My Pretty (Stupid) Alien by Zora Black & Hazel Fraye

Author:Zora Black & Hazel Fraye [Black, Zora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-18T16:00:00+00:00

16

Kain

There is a stillness that falls, and it’s worse than the moment right before a battle begins. The sides are assembled, everyone is standing ready, and it’s that moment of suspension before everything goes completely insane.

The stillness outside of me clashes against the violence in my mind and in my heart. I never imagined that I could feel this anxious. My years as a fighter serve me well, I am able to maintain my calm even while my insides tear each other apart.

I know that only a second has gone by, but it feels like eternity. Remi just sits there with her hands on her cheeks, staring at the ring. I can’t even tell if she likes it.

I stay absolutely frozen, even while my blood gallops through my veins in a thundering rush. I do not understand this Earth ritual, at all. Perhaps what Remi is doing is perfectly normal. I have no idea.

What I do know is that she is not mine until we have had a wedding. This is merely a first step. Claiming her, putting the ring on her finger, these things set up the big event, they are not the union itself.

According to Callie, the wedding can take a long time to plan. Even though she explained it to me, I still don’t understand. We need a certain man who can say the right words. A building to be married in, and a separate one to party in. Lots of people will attend, people that we don’t even know. Masses of flowers will be involved.

Surely, there must be a faster way of doing it. The more I hear about these Earth rituals, the less I understand them.

Remi moves, just a little. She takes her hands from her cheeks and puts them in her lap, still staring at the ring. Then, she looks up into my eyes.

The cameras flash, and other people whisper and point. I still don’t know if Remi is just reacting or if this is some cultural response.

Her face breaks out into a massive smile. She hurls herself from the chair, wrapping her arms around my neck and almost knocking us both to the floor.

“Yes!” she cries, against my neck, hugging me tight. “Yes, Kain. I’ll marry you.”

For a moment, we enjoy the embrace, then she gets up and sits back in the chair. I take the ring out of the box and gently slip it on her finger. Luckily, it fits perfectly. I stand up and Remi puts her arms around my neck, and I hold her close.

“Picture? Can I have a picture, please?” a young guy hurries up, spoiling our quiet moment. I want to tell him to disappear, but I know I can’t. This is what I’m here for.

I agree, turning myself and Remi towards his camera. He takes a couple of shots then backs away.

On our other side, another reporter appears. We pause to let them take our picture as well. I knew that Callie’s people were here, but these others seem to have crawled out of the walls.

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