It had been a few days since the prank of the century. Meanwhile, Chad remained at large. The guards for Kylin were diligently searching for him night and day. It was an extremely frustrating process for me, but I had no choice in the matter but to wait it out and hope for the best.

I warned Kylin that Chad had probably found a way to escape back to Earth, but he convinced me it would be impossible. According to him, the planetary interstellar police had tight control on securing every border around the planet. I had no choice but to take his word for it.

“Chad won’t be able to get past them. His efforts will be in vain.” Kylin stroked my cheek sympathetically.

I knew he was trying to cheer me up and visualize a glass half full kind of outcome. I wished his confidence would rub off on me a little.

“I hope you’re right. He is the world’s unsurpassed prankster, self-proclaimed, of course.” I smiled wanly. My brother was obnoxious, and I needed karma to tag his ass as soon as possible.

“He will be no match for them.” Kylin begged me to trust him. His words were a temporary solution to my many layers of problems.

I suppose I had to give him the benefit of the doubt because he was duped, just as I had been. He was as much of a victim as me, but he wasn’t sniveling and whining about it like I was doing. I probably should try to piece myself back together.

We sat out on the terrace, enjoying coffee and breakfast made by the finest-quality chefs in all of Mixis, hired to prepare meals for Kylin at the palace. A girl could get used to this kind of royal treatment.

I was staring off into the horizon, my mind drifting like white fluffy clouds in the sky. Even through the craziness swirling around me, I was in some sort of trance-like state of peaceful solitude.

“Georgia?”

I turned to face Kylin as his voice broke my spell. “Hmm?”

“Why won’t you talk to me?” He looked hurt and confused.

I chuckled nervously. “Talk to you about what, exactly?” I wasn’t sure what he was getting at. We were still practically strangers.

He gave me a knowing glance. It was almost reflective of something, like he could read my emotions, but I hardly thought so and doubted his efforts. He didn’t know me, not yet, anyway. The fact that he was acting like he did was slightly unsettling.

“Come on, tell me what’s happening in that beautiful mind of yours. I know all of this is a momentous change for you, and if you let me into your soul, maybe I could help you process some of it.”

His expression was so genuine it made my heart leap in my chest. I heaved a dramatic sigh and shifted in my seat, leaning back against the cushion. Perhaps he wasn’t out to get in my pants after all. I tried to keep my cynical thoughts tucked away.

“I don’t know . . .” I trailed off. It was awkward trying to dive right into conversation with him, although I was trying my hardest. I was so distracted by Chad and his bullshit antics.

To be honest, even I didn’t comprehend the motive. I was sheltering my sentiments inside myself. I probably owed more to Kylin. He was dragged into this mess just as I had been.

I had willingly come to Mixis thinking I would be working and living on this planet full-time, so I really couldn’t use that as a justifiable excuse to say I wanted to go back home to Earth. I did want to stay here, just not against my will as Kylin’s wife.

Who knew what the future might bring? If we fell in love, so be it. I wasn’t against it for now, but I couldn’t predict the future either. I wanted to take things slowly, day by day. I wanted to be a teacher here on Mixis. Chad had diluted my dreams, and I hated him for it.

I didn’t have anything back on Earth to go home to. I certainly couldn’t consider Chad a devoted and generously loving family member, especially now, after what he had unjustly done to me.

“Witnessing you so upset like this is really putting a damper on my self-confidence.” He chuckled adorably. I knew he was trying to shift the conversation into a more pleasant light.

“I’m not upset,” I protested and shook my head adamantly. I wasn’t sure if he would buy it.

“You aren’t happy either,” he noted as he trailed off with a frown.

“I just want Chad found and punished for what he did,” I admitted, and it was the honest truth.

“Don’t worry. Just have patience for karma to come full-circle on itself. Sometimes, these things take time.” I knew Kylin wanted to see Chad pay as much as I did.

“How are you so enlightening and calm?” I joked as I studied him. I was attempting to figure out his motives while meanwhile, I questioned my own.

“We are married now,” Kylin daringly reminded me. I cringed as soon as he said the words. He wasn’t wrong. We’d both signed our lives away on the papers.

I knew exactly where this conversation was leading, so I chose to ignore his comment for the time being. I was afraid to talk about it, because then it made the situation all too real.

There was a curious part of me that secretly wondered what it would be like to have sex with an alien on a foreign planet. I wasn’t fully to the part where I actually wanted to participate in that activity though.

I’d been around Kylin a few days now, and I was starting to lift some of my sturdy walls and barriers of emotional protection. I’d been through the wringer, but I had to make the best of the situation because I didn’t want to make things even worse for myself. What if I angered Kylin if I appeared too standoffish? I wouldn’t want to find out.

I was learning that he had a saccharine personality. He flowed with chivalric allure and gentle grace. He woke up every day with solid kindness directed at me, so I had to at least give him some ounce of credit where credit was due.

I stared at my plate, not wanting to take another bite. I was physically full, but mentally, my disheveled and occupied mind was confused.

“Will you at least humor me with even a hint of why you are unwilling to consummate our union?” Kylin’s voice was borderline whining. He did have the typical male instincts, after all.

I looked at him and held back a grin. He was endearing and trying his best to appeal to me. I would give him the credit. At least I could thank my lucky stars that he wasn’t forcing himself on me. I had to take the good with the bad.

It would have been a nightmare if he’d tried to force me. Hopefully, he wouldn’t get too sexually frustrated and would give me time to adjust and adapt. For now, I was just grateful that he remained a diplomatic gentleman. The last thing I wanted to do was tease him and lead him on.

Did I like him, though? Part of me thought that the answer to that question was yes, but there were a million variants and theoretical ways for the paths to turn.

“Is it really a union if we hardly know each other?” I offered in a soft and gentle voice as not to deeply offend him. I hoped he’d take my point and see it as valid.

Kylin glanced at the sky. “I think it is,” he said with a shrug as he made eye contact with me. His expression seemed innocent enough.

The pain of conflict and indecision gnawed at my brain like a festering illness. It wasn’t my intention to humiliate him as the reigning crown prince of his own planet. I knew a lot was expected of him, but at the same time, this little predicament wasn’t my fault either.

However, I had been tricked into believing I was coming to Mixis to teach the native children here how to speak English, so I needed a minute . . . or several . . . to regroup and make an informed decision. The best scenario for me was if Chad confessed his crimes. That would be enough to make the marriage null and void.

“I just can’t believe we both fell for Chad’s antics.” I shook my head with shame. “I mean for me, personally, I should have known better because I’ve had to deal with his bullshit for a while. You had no idea you were walking straight into a beehive though.”

“It’s okay.” Kylin smiled at me and squeezed my hand. His touch felt warm, desirable, and safe. He had an expression on his face that made me believe that in actuality, everything would work out.

I peered over at him and met his gaze. Something ignited inside me. I wasn’t sure yet if it was a full blazing fire, but maybe it could be a tiny flame that had the potential to grow and spread. He had that effect over me. He was handsome and brooding, but he also made me tremble.

Maybe I was attracted to him because he had the same hair color as me. I mean, besides his purple skin, which was really a striking olive complexion, he looked like a normal guy. He acted even more kind than the usual jerks did back on Earth. He certainly had more class and respect than most of the guys I was used to.

His biceps were dreamy and delicious. I had to resist the temptation to reach out and touch his chiseled arms and the mountain of abdominal muscles mounted on his stomach like a work of fine art. Every part of him was perfection. Just looking at him made me feel like I should hit the gym.

I was hesitant to disclose the fact to him that I found him sexy, because I thought it might open the flood gates for sexual innuendo and expectation. He was already subtly throwing hints my way as it was.

I didn’t want him to think I was interested to the point of going through with sex just yet. I wanted to admire the view but not swim in it.

I thought it was best to continue to refuse to confess my doubts, fears, and attractions to him. Instead, I decided maybe the best fit for me right now was to play along with the marriage, however fake I deemed it to be.

In all honesty, though, I was acclimating far easier than I expected to life on Mixis. That being said, I had boarded the space ship expecting to live here for a while anyway. The only thing that had turned on its axis for me was the fact that I had a marriage mate now.

Not to mention, I was fluent in Mixis so there wouldn’t be any language barriers. Although Kylin was the only Mixis native I had actually spoken to so far while being here. I had no idea what would happen if I walked through the city and tried to interact with people in shops or restaurants.

I hadn’t had a chance to show off my talents and natural ability to speak their language, but I knew the time would eventually come for that. I had come here with a purpose that I still aimed to fulfill. Chad couldn’t take that away from me.

I had told Kylin I wanted to continue on with our conversations in English as a way to pretend that I was having trouble with adapting. That way, I wouldn’t be obligated to conform to anything yet.

He had diligently obliged my request and had thus far made no complaints against me. He seemed completely smitten with me, and that gave me self-righteous satisfaction. The way he behaved around me made me feel like on some levels, I had control over the situation and there was leeway for me to make decisions on my own.

On the other hand, I was playing a dangerous game with his heart. I hated to admit that I was having fun here with him, because then I would be expected to blend into the ‘role’ of doting wife and potential princess of Mixis. I didn’t know what the future would bring, and I still wanted to pace myself with him.

Besides, was it really so horrible to be a proclaimed princess of a planet while I clung to the arm of a man who was rich and powerful? I certainly didn’t notice any drawbacks to that type of scenario. I knew my situation could have been monumentally worse than it was.

I had to remain stoic and play my cards right. My poker face was enabled and durable, at least for the time being. Kylin kept telling me repeatedly that he vowed to protect me no matter the cost. I made a mental pact with myself to do the same thing.

If Kylin kept up his swagger and charm, though, he might melt me right into a puddle on the golden floor we walked upon. He was growing on me.

“Maybe you could show me around sometime?” I looked at him and smiled. I was curious about what lived beyond these palace walls.

“You mean the palace?” Kylin leaned in closer to me. “I’m sorry if I’ve been a terrible host. It’s just with all this mess going on with the two idiots—”

I chuckled, interrupting him to explain myself with more clarification. “No, I mean like . . . in and around Mixis.”

His face brightened with understanding. “Absolutely. Yes, I’d love to, actually.” He nodded with passionate enthusiasm.

“Great.” I beamed. I wasn’t going to be his prisoner, which was another good sign. “I mean, I might as well make the best of the time I’m here, right?”

“Yes, of course.” He nodded with vigor.

“Thank you for not pressuring me.” I glanced at him and gave him a warm smile. I hated to bring the subject back up, but I felt like he’d earned the praise.

“You’re welcome.” He squeezed my hand again. “I know this is not easy for you.”

“Not exactly,” I confessed with a slight laugh. “My brother made it worse.” He was a prick, and I planned to tell him that myself once I was face to face with him.

“He is atrocious, I must say.” Kylin laughed along with me.

“Do you mind if I go upstairs and freshen up a bit?” I asked, hoping he wouldn’t beg to follow me. I needed some time to decompress and take a breather from the drama that had unfolded. It wasn’t over yet.

“Certainly.” He nodded. “Are you finished with your breakfast?” He pointed to the food on my plate.

“Yes, it was delicious. Thank you again. You have very talented chefs here.” I couldn’t eat another bite.

He frowned. “You didn’t touch most of it.”

“It’s not that,” I tried to recover quickly. “I mean, it was wonderful. I am full. Believe me, it doesn’t take much.”

“Okay.” He paused then gave me an apprehensive grin. I guess I had convinced him. He was more trusting than he should be, which for now seemed to be the only flaw he had, if you could even call it that.

The truth was, I had less of an appetite because I was scared of the future and where I stood with Kylin. I was in a strange place on a different planet. The papers were signed, and I was legally bound as his wife. The thought made my stomach flip with fear of the unknown.

I wanted so badly to impress him, but at the same time, I wanted somebody to pay for the mistake and cruel joke played on both of us. I wondered how Katie was faring wherever the guards had taken her.

If I conformed to the marriage, that would mean Chad ended up winning in the end, and I couldn’t stomach that. I had to prove to him that I had a backbone and could stick up for myself and rise against him. The idea of Chad winning didn’t sit well with me at all.

I had to devise a practical plan in my head. I just didn’t know what that was yet. One thing I did know for sure was that Kylin was willing to participate and help me no matter what.

Kylin interrupted my thoughts. “You can use my room.”

“Oh.” I frowned. “Are you sure about that? I can totally—”

He held up a hand. “Its fine, really. You might as well get used to being here, right?”

His tone was sympathetic, but his question left a sour taste in my mouth. Even still, I nodded to agree with him. “Right.” I hoped he didn’t plan on joining me in the same bed later.

I stood up and stretched, yawning. “Well, I will be back in a little while. I really need a shower.” I laughed and gave him a slight wave before exiting the terrace as I walked back inside.

His palace was overwhelming, to say the least. It was beautiful, stunning, and captivating with crystal, gold, and marble everywhere. I was awestruck by everything that I encountered.

The decorations were gorgeous, and I wondered if he had an interior designer that came in and just bought and placed everything around in each room. Even so, he had remarkably fantastic taste.

On Earth, no man would care about aesthetics like this. I had no idea how things ran on Mixis, but that was part of the adventure. I had room to grow and learn.

I’d voluntarily come here, and I had to make the best of it and see where I drifted with the tide. I was caught up in a storm of uncertainty right now, but I knew it wouldn’t last forever.

I walked to Kylin’s room and closed (and locked) the door behind me. I didn’t want him getting any ideas. I also didn’t want anyone on his staff walking in unannounced.

I went into the decadent bathroom filled to the brim with luxury of the finest and most exquisite features, fit for a king. Or a queen? Only time would tell. My emotions were an up and down roller coaster.

I knew that Kylin wasn’t a king yet, but he would be someday. I didn’t know that much about him, but I vowed to find out as much practical information about him as I could, gaining further insight each day.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror after turning on the shower faucet. I stood there, staring at myself with a numb feeling encapsulating me. I waited until the steam in the room clouded the mirror and I disappeared into the mist.

I hoped the metaphorical clouds in my mind would eventually part, and I would gain understanding of everything that was happening, whether it be favorable or depraved. I had to buckle up for the wild ride and make the best of it, for as long as I could.