soon," he answered. "I can feel the ship's descent."

Admittedly, I'd been so wrapped up in my own head that I hadn't even noticed, but he was correct. The Coalition's space ships were so well made you could soar through space and not notice any outside forces. However, if I paid careful attention, I could discern the subtle downward drift of the aircraft around me.

We were almost there.

By the sickening twist in my stomach, I knew without a doubt that, whatever awaited me, I was not prepared for it.